Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:152
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever.
152. Of old have I known from thy testimonies, that &c. (R.V.). Men may affirm or act as if they believed that God’s laws are obsolete: but from the study of those laws themselves the Psalmist has long ago learnt their eternal validity; and his deeply rooted convictions cannot be shaken by the contempt or the threats of his enemies.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Concerning thy testimonies – In regard to all that thou hast testified to as true and best. Every command of God is in fact a testimony of his as to what is right; every promise is a testimony of his own purpose in regard to mankind.
I have known of old – The word used here is a noun, and means properly, the front, what is before; then, the East; then, what pertains to olden time or ancient days – before the present. The meaning here is, that he had known this before what had now occurred; it was not a new thing – a new experience. It was deeply impressed on his mind as the result of all his reflection and observation.
That thou hast founded them for ever – From eternity, and for eternity. They were laid in the eternity past; they will continue in the eternity to come. They are based on eternal principles of right; they will never be changed. Such a conviction will do much to keep the soul steady and firm in the trials and uncertainties of life. Whatever may change, Gods law does not change; whatever is new, that is not new; whatever will vanish away, that will remain.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 152. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old] kedem yedati, “Long ago I have known concerning thy testimonies.” Thou hast designed that thy testimonies should bear reference to, and evidence of, those glorious things which thou hast provided for the salvation of men; and that this should be an everlasting testimony. They continue, and Christ is come.
ANALYSIS OF LETTER KOPH. – Nineteenth Division
I. The psalmist is earnest in his prayers for deliverance.
II. He shows the end for which he desires it.
III. The necessity of its being speedy, as his enemies were at hand.
I. 1. His prayer was earnest; it was a cry, rather than a petition.
2. It was sincere: “I cried with my whole heart.” There was no hypocrisy in it.
3. It was in season: “I prevented the dawning of the morning.”
4. It was out of season: “Mine eyes prevent the night-watches.”
What he prayed for, –
1. Audience: “Hear me, O Lord.”
2. Deliverance: “Save me.”
3. Increase of grace: “Quicken me.”
II. The end for which he prayed.
1. That he might keep God’s statutes.
2. That he might keep his testimonies. See the explanation of these words at the beginning of this Psalm.
3. That he might meditate on God’s word.
4. That he might increase in the life of God.
The arguments he uses: –
1. His faith and hope. I cried, because I waited and hoped in thy word.
2. God’s mercy. According to thy loving-kindness.
3. The danger he was in from his pursuing enemies. – 1. They draw nigh. 2. They are mischievously bent. 3. They are most impious men. Far from the law of God; they despised and hated it.
III. Near as they may be to destroy, thou art nearer to save.
1. “Thou art near:” They cannot come where thou art not.
2. “All thy commandments are truth:” And thou hast commanded us to trust in thee; and therefore we shall not fear evil. Thou wilt support thy servants, and destroy thine enemies.
He concludes with an acclamation: –
1. “Concerning thy testimonies:” Thy will, which thou hast testified in thy word.
2. “I have known of old:” Ever since I looked into them, began to study and practice them.
3. “That thou hast founded them for ever:” They are of eternal truth, immutable and indispensable. And this is the anchor of our souls, that we may not be carried away by trials and temptations. Not one tittle of God’s truth has ever failed any of his sincere followers. No one promise of his that has been sought by faith in Christ has ever been unfulfilled. Blessed be God!
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Known of old, by my own long experience, ever since I arrived at any knowledge in those matters.
