Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:129
Thy testimonies [are] wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
129. wonderful ] Superhuman in their excellence: lit. wonders, the term often used of God’s revelation of His power in miraculous acts (Exo 15:11; Psa 77:11; Psa 77:14; cp. Psa 119:18).
therefore &c.] Their sublimity and mystery does not repel but attracts.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
129 136. P. The marvellousness of God’s law: the Psalmist’s prayers that it may be the rule of his life in spite of temptation: his grief at the neglect of it.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thy testimonies are wonderful – This commences a new division of the psalm, indicated by the Hebrew letter Pe ( p), corresponding to our p. The meaning of the expression here is, that the laws of God – the revelations of his will – are adapted to fill the mind with wonder. The mind is awed by their wisdom; their comprehensiveness; their extent; their spirituality; their benevolence: by the fact that laws are framed, so perfectly adapted to the end; so well suited to secure order, and to promote happiness.
Therefore doth my soul keep them – Because they are so surpassingly wise and benevolent; because they are so manifestly the work of wisdom and goodness.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 119:129
Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them.
Wonder an element of religion
The Scriptures, says an old bishop, are wonderful with respect to the matter which they contain, the manner in which they are written, and the effects which they produce. What, then, is the Bible? The reply is this–the Bible is the history of sin; and so viewed, it stands forth, indeed, as a record surprisingly wonderful. It may be said that it is in a measure the history of righteousness also; but indeed the history of Gods righteousness is the history of mans sin. There is a strange unity in the Bible thus viewed. It is not on the excellency of this or that portion, but upon their unity and self-completeness, that we would base our assertion of the wonderfulness of the testimonies of God. Let us, then, assuming its wonderfulness, inquire how this should produce obedience. The whole of this psalm is occupied in setting forth the Divine law in every variety of aspect, and Davids own appreciation of it; and it is observable that it is on the depth, the vastness, the wonderfulness of Gods Word that he dwells. In the text he assigns, expressly, the motive of his own obedience. His language is not that of a deep thinker, who has examined and understood more thoroughly than his brethren; it is that of a child gazing upwards to the firmament, and impressed with an awe which it cannot explain; it is language not of reason, but of faith: not of understanding, but of astonishment, in which he sketches the impulse of his own obedience. His spirit, as he meditated upon Gods law, beheld therein a mighty mystery, wide as the east from the west; and as he gazed, he saw in that law unsearchable doctrines, and dispensations not to be accounted for, and rules and regulations laid down but not explained; there was much which might be regarded as superfluous, much which man would have ordered otherwise; so, as he pondered, he marvelled; and then his heart grew at once humbled, yet elevated, by the mysterious web that was around him. Now, if it be true that wonder is closely connected with reverence, that in short the marvellous exerts in religion, as in other things, a great power over the soul of man, then we shall cease to be surprised that the Almighty has not spoken more clearly. Strip religion of whatever baffles the understanding, and you will have a system quite incapable of enlisting the heart in its cause. No deeds of high, unselfish heroism, such as those which have rendered everlastingly illustrious the names of apostles and confessors; no lives of self-denying exertion like those which adorn the annals of missionary enterprise will be produced by this religion of reason. His Name shall be called Wonderful. By such title did the Hebrew prophet proclaim Him, around whose cradle all Christendom is about to gather. Wonderful in His nature, being both God and man; Wonderful in the ordinances of His kingdom; Wonderful in His continual presence with His people; Wonderful in the dispensations of His grace. Even, then, as Wonderful, let us bow down before Him; never seeking to rend, with unhallowed hand, the veil that is upon His face; never recoiling from His Word by reason of its marvellousness; never trying to bring Him down to us because we cannot rise up to Him. Yea, rather, in the wonderfulness of all that emanates from Him, let us recognize a propriety. Rightly viewed, the incomprehensibleness of Christ is a bond to obedience. His statutes are wonderful, and therefore should our souls not resist, but keep them. (Bp. Woodford.)
The testimonies of God
I. Why are the Divine laws here called testimonies?
1. Because they bear testimony to the goodness of God in condescending to guide men by His law.
2. Because they bear testimony to the holiness of God.
3. Because they bear testimony to the respect that God has for the happiness of His creatures. He has connected the highest pleasures with obedience.
