Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:145
I cried with [my] whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
145. I have called with my whole heart; answer me, Jehovah] The perfect tense expresses the habit of his whole life.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
145 152. Qph. Unceasing prayer to be kept faithful in the midst of faithlessness is the rule of the Psalmist’s life.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I cried with my whole heart … – This commences a new division of the psalm, indicated by the Hebrew letter Koph ( q), answering to our letter k. The expression I cried with my whole heart means that he did it earnestly, fervently. He had no divided wishes when he prayed. Not always is this so, even with good people. They sometimes offer a form of prayer, that they may be spiritually-minded, when their hearts are intensely worldly, and they would be unwilling to be otherwise; or that religion may be revived, when their hearts have no lively interest in it, and no wish for it; or that they may live wholly to God, when they are making all their arrangements to live for the world, and when they would be greatly disappointed if God should take means to make them live entirely to him; or that they may be humble, childlike, sincere, when they have no wish to be any otherwise than they are now, and when they would regard it as an affront if it should be assumed by any that they are not so now, and if they were exhorted to change their course of life. Often it would be a great surprise – perhaps grief – even to professedly religious persons, if God should answer their prayers, and should make them what they professedly desire to be, and what they pray that they may be. See the notes at Psa 9:1; compare Psa 111:1; Psa 138:1; Psa 119:2, Psa 119:10, Psa 119:34, Psa 119:58, Psa 119:69; Jer 24:7.
I will keep thy statutes – It is my purpose and desire to keep thy law perfectly.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 119:145-146
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep Thy statutes.
Cries of distress
Do we, or do we not, desire to get rid of every evil way? Are we anxious to be sincere and without offence, holy in our character, and obedient to Gods statutes in our lives?
I. Every man who desired purity of heart and character will betake himself to prayer. While struggling after purity he will soon discover that he is unable to reach it of himself. Sin will destroy us if we do not destroy it. Pray often, for sin will tempt often. Cry mightily, for Satan will tempt mightily. Innumerable snares will he place in your path; let your countless entreaties outnumber his devices.
II. The man who desires to walk in Gods way not merely prays, but he resolves. He will find out what Gods statutes are; and when he has found them out, he will keep them, cost whatever it may. Need I say that nobody becomes holy against his will? No man keeps Gods statutes without he exercises a resolve to do so. David sought after a thorough allegiance and a perfect conformity to the will of God. He says, I cried with my whole heart; I will keep Thy statutes; not some of the statutes that were agreeable to him, bur all of the statutes that had the Divine sanction. The true seeker for holiness is one who, while he resolves on obedience to God, will dare to be singular, if no man will accompany him in it. I cried with my whole heart; I will keep Thy statutes. He meant to do it, though he should be without a companion, lie was prepared to stand alone.
III. The man who is thus seeking purity, while he prays and resolves, if he be really wise and taught of the Spirit, will have a deep sense of his own weakness and depravity (verse 146). As though he should say, Oh, Lord, I am praying and resolving; but my prayers want Thine answers, and my resolutions need Thy might to fulfil them. My prayers–what are they? My resolves–what can they do? My God, I want sifting, I want sifting. Oh, save me, and then I shall keep Thy testimonies. Before ever we can keep Gods testimonies we must be saved. We must he saved first from the guilt of the past, from our sinful selves. We whose nature is evil cannot do much with so bad a nature to baffle all our efforts to cleanse our way. This nature must be removed and a new nature implanted, or else, whilst the old nature is extant the old evil will assert itself. Lord, save me, save me; change my heart; renew my spirit; make the fountain clear; set the mainspring right! Oh, Holy Ghost, regenerate me, and, if Thou do this, then, not till then, shall I keep Thy testimonies. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
LETTER KOPH. – Nineteenth Division
Verse 145. I cried with my whole heart] The whole soul of the psalmist was engaged in this good work. He whose whole heart cries to God will never rise from the throne of grace without a blessing.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
145-149. An intelligent devotionis led by divine promises and is directed to an increase of graciousaffections, arising from a contemplation of revealed truth.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
q, KOPH.–The Nineteenth Part.
