Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:51
The proud have had me greatly in derision: [yet] have I not declined from thy law.
51. have had me greatly in derision ] Lit. have scorned me exceedingly. The ‘proud’ men of whom the Psalmist speaks belonged to the class of ‘scorners,’ the freethinkers who make what is good and holy the object of their ridicule. Cp. Pro 21:24; and note on Psa 1:1. Though they ridicule him, he does not swerve from his adherence to God’s law.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The proud have had me greatly in derision – Those of rank; those in high life: perhaps, as we should say, the frivolous and fashionable world. They have ridiculed me; they have held me up to contempt for my scruples, my seriousness, my conscientiousness, my unwillingness to mingle with them in the pursuits, the pastimes, the frivolities of life. It is now no new thing to be held in contempt by the proud and the frivolous, on account of serious piety; to be thus held in contempt has been rather the rule than the exception in the treatment which the friends of religion have received from the world.
Yet have I not declined from thy law – I have not been deterred from the avowal of my religious belief; I have not turned away from the duties of piety on account of the ridicule and scorn to which I have been exposed. Compare Psa 44:17-19.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 119:51
The proud have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not declined from Thy law.
The contemptible and admirable in character
I. The contemptible. The proud.
1. Who are the despicably proud? Not the men who have formed a true estimate of their powers, and are nobly self-reliant, but the supercilious.
2. In the character of these men there are always two base elements.
(1) Servility. They cringe to their superiors; they are the flunkeys of society.
(2) Tyranny. Whilst they bow with a slavish spirit to those above them, they are contemptuous and despotic to those beneath.
II. The admirable. He is the true nobleman who will dare to pursue the right, regardless of the frowns or smiles of men. (Homilist.)
The Christian armed against ridicule
I. The persons who assail you. The proud. On the heart, which is so possessed, the Holy Spirit will not, cannot enter. Whether it be right to hearken go such a one rather than unto God, judge ye.
II. The means which they employ to draw you from the faith. Derision. Arguments against the truth of your religion you could have confuted; or, had you been defeated, would not have thought yourself disgraced;–but to have your judgment laughed at, the generosity of your spirit denied, your principles scorned, to be branded with the name of simple, coward, hypocrite,–alas! who is sufficient for these things?
III. The law from which they would drive you. If it be true that a revelation has been given by God to man, it is not for man to trifle in obedience. (G. Mathew, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 51. The proud have had me] We have been treated, not only with oppressive cruelty, but also with contempt, because we still professed to trust in thee, the living God, who because of our transgressions hadst been greatly displeased with us; yet we have not declined from thy law.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Greatly in derision, for my godliness and trust in thy word, as the following words imply.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
49-51. Resting on the promisesconsoles under affliction and the tauntings of the insolent.
upon whichrather,”Remember Thy word unto Thy servant, because,” &c.So the Hebrew requires [HENGSTENBERG].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The proud have had me greatly in derision,…. Profane sinners, proud and haughty scorners, that make a jest of religion, and scoff at everything serious and good: these derided the psalmist for his piety and religion, his principles and practices; in which he was a type of Christ, who was both the song of the drunkards, and was derided by the proud and haughty Scribes and Pharisees; as all self-righteous persons are, they who trust in themselves, and despise others,
Ps 69:11;
[yet] have I not declined from thy law; from walking according to it, as a rule of life and conversation; from professing and maintaining the doctrine of the word, the truths of the Gospel, he had knowledge and experience of; and from going on in the ways of God and true religion he was directed in; and this testimony the Lord himself gave of him,
1Ki 14:8 see Ps 44:19.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
David here tells us, and it will be of use to us to know it, 1. That he had been jeered for his religion. Though he was a man of honour, a man of great prudence, and had done eminent services to his country, yet, because he was a devout conscientious man, the proud had him greatly in derision; they ridiculed him, bantered him, and did all they could to expose him to contempt; they laughed at him for his praying, and called it cant, for his seriousness, and called it mopishness, for his strictness, and called it needless preciseness. They were the proud that sat in the scorner’s seat and valued themselves on so doing. 2. That yet he had not been jeered out of his religion: “They have done all they could to make me quit it for shame, but none of these things move me: I have not declined from thy law for all this; but, if this be to be vile” (as he said when Michal had him greatly in derision), “I will be yet more vile.” He not only had not quite forsaken the law, but had not so much as declined from it. We must never shrink from any duty, nor let slip an opportunity of doing good, for fear of the reproach of men, or their revilings. The traveller goes on his way though the dogs bark at him. Those can bear but little for Christ that cannot bear a hard word for him.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
