Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:153
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
153. Consider mine affliction ] Lit. see. It was the prayer of Israel in exile (Lam 1:9), reminding God of His own words when He was about to deliver His people from Egypt (Exo 3:7).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
153 160. Rsh. More urgent prayers for deliverance from his persecutors. Note the thrice-repeated ‘quicken me.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Consider mine affliction … – This commences a new division of the psalm, indicated by the Hebrew letter Resh ( r), corresponding to our r. The prayer here is, that God would look upon his trial; that he would regard it as it really was; that he would not turn away from it, or pass it by, as if it were a trifle – a thing not worthy to claim his attention. See the notes at Psa 9:13.
For I do not forget thy law – I endeavor to be obedient, submissive, patient. As a suffering child of thine, I come to thee, and beseech thee to interpose and save me.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
LETTER RESH. – Twentieth Division
Verse 153. Consider mine affliction] See mine affliction or humiliation: but the eye of the Lord affects his heart; and therefore he never sees the distresses of his followers without considering their situation, and affording them help.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
153-155. Though the rememberingof God’s law is not meritorious, yet it evinces a filial temper andprovides the pious with promises to plead, while the wicked inneglecting His law, reject God and despise His promises (comparePsa 9:13; Psa 43:1;Psa 69:18).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
r, RESH.–The Twentieth Part.
Ver. 153. RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me,…. Or, “look upon mine affliction” e; as in Ps 25:18. The Lord seems as if he did not, when he does not grant his gracious presence to his people; or does not arise to the help and deliverance of them so soon as they desire and expect: but he always sees and beholds their afflictions; he cannot do otherwise, since he is the omniscient God; and not only so, but he is the author, appointer, and orderer of them; yea, he looks upon them with an eye of pity and compassion, which is what is here prayed for: he sympathizes with his people in all their afflictions, supports them under them, pays kind visits to them, sanctifies his hand, and in his own time delivers them out of all; which none else can but himself, and he has power to do it, and has promised it, and does perform: see Ps 50:15;
for I do not forget thy law: the precepts of it; to observe it as a rule of walk and conversation, as a lamp to the feet, and a light to the path, as a directory of the good and perfect will of God: or, “thy doctrine”; the doctrine of the word, the precious truths of it, which were his support under afflictions; and when either of them have a place in the heart, and are written there, they cannot easily be forgotten. This the psalmist mentions, not as if his not forgetting the law or doctrine of God was meritorious of deliverance from affliction, but as a descriptive character of such the Lord does deliver.
e “vide”, Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Cocceius; “intuere”, Gejerus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The eightfold Resh . Because God cannot suffer those who are faithful to His word to succumb, he supplicates His help against his persecutors. is Milra before the initial (half-guttural) Resh , as in Psa 43:1; Psa 74:22. The Lamed of is the Lamed of reference (with respect to Thine utterance), whether the reference be normative (= , Psa 119:58), as in Isa 11:3, or causal, Isa 25:2, Isa 55:5; Job 42:5. The predicate , like in Psa 119:137, stands first in the primary, as yet indefinite form. Concerning Psa 119:156 vid., on Psa 119:149. At the sight of the faithless he felt a profound disgust; , pausal aorist, supply , Psa 139:21. It is all the same in the end whether we render quippe qui or siquidem . in Psa 119:160 signifies the head-number of sum. If he reckons up the word of God in its separate parts and as a whole, truth is the denominator of the whole, truth is the sum-total. This supplicatory is repeated three times in this group. The nearer it draws towards its end the more importunate does the Psalm become.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| 20. RESH. | |
153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. 154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Here, I. David prays for succour in distress. Is any afflicted? let him pray; let him pray as David does here. 1. He has an eye to God’s pity, and prays, “Consider my affliction; take it into thy thoughts, and all the circumstances of it, and sit not by as one unconcerned.” God is never unmindful of his people’s afflictions, but he will have us to put him in remembrance (Isa. xliii. 26), to spread our case before him, and then leave it to his compassionate consideration to do in it as in his wisdom he shall think fit, in his own time and way. 2. He has an eye to God’s power and prays, Deliver me; and again, “Deliver me; consider my troubles and bring me out of them.” God has promised deliverance (Ps. l. 15) and we may pray for it, with submission to his will and with regard to his glory, that we may serve him the better. 3. He has an eye to God’s righteousness, and prays, “Plead my cause; be thou my patron and advocate, and take me for thy client.” David had a just cause, but his adversaries were many and mighty, and he was in danger of being run down by them; he therefore begs of God to clear his integrity and silence their false accusations. If God do not plead his people’s cause, who will? He is righteous, and they commit themselves to him, and therefore he will do it, and do it effectually, Isa 51:22; Jer 50:34. (4.) He has an eye to God’s grace, and prays, “Quicken me. Lord, I am weak, and unable to bear my troubles; my spirit is apt to droop and sink. O that thou wouldst revive and comfort me, till the deliverance is wrought!”