Ver. 145. KOPH. I cried with [my] whole heart,…. Prayer is often expressed by crying; which sometimes signifies mental, and sometimes vocal prayer; and generally supposes the person praying to be in distress, either outward or inward. This prayer of the psalmists was hearty and cordial, not with his mouth and lips only, but with his heart also; it did not proceed from feigned lips, but was put up in sincerity and truth; yea, it was with his whole heart, with all the powers and faculties of his soul employed; his affections set on God, the desires of his soul after him, and his will submitted to his; it denotes the intenseness, earnestness, and fervency of prayer;
hear me, O Lord: the prayer he had put up, and answer it. Some persons pray, and that is enough; they do not concern themselves whether their prayers are heard or not: but David desired an answer, and looked after that;
I will keep thy statutes; not in his own strength, but in the strength of the Lord; and it is to be understood not merely as a resolution what he would do; nor as a promise, which he uses as a plea, argument, or motive to be heard; but rather it expresses the end of his being heard, or the thing for which he desires to be heard: for so it may be rendered, “that I may keep thy statutes”; hear me, and give me grace and strength to enable me to observe them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The eightfold Koph . Fidelity to God’s word, and deliverance according to His promise, is the purport of his unceasing prayer. Even in the morning twilight ( ) he was awake praying. It is not , I anticipated the twilight; nor is , according to Psa 89:14, equivalent to , but … is the resolution of the otherwise customary construction , Jon 4:2, inasmuch as may signify “to go before” (Psa 68:26), and also “to make haste (with anything):” even early before the morning’s dawn I cried. Instead of the Ker (Targum, Syriac, Jerome) more appropriately reads after Psa 119:74, Psa 119:81, Psa 119:114. But his eyes also anticipated the night-watches, inasmuch as they did not allow themselves to be caught not sleeping by any of them at their beginning (cf. , Lam 2:19). is here, as in Psa 119:140, Psa 119:158, and frequently, the whole word of God, whether in its requirements or its promises. In Psa 119:149 is a defective plural as in Psa 119:43 (vid., on Psa 119:37), according to Psa 119:156, although according to Psa 119:132 the singular (lxx, Targum, Jerome) would also be admissible: what is meant is God’s order of salvation, or His appointments that relate thereto. The correlative relation of Psa 119:150 and Psa 119:151 is rendered natural by the position of the words. With (cf. ) is associated the idea of rushing upon him with hostile purpose, and with , as in Psa 69:19; Isa 58:2, of hastening to his succour. is infamy that is branded by the law: they go forth purposing this, but God’s law is altogether self-verifying truth. And the poet has long gained the knowledge from it that it does not aim at merely temporary recompense. The sophisms of the apostates cannot therefore lead him astray. for , like in Psa 119:111.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| 19. KOPH. | |
145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. 146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
Here we have, I. David’s good prayers, by which he sought to God for mercy; these he mentions here, not as boasting of them, or trusting to any merit in them, but reflecting upon them with comfort, that he had taken the appointed way to comfort. Observe here, 1. That he was inward with God in prayer; he prayed with his heart, and prayer is acceptable no further than the heart goes along with it. Lip-labour, if that be all, is lost labour. 2. He was importunate with God in prayer; he cried, as one in earnest, with fervour of affection and a holy vehemence and vigour of desire. He cried with his whole heart; all the powers of his soul were not only engaged and employed, but exerted to the utmost, in his prayers. Then we are likely to speed when we thus strive and wrestle in prayer. 3. That he directed his prayer to God: I cried unto thee. Whither should the child go but to his father when any thing ails him? 4. That the great thing he prayed for was salvation: Save me. A short prayer (for we mistake if we think we shall be heard for our much speaking), but a comprehensive prayer: “Not only rescue me from ruin, but make me happy.” We need desire no more than God’s salvation (Ps. l. 23) and the things that accompany it, Heb. vi. 9. 5. That he was earnest for an answer; and not only looked up in his prayers, but looked up after them, to see what became of them (Ps. v. 3): “Lord, hear me, and let me know that thou hearest me.”