4. Because they bear testimony to the wisdom and justice of God. They are adapted to the present imperfect state of man, going upon the principle, where little is given little will be required, and where much is given much will be required.
II. The character of the divine testimonies. they are wonderful. How?
1. In respect of the discoveries they make of God. Look to people without these testimonies. How ignorant of the Supreme!
2. In respect of the discoveries of Gods providence.
3. In respect of the provision which the Scriptures discover for our repentance and pardon.
4. In respect of their universal application to us.
5. In respect of the assistance which they offer in the keeping of them.
(1) A Divine Agent to strengthen, that is, the Holy Ghost.
(2) Sublime motives to stimulate and encourage us.
6. In respect of their weight and importance. They determine the eternal conditions of men.
III. The practical regard which a good man has for the Divine testimonies. Therefore doth my soul keep them.
1. As a precious treasure of knowledge.
2. As objects of affection and study.
3. As the rules–the guiding lights of my conduct.
4. As embodied in my daily life and practice. (J. Walker, D. D.)
The admirable nature of the Divine oracles
I. His profound admiration of the Divine oracles. They are wonderful in their–
1. Style and composition.
(1) Wonderfully simple and plain.
(2) Wonderfully grand and sublime.
(3) Wonderfully concise and expressive.
2. Contents.
(1) The most interesting records of facts.
(2) The most astonishing displays of truth.
(3) The most admirable and perfect rules of life.
(4) The most animating promises,
(5) The moat tremendous threatenings.
3. Efficacy.
(1) Alarming the sinner.
(2) Consoling the mourner.
(3) Transforming the most degraded.
(4) Supporting the believer through life and over death.
II. Their practical influence.
1. He treasured them up in his memory.
2. He kept them in exercises of faith.
3. He held them in constant esteem, and embraced them with earnest affection.
4. He kept them in obedient practices. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)
The wonderful character of Gods testimonies
1. They are wonderfully adapted to the purposes intended, and are fully adequate to all the wants and necessities of mankind. They are consonant to right reason, and adapted to promote our true interest; they confer upon us the highest benefits, and the loss of them would deprive us of the richest treasure. They secure the honour of God, and the rights of the creature.
2. They are wonderfully expressed; there is in them a mixture of the greatest majesty and simplicity.
3. They are wonderfully consistent and harmonious. The laws of men often militate one against another; but there is no discord or contrariety in the laws of God. They all bear the impress of infinite wisdom, purity and goodness.
4. They are wonderfully extensive.
5. They are wonderfully useful and important.
6. They have been wonderfully preserved.
Conclusion:
1. If the Divine law be so wonderful, what must the Gospel be? (Eph 3:1-10).
2. If the law and Gospel are so wonderful, what must their Author be? (Job 11:7).
3. The reason why men treat the Divine law with contempt is because they are not acquainted with its excellence, and their eyes are not open to behold its dignity and glory (Hos 8:12).
4. If Gods Word is so precious and important, let us manifest a suitable regard towards it. (B. Beddome, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
LETTER PE. – Seventeenth Division
Verse 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful] There is a height, length, depth, and breadth in thy word and testimonies that are truly astonishing; and on this account my soul loves them, and I deeply study them. The more I study, the more light and salvation I obtain.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
PE
Wonderful; in regard of the deep and wonderful mysteries, and most excellent counsels and directions, far exceeding all the rules of the greatest philosophers, and the exceeding great and precious promises of God contained in them. This is the reason of his high estimation of them, expressed in the last verse.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
129. wonderfulliterally,”wonders,” that is, of moral excellence.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
p, PE.–The Seventeenth Part.
