Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:168
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways [are] before thee.
168. With the courage of a good conscience he appeals to God’s omniscience in proof of the sincerity of his purpose.
before thee ] Cp. for the phrase Psa 38:9, and for the thought, Heb 4:13.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies – This is an appeal which is several times made in the psalm; not with boasting, but as indicating the tenor and purpose of his life. Every man ought to be able to make such an appeal.
For all my ways are before thee – Thou hast seen my manner of life, and I may appeal to thee in proof that I have thus kept thy law. No one can lay claim to entire perfection, but there is many a man who, while conscious of much imperfection, and many shortcomings, can appeal to God for the truth of the statement that his great aim of life has been to keep his commandments.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 119:168
I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies: for all my ways are before Thee.
A sincere summary, and a searching inquiry
(with verse 176):–These two verses form a paradox, both true, and true of the same man, at the same time.
I. Our first text is a sincere summary of a godly mans life. Looking back, he can say of it in general, I have kept Thy precepts, etc.
1. It is needfull that we should have so lived that this shall be the summary of our life; for if we have not so lived, what evidence have we that we have been born again,–that we have passed from death unto life,–that we have been delivered from the bondage of sin, and brought into the way of holiness?
2. Whenever a man can truly say, with the psalmist, I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies, it is a fruit of grace.
3. This summary of life is excellent for its breadth. I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies. I feel that I am as much bound to believe right as to act right; and it is just as truly a sin to believe error, when I can learn the truth, as it is to commit iniquity.
4. It is excellent for its length.
5. It is excellent from its cause. The psalmist kept Gods precepts and testimonies because all his ways were before God. He felt that God was watching him, he lived under the consciousness of Gods presence with him both by night and day.
6. It is excellent from its use. It is an argument for the Gospel which the most sceptical cannot refute, and it is a most blessed way of propagating that Gospel, for men are more often convinced by our actions than by our words.
II. The psalmist, after he had spoken thus, and spoken quite sincerely and truly, yet felt that he must close his long lifes summary in another fashion. He then uttered our second text, which I called a searching scrutiny: I have gone astray, etc. The life of a believer may be like that of Job, perfect and upright, but when it comes under the scrutiny of an eye that is illuminated by the Spirit of God, and touched with the heavenly eye-salve, quite another verdict is given; and, tremblingly, with many tears, the confession is poured into the ear of God, I have gone astray like a lost sheep; followed by the petition, Seek Thy servant; and the renewed declaration, for I do not forget Thy commandment. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 168. For all my ways are before thee.] Thou knowest that I do not lie; thy eye has been upon my heart and my conduct, and thou knowest that I have endeavoured to walk before thee with a perfect heart.
ANALYSIS OF LETTER SCHIN. – Twenty-first Division
In this section the psalmist shows: –
I His love to God; and
II. The ardour and perfection of that love.
I. The first sign of his love was, that it stood in the midst of persecution.
1. “Princes have persecuted.”
2. But “without a cause,” though they pretended many.
3. “But my heart standeth in awe.” My love and confidence have due respect to thy infinite justice and immaculate purity.
The second sign of his love is the joy and delight he took in God’s law; it was greater than a conqueror could feel at the fortunate issue of a battle, and the spoils of the vanquished, howsover rich or immense.
The third sign was his hatred to all iniquity: “I hate and abhor lying.”
The fourth sign was his fervour and earnestness in – devotion: “Seven times,” c.
The fifth sign was the satisfaction he took in the welfare of others.
1. “Great peace have they which love thy law.”
2. “Nothing shall offend them.” They go on their way rejoicing and they that love God rejoice with them that do rejoice.
II. He shows the perfection of his love, –
1. By his hope and confidence: “Lord, I have hoped,” c.
2. By his obedience: “And done thy commandments.”
3. By keeping God’s testimonies with all his soul.
And this he repeats.
1. “I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies.”
2. I have done this through the purest motives, as thou knowest: “For all my ways are before thee.” Whatever he did he did in God’s sight for he well knew that the eye of the Lord was constantly upon him.