II. David’s good purposes, by which he bound himself to duty when he was in the pursuit of mercy. “I will keep thy statutes; I am resolved that by thy grace I will;” for, if we turn away our ear from hearing the law, we cannot expect an answer of peace to our prayers, Prov. xxviii. 9. This purpose is used as a humble plea (v. 146): “Save me from my sins, my corruptions, my temptations, all the hindrances that lie in my way, that I may keep thy testimonies.” We must cry for salvation, not that we may have the ease and comfort of it, but that we may have an opportunity of serving God the more cheerfully.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
The Koph Section
Scripture v. 145-152:
Verses 145, 146 are the prayer of an earnest believing servant of God, for help in the midst of affliction, as he cried to the Lord to save him, set him free from his pain and sorrows. He cried to the Lord with his “whole heart,” (earnestly) pledging that when saved or delivered from his trouble he would keep the statutes and testimonies of the Lord, v. 10. Such effectual, fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much, Jas 5:16.
Verses 147, 148 relate that this psalmist “prevented (went before) the dawning of the morning,” to cry to the Lord, because he had “hoped” or trusted in His, word for answered prayer. He added “Mine eyes prevent the night watches,” or awake (before the night watchmen come), “that I might keep thy word,” which was his earnest desire, v. 74; Psa 88:13; Psa 95:2; Psa 63:6; Psa 77:14; La 2:19. Early rising for prayer is a noble habit that our Lord observed, Luk 6:12.
Verse 149 pleads for the Lord to hear or give heed to his voice and quicken or revive him, “according to” or in harmony, with his loving kindness and judgment, his just character of dealing with both the godly and ungodly, v. 156,175.
Verses 150, 151 state that the nearer the mischief workers draw to the psalmist servant of God for premeditated evil, the further they were from God’s law. He added, “Thou art near, (to me) O Lord, and all thy commandments are true,” or trustworthy, can be trusted, v. 142, even all their warnings and promises, Psa 145:18; Deu 4:7; Mat 1:23; Jer 23:23; See also Psa 46:1; Psa 75:1; Psa 139:2.
Verse 152 witnesses that the godly psalmist servant of the Lord had known or realized “of old,” even eternity, that the testimonies of the Lord were founded forever, v. 89, as eternal principles of right and wrong, Luk 21:23.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
145 I have cried with my whole heart. This verse may be so read and connected as that in the end of it the Psalmist may show what he desired in crying; (20) and thus the meaning would be, that as he was inflamed with an intense desire to keep the law, he continually made supplication to God on that subject. But the subsequent verse compels us to take a different view, for the same thing is, no doubt, there again repeated. The Prophet then requests that God would hear him; and in token of his gratitude he promises to keep God’s commandments. He simply uses the indefinite term cry; and thus he does not express what the prayers were which he offered up to God, but only shows, that while the children of this world are distracted by a multiplicity of objects, he directed all the affections of his heart exclusively to God, because he depended solely on him. As the world is compelled to acknowledge that God is the author of all good things, many formal prayers proceed from that principle. It was the consideration of this which led David to affirm that he prayed with his whole heart. When he shall have obtained his requests, he proposes to himself the glory of God as his end, resolving to devote himself with so much the more ardent affection to the work of serving him. Although God declares that he is served aright by the sacrifice of praise, yet David, to distinguish himself from hypocrites who profane the name of God by their cold and feigned praises, with good reason declares that he will give thanks by his life and works.
In the following verse he makes no new statement; but he speaks more expressly. In the first place, he says that he cried to God; and next he adds, that he commended his welfare to Him by prayer; thereby intimating that whether he was in safety, or whether imminent danger threatened him with death, he uniformly reposed upon God, being fully persuaded that the only way in which he could continue safe was by having him for the guardian and protector of his welfare.
(20) According to this view, the last clause would read, “that I may keep thy statutes.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
, Koph.