Ver. 129. PE. Thy testimonies [are] wonderful,…. The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous things in types and figures: are full of prophecies of extraordinary things, have been exactly accomplished, and contain many exceeding great and precious promises; and abound with doctrines abstruse and recondite, hid from the carnal sense and reason of men; the mysteries of the Gospel, and of the grace of God, such as respect the divine Persons in the Trinity; the person and grace of Christ; the wonderful love of God and Christ towards men; the amazing blessings of grace through him, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal life by him;
therefore doth my soul keep them; as a rich treasure, which he laid up in the cabinet of his heart, and preserved as what was most rare and valuable: and such are the wonderful things in the word of God; and such is the efficacy of its doctrines, and the influence the truths of it have upon the minds of gracious persons; that these engage them to keep and observe the precepts it enjoins, and that heartily and sincerely, with their whole spirit and soul.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The eightfold Phe . The deeper his depression of spirit concerning those who despise the word of God, the more ardently does he yearn after the light and food of that word. The testimonies of God are , wonderful and strange (paradoxical) things, exalted above every-day life and the common understanding. In this connection of the thoughts is not intended of careful observance, but of attentive contemplation that is prolonged until a clear penetrating understanding of the matter is attained. The opening, disclosure ( , apertio , with Tsere in distinction from , porta ) of God’s word giveth light, inasmuch as it makes the simple ( as in Pro 22:3) wise or sagacious; in connection with which it is assumed that it is God Himself who unfolds the mysteries of His word to those who are anxious to learn. Such an one, anxious to learn, is the poet: he pants with open mouth, viz., for the heavenly fare of such disclosures ( like in Job 29:23, cf. Psa 81:11). is a hapaxlegomenon, just as is also exclusively peculiar to the Psalm before us; both are secondary forms of . Love to God cannot indeed remain unresponded to. The experience of helping grace is a right belonging to those who love the God of revelation; love in return for love, salvation in return for the longing for salvation, is their prerogative. On the ground of this reciprocal relation the petitions in Psa 119:133-135 are then put up, coming back at last to the one chief prayer “teach me.” , Psa 119:133, is not merely a “promise” in this instance, but the declared will of God in general. refers pre-eminently to all sin of disavowal (denying God), into which he might fall under outward and inward pressure ( ). For he has round about him those who do not keep God’s law. On account of these apostates ( as in Isa 53:9, equivalent to ) his eyes run down rivers of water ( as in Lam 3:48, with an accusative of the object). His mood is not that of unfeeling self-glorying, but of sorrow like that of Jeremiah, because of the contempt of Jahve, and the self-destruction of those who contemn Him.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| 17. PE. | |
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
See here how David was affected towards the word of God. 1. He admired it, as most excellent in itself: Thy testimonies are wonderful. The word of God gives us admirable discoveries of God, and Christ, and another world; admirable proofs of divine love and grace. The majesty of the style, the purity of the matter, the harmony of the parts, are all wonderful. Its effects upon the consciences of men, both for conviction and comfort, are wonderful; and it is a sign that we are not acquainted with God’s testimonies, or do not understand them, if we do not admire them. 2. He adhered to it as of constant use to him: “Therefore doth my soul keep them, as a treasure of inestimable value, which I cannot be without.” We do not keep them to any purpose unless our souls keep them. There they must be deposited, as the tables of testimony in the ark, there they must have the innermost and uppermost place. Those that see God’s word to be admirable will prize it highly and preserve it carefully, as that which they promise themselves great things from.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
The Pe Section
Scripture v. 129-136:
Verses 129, 130 declare that the testimonies of the Lord are wonderful (full of wonder), an occasion for the psalmist’s soul to keep or guard them; They were wonderful because: 1) God was their author; 2) truth their content; and 3) salvation for all men their end of purpose, Isa 64:3-4; 1Co 2:7-10. He added “The entrance of thy words giveth (continually gives) light. ft gives understanding to the simple, those who accept it for face value, Psa 19:7; Pro 1:4; 2Pe 1:19.
Verses 131, 132 relate, “I opened my mouth and panted; for I longed for thy commandments,” to satisfy my spiritual thirst, and my hungry soul, v. 20; Job 29:23; Psa 42:1. He added, “look thou upon me and be merciful unto me,” adding further, as you once did in the past to those who loved your name, as all godly do, Gen 40:13; Exo 4:31; Exo 21:9; 1Sa 1:11; 2Sa 16:12; Psa 51:1; Psa 106:4; 2Ki 11:14; Ezr 3:4.
