Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 119:21
Thou hast rebuked the proud [that are] cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
21. The A.V. follows the Massoretic text; but the more obvious construction of the verse is that of the LXX, Syr., and Jer., followed by P.B.V. and R.V. marg. Thou rebukest the proud: cursed are they which do wander &c. God’s rebuke is that sentence of condemnation which carries its own execution with it (Psa 9:5). The perfect tense ( hast rebuked) states a general truth and is best translated by the present, thou rebukest. The proud ( Psa 119:51 ; Psa 119:69 ; Psa 119:78 ; Psa 119:85 ; Psa 119:122; cf. Mal 3:15; Mal 4:1) are those who sin wilfully and presumptuously (Psa 19:13; Deu 17:12-13), careless or apostate Israelites. See above, p. 702.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thou hast rebuked the proud – Compare Psa 9:5. The meaning is, that God had done this not by word but by deed. The proud were everywhere rebuked by God, alike in his law, and in his providence. The connection seems to be this: the psalmist is meditating on the benefit or advantage of keeping the law of God; of a humble, pious life. His mind naturally adverts to what would be the opposite of this – or to this in contrast with an opposite course of life; and he says, therefore, that God had in every way, and at all times, manifested his displeasure against that class of people. Such a course, therefore, must be attended with misery; but the course which he proposed to pursue must be attended with happiness.
That are cursed – The accursed; those who are regarded and treated by God as accursed, or as objects of his disapprobation.
Which do err from thy commandments – Who depart from thy law. The sense is, I propose and intend to keep thy law. As a motive to this, I look at the consequences which must follow from disobeying it. I see it everywhere in the divine treatment of those who do disregard that law. They are subject to the displeasure – the solemn rebuke – of God. So all must be who disregard his law; and it is my purpose not to be found among their number.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 21. Thou hast rebuked the proud] This was done often in the case of David; and was true also in reference to the Babylonians, who held the Israelites in subjection, and whose kings were among the proudest of human beings. Instead of zedim, the proud, some MSS. read zarim, strangers, and one reads goyim, the heathen; and so the Syriac.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Hast rebuked, or dost rebuke, i.e. severely punish and destroy. And therefore I justly long for thy judgments, as for the love which I have to them, so for fear of those terrible judgments which thou sendest upon the despisers of them.
The proud; obstinate and presumptuous sinners, who sin with a high hand, and with contempt of God, and of his laws, and of his judgment; all which is the effect of pride.
That are cursed; that have the curse of God upon them, and upon all which they have or do; which is the depth of misery.
Do err; or, wander; knowingly, and wilfully, and maliciously, as proud sinners use to do.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21-24. God will rebuke those whodespise His word and deliver His servants from their reproach, givingthem boldness in and by His truth, even before the greatest men.
DALETH.(Ps 119:25-32).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thou hast rebuked the proud,…. Which some understand of the fallen angels, who, in proud wrath, left their habitations, because they would not be subject to the Son of God in human nature; wherefore he scattered them in the imaginations of their hearts, and cast down these mighty ones into hell, where they are reserved in chains of darkness to the judgment of the great day. Others of the Scribes and Pharisees in Christ’s time, this psalm being suited, as is thought, to Gospel times; who were proud of their own righteousness, and despised others less holy than themselves; and submitted not to the righteousness of Christ, whom he often rebuked, and at last punished. Rather all proud atheistical persons, profane and wicked men, are meant; who, Pharaoh like, say, who is the Lord that we should obey him? who reckon, their tongues to be their own, and employ them both against God and men, and regard neither: these God resists, sets himself against, and sooner or later severely punishes; for in the things they deal proudly he is above them, Ex 18:11;
[that are] cursed which do err from thy commandments; according to the law of God, being transgressors of it, and will hear the awful sentence, “go, ye cursed”, Mt 25:41. The Targum, Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, join this with the next clause: “cursed are they which do err from thy commandments”; from the way of them, not observing them; from the end of them, Christ, not looking to him for righteousness.