145-152. I cried with my whole heart Here we see the spirit of Samuel among them that called upon God. That peculiar, long-continued cry with which Samuel spent the night before the Lord is here heard, preventing, anticipating, the late hours of the night, and even the dawn of morning. It is a clinging, importunate cry day and night unto Him, of “His own elect,” which prayer will be surely heard. The last verse suggests the long confidence that prays and trusts “though he bear long with them.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Koph. Constant Prayer for Faithfulness over against Opposition.
v. 145. I cried with my whole heart, v. 146. I cried unto Thee; save me, v. 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning, v. 148. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, v. 149. Hear my voice according unto Thy loving-kindness, v. 150. They draw nigh that follow after mischief, v. 151. Thou art near, O Lord, v. 152. Concerning Thy testimonies,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
DISCOURSE: 712
DAVIDS DESIRE TO SERVE GOD
Psa 119:145-148. I cried with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
IN reading the Psalms of David, we are of necessity led to contemplate the constant spirituality of his mind, and the extraordinary fervour of his devotions: but we are apt to overlook, or to notice only superficially, one of the most lovely features in his character, namely, his ardent desire to fulfil the whole will of God. If we were to read the psalm before us in this particular view, we should be surprised, that we had not been more forcibly struck with this sentiment before. He begins the psalm by declaring those persons pre-eminently blessed, who are most distinguished by their obedience to the laws of God [Note: ver. 1, 2.]. In this way alone had he any hope of avoiding shame and disappointment in the last day [Note: ver. 6.]; and therefore he prayed with all imaginable earnestness, that he might be kept from ever deviating from the path of duty [Note: ver. 10, 19, 20.], and be enabled to run the way of Gods commandments with an enlarged heart [Note: ver. 32.]. The words which we have just read do not, on a superficial view, convey this idea very strongly to our minds: but on a closer inspection of them, we shall see, that a desire to serve and honour God was the primary object in his petitions, and that even salvation itself was chiefly sought by him on account of the sanctifying and transforming efficacy with which it would be accompanied. Bearing this in mind, we will notice,
I.
The object of his desires
There is no reason to suppose that David alludes to any particular distress or difficulty in these petitions: he seems rather to refer to the whole work of grace and salvation, which he wished to have forwarded in his soul: and he does not merely engage to make a practical improvement of the grace that shall be given him, but rather expresses the satisfaction he felt in looking forward to its effects. Had he merely prayed to God for the salvation of his soul, we should not have disapproved his petitions; because it is proper and necessary for every man to seek above all things the salvation of his soul. But the having such respect to holiness, and the desiring of salvation itself chiefly in reference to that, is a higher style of piety; as we propose more distinctly under this head to shew.
1.
It argues a nobler disposition
[A desire after salvation does not of necessity imply any real love to God. A slave may wish to escape the lash of his master, and yet have no delight in his service: and we also may seek deliverance from condemnation, without any ingenuous feelings towards God. Simon Magus desired the intercessions of Peter and John in his behalf; but he was actuated by no better motive than a fear of the judgments denounced against him [Note: Act 8:24.]. But when a person desires to attain the Divine image, and makes the glorifying of God, by a holy conversation, the main object of his pursuit, he shews a nobility of mind, and an enlargement of heart, which none but God can bestow. A man by the mere force of natural selfishness may long for pardon; but no man without supernatural grace, can pant after real holiness.]
2.
It shews juster views of the nature and source of true happiness
[If a man were pardoned, he could not be happy, if he were not holy: for sin would ever eat as a canker, and destroy his peace Even heaven itself would be no heaven to one who was not possessed of heavenly dispositions: for what communion could he have with the glorified saints and angels, all of whom are holy as God is holy, and perfect as God is perfect? The angels are represented as ever fulfilling Gods will, and hearkening to the voice of his word, with an ardent desire to follow the very first intimations of the Divine pleasure. The saints also rest not day nor night, singing with all their powers the praises of their most adorable Redeemer. But how would such an occupation suit those who have no preparation of heart for it? But a disposition to execute the will of God will make a person happy in every situation. If he be bereft of all outward comforts, he will enjoy the testimony of a good conscience: so that the person who desires holiness in the first place, proves that his judgment is well informed; and that he justly appreciates that important saying, The work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance for ever.]
3.