II. He pleads his dependence upon the word oaf God and his obedient regard to its directions: Quicken and deliver me according to thy word of promise, for I do not forget thy precepts. The more closely we cleave to the word of God, both as our rule and as our stay, the more assurance we may have of deliverance in due time.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
The Resh Section
Scripture v. 153-160:
Verses 153, 154 appeal to the Lord to consider the psalmist’s affliction and deliver or free him from it, on the grounds that he did not forget His law, La 5:1; 2:20. See also Exo 3:7; Neh 9:32; Psa 9:13; Psa 13:3; Psa 25:9. He added, “plead my cause, deliver me, quicken me,” in keeping with your covenant of promise, even as David prayed, and as Israel shall yet pray, 1Sa 24:15; Mic 7:9; Psa 35:1.
Verses 155, 156 assert that “salvation is far (off, away from) the wicked,” for they did not seek (to know or do) His statutes, as related Job 5:4; Eph 2:17. The psalmist implored, “quicken (or revive me) according to thy judgments,” on the basis of thy “great or many tender mercies, O Lord,” v. 149; La 3:22,23.
Verse 157 declares that Though the godly psalmist’s persecutors and enemies were many, yet he did not decline, deviate, or depart from allegiance to the testimonies of the Lord, as admonished v. 51; Psa 44:18; 1Co 15:58; Gal 6:9.
Verse 158 relates that he observed the treacherous transgressors and was grieved because they were unfaithful to their covenanted duty to their neighbors, as well as to God, v. 136. They dishonored the law of God, as surely as they oppressed, persecuted the psalmist, Ezr 9:4.
Verse 159 asks the Lord to consider how the godly psalmist loved His precepts and quicken or revive him on the basis of His loving kindness, expressed v. 88.
Verse 160 concludes a lofty climax, “thy word is true from the beginning,” seven words every man, woman, and child should be taught, memorize, repeat, believe, and act upon, around the world. He adds “and every one of thy righteous judgments (all are righteous) endureth forever, “by which all men should live and all shall one day be judged;” To believe and obey it is soul saving; To reject it is souldamning, forever, Num 26:2; Num 31:26; Rom 2:16; 2Ti 3:16-17; Rev 20:12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
153. Behold my affliction and rescue me. The Psalmist teaches by his own example that those who are devoted to the service and fear of God, must not be discouraged though they are not rewarded for it in this world. Their condition upon earth is one of warfare, and therefore they should not be dismayed by diversity, but rather rest satisfied with the consolatory consideration, that the gate of prayer is open to them. Yet the Prophet does not boast of his, endeavors to keep the law, as if he would have God to pay him wages for his service, but only to show that he was one of God’s servants, just as he has spoken of his hope that he was so in other places. This reason, for I have not forgotten thy law, on account of which he beseeches God to consider his affliction and to rescue him, is peculiarly forcible in the present case; for it is an evidence of no ordinary courage when, instead of being led away from the fear of God by adversity, we wrestle against temptations and seek him even when he seems purposely to drive us away from him.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
, Resh.
153-160. Plead my cause The prayer is here as if the honour of God were involved in the deliverance of those who put their trust in him. The pleading is, for that very reason, the more earnest. Very touching and trustful is the appeal in Psa 119:159. Luther sums up Psa 119:160, “Thy word is nothing but truth.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Resh. The Increasing Confidence of the Believer.
v. 153. Consider mine affliction, v. 154. Plead my cause, v. 155. Salvation is far from the wicked, v. 156. Great are Thy tender mercies, O Lord, v. 157. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies, v. 158. I beheld the transgressors, v. 159. Consider how I love Thy precepts, v. 160. Thy Word is true from the beginning,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
RESH.