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Here is, 1. The wretched character of wicked people. The temper of their minds is bad. They are proud; they magnify themselves above others. And yet that is not all: they magnify themselves against God, and set up their wills in competition with and opposition to the will of God, as if their hearts, and tongues, and all, were their own. There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin, and the tenour of their lives is no better: They do err from thy commandments, as Israel, that did always err in their hearts; they err in judgment, and embrace principles contrary to thy commandments, and then no wonder that they err in practice, and wilfully turn aside out of the good way. This is the effect of their pride; for they say, What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? As Pharaoh, Who is the Lord? 2. The wretched case of such. They are certainly cursed, for God resists the proud; and those that throw off the commands of the law lay themselves under its curse (Gal. iii. 10), and he that now beholds them afar off will shortly say to them, Go, you cursed. The proud sinners bless themselves; God curses them; and, though the most direful effects of this curse are reserved for the other world, yet they are often severely rebuked in this world: Providence crosses them, vexes them, and, wherein they dealt proudly, God shows himself above them; and these rebukes are earnests of worse. David took notice of the rebukes proud men were under, and it made him cleave the more closely to the word of God and pray the more earnestly that he might not err from God’s commandments. Thus saints get good by God’s judgments on sinners.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
21. Thou hast destroyed the proud. Others render it:, Thou hast rebuked the proud; a translation of which the Hebrew term גער , gaar, admits when the letter ב , beth, is joined with it in construction; but this being awaiting, it is better to render it destroy (406) It makes, however, little difference to the main drift of the passage, there being no doubt that the intention of the prophet is, to inform us that God’s judgments instructed him to apply his mind to the study of the law; and certainly this is an exercise which we ought on no account to defer till God visit us with chastisement.. But when we behold him taking vengeance upon the wicked, and the despisers of his word, we must be stupid, indeed, if his rod do not teach us wisdom; and, doubtless, it is an instance of special kindness on God’s part, to spare us, and only to terrify us from afar, that he may bring us to himself without injuring or chastising us at all.
It is not without reason that he denominates all unbelievers proud, because it is true faith alone which humbles us, and all rebellion is the offspring of pride. From this we learn how profitable it is to consider carefully and attentively the judgments of God, by which he overthrows such haughtiness. When the weak in faith see the wicked rise in furious. opposition against God, arrogantly casting off all restraint, and holding all religion in derision with impunity, they begin to question whether there be a God who sits as judge in heaven. God may, for a time, wink at this: by-and-bye, we witness him setting forth some indication of his judgment, to convince us that he hath not in vain uttered threatening against the violators of his law; and we ought to bear in mind that all who depart from him are reprobate.
Let it be carefully observed that, by wandering from his commandments, is not meant all kinds of transgression indiscriminately, but that unbridled licentiousness which proceeds from impious contempt of God. It is, indeed, given as a general sentence, that
“
every one is cursed who continueth not in all things which are written,” Deu 27:26
But as Godwin his paternal kindness, bears with those who fail through infirmity of the flesh, so here we must understand these judgments to be expressly executed upon the wicked and reprobate; and their end, as Isaiah declares, is,
“
that the inhabitants of the earth may learn righteousness,” (Isa 26:9)
(406) “ Maintenant veu qu’elle n’y est point adjoustee, le mot de Destruire y conviendra mieux.” — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(21) LXX. and Vulg. divide the verse: Thou hast rebuked the proud; cursed are they, &c. This is preferable.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 119:21. Thou hast rebuked the proud, &c. Thou rebukest the proud; cursed are they that stray from thy commandments. Houb. and Mudge. The proud in this psalm mean the atheistical contemptuous disregarders of God and his laws.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 119:21 Thou hast rebuked the proud [that are] cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Ver. 21. Thou hast rebuked the proud, &c. ] Thou chidest them, threatenest them, plaguest them, and so settest it on as no creature can take it off. And this is one reason why I love and observe thy laws, ne paria patiar, lest I should suffer in like sort; since men must do it or die for it.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
err = go far astray (through wine or passion). Same word as “wander” (Psa 119:10), and “err” (Psa 119:118). Hebrew. shagah App-44.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 119:21. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Wherever there is pride in the heart, there is sure to be error in the life. A proud man is wrong, to begin with, and as long as he continues proud, he must be wrong. It is not possible for him to be right. God has rebuked him, and God has cursed him. How wise it would be of him to be humble. Remember we shall have either to be humble or to be humbled; and it is much better to be humble than to have to come under the humbling dispensations of Gods hand.