It most corresponds with the ends which the Governor of the universe proposes to himself in all his dispensations
[God, in creating all things, formed them for his own glory; as it is said, For thy glory they are, and were created. In all the works of his providence also he has designed to bind men to himself in a way of uniform and unreserved obedience. This was especially his end in all that he did for the Israelites in the wilderness; he did it, that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws [Note: Psa 105:45.]. In the great work of redemption he had the same blessed object in view, namely, that we might serve him without fear, in righteousness and holiness before him all the days of our life [Note: Luk 1:74-75.]. This people have I formed for myself, that they may shew forth my praise. Now in desiring salvation for holiness sake, and in praying for deliverance from all the bonds of sin, in order to run with more enlarged hearts the way of Gods commands, we forward the everlasting counsels of the Deity, and prove ourselves, in the most important of all concerns, like-minded with God.]
The worthiness of his object was justly marked by,
II.
The ardour of his pursuit
This blessed object he sought,
1.
In fervent and continual prayer
[Observe his own account: I cried, I cried, I cried; I cried with my heart, with my whole heart. What can we conceive more expressive than such language as this? Yet we are sure he did not exaggerate, or state any thing that was not strictly true. Moreover, so ardent was his mind in these holy exercises, and so great his delight in them, that he prevented the dawning of the morning, and rose often while it was yet dark, in order to pour out his soul before God.
Now this shews us how the renovation and salvation of the soul should be sought by every child of man. It should occupy our whole mind; it should engage our whole soul. To seek it in a lukewarm and listless way, is to shew that we have no just value for our souls, and no real delight in God. Examine, we beseech you, beloved Brethren, how it is with you in this respect for ye may as surely know by this the state of your souls before God, as if ye were to look into the very book of Gods remembrance You must distinguish also carefully between the exertions that are made in your own strength, and the efforts which are made in prayer to obtain help from God. It is from these that you must judge of your self-knowledge, and humility, and dependence upon God: for in proportion only as you feel your own weakness, and his readiness to aid you, will your application to him be such as Davids was ]
2.
In a believing dependence on Gods word
[The word of God meditated on, and applied to the soul by faith, is the great support and encouragement of all who desire mercy at Gods hands: and David prevented the night-watches in order to read it, and meditate upon it, and pray over it. Thus it should be with us also. O then let me ask, Is the blessed word of God the one rule of your desires, and the one ground of your expectations? and in this view is it your meditation day and night? Here again you may obtain an insight into the state of your souls, and learn to estimate with precision your spiritual attainments. You may, as biblical students, be extremely diligent, consuming the midnight oil, and labouring all the day, without being at all nearer to God than those who never look into the sacred records. The question is, Whether you lay hold of it as a word of promise from God to you, and whether you plead it day and night before God in prayer? This will prove you Christians indeed; more especially if the promises of grace for your sanctification be as dear to you as the promises of mercy for your pardon and acceptance. This is the habit of mind which God approves, and which will assuredly issue in everlasting salvation ]
Application
1.
How have your minds hitherto been exercised in relation to eternal things?
[Have you thus redeemed time, even from your sleep, for the purpose of forwarding with all possible earnestness the welfare of your souls? ]
2.
What are your views and purposes respecting them in future?
[Are you procrastinating, and wasting your time in indolent habits or worthless pursuits? O! awake from your slumbers: up, and be doing: and the Lord be with you!]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
KOPH.
These verses give us an interesting view of Jesus, and are descriptive of some of those conflicts, under which he was constrained to lift up his voice to God his Father, with strong cryings and tears. Learning as a Son (saith the apostle) obedience by the things which he suffered. When we consider the extent of those sufferings, their cause, and the vast and eternal ends to be accomplished by them; and when we consider moreover the nature into which Christ put himself, and the load of guilt in that nature, which Christ took upon himself when he died, the just for the unjust, to bring us unto God; we may estimate in some degree, how Jesus, the holy, patient, meek, and suffering Jesus, might be supposed to cry with his whole heart, and to cry out from the deep of soul distress, Save me! hear my voice, according to thy loving-kindness! And thus to cast himself upon his Father. Dear Lord! help me, in my little exercises, to keep in remembrance thy bright and glorious example. Make me to consider thee, who didst endure such contradiction of sinners against thyself, lest I be weary and faint in my mind. Oh! thou gracious High Priest! may I ever keep in view thy blessed pattern, and the sweet and consoling instruction it carries with it; that in that thou thyself hast suffered, being tempted, thou art able to succour them that are tempted.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 119:145 KOPH. I cried with [my] whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
Ver. 145. I cried with my whole heart ] This showeth that he had not only a gift of prayer, but a spirit of prayer.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 119:145-152 (Ooph)
145I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord!