The same cries of soul are continued through this portion as in the former; and we may, without any forced construction of the words, consider what is here said as peculiarly applicable to the meek and suffering Jesus. Indeed, without respect to Him, the language would lose all its energy; for in relation to all the church of Christ, and all his people, we may well take up the language of the prophet, and say, Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Lam 3:39 . But when we see Christ acting in all he did and suffered for us, and in our stead; when we recollect that though Jesus thus cried, and thus suffered, in himself, he had done no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; who but must take interest in these cries of the Son of God, when for us, and not for himself, those sufferings and cries were all induced! I detain the Reader to make one remark on a passage in this portion, which indeed we have met with several times before: but one observation may serve for all, I mean the cry put up for the Lord’s quickening Spirit. No less than nine times in the several portions of this Psalm, do we find this cry of the soul; Quicken me, O Lord, according to thy loving-kindness. Blessed Spirit! I would say, do thou mercifully quicken those souls of ours, which cleave to the dust. Penetrate them, – Lord; enlighten them; soften, revive, and bring them forth from all their languishing circumstances: thou knowest that none can quicken, none can give life, none can keep alive, none can restore his own soul. Raise up then, thou almighty Lord! raise up our souls, that by thy grace and power, we may ascend in heavenly affections and de sires after Jesus, that our lives being hid with Christ in God, when Christ who is our life shall appear, we may appear with him in glory. Col 3:3-4 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 119:153 RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
Ver. 153. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me ] Vide commiserationes oculis, look upon it, and let thine eye affect thy heart; say as once, “I have seen, I have seen the affliction of thy people.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 119:153-160 (Resh)
153Look upon my affliction and rescue me,
For I do not forget Your law.
154Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
155Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
156Great are Your mercies, O Lord;
Revive me according to Your ordinances.
157Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.
158I behold the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not keep Your word.
159Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
160The sum of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.
Psa 119:153-160 There is a series (8) of imperatival prayer requests based on God’s character (cf. Psa 119:156 a) and the psalmist’s obedience to His revelation. This is the essence of covenant (see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT ).
1-2. look upon, Psa 119:153; Psa 119:159 – BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal imperative
3. rescue me, Psa 119:153 – BDB 322, KB 321, Piel imperative
4. plead my cause, Psa 119:154 – BDB 936, KB 1224, Qal imperative, cf. Psa 35:23-24; Psa 43:1
5. redeem me, Psa 119:154 – BDB 322, KB 321, Piel imperative
6-8. revive me, Psa 119:154; Psa 119:156; Psa 119:159 – BDB 310, KB 309, Piel imperatives
Psa 119:153 my affliction The exact nature of the affliction is never stated but there are two main possibilities.
1. God-sent problems and adversaries (cf. Psa 119:67; Psa 119:71)
2. personal enemies (this fits this context best)
a. the wicked, Psa 119:155
b. they do not seek Your statutes, Psa 119:155
c. my persecutors, Psa 119:157
d. my adversaries, Psa 119:157
e. the treacherous, Psa 119:158
f. those who do not keep God’s revelation, Psa 119:158
For I do not forget Your law Remember the Psalms are written within the theological scope of the performance-based Mosaic covenant (cf. Psa 119:154 b,156b,159b) The psalmist highlights his fidelity.
1. I do not forget Your law, Psa 119:143, cf. Psa 119:83; Psa 119:109; Psa 119:141
2. they do not seek Your statutes but I do (implied), Psa 119:155
3. I do not turn aside from Your testimonies, Psa 119:157
4. they do not keep Your word, but I do (implied), Psa 119:158
5. I love Your precepts, Psa 119:159
Psa 119:154 Plead my cause This is a court word. One day all conscious life (angelic and human) will stand before God to give an account of the gift of life (cf. Mat 25:31-46; 2Co 5:10; Rev 20:11-15). Rom 8:31-39 records the imagery.