51. The proud have greatly scorned me This example is eminently useful, as it serves to inform us, that though our honesty may render us obnoxious to the insults of the ungodly, we ought, by our unflinching constancy, to repel their pride, lest we should take a dislike to the law of God. Many who, in other respects, would be disposed to fear God, yield to this temptation. The earth has always been filled with the impious contemners of God, and at this day it is almost overrun with them. Wherefore, if we do not disregard their reviling, there will be no stability in our faith. In calling unbelievers proud, he applies to them a very appropriate designation: for their wisdom consists in despising God, lightly esteeming his judgments, trampling all piety under foot, and, in short, pouring contempt upon the celestial kingdom. Were they not blinded with pride, they would not follow such a headlong course. We must interpret the words in this manner: Though the proud have treated me with scorn, I have not turned aside from thy law. We must not overlook the,, particle very much, or greatly, which imports, that he was harassed, not merely occasionally or for a short time, by the ungodly, but that the attack was continued from day to day. Let us learn from these words, that the wicked, in consequence of their forming the great majority of mankind, arrogate to themselves the greater liberty. The number of the godly who worship God reverently is always small. Hence we must hold out against a large troop and rabble of the impious if we would maintain our integrity.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
DISCOURSE: 703
COMFORT UNDER PERSECUTION
Psa 119:51-52. The proud have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not declined from thy Law. I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.
THERE is not, throughout the whole Scriptures, any woe so little feared, so little thought of, so little credited, as that which was denounced by our blessed Lord, Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you [Note: Luk 6:26.]! But, in truth, there is no denunciation more certain to be executed than that: for there is nothing that can more infallibly prove us to be the enemies of God, than the approbation and love of an ungodly world. If it be asked, Whence this should be? I answer, that the things which are highly esteemed amongst men are an abomination in the sight of God; and that the things which are pleasing to God are no less an abomination in the sight of men: and consequently, that, whichever of the two we serve, we must of necessity lose the favour of the other. This is what our blessed Lord has told us: Ye cannot serve God and mammon; ye cannot adhere to either without despising and renouncing the other [Note: Mat 6:24.]. And the truth of this has been exemplified in all the saints, from the time of Abel to the present moment. What David speaks respecting his own experience of it, will lead me to consider,
I.
The trials he endured
He was held greatly in derision by his ungodly subjects
[If any one could have escaped contempt, we should have supposed that David would be the happy man. His rank in society, as the king of Israel; his extraordinary prowess in arms; the services he had rendered to his country; and the marvellous sublimity of his piety, must, we should have thought, have rendered him an object of universal love and admiration. But, amongst his proud and envious subjects, this last quality neutralized, us it were, all his merits, and reduced him to an object of hatred and contempt. The highest people in his kingdom delighted to speak against him [Note: ver. 23.]; whilst the lowest readily joined in their opprobrious treatment of him [Note: Psa 69:12.]. The fat bulls of Bashan on the one hand, and the dogs on the other, compassed him about [Note: Psa 22:12; Psa 22:16.], and treated him with every species of indignity. Even his own wife, who should have been ready to stem the torrent of abuse that was cast upon him, herself joined in it with peculiar malignity [Note: 2Sa 6:20.]; and the very best actions of his life were made the chief subjects of their profane raillery [Note: 2Sa 6:16 and Psa 69:10-12.]. And let not this be thought a light affliction. Truly it is painful to flesh and blood to bear such contemptuous treatment: so, at least, the Apostle represents it in the Epistle to the Hebrews [Note: Heb 10:32-33.]; and so David himself found it to be: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us! says he: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt; our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud [Note: Psa 123:3-4.].]