I will observe Your statutes.
146I cried to You; save me
And I shall keep Your testimonies.
147I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.
148My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.
149Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.
150Those who follow after wickedness draw near;
They are far from Your law.
151You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
152Of old I have known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them forever.
Psa 119:145-152 As is so common in these acrostic strophes, the psalmist compares his actions and thoughts with those persecuting him.
1. the psalmist
a. I cried with all my heart, Psa 119:145 a
b. I will observe Your statutes, Psa 119:145 b
c. I cried to You, Psa 119:146 a
d. I shall keep Your testimonies, Psa 119:146 b
e. I rise before dawn and cry for help, Psa 119:147 a
f. I wait for Your words, Psa 119:147 b
g. That I may meditate on Your word, Psa 119:148 b
h. Of old I have known from Your testimonies, Psa 119:152 a
2. his oppressors
a. Those who follow after wickedness draw near, Psa 119:150 a
b. They are far from Your law, Psa 119:150 b
In light of this comparison the psalmist makes four prayer requests.
1. answer me, Psa 119:145 a – BDB 772, KB 851, Qal imperative
2. save me, Psa 119:146 a – BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil imperative
3. hear my voice, Psa 119:149 a – BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal imperative
4. revive me, Psa 119:149 b – BDB 310, KB 309, Piel imperative
This is an additional implied request in Psa 119:151 a. As the wicked draw near to him, he asserts YHWH is near, Psa 119:151. It is a statement (no verb) but also a prayer!
Psa 119:145 with all my heart This could be understood in two senses.
1. with all my being (like a similar idiom in Psa 103:1, all that is within me)
2. asserting he is not a double-minded (cf. Psa 119:113) or half-hearted follower (contrast David, a full heart with Solomon in his old age, a half heart)
O Lord There are three vocatives addressing YHWH in this stanza (Psa 119:145; Psa 119:149; Psa 119:151). For YHWH see Special Topic: Names For Deity .
Psa 119:148 The psalmist cannot sleep because of
1. the attack of faithless Israelites (possibly idolaters)
2. his whole-hearted devotion to God’s revelation
Psa 119:149 The psalmist asks YHWH to act because of
1. His character of lovingkindness
2. His revelation (i.e., Scripture)
3. the folly of the wicked (i.e., this unfair and fallen age)
Psa 119:152 Of old This could refer to
1. God’s ancient acts (cf. Psa 24:2; Psa 78:69; Psa 89:11; Psa 102:25; Psa 104:5) and revelations to the Patriarchs
2. the psalmist’s lengthy history of knowing and trusting God and His revelation
forever See Special Topic: Forever (‘olam) .
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
cried = called [unto Thee], as in Psa 119:146.
hear = answer.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 119:145. I cried with my whole heart; hear me. O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
It is sweet to look back upon our prayers, if those prayers were uttered with our whole heart, for it is no small work of divine grace to enable us to throw the whole heart into prayer; and when we get that we may be quite sure that our prayer will succeed. The God who gives us grace to pray with the whole heart will be sure to reply to the prayer. After prayer David uttered a resolution, I will keep thy statutes. He was resolved upon this with his whole heart, and though a resolution is not enough, for many make resolves and break them, yet no man is likely to keep Gods word who does not resolve to do so. Therefore is it needful, first, to cry in prayer, and then to resolve with the whole heart to walk according to Gods will.