1. God as Judge
2. Satan as the prosecuting attorney
3. Jesus as the advocate for faithful followers
4. angels as the spectators (cf. 1Co 4:9; Eph 2:7; Eph 3:10)
This phrase may also denote YHWH as a kinsman redeemer who advocates on behalf of a relative (cf. Lev 25:23-28; Ruth 3; Job 19:23-27; Pro 23:11; Jer 50:34; Jer 51:36; Lam 3:58).
Psa 119:155 salvation See Special Topic: Salvation (OT).
Psa 119:156-157 Notice the two words from the same root (BDB 912 I), great, Psa 119:156 and many, Psa 119:157.
There are many enemies (cf. Psa 119:157) but there is also a great God (Psa 119:156). This same truth is expressed in 1 Peter where one word (variegated) describes
1. manifold temptation, 1Pe 1:6
2. the manifold grace of God, 1Pe 4:10
Psa 119:159 I. . .loathe them This seems harsh to NT believers. But remember this is the Mosaic covenant. Human emotions are often stated in hyperbolic imagery. The psalmist’s love for God and His word causes him to react aggressively (cf. Psa 139:21) toward those who
1. reject it
2. accept only selected parts of it
3. play the hypocrite
God Himself has revealed His own attitude (cf. Psa 95:10) toward those who reject His revelation in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 27-30. To whom much is given, much is required (cf. Luk 12:48). The adversaries of the psalmist seem to be fellow Israelites.
Psa 119:160 There is no verb in this verse. The NASB provides two to be verbs.
The sum This means the whole, which forms a better parallel with the next line of poetry than essence.
truth This is not truth versus falsehood but faithfulness versus unfaithfulness. God’s word is the exact opposite of fallen humanity’s word. See Special Topic: Believe, Trust, Faith and Faithfulness in the OT .
everlasting See Special Topic: Forever (‘olam).
righteous See Special Topic: Righteousness.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
deliver. Twenty-five Hebrew words so rendered. Here, halaz = rescue (with a gentle hand); not the same word as in verses: Psa 119:134, Psa 119:154, Psa 119:170.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 119:153. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
As much as if he said, Lord, I do not forget thee; do not forget me. Thy grace has kept my memory; let thy grace keep me altogether.
Psa 119:154-156. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far form the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
Oh! how the saints want quickening. They know they do. They feel that they get dull, and they cannot endure it. They are not happy unless they possess vivid grace and true light.
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.
The very sight of them gave me sorrow. Even though they tried to be mirthful, I was not amused by them, and beheld them and was grieved, Because they kept not thy word.
Psa 119:159. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
My heart is right, I do love thee; but I feel dull and heavy. Lord, come and quicken me, not according to my love to thee, but according to thy lovingkindness, come and quicken me. Thy word is true from the beginning from the first page of the book of Genesis to the very last true about everything, true from the first moment it began with me. Every promise has been kept. Tthere has not been a falsehood all the way through.
Psa 119:160. Thy word is true from the beginning: and everyone of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
Princes have persecuted me without a cause. David was a prince and a man expects to be fairly dealt with by his peers; but it was not so in this case.
Psa 119:161. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
When we are in awe of Gods word, we shall not be in awe of princes. The fear of God is the best cure for the fear of men.
Psa 119:162. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
He had more joy in reading the Scriptures than in winning a great battle, or in being surprised at the finding of a great treasure.
Psa 119:163. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Now the Orientals did not hate lying; they generally tried to be proficient at it. The only fault about lying with them is to be found out. Then they think they must have been very unskillful. David, therefore, was far ahead of his time far ahead of his fellow-countrymen.
Psa 119:164. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
He could not have enough of praise; he did it often, he did it perfectly seven times a day and if he praised God seven times a day because of his righteous judgments how much more ought we to do it because of his abounding grace! Ah! there is a special cause for thanks.
Psa 119:165-166. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments,
Two good things to put together hope in Gods mercy, and obedience to Gods will.
Psa 119:167-174. 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. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
Cannot we say that, dear friends, this morning? I hope we can with all our failings and wandering, yet the law of God is our delight, and if we could have our wish, we would never again go beyond its restraints, nor fall short of its demands.
Fuente: Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible
Psa 119:153-160
Psa 119:153-160
STROPHE 20
HOPE IN GOD’S LAW SUPPORTS PRAYER FOR SALVATION FROM ENEMIES
Resh
“Consider mine affliction, and deliver me;
Plead thou my cause, and redeem me:
Quicken me according to thy word.