And can we hope to escape a similar trial?
[Look at the saints from the beginning, and find one that ever escaped it? How contemptuously did the scoffers of the antediluvian world ridicule the conduct of Noah, all the time that he was preparing the ark [Note: 2Pe 3:3-6.]! What an object of derision, too, was Isaac, on account of his confidence in God [Note: Gen 21:6. with Gal 4:29.]! Behold Lot also in Sodom [Note: 2Pe 2:7-8.], and Elisha [Note: 2Ki 2:23.] and Jeremiah [Note: Jer 20:7.] in Israel: or rather, look at our blessed Lord himself, and all his holy Apostles; what was there too contemptuous for the ungodly to say either of him [Note: Mat 27:39-44.] or them [Note: 1Co 4:13.]? How, then, can any one hope to escape in the present day? Is the carnal mind less at enmity with God now, than in former ages? That the laws of the land protect the godly to a certain degree, is true; but from the shafts of calumny and contempt, no laws, whether divine or human, can protect us: and this species of persecution, at least, shall every one experience, who will come out from the world, and boldly declare himself to be on the side of Christ [Note: Joh 15:19.]. If they called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they those of his household [Note: Mat 10:25.].]
For our direction, then, let us contemplate,
II.
The graces he exercised
Whilst he bore his trials with patience, he suffered none of them to divert him from the path of duty
[Davids mind was too firmly fixed on God to be moved by the scoffs and raillery of a profane world. What he did, he did from principle. He regarded Gods Law as a rule from which no trial whatever should induce him to depart. Not only would he not turn back from the path of duty; he would not turn aside from it, no, not for a moment. The more contemptuously he was treated by men, the more diligently he sought communion with his God, in the study of his blessed word [Note: ver. 23, 24.], and in the exercise of fervent prayer [Note: Psa 69:13.]. Hence, when he and his people were treated with the utmost possible scorn and derision, he could appeal to God in the following triumphant language: All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant: our heart is not turned back; neither have our steps declined from thy ways [Note: Psa 44:13-18. with 69:20.].]
And such, also, is the firmness which we should manifest
[It should be with us a small matter to be judged of mans judgment [Note: 1Co 4:3.]. We should have but one object, and that is, to approve ourselves to God; and, having the testimony of our consciences that we have pleased him, we should not lay to heart the displeasure of others, however contemptuously or virulently it may be displayed. Onward we should go in our destined path, not turning either to the right hand or to the left. If the whole world should deride us, we should not be induced either to do any thing which will offend our God, or to forbear any thing which will honour him. That they hate our light, and are offended at it, is no reason at all why we should put it under a bushel: whoever they may be, whether friends or foes, our reply to them should be, I will yet be more vile than thus [Note: 2Sa 6:22.].]
Nor will this be very difficult, when once we have tasted of,
III.
The consolations he enjoyed
In the recollection of Gods judgments of old, he comforted himself
[The term judgments has in the Scriptures a great variety of meanings. In the psalm before us it seems to import the declarations and decisions of Jehovah. Now God, in his word, has abundantly declared that such treatment is to be expected, and that it is, to those who suffer it, a token for good: The just upright man is laughed to scorn. He that is ready to slip with his feet, is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease [Note: Job 12:4-5.]. A lamp burning bright in a dark place is an object of high regard; but when it is so burnt down that the flame is quivering on the wick, and almost extinct, it is regarded rather as an object of disgust. And such is the light in which even the best of worldly men are viewed, when once God is pleased to convert them to himself: they are no longer welcomed as friends to exhilarate and enliven their companions, but are lothed rather, as the bane of social happiness. In Gods estimation, however, they are proportionably exalted; and are taught to consider the reproach of Christ as greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt [Note: Heb 11:26.]. In the view of these things, the Psalmist comforted himself; saying, Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy Law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts [Note: ver. 77, 78.].]
