Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:158
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
158. I have seen the treacherous dealers and felt loathing,
Because they have not observed thy word.
Apostate Israelites are meant, faithless to the covenant. Far from being attracted by them, he felt disgust and loathing (Psa 139:21) as he watched them and their ways.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I beheld the transgressors – Those who wronged me; those who violated the law of God.
And was grieved – Or, sickened. The word used here means commonly to loathe, to nauseate, to sicken. Eze 16:47; Psa 95:10. I was made sad, sorry, sick at heart. I did not look on them with anger; I did not desire to take revenge upon them; I did not return evil for evil. My heart was sad that people would do wrong; that they would expose themselves to such danger. See the notes at Psa 119:136.
Because they kept not thy word – Because they violated thy law; because they were sinners.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 119:158
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not Thy Word.
Christian grief over transgressors
One of the influences and results of true piety on the heart is to move its sensibilities on behalf of the interests and welfare of others. One example out of many is presented to us in the text, the author of which was most probably Ezra, to whom, as the priest of Jehovah, pertained the duty of purifying the people from their abominations on their return from captivity, and of settling the institutions by which, when restored to the land of their forefathers, they were to be recovered. He had taken a survey of the state of society, both in his own country and in other nations, and his spirit was stirred within him.
I. A contemplation of the prevalent habits and character of mankind. I beheld the transgressors.
1. God has actually established a law for the government of mankind.
2. There is amongst mankind a prevalent and a fearfully extended rebellion against this law.
3. The case of those who are in the attitude of rebellion against the Divine law should, by pious minds, be made the matter of frequent and serious contemplation.
II. A record of the emotions which this contemplation properly and specially produces upon the pious mind. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved.
1. For what reasons this emotion must be excited.
(1) Because transgression is so insulting to God.
(2) Because transgression is so fatal to the happiness of mankind.
2. To what conduct this emotion should prompt.
(1) To personal nonconformity and separation from the transgressions which we witness, and over which we mourn.
(2) To personal exertion in the diffusion of that truth which God has appointed as the instrument to reconcile and to save. (J. Parsons.)
Tearful concern for the godless
The evangel is not in the first place a denunciation of sin, nor a pronouncement of punishment. It is an announcement of good news. Dr. Dale once said to me in his study that he knew of only one man who had the right to speak of the possibility of a soul being lost. Who is that? I inquired; and he answered, Dwight Lyman Moody. The reason is that he never did it without tears in his voice, and never without passing on to proclaim how that man could be saved. (Campbell Morgan.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 158. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved] Literally, I was affected with anguish.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I observed and considered their ungodly courses.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
158. (Compare Ps119:136).
transgressorsor,literally, “traitors,” who are faithless to a righteoussovereign and side with His enemies (compare Psa 25:3;Psa 25:8).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved,…. Transgressors of the law of God, profane sinners; such as among whom he dwelt in Mesech and Kedar; it grieved him when he beheld their wicked life and conversation; as Lot in Sodom; and Isaiah and Jeremiah, among persons of unclean lips, and an assembly of treacherous men: and the word here used signifies “treacherous” g persons; and may design not the profane only, but professors also; that dealt treacherously with God and men, made a profession of religion, but walked not agreeably to it, which is matter of grief to good men; see Php 3:18; as well as the conduct of abandoned sinners; with whom the psalmist was grieved, not so much on his own account, being hated and persecuted by them, as on their account, because of the ruin they brought upon themselves; but chiefly because of the dishonour of God, and their disregard to his righteous law. Joseph Kimchi paraphrases it,
“I saw them prosper, and was weary of my life;”
and refers for the sense of the word to Job 10:1; as does also Aben Ezra; but David Kimchi and the Targum interpret it “I strove”, or “contended” with them; that is, with the transgressors;
because they kept not thy word: did not regard the doctrines, nor observe the precepts of it; but despised, rejected, and cast them away from them.
g “perfidos”, Vatablus, Cocceius, Michaelis; “perfide agentes”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
Here is, 1. David’s sorrow for the wickedness of the wicked. Though he conversed much at home, yet sometimes he looked abroad, and could not but see the wicked walking on every side. He beheld the transgressors, those whose sins were open before all men, and it grieved him to see them dishonour God, serve Satan, debauch the world, and ruin their own souls, to see the transgressors so numerous, so daring, so very impudent, and so industrious to draw unstable souls into their snares. All this cannot but be a grief to those who have any regard to the glory of God and the welfare of mankind. 2. The reason of that sorrow. He was grieved, not because they were vexatious to him, but because they were provoking to God: They kept not thy word. Those that hate sin truly hate it as sin, as a transgression of the law of God and a violation of his word.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
158. I saw the perfidious and child them. In this verse the Psalmist proceeds yet farther, declaring that he was inflamed with a holy zeal when he saw the law of God despised by the wicked. Expositors are not however agreed as to one word in the text, namely the verb אתקוטטה , ethkotatah, which we have rendered chid, some deriving it from קוט, kut, which often signifies to debate or contend with, it being in the conjugation hithpael, while others derive it from קטט karat, which signifies to kill or to destroy. I adopt the former interpretation, because it is more generally received among the learned, and is most appropriate. The Prophet then teaches that he was inflamed with such zeal for the law of God that he could no longer endure the impious mockery directed against it. The verb debate may however be understood as well of the vexation or anger which he felt in himself, as of the rebuke which he openly administered to the despisers of God; and therefore some translate it, I shuddered, or I was grieved (30) Nor assuredly will any person enter into debate with others for maintaining the glory of God, but he who is first chafed within himself, and has been grieved at heart; even as on the other hand, after this holy indignation there almost always follows transitive action; that is to say, it passes from the thought to the effect. (31) In short, we are admonished by the example of the Prophet, that we ought to feel such displeasure at the contempt of God’s word as that our heart grows hot even to chiding. In the first place, then, let grief affect us inwardly; and next, whenever opportunity shall present itself, let; us strenuously endeavor to repress the forwardness and pride of the wicked, and let us not hesitate to do so from the fear of provoking their resentment against us.
(30) “ Invasit me horror.” — Piscator.
(31) “ C’est a dire, on vient de la pensee a l’effect.” — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
RESH.
(158) Transgressors.Better, the faithless (or, traitors).
Was grieved.The Hebrew is a far stronger word, and the sense is intensified by the rare conjugation: was filled with loathing at; sickened with disgust.
The recreants I survey,
And loathing turn away.KEBLE.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 119:158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
Ver. 158. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved ] Or, I abhorred them, or, I contended with them; not so much because they were mine as thine enemies.
Because they kept not thy word
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
transgressors. Hebrew. bagad = traitors, or treacherous men.
was grieved = loathed myself: i.e. seeing the same tendencies in myself. Compare Job 42:6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 119:53, Psa 119:136, Eze 9:4, Mar 3:5
Reciprocal: Gen 6:6 – grieved 1Sa 15:35 – Samuel mourned Psa 139:21 – and am not Mat 18:31 – they Luk 19:41 – and wept Act 17:16 – his spirit 2Pe 2:8 – in seeing
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
119:158 I beheld the transgressors, and was {c} grieved; because they kept not thy word.
(c) My zeal consumed me when I saw their malice and contempt for your glory.