Psa 119:146. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
He has got on this string, you see, and he touches it again. First he said, I cried with my whole heart. Now again he says, I cried unto thee. When you are in trouble, if you can remember that you were much in prayer before you entered into the experience which led into the trouble, you can plead with God that you did not rush into it carelessly and prayerlessly; and you have a good argument to urge with him why he should help you in your time of need.
Psa 119:147-148. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
It was not now and then that David was in a devotional frame of mind. He continued so. He began early, but he continued late. The prayer of the down was followed by the watch of the midnight.
Psa 119:149. Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
He was accustomed to put these two things together, all through this judgment as much as if he felt that he could appeal both to the tenderness and to the justice of God for help in his time of need; for with a God who has entered into the bonds of the covenant with us, and pledged himself by promise and, by oath, we may plead both his loving-kindness and his judgment.
Psa 119:150-151. They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. Thou art near, O LORD: And all thy commandments are truth.
How beautiful this! The enemies are coming near, but thou art nearer They approach me, but I abide with thee, and thou abidest with me, I am safe.
Psa 119:152. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
Oh! believer, what comfort there is in this for you! If you have known it all your years, it has been a blessed thing to know that God changes not that as he spake, or ever the earth was, so will that word abide when this world shall cease to be.
Psa 119:153. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forgot thy law.
Lord, thy grace has helped me to remember thee. I pray thee, therefore, remember my affliction. Look at it with thy eyes of wisdom, and deliver me.
Psa 119:154-155. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
Salvation is near to any man who seeks it, but the ungodly, as they will not have Gods Word, so shall they not have Gods saving grace They are far from it.
Psa 119:156. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
Here again, you see, he puts judgment and mercy together the justice and the tenderness of God, and he leans on both. It is a mark of an instructed Christian when he is able to derive comfort, not merely from the love of God, but also from the holiness and the justice of God, seeing that these are on his side, through Jesus Christs atoning blood.
Psa 119:157-158. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
O child of God, whenever you look upon the transgressors, your heart should bleed that they should transgress so good a law that they should grieve so gracious a God that they should bring upon themselves so terrible a penalty. I beheld the transgressors and was grieved.
Psa 119:159-160. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
And here is the very sweetness of the gospel that it is not a thing of today, which will lose its efficiency tomorrow. It endureth for ever. You that have got it have chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from you. All the blessings of the covenant are everlasting blessings. They are the sure mercies of David; and he that getteth them getteth an inheritance which he shall not lose.
Psa 119:161. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
Not in awe of their word, but in awe of thy word. The fear of God is the best cure for the fear of men. No man who is devout is cowardly. If thou fearest God with all thy heart, thou wilt defy all the devils in hell, and fear none.
Psa 119:162-165. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying; but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Whatever happens, they shall suffer no ill from it. There shall no evil befall such, neither shall any plague come nigh their dwelling, for they dwell under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 119:166. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
Now, cannot some of you feeble people say that? You that cannot talk of full assurance, and are half afraid that you are none of the Lords people at all, yet you can say, Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments; and, if so, you have done that which proves you to be his.
Psa 119:167-168. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
No man will ever take comfort in this, if he is not a renewed man, for to know that all our ways are before God is ground for great distress if we are ungodly if we are walking contrary to his mind; but if we are, indeed, his children, we love to feel that we are always living under his eye that there is nothing about us unknown, to him no secret sorrow which he does not read no invisible burden which he does not see.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 51, Psa 119:145-168.
Fuente: Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible
Psa 119:145-152
Psa 119:145-152
STROPHE 19
PRAYER FOR SALVATION FROM ENEMIES IN THE PRESENCE OF GREAT PERIL
Qoph
“I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah:
I will keep thy statutes.
I have called unto thee; save me,
And I will observe thy testimonies.
I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried:
I hoped in thy words.
Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches,
That I might meditate on thy word.
Hear my voice according to thy lovingkindness:
Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thine ordinances.
They draw nigh that follow after wickedness;
They are far from thy law.
Thou art nigh, O Jehovah;
And all thy commandments are truth.
Of old have I known from thy testimonies,
That thou hast founded them forever.”