For other particulars see the preceding notes.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For, or because, all my ways are before thee. This is added either,
1. As the reason or motive of his obedience, which was the consideration of Gods omniscience, and his desire to approve himself and his ways to God; or,
2. As a proof and evidence of it. Whereas this and all his former professions of his piety were charged by his enemies with deep hypocrisy, and might seem to savour of pride and vainglory, here in the close of them he makes a solemn appeal to that God who knew his heart and all his ways, and whether these things were not true and real; which if they were not, he tacitly imprecates Gods judgment upon himself.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
168. all my ways are before theeIwish to order my ways as before Thee, rather than in reference to man(Gen 19:1; Psa 73:23).All men’s ways are under God’s eye (Pr5:21); the godly alone realize the fact, and live accordingly.
TAU.(Ps 119:169-176).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies,…. Both the preceptive and doctrinal part of the word, he preserved and observed both; this is repeated for the certainty of it, and to show his great affection to them;
for all my ways [are] before thee; this is either an appeal to God for the truth of what he had said, who saw and knew all the ways in which he walked, and which he had endeavoured should be conformable to the word of God; or it is a reason why he kept the precepts and testimonies of the Lord, because he knew his eyes were upon him; the omniscience of God had an influence over him, and caused him to be more attentive to the word, as the rule of his actions; see Ps 139:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
168. I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies. What the Psalmist had expressed more strongly, he now repeats more simply, adding there to reason. He abbreviates the statement as made in the preceding verse only by here omitting the word soul, which he there uses, whilst to commandments he joins testimonies, in order the more distinctly to show that he does not speak exclusively of the rule of an upright and holy life, but also comprehends the whole covenant of salvation. And, assuredly, the doctrine of the law could not be so sweet and attractive from its commanding what is right, did it not at the same time exhibit the free favor of God. The reason which the Prophet assigns for his keeping God’s commandments and testimonies — for all my ways are before thee (37) — is to this effect, That the truth, which he well knew, that nothing is hidden from God, served as a bridle to keep him devoted to the cultivation of godliness; for if we live not as under the omniscient inspection of God, the fickle lustfulness of the flesh quickly carries us away now one way and now another. The meaning, also, may be this — that he made God the arbiter and judge of his life; for in Scripture language those are said to walk before God, who refer all their actions to him, and, as it were, withdrawing themselves from the sight of men, present themselves at his judgment-seat. In this way he gives us to understand that he had endeavored not only to be free from all fault and blame before men, but also to offer to God a sound and sincere heart. Whichever of these senses is adopted, he testifies that it is only when we consider that we have to deal with God, who searcheth the heart, and from whose eyes nothing is hidden, that we will observe his law aright. This concluding clause may also be a form of protestation; as if the Prophet had said, Lord, thou art the best witness of the fidelity with which I have kept thy law, for nothing is hidden from thee. But he seems rather to have intended to intimate that the principle of his holy living, was his having consecrated his life to God, and having kept his thoughts fixed on the diverse presence.
(37) “ All my ways are before thee ” The meaning of this expression may be gathered from other scriptural phrases: such as ‘walking before God;’ or ‘in his sight;’ which merely signify to live holy and righteously, so as to be acceptable in his sight. God is omniscient, and, consequently, ‘all the ways’ or actions of men are ‘before him,’ or open to his knowledge and sight.” — Warner.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Psa 119:168. For all my ways are before thee What is the meaning of a man’s ways being before God, will best be known by parallel phrases; such as walking before God, or in his sight; which signify to live piously, so as in be approved by him. Here then, though it is certain that all men’s actions are seen by God; yet their ways being before him, will best be interpreted by, their walking or living piously.
TAU.
Psa 119:171. My lips shall utter praise A praise, or a hymn of praise; for so it corresponds in rite next verse; My tongue shall sing thy word.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 119:168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways [are] before thee.
Ver. 168. I have kept thy precepts ] All thy laws are in my sight; like as all my ways are in thy sight. I desire to approve myself to thee in the discharge of every part and point of my duty; in all my ways I acknowledge thee, Pro 3:6 . Here note, that all along this 21st octonary the psalmist propoundeth himself for a pattern of piety.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
for all my: Psa 44:20, Psa 44:21, Psa 98:8, Psa 139:3, Job 34:21, Pro 5:21, Jer 23:24, Heb 4:13, Rev 2:23
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
119:168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: {e} for all my ways [are] before thee.
(e) I had no respect for men, but set you always before my eyes as the judge of my doings.