Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:6
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
6. Mishpm, ‘judgements,’ or ‘ordinances,’ LXX (19 times in plur., 4 times in sing.), has some variety of meaning. The idea in the word is “that of a judicial decision, made authoritatively once, and constituting a rule, a precedent, applicable to other similar cases in the future” (Driver on Deu 4:1); but in several passages of the Psalm it means the judicial acts of Jehovah, executing judgement on the wicked, and revealing or vindicating His law. Common in Deut. (Psa 4:1 &c.).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
6. Then points back to Psa 119:5, and is further explained in 6 b: then namely, when I &c. No real disgrace or disappointment can befall him whose single aim is the observance of God’s law in all its parts.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Then shall I not be ashamed – On the word ashamed, see Job 6:20, note; Psa 25:2-3, note. The meaning here is, that he would not have occasion to be ashamed; he would not be disappointed; all his hopes would be realized. He would have full evidence of piety; he would enjoy the comforts which he sought in religion; he would feel assured of ultimately obtaining eternal life.
When I have respect unto all thy commandments – literally, In my looking at all thy commandments. That is, in his regarding them; in his feeling that all were equally binding on him; and in his having the consciousness that he had not intentionally neglected, violated, or disregarded any of them. There can be no true piety except where a man intends to keep all the commands of God. If he makes a selection among them, keeping this one or that one, as may be most convenient for him, or as may be most for his interest, or as may be most popular, it is full proof that he knows nothing of the nature of true religion. A child has no proper respect for a parent if he obeys him only as shall suit his whim or his convenience; and no man can be a pious man who does not purpose, in all honesty, to keep All the commandments of God; to submit to his will in everything.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 119:6
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments.
A clear conscience
We are not under the law, but under grace, yet are we not lawless, since we have become servants of God. Nay, but we are under another law, which works upon us after another fashion. The child may be quite clear of the police court, but there is a rod at home. There is a fathers smile; there is a fathers frown.
I. The universality of believing obedience. The esteem in which we hold, and the tribute we pay to, all Gods commandments is spoken of. Not picking and choosing–paying attention to this, because it pleases me, and omitting that, because it is not equally pleasurable. What do we mean by having respect to all Gods commandment I reply that, whatever there is that the Lord has spoken in any part of His Word we desire to hold in devout esteem, and to have respect to every utterance of His will. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy commandments–to the foundation commandments, striving to dig deep; to the high soaring commandments, seeking to rise into the utmost fellowship with God; to those commandments that need stern labour, like the rugged walls upon which much toil must be spent, and upon those which are a delight and a beauty, like the golden aureole windows that require fine taste and delicate skill. Oh that we were enamoured of this perfection, and were seeking after it!
II. The excellency of its result. Then shall I not be ashamed. That means, first, that as sin is removed, shame is removed. Sin and shame came into this world together. Unless sin gets to a high head, which it will not do in the believer, shame is sure always to go with sin. Excessive sin or habitual transgression at last kills shame, so that the hardened culprit knows not how to blush. It is an awful thing when a man is no longer conscious of shame, but a more awful thing still when he comes to glory in his shame; for then his damnation is not far off. But as sin is cast out of the believer, shame is cast out of him in proportion, and it thence comes to pass that courage rises with a consciousness of rectitude. The man that has respect unto Gods commands is no longer ashamed of men. He is not abashed by their scorn, or disconcerted by their ridicule. There is nothing to be ashamed of in keeping Gods commands. Then, again, before men we shall not be ashamed of our profession. I am a Christian. Look me up and down and examine my conduct. I do not boast of it, but I know that I have sought honestly and sincerely to walk before God in righteousness. Or, when an accusation is brought against you falsely, meet it in the same spirit. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Unlimited obedience to the Divine commands
I. The psalmist made little account of the worlds opinion.
II. His profound obedience to God.
III. The concern he was under at failing in some particulars.
IV. His earnest desire to obey all the Divine commands.
V. That peace which would follow upon his keeping all the commandments.
1. A peace that is built upon the most solid foundation–the promises of God.
2. A peace that is most pure and genuine, having no mixture of baseness and alloy.
3. A peace that secures the mind from all the accusations of Satan, who would willingly disturb us; and that prepares us for setting light by the molestations which others may endeavour to give us.
Conclusion–
1. In what light do you view the worlds opinion? Are you not too much biased by it?
2. Inquire into your obedience, and ask if it does not differ from that of the psalmist, who objected not to any of Gods commandments, but had respect unto all.
3. Have you not had respect to every commandment? You cannot surely look back upon the fact with indifference, or unaffectedness, etc.
4. What must be said of those who instead of being grieved that they keep not all the commandments of the Lord, keep none; but wilfully break them all, and glory in doing so, etc. (J. Dorrington.)
The effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever
Consider the advantages that we shall receive, from a regular, uniform obedience to Gods commandments.