Salvation is far from the wicked;
For they seek not thy statutes.
Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah:
Quicken me according to thine ordinances.
Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries;
Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
I beheld the treacherous, and was grieved,
Because they observe not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts:
Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
The sum of the word is truth;
And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth forever.”
“Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not thy statutes” (Psa 119:155). This is another of those surprising revelations that crop out now and then in this great psalm. A necessary deduction from what is said here is that “Salvation comes from a knowledge of the Word of God and becomes the possession of those who seek to know what that word is.” Paul himself could hardly have said it any better. “From a babe thou hast know the sacred writings which are able to make the wise unto salvation.” (2Ti 3:15). Briggs also made the same deduction on the basis of Psa 119:155, stating that, “The wicked are far from salvation, because they are far off from God’s Law that gives it.
“Quicken me according to thy word … according to thine ordinances … according to thy lovingkindnesses” (Psa 119:154; Psa 119:156; Psa 119:159). The RSV renders “Give me life” instead of quicken me, a plea that has already been repeated a dozen times in this psalm. This petition of the psalmist that God would give him “life” is a prayer for that “more abundant life” of which Jesus spoke (Joh 10:10), There is a great similarity of meaning in the three verses which feature this petition.
“Consider mine affliction … I do not forget thy law … I have not swerved from thy testimonies … I was grieved for the treacherous” (Psa 119:153; Psa 119:157-158). Four “arguments” if we might call them that, or “reasons,” upon which the psalmist hopes to receive a favorable answer of his prayers, are listed in these verses.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 119:153. This verse contains the same request that David has uttered a number of times. The affliction of which he complains is not physical, but refers to the oppression from his enemies. He backs up his prayer by profession of his interest in the law, which he will demonstrate by remembering it.
Psa 119:154. To plead the cause of David meant to take an active interest in it by delivering him from his enemies. To quicken meant to enliven or cheer up the Psalmist, and it was to be done according to the word of the Lord.
Psa 119:155. Salvation in this connection means the spiritual kind, and the wicked did not have it because they were far from the statutes of God. There could be no salvation through any other source than what is found in the divine document.
Psa 119:156. In most of the verses the Psalmist connects his petition for further favors with acknowledgement of those already received. The mercies already received from God were many. Now David asks to be quickened or encouraged according to the judgments of the Lord, which are recorded in the Sacred Text.
Psa 119:157. Persecutors and enemies would be considered the same, only a different form of opposition. The first might be more personal and violent than the second. But all mistreatment failed to draw the Psalmist away from the holy testimonies.
Psa 119:158. David’s unpleasant feelings in this verse were not for personal complaints, but because of the transgressions of those who would not keep the word.
Psa 119:159. The basis for his request was named first by the Psalmist; it was his love for the precepts. He then asked to be quickened or cheered up in keeping with the lovingkindness of the Lord.
Psa 119:160. This verse uses two of the terms for the subject being considered in this long chanter, word and judgments. The significant assertion is made that covers both the past and future. They were true to begin with, were the truth at the time of their introduction, and will be found to be so to the end of their existence, or until they have fulfilled their divine purpose in the conduct of man on the earth.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Consider: Psa 119:159, Psa 9:13, Psa 13:3, Psa 13:4, Psa 25:19, Exo 3:7, Exo 3:8, Neh 9:32, Lam 2:20, Lam 5:1
for I: Psa 119:16, Psa 119:98, Psa 119:109, Psa 119:141, Psa 119:176
Reciprocal: Deu 26:13 – forgotten Job 10:15 – see Psa 25:18 – Look Psa 31:7 – for Pro 3:1 – forget Lam 1:9 – behold
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
20. Love for God’s Word 119:153-160
Again the writer prayed for deliverance, appealing to his commitment to God’s law (Psa 119:153-154). The wicked have little hope of salvation because they disregard God’s Word (Psa 119:155). However, the psalmist could have hope because He valued it (Psa 119:156). The righteous have many enemies who despise God’s revelation (Psa 119:157-158). The poet appealed for personal restoration because he loved the righteous law (Psa 119:159-160).