Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:157
Many [are] my persecutors and mine enemies; [yet] do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies – The thought here turns on the number of his enemies, and on the effect which numbers might have in turning one from the way of truth. We might meet one such enemy, and overcome him; we might resist the influence of one in endeavoring to turn us away from the truth, but the danger of falling is much increased when numbers are combined in persecuting us, or in seeking to turn us away from our religion – when it becomes unpopular to be a professed friend of God.
Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies – I still adhere to thee; I still maintain my integrity, notwithstanding all this. See the notes at Psa 119:51.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 119:157-160
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies.
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The trials and traits of piety
I. The trials of piety. They are twofold–objective and subjective.
1. Objective. Many are my persecutors and enemies. In the world ye shall have tribulation, etc. The seed of the serpent is always darting its venomous sting into the sensibilities of the seed of the woman.
2. The subjective. I beheld, etc. Transgressors here points especially to apostates from Divine truth. In sooth all sin is moral apostasy, and all sin strikes sorrow into the heart of the pious.
II. The traits of piety.
1. Steadfast adherence to truth. Yet I declined not from Thy testimonies. Whatever happens, hold fast to truth.
2. Loving devotion to rectitude. Consider how I love Thy precepts. It is characteristic of a godly man that he delights in the law of God.
3. Devout craving for a higher life. Quicken me, etc. I count not myself to have attained, etc. Excelsior! is the watchword of the Christly soul.
4. A settled consciousness of the truth of God. Thy Word is true, or, Thy Word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. That is the sum total, and each unit of the sum of Gods commandments is truth and perfection (Joh 3:33). (Homilist)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Though they tempt me to do so, and persecute me because I will not do it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
157. (Compare Psa 119:86;Psa 119:87; Psa 119:95).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Many [are] my persecutors and mine enemies,…. Because they were his enemies, therefore they were his persecutors; and they became enemies to him, or hated him, because of his religion, and on that account persecuted him: and this has always been the lot and case of God’s people in all ages; and whose persecutors are many, even the whole world, as well as fierce and furious;
[yet] do I not decline from thy testimonies; from reading and hearing the word of God; and from embracing and professing the doctrines contained in it; and from the worship of God according to it, for which he was hated and persecuted: yet none of these things moved him from them, which showed that his heart was principled with the grace of God; for otherwise, when persecution arises because of the word, carnal professors are offended, and apostatize from it; see Mt 13:22.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Here is, 1. David surrounded with difficulties and dangers: Many are my persecutors and my enemies. When Saul the king was his persecutor and enemy no marvel that many more were so: multitudes will follow the pernicious ways of abused authority. David, being a public person, had many enemies, but withal he had many friends, who loved him and wished him well; let him set the one over-against the other. In this David was a type both of Christ and his church. The enemies, the persecutors, of both, are many, very many. 2. David established in the way of his duty, notwithstanding: “Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies, as knowing that while I adhere to them God is for me; and then no matter who is against me.” A man who is steady in the way of his duty, though he may have many enemies, needs fear none.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
157. My persecutors and oppressors are many. The Psalmist here as in other places testifies, that although he had been provoked by many injuries, yet he had not departed from the right way; which, as I have elsewhere observed, was an evidence of great and singular constancy. It is an easy matter to act well when we are among the good; but if wicked men afflict us, if one man openly assault us by force, if another rob us of our property, if a third circumvent us by wiles, and a fourth attack us by calumnies, it is difficult for us to persevere in our integrity, and we rather begin to howl among the wolves. Besides, the license which is allowed them of doing what they please without the fear of being punished, is a powerful engine for shaking our faith, because, when God thus winks at the wicked, he seems to abandon us for a prey. The Prophet therefore, by God’s testimonies, means not only the rule of holy and righteous living, but also the promises. Lord, as if he had said, I have not turned away from the path of integrity, although the conduct of the wicked has presented me with a temptation to do so; nor have I shaken off nay confidence in thy grace, but have waited patiently for thy succor. Both these are necessary. For although he who has suffered wrongs may contend against the malice of his enemies by his well — doing, and may refrain from every act of retaliation, yet, provided he does not depend wholly upon God, this uprightness will not be sufficient to save him. Not that any man behaves himself in a manner so moderate, except he who leans upon God and waits upon him as his deliverer; but granting that such could be the ease, there would not be sufficient power in this half virtue to save him. The salvation of God is reserved for the faithful who ask it in the exercise of lively faith. And whoever, persuaded that God will be his deliverer, pillars and supports his mind on the divine promises, will endeavor also to overcome evil with good.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Psa 119:157 Many [are] my persecutors and mine enemies; [yet] do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Ver. 157. Many are my persecutors ] Truth never wanted an adversary; and goes seldom without a scratched face.
Yet do I not decline
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
enemies = adversaries: i.e. those who hem me in.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Many: Psa 3:1, Psa 3:2, Psa 22:12, Psa 22:16, Psa 25:19, Psa 56:2, Psa 118:10-12, Mat 24:9, Mat 26:47, Act 4:27
yet do I: Psa 119:51, Psa 119:110, Psa 44:17, Job 17:9, Job 23:11, Isa 42:4, Act 20:23, Act 20:24, 1Co 15:58
Reciprocal: Psa 44:18 – have Psa 119:69 – I will Psa 119:161 – Princes Pro 4:5 – neither
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 119:157-160. Many are my persecutors David, being a public person, had many enemies. In this he was a type both of Christ and of his church. The enemies, the persecutors of both, are many, implacable and unwearied in their endeavours against them. Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies Though they tempt me so to do, and persecute me because I will not do it: for I know while I adhere to them God is for me, and then I need not regard who is against me. A man that is steady in the way of his duty, though he may have many enemies, he needs to fear none. I beheld transgressors I observed and considered their ungodly courses; and was grieved Commiserating their sin and folly, and distressed to think of the misery they were bringing on themselves; because they kept not thy word And thereby exposed themselves to thy wrath and indignation. Consider how I love thy precepts My love to which is the cause of my grief for the violation of them. Thy word is true from the beginning From the beginning of the world. Gods word, and every article of his law, was, and ever will be, truth, first and last; what he spoke first was truth, and so will be every determination of his to the end of the world. Waterland.