That thou hast founded them for ever; that thou hast established them upon sure and everlasting foundations.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old,…. Or, “from thy testimonies, I have known of old” d: by carefully reading the Scriptures which testify of God, his mind an will, and frequently meditating on them, he had learned a long time ago, even from his youth, what follows,
that thou hast founded them for ever; that the things contained in them are sure and certain, established and eternal truths; the moral law and the precepts of it are eternal, and of perpetual obligation; not one jot or tittle of them shall ever fail; the Gospel, and the truths of it, are everlasting, and shall ever remain; in spite of all the opposition, craft and cunning, fury and force of men, to undermine and root them out; see Ps 119:89.
d “ex obtestationibus tuis”, Tigurine version; so Cocceius, Gejerus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
This confirms what he had said in the close of the foregoing verses, All thy commandments are truth; he means the covenant, the word which God has commanded to a thousand generations. This is firm, as true as truth itself. For, 1. God has founded it so; he has framed it for a perpetuity. Such is the constitution of it, and so well ordered is it in all things, that it cannot but be sure. The promises are founded for ever, so that when heaven and earth shall have passed away every iota and tittle of the promise shall stand firm, 2 Cor. i. 20. 2. David had found it so, both by a work of God’s grace upon his heart (begetting in him a full persuasion of the truth of God’s word and enabling him to rely upon it with a full satisfaction) and by the works of his providence on his behalf, fulfilling the promise beyond what he expected. Thus he knew of old, from the days of his youth, ever since he began to look towards God, that the word of God is what one may venture one’s all upon. This assurance was confirmed by the observations and experiences of his own life all along, and of others that had gone before him in the ways of God. All that ever dealt with God, and trusted in him will own that they have found him faithful.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
152 . I have known from thy testimonies (24) from the beginning. Others here translate, I have known long ago of thy testimonies. (25) This translation I would not directly reject; but I am more inclined to retain the sense which I have given, namely, That the Prophet not only knew the everlasting steadfastness which characterizes the testimonies of God; but that he had also derived this knowledge from the testimonies themselves. When the Hebrews would express the meaning conveyed by the Latin preposition de, they frequently use the particle מן, or the letter ב, beth. He therefore says, that he had learned from God’s testimonies, or had been taught by them, that they are established for ever (26) This indeed is the chief point of faith, That the word of God is not only distinguished for fidelity and steadfastness for a time, but that it continues unchangeable for ever. Were it otherwise, it could not include within it the hope of eternal salvation. That the assurance of this immutabiliy of God’s word may be rooted in our minds, the inward revelation of the Holy Spirit is indeed necessary; for until God seal within us the certainty of his word, our belief of its certainty will be continually wavering. Yet the Prophet, not without cause, affirms, that he learned this truth from the word; for when God shines into us by his Spirit, he at the same time causes that sacred truth which endures for ever to shine forth in the mirror of his word.
(24) “ De testimoniis tuis.” — Lat.
(25) Walford’s rendering is, “I have known thy testimonies long since.” Phillips translates “of old;” and gives this explanation, “I have been acquainted with thy testimonies ever since I have possessed any knowledge, i.e. as soon as I came to years of reflection.
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From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures.’ 2Ti 3:15.”
(26) Thou hast established them for ever. That is, thy revelations are unalterable and everlasting, as the attributes of their great Author, and can never fail those who rely upon them, in time, or in eternity.” — Warner on the Psalter.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(152) The more obvious rendering of this verse is, Of old I was instructed out of Thy testimonies, fornot for a brief time, but for everThou didst found them, where for ever expresses indefinite past as well as indefinite future.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
Ver. 152. Concerning thy testimonies, &c. ] The sempiternity of God’s word is an excellent prop to faith and help in prayer; to those especially who are of long experience, and have well laid up their experiments. David had learned this truth of a child little. See 2Ti 3:17 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
thy testimonies: Psa 119:144, Psa 119:160, Psa 89:34-37, Psa 111:7, Psa 111:8, Ecc 3:14, Luk 21:33
Reciprocal: Psa 19:7 – testimony Psa 78:5 – For he Psa 119:89 – For ever Psa 119:109 – yet do I not Mat 5:18 – pass Joh 17:17 – word
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
119:152 {d} Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
(d) His faith is grounded on God’s word, that he would always be at hand when his children are oppressed.