Verse 133 appeals “order (direct) my steps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion (jurisdiction, a slavebond) over me, “Joh 8:34; Rom 6:16; Rom 6:20; 2Pe 2:19; 1Co 10:13.
Verse 134 continues, “deliver (set me free) from the oppression of man: So will I keep thy precepts,” as a testimony before them, no longer hindered by them, Luk 1:74.
Verse 135 adds “make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me, (help me to understand) thy statutes,” showing thy favor to me and my people, and thy people Israel, Psa 4:6; Psa 80:3; Psa 80:7; Num 6:25.
Verse 136 concludes “rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law,” as custodian and trustees who have turned traitor to your law. The psalmist was grieved and wept not only because of Israel’s disobedience to God’s law, but also their enmity toward him, La 3:48; Jer 9:1; Jer 13:17; Jer 14:17; Eze 9:4; Php_3:18.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
129. Thy testimonies are marvelous. I have given this translation to avoid an ambiguous form of expression. The Prophet does not simply mean, that the doctrine of the law is wonderful, but that it contains high and hidden mysteries. Accordingly he declares, that the sublime and admirable wisdom which he found comprehended in the divine law led him to regard it with reverence. This is to be carefully marked, for the law of God is proudly despised by the great majority of mankind, when they do not duly taste its doctrine, nor acknowledge that God speaks from his throne in heaven, that, the pride of the flesh being abased, he may raise us upward by the apprehension of faith. We also gather from this passage, that it is impossible for any man to keep the law of God from the heart, unless he contemplate it with feelings of reverence: for reverence is the beginning of pure and right subjection. Accordingly, I have said that many despise God’s Word, because they think it inferior to the acuteness of their own understandings. Yea, many are led to break forth more audaciously into this heaven-daring contempt, from the vanity of showing their own ingenuity. But, although worldly men may flatter themselves in that proud disdain of the divine law, yet the commendation which the Prophet pronounces upon it still holds true, that it comprehends mysteries which far transcend all the conceptions of the human mind.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
, Pe.
129-136. Let not any iniquity have dominion over me A sense of his own peril leads the writer to a still deeper, intenser longing for perfected holiness within himself. As he feels the growing strength of his own heart, so he the more grieves over those who, departing from the law, depart from the joys of grace. The experience here given of the law is, in our day, found in Christ, who gives to his servants “grace for grace;” that is, grace enjoyed in proportion to grace employed.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Pe. The Need Of Spiritual Light in the Midst of Godlessness.
v. 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful, v. 130. The entrance of Thy words giveth light, v. 131. I opened my mouth and panted, v. 132. Look Thou upon me, v. 133. Order my steps in Thy Word, v. 134. Deliver me from the oppression of man, v. 135. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant, v. 136. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Psa 119:129. Thy testimonies are wonderful Namely, on account of the excellent wisdom contained in them. Mudge renders the first clause of the next verse thus: The opening of thy words causeth a light: “Thy words are no sooner opened, than there streams a light from them.” The 131st verse should be rendered, I lay open my mouth to draw in my breath; for, &c. which expresses the great vehemence of his desire.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
PE.
The verses in this portion form a beautiful reduplication of the same delightful truths. It is Jesus speaking through the whole of them, in his human nature, as the Head and Representative of his people. And when we consider that it is herein he comes home so very sweetly end eared to our hearts, because we see in him the holiness of our nature, and our acceptance in him; nothing surely can be more blessed than to be always looking unto Jesus as the perfection of beauty! But, Reader! think, when Jesus hath thus engaged and entered into covenant agreements for his people, that they shall be accepted in him, and be made comely in his comeliness; how wretched the return, in slighting him and his righteousness! It forms an interesting portrait of Jesus in the days of his flesh, his mourning over Jerusalem: and if this passage refers to him, rivers of water run down, because of the ingratitude and inattention of his people, it may serve to teach us how great is his love. Lamb of God! grant that I may never grieve thy Spirit by a neglect of thy love, and rebellion against thy gracious commands. Oh! for grace to follow thee in the regeneration: and as He who hath called us is holy, so may we be holy in all manner of conversation!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 119:129 PE. Thy testimonies [are] wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Ver. 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful ] As comprehending high and hidden mysteries, such as are far above the reach of human reason; such as the very angels admire and adore. A man must have more than common faith to subject his reason to them. But all men are Socinians by nature; they will believe God’s word no farther than they can see reason; which while men make the rule of their faith (as did the wise Greeks, the rational Romans), they stumble at the preaching of the cross of foolishness; and disbelieve the riches of Christ, which are unsearchable.