The same sources of comfort are ever open unto us also
[Our blessed Lord speaks of this treatment as the certain portion of all his people: Ye shall be hated of all men, for my names sake [Note: Mat 10:22.]. And does he represent this as a matter for grief and sorrow? Far from it: he tells us rather to rejoice and leap for joy, because great will be our reward in heaven [Note: Mat 5:10-12.]. Besides, in these afflictions we are made partakers of Christs sufferings; and by means of them the Spirit of glory and of God is made more visibly and more abundantly to rest upon us: and though, on the part of our enemies, God is evil spoken of and dishonoured, on our part he is glorified [Note: 1Pe 4:13-14.]. and, to crown the whole, we are assured, that, if we suffer thus with Christ, we shall also in due time be glorified together [Note: Rom 8:17.]. And are not these declarations abundantly sufficient to comfort us, under all that we can be called to suffer for Christs sake? No doubt they are: and, therefore, if we participate with David in his trials and his graces, we shall, both in this life and the next, be partakers also of his consolations.]
Learn, then, from this subject,
1.
What expectations to form
[You must not dream of honour from man; but be contented with the honour that cometh of God [Note: Joh 5:44.] You must expect to go through honour and dishonour, through evil report as well as good report [Note: 2Co 6:8.].]
2.
What conduct to pursue
[Be not cast down when these trials come upon you; but submit to them, as sent of God for your good; and rejoice that you are counted worthy to endure them for the Lords sake [Note: Act 5:41.] ]
3.
What recompence to look for
[Be not anxious about the approbation of men, if only you may but approve yourselves to God. In a little time you will stand at his judgment-seat; and then you shall receive a testimony from him, and your righteousness shall appear as the noon-day. If the Lord Jesus do but confess you before his Father and his holy angels, it will be no grief to you that you have suffered for confessing him [Note: Mat 10:32.]. A crown of righteousness and glory will be an ample recompence for all the hatred and contempt that an ungodly world could pour upon you.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 119:51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: [yet] have I not declined from thy law.
Ver. 51. The proud have had me greatly in derision ] Scoffing proceedeth from pride, Pro 3:34 , with 1Pe 5:5 .
Yet have I not, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
proud: Psa 119:21, Psa 119:69, Psa 123:3, Psa 123:4, Jer 20:7, Luk 16:14, Luk 16:15, Luk 23:35
yet have: Psa 119:31, Psa 119:157, Psa 44:18, Job 23:11, Isa 38:3, Isa 42:4, Act 20:23, Act 20:24, Heb 12:1-3
Reciprocal: Psa 36:11 – foot Psa 86:14 – O God Psa 119:78 – the proud Psa 119:87 – but I forsook Psa 119:110 – yet I erred Pro 4:5 – neither
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 119:51-52. The proud have had me in derision For my fear of thee and trust in thy word; yet have I not declined from thy law From faith in, or obedience to, thy revealed will, in order to avoid that derision. I remembered thy judgments of old Thy former and ancient dispensations to the children of men, in punishing the ungodly, and protecting and delivering thy faithful servants, and this has been my support and encouragement. Here then we have the great remedy against that temptation which arises from the reproaches of the ungodly and unbelieving, namely, a remembrance of Gods judgments of old; whether we understand thereby the judgments of his mouth, or those of his hand; his righteous decrees for the punishment of bad and reward of good men, or the many and wonderful instances of his executing those decrees, from the beginning of the world, recorded in the sacred history. These are sources of real comfort upon such occasions; because nothing can happen to us which hath not happened to Gods people of old; no case of which there is not a precedent in Scripture, where we may read the process of similar trials, their issue, and the final sentence of the Judge, who is still the same, and whose rule of procedure and determination is invariable. Horne.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
119:51 The {b} proud have had me greatly in derision: [yet] have I not declined from thy law.
(b) Meaning the wicked who contemn God’s word, and tread his religion under foot.