Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:15
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
15. thy ways ] Or, paths (Jer. semitas), a different word from that in Psa 119:1 ; Psa 119:3 ; Psa 119:5. It is for the most part a poetical word, and is used in Psa 119:9 ; Psa 119:101 ; Psa 119:104 ; Psa 119:128.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I will meditate in thy precepts – I will think of them; I will find my happiness in them. See the notes at Psa 1:2.
And have respect unto thy ways – And look to thy ways – thy commands. I continually regard them, or refer to them in my mind as the guide of my life. See the notes at Psa 119:6.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 119:15-16
I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.
A threefold internal action of the soul about the Word
These two verses present to us a threefold internal action of Davids soul towards the Word of God: first, meditation; secondly, consideration; thirdly, delectation; every one of these proceeds from the other and mutually strengthen one another. Meditation brings the Word to the mind; consideration views it, and looks at length into it; whereof is bred delectation. That which comes into the mind, were it never so good, if it be not considered, goes as it came; leaving neither instruction nor joy; but being once perfected by meditation, if it be pondered by consideration, then it breeds delectation; which is the perfection of godliness, in regard of the internal action. Thus we see that a godly man is ever fruitful in good: like that tree planted by the rivers of waters. For at the same time when his external good actions cannot be seen, he is not without internal good motions, breeding good in the root of his affection; which shortly brings out good fruit in his action, to the glory of God, and good of others. (Bp. Cowper.)
Reading profitless without meditation
St. Francis de Sales did not think well of those men who flit from book to book, taking up first one religious exercise and then another; he compared such persons to the drone bee, which makes no honey. Always learning, yet never coming to the knowledge of the truth; always gathering and acquiring, without retaining anything, because what they gather is put into a bottomless sack, a broken cistern. The longer a bee rests upon the flower, the more honey it will gather, he used to say. (Christian Weekly.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 15. I will meditate]
12. He should encourage self-examination and reflection; and meditate frequently on God’s words, works, and ways-and especially on his gracious dealings towards him.
13. He should keep his eye upon God’s steps; setting the example of his Saviour before his eyes, going where he would go, and nowhere else; doing what he would do, and nothing else; keeping the company that he would keep, and none else; and doing every thing in reference to the final judgment.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I will diligently and seriously consider the nature, and design, and extent of thy precepts, and especially so far as they concern my own duty.
Have respect unto thy ways; or, look unto them, as workmen constantly and carefully look to their rule to guide themselves by it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
I will meditate in thy precepts,…. In his own mind; revolve them in his thoughts; consider well the nature, excellency, usefulness, and importance of them, and the obligations he lay under to observe them. The Targum is,
“I will speak of thy precepts;”
in conversation to others, and recommend them to them; so the Arabic version:
and have respect unto thy ways; or “look” s unto them; take heed unto them, and walk in them, and not wander from them; make them the rule of walk and conversation; as travellers look well to their ways, that they do not miss them, and go into wrong ways; they observe the directions that have been given them, and keep unto them; and so good men refer to the ways of the Lord, which the Scriptures point out unto them; see Jer 6:16.
s “et aspiciam”, Pagninus, Montanus; “et intueor”, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
15. In thy precepts That to which I formerly adverted must not be forgotten — the prophet’s not making a boast of his own acquirements, but setting before others an example for their imitation. We are aware that the majority of mankind are so much involved in the cares of the world, as to leave no time or leisure for meditating upon the doctrine of God. To meet this callous indifference, he very seasonably commends diligence and attention. And even were we not so ensnared by the world, we know how readily we lose sight of the law of God, in the daily temptations which suddenly overtake us. It is not therefore without reason that the prophet exhorts us to constant exercise, and enjoins us to direct all our energies to the subject of meditation on God’s precepts. And as the life of men is unstable, being continually distracted by the carnality of their minds, he declares that he will consider attentively the ways of God. Subsequently, he repeats the exquisite pleasure he took in this pursuit. For our proficiency in the law of God will be small, until we cheerfully and heartily set our minds upon it. And, in fact, the commencement of a good life consists in God’s law attracting us to him by its sweetness. By the same means the lusts of the flesh, too, are subdued or mitigated. In our natural state, what is more agreeable to us than that which is sinful? This will be the constant tendency of our minds, unless the delight which we feel in the law carry us in the opposite direction.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Psa 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Ver. 15. I will meditate ] Or, confabulate, talk freely of them, as worldlings do of their wealth, and ways to get it, (Sept.).
And have respect unto thy ways
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
meditate: Psa 119:23, Psa 119:48, Psa 119:78, Psa 119:97, Psa 119:131, Psa 119:148, Psa 1:2, Jam 1:25
have respect: Psa 119:6, Psa 119:117
Reciprocal: Gen 24:63 – to meditate Jos 1:8 – thou shalt Psa 104:34 – meditation Pro 12:5 – thoughts 1Ti 4:15 – Meditate