Therefore doth my soul keep them
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 119:129-136 (Pe)
129Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul observes them.
130The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
131I opened my mouth wide and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.
132Turn to me and be gracious to me,
After Your manner with those who love Your name.
133Establish my footsteps in Your word,
And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.
135Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.
136My eyes shed streams of water,
Because they do not keep Your law.
Psa 119:129 wonderful See Special Topic: Wonderful Things.
soul This is nephesh (BDB 659), which denotes a person’s life. See full note at Gen 35:18 online.
observes them This is a recurrent emphasis (cf. Psa 119:2; Psa 119:22; Psa 119:33-34; Psa 119:56; Psa 119:69; Psa 119:100; Psa 119:115; Psa 119:129; Psa 119:145; Psa 119:168, see Special Topic: Keep ). Biblical faith is not just light but walking in the light (cf. Psa 89:15; Psa 119:105; Pro 6:23; Isa 2:5; 1Jn 1:5-7).
Notice the same emphasis on obedience in Psa 119:134 b, know, Qal cohortative (BDB 1036, KB 1581).
Psa. 119:130 The unfolding This is the only use of the word (BDB 836) in the OT. Again a rare word is used to fit the acrostic form.
the simple This word (BDB 834) can have a negative (i.e., Pro 1:22) or positive connotation. Here it is positive. God desires all humans to know Him and His will. Here it denotes a teachable person (cf. Psa 19:7) but one who, for whatever reason, does not know God’s revelation.
Psa 119:131 These are three idioms for a strong desire.
1. open mouth – Job 29:23
2. panting – Psa 42:1
3. longing – Psa 119:20
The last word (BDB 383) is found only here in the OT.
Psa 119:132-135 There is a series of imperatival prayer requests.
1. turn to me – BDB 815, KB 937, Qal imperative, cf. Psa 25:16; Psa 69:16
2. be gracious to me – BDB 335, KB 334, Qal imperative
3. establish my footsteps – BDB 465, KB 464, Hiphil imperative
4. redeem me – BDB 804, KB 911, Qal imperative(see SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM )
5. shine upon Your servant – BDB 21, KB 24, Hiphil imperative
6. teach me – BDB 540, KB 531, Piel imperative
There is also one more request stated in a negative (i.e., do not let any have dominion over me, cf. Psa 19:13, but a different verb). It is a Hiphil imperfect used in a jussive sense, Psa 119:133 b.
Psa 119:132 b What a beautiful characterization of God’s faithful followers (cf. Psa 5:11; Psa 69:36; Isa 56:6)!
The name represents God Himself. See Special Topic: The Name of YHWH .
Psa 119:133 Establish my footsteps This is the imagery of a clear, smooth, unobstructed path (cf. Psa 17:5), which is made possible by God’s revelation, actions, and promises (i.e., Isa 40:3-4).
Psa 119:135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant This is an allusion to the Aaronic blessing of Num 6:24-26. It is alluded to several times in the Psalter (cf. Psa 4:6; Psa 31:16; Psa 67:1; Psa 80:3; Psa 80:7; Psa 80:19, and here).
The opposite idiom would be for YHWH to hide His face (cf. Psa 10:11; Psa 13:1; Psa 22:24; Psa 27:9; Psa 44:24; Psa 69:17; Psa 88:15; Psa 102:2; Psa 104:29; Psa 143:7; Isa 57:17).
Psa 119:136 This is an important verse because the majority of the references to those who do not keep God’s law call out for judgment (i.e., Psa 119:53; Psa 119:158). This one shows the psalmist’s grief and intercession for the wayward.