I. As it gives us peace of mind. The man that makes this his care is approved by his besom-witness, and satisfied from himself. God has wisely ordered it, that as soon as we have done well, we should be encouraged to continue in well-doing, by the approbation of right reason; and whensoever we sin against Him, we should also offend ourselves, and be condemned by our own impartial sentence.
II. As it encourages us to look cheerfully upon the world. Having no design but to satisfy his conscience, to do justice to his brother, and to please his God, he wishes that his actions were as clear as the light, and his dealings as the noonday: for he wants no pretences, no private reserves. And he takes the easiest, the safest, and the most satisfactory course of life. His way is plain before him, and he needs not trouble himself with any inquiry but this, Whether the action that he is going to commit is consistent with his duty to God. And if the tongue of censure should endeavour to fix its calumnies upon him, and shoot forth its poisonous arrows, even bitter words, they cannot disturb the harmony of his thoughts, or make any impression upon him. He is safe in his integrity, and beats off their furious onsets with a fixed and unmovable resolution.
III. As it gives us a lively hope and confidence in God. Blessed is the man that has thus made God his friend, and by the actions of an unblameable life has presented himself, his soul and body, a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice to God. Being entirely devoted to Him, he can resort to Him in every danger and difficulty, and truly ask for His counsel to direct, and His assistance to deliver him. (T. Newlin, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 6. Then shall I not be ashamed] Every act of transgression in the wicked man tends to harden his heart; and render it callous. If a man who fears God is so unhappy as to fall into sin, his conscience reproaches him, and he is ashamed before God and man. This is a full proof that God’s Spirit has not utterly departed from him, and that he may repent, believe and be healed.
Unto all thy commandments.] God requires universal obedience, and all things are possible to him whom Christ strengthens; and all things are possible to him that believes. Allow that any of God’s commandments may be transgressed, and we shall soon have the whole decalogue set aside.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Then shall I not be ashamed; either of my actions, or of my profession of religion, or of my hope and confidence in thy favour. When sinners shall be ashamed both here, Rom 6:21, and hereafter, Dan 12:2, I, having the conscience of mine own integrity, shall lift up my head with courage and boldness, both before men, when they either accuse or persecute me, and before God in the day of judgment, as it is said, 1Jo 4:17.
Respect; a due and true respect, which implies high valuation, hearty affection, diligent study, and common practice.
Unto all thy commandments; so as not to be partial in my obedience, not to allow myself in the practice of any known sin, or in the neglect of any known duty.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then shall I not be ashamed,…. Of hope in God, of a profession of faith in him, and of a conversation agreeable to it before men; nor of appearing before God in his house, worshipping him there; nor at the throne of his grace, nor at the day of judgment, and before Christ at his coming;
when I have respect unto all thy commandments; or “look” n at them constantly, as the rule of walk and conversation; and to copy after, as a scholar looks at his copy to write after; and affectionately esteem all his precepts concerning all things to be right, and none of his commandments grievous; and practically, not in the theory only; but observing them in order to practise them, and diligently attending to them, and steadfastly continuing in them; impartially regarding them, one as another; and especially as beholding them fulfilled perfectly in Christ, who is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes.
n “quum intuebor”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(6) Have respect unto.Literally, look upon, or into, as in a mirror. (Comp. Jas. 1:23.) The Divine Law is as a mirror, which shows man his defects; the faithful, in looking in it, have no cause to blush.
Judgments.Not here in common sense of visitations for sin, but only one of the change of synonyms for law. (See this use in Exo. 21:1; Exo. 24:3, &c.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Here we find what confidence the truly regenerated soul is put in possession of, when living upon Jesus as Jehovah hath appointed. All the commandments will be alike the delight of such a soul. And the holiness of Jehovah will be as dear and precious to the believer as any other of the divine perfections; because in the Lord shall one say, I have righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come, and all that believe in him shall not be ashamed nor confounded, world without end. Isa 45:17-24 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Ver. 6. Then shall I not be ashamed ] i.e. I shall be highly honoured both by thee and all thy people; able to look thee and them in the face, free from an evil conscience.
When I have respect unto all thy commandments
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
ashamed = put to shame; not shame of conscience.
commandments. The tenth in order of the ten words. See App-73.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
shall I: Psa 119:31, Psa 119:80, Job 22:26, Dan 12:2, Dan 12:3, 1Jo 2:28, 1Jo 3:20, 1Jo 3:21
I have: Psa 119:128, Joh 15:14, Jam 2:10
Reciprocal: Gen 7:5 – all that Exo 36:1 – according Exo 38:22 – all that the Lord Num 2:34 – according Deu 5:33 – walk Deu 6:25 – General Deu 11:32 – General Deu 13:18 – to keep Deu 26:18 – keep Deu 28:1 – to do all 2Sa 22:23 – For all 1Ki 15:5 – David 1Ch 22:13 – Then shalt Job 11:15 – lift up Psa 119:15 – have respect Psa 119:117 – and I will Psa 119:167 – soul Ecc 8:5 – keepeth Eze 18:28 – he considereth Mat 5:19 – shall break Luk 1:6 – walking 1Jo 2:3 – if we