“I have called with my whole heart” (Psa 119:145). This is the primary earmark of an acceptable prayer. As Spurgeon said, “There may be no beauty of elocution in such prayers, no length of expression, no depth of doctrine nor accuracy of diction; but if the whole heart be in them, they will find their way to the heart of God.”
“I anticipated the dawning of the morning” (Psa 119:147). The King James has this, “I prevented the dawning, etc.,” the same being an example of how the meaning of words has changed since the publication of the KJV in the year 1611, A.D. The American Standard Version is an improvement; but the RSV is still better, “I rise before dawn and cry for help.”
“They draw near that follow after wickedness” (Psa 119:150). The marginal reading sheds light on what is meant. “They draw near that persecute me with wickedness.”
“Thou art nigh, O Jehovah” (Psa 119:151). No matter how near to the believer the forces of evil may come, the nearness of God himself is the true and sufficient protection. Many hymns are founded upon the soul’s fervent cry for nearness to God. “Nearer My God to Thee,” “Nearer, Still Nearer,” and “Nearer the Cross” are examples.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 119:145. This means that David’s cry or prayer to God was wholehearted. And being thus wholly devoted to the Lord, the Psalmist would logically keep the statutes.
Psa 119:146. David stated a good motive for wanting to be preserved from his enemies. It would give him opportunity to keep the testimonies.
Psa 119:147. To prevent means to precede. David prevented or arose before dawn to go to God in prayer because of his hope in the word.
Psa 119:148. The same word is used as in the foregoing verse, only this time David preceded the night with his prayer. Also, this time he began meditating in the word before the night had come, doubtless to continue into the night according to ch. 1:2.
Psa 119:149. The Psalmist’s cry was not based on his own merit, but on the Lord’s lovingkindness. He wished to be quickened or enlivened by the Lord’s judgment.
Psa 119:150. The pronoun they refers to David’s personal enemies. Draw nigh means they were approaching David, and their motive was to do him some mischief. The reason for their evil design was their disconnection from the law of God.
Psa 119:151. The way to be near the Lord is to keep his commandments. That is because they are according to truth, and the Lord is the source of all true principles.
Psa 119:152. Known of old means that David had known for many years that the testimonies of God had been well founded. Their foundation was so firm that it was destined to stand for ever, even after the heavens and earth had passed away.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
the Joy of Communion with God
Psa 119:145-160
There is great eagerness in the psalmists prayerfulness. He calls with his whole heart; he awakes before the dawn and continues long after the fall of night; he asks that his case may be considered, his cause pleaded, and his soul quickened. When we draw near to God in prayer, our prayers must not be vague or languid. Jeremy Taylor says: Easiness of desire is a great enemy to the success of a good mans prayer. It must be an intent, zealous, busy, operative prayer. For consider what a huge indecency it is that a man should speak to God for a thing that he values not. Our prayers upbraid our spirits when we beg tamely for those things for which we ought to die. But when we pray after the manner of the psalmist, we become aware that God is near. Thou art nigh, O Jehovah, Psa 119:151, r.v. This is the crowning moment in prayer, when we cease speaking and almost hold our breath, because we are suddenly aware of a presence, the dear and awful presence of our Lord.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
cried: Psa 119:10, Psa 61:1, Psa 61:2, Psa 62:8, Psa 86:4, Psa 102:1, *title Psa 142:1, Psa 142:2, 1Sa 1:10, 1Sa 1:15, Jer 29:13
I will: Psa 119:44, Psa 119:106, Psa 119:115
Reciprocal: Lev 20:22 – statutes Num 14:24 – followed me Deu 4:29 – with all 1Ki 8:48 – And so return Psa 119:169 – Let my cry Lam 2:18 – heart Col 3:23 – whatsoever Heb 10:22 – a true
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
119:145 KOPH. I {a} cried with [my] whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
(a) He shows that all his affection and whole heart were bent toward God to have help in his dangers.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
19. The truth of God’s Word 119:145-152
The psalmist called on God to deliver him because he promised to keep His commandments (Psa 119:145-149). He contrasted his condition with that of his enemies (Psa 119:150). He knew God was near him since His testimonies were true (Psa 119:151-152).