One wonders if the psalmist is thinking of his personal enemies or the sins of corporate Israel (cf. Jer 9:1; Jer 9:18; Jer 14:17; Lam 3:48).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
wonderful. Same root as in verses: Psa 119:18, Psa 119:27.
keep = keep safely.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 119:129. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Every true believer admires Gods Word; and, more than that, it amazes him: Thy testimonies are wonderful. View them from any point you may select, they are wonderful, wonderful in themselves, wonderful in their operation, wonderful in the way in which they endure all kinds of testing, and yet remain the same: Thy testimonies are wonderful. This wonder, however, in the true believer leads to godly practice, to holy living: Therefore doth my soul keep them. Our soul must be like a golden gasket in which we store the priceless jewels of the Word of the Lord. You cannot rightly keep Gods Word anywhere but in your soul; to keep it merely in the memory, or in the intellect, is of no avail.
Psa 119:130. The entrance of thy words giveth light;
The very first principles, the elements of Gods Word, are full of light and no sooner does it come into the heart than there is light directly. How much more light does it give when it penetrates into the secret chambers of our being, and we begin to understand its deeper mysteries!
Psa 119:130. It giveth understanding unto the simple.
Gods Word gives understanding to those who feel that they have very little mental ability: the simple. They are only plain people, who must have the truth put very simply before them, or else they cannot comprehend it; but as soon as ever Gods Word enters their heart, even such people get understanding. It is not the Word outside the heart that gives the blessing; it is the entrance of the Word that gives true life to the soul.
Psa 119:131. I opened my mouth, and panted:
That was an admirable way of praying; no words were used by the psalmist, but his soul expressed itself by panting: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Psa 119:131. For I longed for thy commandments.
The very best kind of prayer is that inarticulate panting, in which there is a longing, a sighing, that cannot be expressed in words.
Psa 119:132-133. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my step, in thy word:
Lord, I have found the way into thy Word, that is the road I intend to travel; now I pray thee to guide my every step. They say that Order is heavens first law, and certainly a Christian should lead an orderly life. He should be a Methodist, he should have a method in all that he does; and he should pray for God to order his steps according to his Word.
Psa 119:133. And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
A hypocrite says to himself, I do not swear, I do not steal, and I do not lie, yet I allow other sins to have dominion over me; but a true man of God will not have any master but the Lord Jesus Christ. He will not put his neck under the foot of even the most attractive sin: Let not any iniquity have dominion over me. That is the psalmists prayer; here is the apostles answer to it: Sin shall not have dominion over you
Psa 119:134. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
He does not mean that he will not keep Gods precepts if he is not delivered from mans oppression; but there are persons in such circumstances, Christian wives with wicked husbands, godly servants with ungodly masters, believers who are greatly oppressed by evil men, and they desire to be delivered from the oppression of man that they may be the better able to keep Gods commandments.
Psa 119:135. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;
What a blessed prayer that is! Let each one here pray it tonight: Make thy face to shine upon thy servant. The Lord is our sun; he is the very sun of heaven; they need no sun there because they see his face.
Psa 119:135. And teach me thy statutes.
The Lords servant ought to know the law of his Lords house. How can he be an obedient servant if he does not know his Masters will? So the psalmist prays, Lord, I will take it as a favor if thou wilt teach me thy statutes, that I may not only know, but also do them!
Psa 119:136. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
Some think that the psalmist meant that his eyes wept because they, that is, his eyes did not keep Gods law. You know how easily sin comes in through the eyes, and goes out through the eyes, too. Well may those eyes weep in sorrow that have lusted towards sin. But I think the psalmist alludes here to the ungodly. The sins of sinners are the sorrows of saints. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. Perhaps David referred to his own children, or he may have meant his soldiers, those rough, rugged warriors who were led by Joab. He met with many in his own country who turned aside from God, and he wept over them. It is a blessed sign of grace when you can weep over other mens sins. Do not say, So-and-so has gone wrong, and treat the matter with indifference. If you can do so, you may question whether you have grace in your own heart, for a true Christian ought to be tender and compassionate at the thought of the sinful things around him. There are some who can look upon the error and false doctrine which abound everywhere, and say, Oh! let it alone, do not trouble yourself about that; but he who walks with God is not of their mind, it is a constant grief and agony of spirit to him that men keep not Gods law.
Psa 119:137. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
It is always well to set God in contrast with wicked men. If others are unjust, he is not. If they forsake the truth, he does not.
Psa 119:138. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
True to the letter, true always, true to the core.
Psa 119:139. Thy zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
Yes, Gods faithful servants become the more zealous when others grow cold. When they see that Gods words are forgotten by others, they remember them all the more, and they grow exceedingly zealous for the law of the Lord.
Psa 119:140. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
It is pure in the sense of being unadulterated, and it is pure in the sense of being holy. There is nothing in the Scripture that would lead us to sin, nor excuse it. It is a wonderful condemner of sin: Thy word is very pure. Notice the psalmists use of the word very. In the one hundred and thirty-eighth verse, he says, Thy testimonies are very faithful; and now, in the one hundred and fortieth, Thy word is very pure. Therefore thy servant loveth it. When purity draws out our love, it proves that our heart itself loves that which is pure; and the heart that loveth purity is a pure heart.
Psa 119:141. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
He was poor but pious, little but loving, despised but devoted. It was the man who had but one talent who went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lords money. David was not of that kind; he was small, but he knew he was not too small to sin; he was despised, but he did not on that account think that he might turn aside from the right path.
Psa 119:142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
Gods Word does not change, it is everlasting; and the righteousness which it reveals and which it proclaims to us is everlasting.
Psa 119:142. And thy law is the truth.
Gods Word is not only true, but it is the truth. The truth is Gods law, and Gods law is the truth.
Psa 119:143. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me:
Just now he said that he was despised, and now he says he is unhappy. Trouble without, and anguish within, seemed to grip him as in a vice.
Psa 119:143. Yet thy commandments are my delights.
A man of the world cannot understand how a Christian can be in trouble and yet be full of delight; but it is true. We can be cast down, but not destroyed; we can be sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; we can be poor, yet make many rich. Here you have another holy paradox: Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights, not only his delight, but his delights; as if he had a whole host of them, a great company of joys, and a chorus of holy mirth.
Psa 119:144. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding,
That is a great prayer, not only, give me to understand, but give me understanding. It is one thing to tell a man the truth, but quite another thing to make him understand it; and if you make him understand that particular truth, he may not understand another, but David asks for understanding with which he might be able to comprehend all the truth of God: Give me understanding,
Psa 119:144. And I shall live.
God grant that this prayer may be offered by each one of us, and heard by the Lord, for Jesus Christs sake! Amen.
Fuente: Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible
Psa 119:129-136
Psa 119:129-136
STROPHE 17
A PRAYER FOR REDEMPTION FROM OPPRESSORS WHO BREAK GOD’S WONDERFUL LAW WHICH GIVES LIGHT
Pe
“Thy testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore doth my soul keep them.
The opening of thy words giveth light;
It giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened wide my mouth, and panted;
For I longed for thy commandments.
Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me,
As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Establish my footsteps in thy word;
And let not iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man:
So will I observe thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;
And teach me thy statutes.
Streams of water run down mine eyes,
Because they observe not thy law.”
“The opening of thy word giveth light … understanding to the simple” (Psa 119:130). “The exposition of God’s Word gives light to all, even to those who are simple. We must also add that it gives light to the most intellectual and learned men on earth. Brilliant men like Lenin, Marx, Stalin, etc., refused the light from God’s Word, and as a consequence engineered the most terrible governmental fiasco in the history of mankind!
“I opened wide my mouth and panted … for thy commandments” (Psa 119:131). DeHoff thought the metaphor here is that of “an exhausted animal panting for fresh air or water; but the wide opened mouth seems rather to suggest the way tiny birds open their mouths for food from the mother bird. We may also have here a mixed metaphor including both these views, which is not uncommon in Hebrew.
“Streams of water run down mine eyes, because they observe not thy law” (Psa 119:136). As Kyle Yates wrote, “The psalmist is broken-hearted over those who do not keep God’s law.”
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 119:129. Wonderful in this verse means outstanding, and David placed that estimate on the testimonies of God. By the same token, the man who would keep them would be made into an outstanding character in God’s sight. For this reason the Psalmist resolved to keep them with his soul or whole being.
Psa 119:130. The simple does not mean people who are unintelligent, but those who are uninstructed. The entrance or acceptance of the word will bring the light of instruction to all people if they will open their hearts to receive it.
Psa 119:131. Open my mouth is a figure of speech, meaning that the Psalmist was as hungry for spiritual food as the birdling was for material, when it opens its mouth eagerly to receive the nourishment ready to be dropped into it. The food that David was craving was the commandments of the Lord.
Psa 119:132. “As thou usest” does not imply that God ceased to extend mercy to those who love Him. The marginal rendering is “according to the custom.” It has always been the manner of the Lord to show mercy to good men and David was praying for it now.
Psa 119:133. This verse should always be considered in connection with Psa 37:23. God does not order the steps of man in any direct manner independent of teaching. Instead, he does it through the directions in the word.
Psa 119:134. David had such a spirit of justice and fairness that he did not expect favors of God unconditionally. He asked for deliverance from oppression of evil men, but promised to keep the Lord’s precepts.
Psa 119:135. Face to shine means to look with favor. As return for such a mercy David offered to be taught the statutes of the Lord. Psa 119:136. Rivers of waters is a figure of speech, meaning that the Psalmist had not fully used his eyes in keeping with the law, and as a result he had been brought to tears of shame. The event of himself and Bathsheba (2Sa 11:2) was a noted instance of misusing his eyes, and the 51st Psalm indicates his anguish and tears over it.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Why Love Gods Word?
Psa 119:129-144
What a beautiful soul this is that utters itself in these stanzas! The psalmist acknowledges his simplicity; is quite content to be among the unknown and despised of men. He is very anxious to be free from iniquity and transgression. He sheds bitter tears as he beholds the sin around him. He humbly asks only to be remembered, taught, and cared for. Nothing is left to him but what is Gods or of God. God is his own desire, Gods Word his stay and comfort, Gods love his solace. God is the one goal and purpose of his search.
And his whole nature glows with love. He opens his mouth and pants with pure desire for God. He wants only that face to shine which fills heaven with brightness. The very purity of the Word only stirs again the embers of his true affection. He is one, therefore, with all the saints of every age, for humble, meek, merciful, and loving souls are everywhere of one religion; and when death has taken off the mask, as William Penn put it, they will know one another, though the divers liveries they wear here make them strangers.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
testimonies: Psa 119:18, Psa 139:6, Isa 9:6, Isa 25:1, Rev 19:10
doth: Psa 119:2, Psa 119:31, Psa 119:146, Psa 25:10
Reciprocal: Psa 93:5 – Thy Psa 119:95 – but I
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
PE.
Psa 119:129. Thy testimonies are wonderful In regard of the deep mysteries, the most excellent counsels and directions, and the exceeding great and precious promises contained in them; the manner in which they are written, and the effects which they produce. They contain the sublimest spiritual truths, veiled under external ceremonies and sacraments, figurative descriptions, typical histories, parables, similitudes, &c. When properly opened and enforced, they terrify and humble, they convert and transform, they console and strengthen. Therefore doth my soul keep them Hebrew, , netzaratam, guard, preserve, and watch over them as a precious treasure, therefore I attend to them and make them the rule of my faith and practice, of my principles and actions, of my tempers, words, and works, and of my whole conduct toward God and man. And who but must delight to study and observe these testimonies of the will and wisdom, the love and power of God most high! While we have these holy writings, let us not waste our time, misemploy our thoughts, and prostitute our admiration, by doting on human follies, and wondering at human trifles. Horne.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
119:129 PE. Thy testimonies [are] {a} wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
(a) Containing high and secret mysteries, so that I am moved with admiration and reverence.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
17. The wonder of God’s Word 119:129-136
The testimonies of the Lord are wonderful because they illuminate the understanding of the simple (Psa 119:129-130). The psalmist felt a great need for them (Psa 119:131). He asked God to favor him graciously by strengthening him in the Word and by redeeming him from his oppressors (Psa 119:132-135). The disobedience of his enemies caused him to weep (Psa 119:136).