Psa 119:22. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
O Lord, do not suffer men to believe lies and slanders against me, or if they do let my conscience sustain my courage by the consciousness that I have kept thy testimonies.
Psa 119:23. Princes also did sit and speak against me:
Had they nothing else to do, but talk against Gods servants? No; they sat down to do it with deliberation. Princes also did sit and speak against me.
Psa 119:23. But thy servant did.
Go to law with them? No not so here. But thy servant got in the face and defended himself? No, no. Look, you will not read those words. But Thy servant was broken-hearted about it to have the great men of the earth speaking against him? No, it is not so either. But thy servant did.
Psa 119:23. Meditate in thy statutes,
Is not that a very blessed and admirable way of enduring slander simply to take your Bible and read a little more than usual? You will cure it so.
Psa 119:24. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
Because I love them and delight in them. I submit my life to their guidance.
I go to thy Book to ask what I shall do. I consult it as the oracle of God. I take my doubts, and difficulties, and dilemmas there, and I find that they are all met. Thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellors.
Psa 119:25. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
Ah! there is a note of sadness here. The Psalmist complains of himself. He found himself very sorrowful, and he could not get out of the sorrow; or he found himself very full of business cares, and he could not get rid of them. My soul cleaveth to the dust as though it was stuck to the dust, and the duet to it, and could not rise. Then how sweet the prayer, Quicken thou me. Didst thou not first make me of dust, and wilt thou not at the last quicken my mortal body out of the dust? Then, now, my Lord quicken thou me according to thy Word. See, here is an evil complained of. He finds himself cleaving to the dust. Here is a remedy sought, Quicken thou me. And here is an argument pleaded with God according to thy Word. There is a promise for it. Lord, fulfill thy word.
Psa 119:26. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
A confession had been made: I have declared my ways. That confession had been accepted: Thou heardest me. Then a petition is offered: Teach me thy statutes. Thou seest that I confess how wrong I was. Now give me grace that I may not go wrong again. May that be our spirit always.
Psa 119:27-28. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
I am poured out like water, says the Saviour. My heart is like wax. It is melted in the midst of my bowels. It is the greatness of pain, the greatness of fear, the greatness of sorrow, till he seems to melt away in the fire like wax. For heaviness, says he, my soul melts. Then strengthen thou me. Oh! it is so sweet to turn to God when your soul is burdened to look to him, and say not deliver me. Observe that, the child of God is not so anxious to get rid of trouble, as he is to know how to behave worthily under it. Strengthen thou me, according to thy Word. How he harps on that according to thy Word. The child of God does not expect God to do otherwise than he has promised to do, and he is quite content if the Lord will act according to his Word, for well does our poet put it:
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
In this book, dear brother, whatever your trouble, there is a promise to meet it. If you lose a key and you send for the whitesmith, as a general rule, somewhere in that bunch of keys he has a key that will fit your lock. And so here is a bunch of keys, and there is a key here that will exactly fit the lock of your trouble whatever it may be, for God foresaw the circumstances of all his people, and prepared a promise for every circumstance.
Psa 119:29. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
Take away the evil: give me the good. The way of lying. Oh! it is a dreadful thing to get into that. There are some that have a way of doing it some that do it jocosely, some that do it by implication. Some think it shrewd to deceive. Remove from me the way of lying. If truth should be banished from all the world besides, it ought to find a shelter in the breasts of Christians. The Christian man is forbidden to take an oath, because there should never be any necessity for it. His word his, Yea, yea his Nay, nay should always, be sufficient. Thank God it is, where the grace of God is.
Psa 119:30-31. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. Here is, first, choice: I have chosen the way of truth. Here is his practically carrying it out: Thy judgments have I laid before me. Here is his perseverance in it: I have stuck unto thy testimonies. And then there is his prayer about it: O Lord, put me not to shame. And it is a prayer which is sure to be answered. Truth may be blamed, but it cannot be shamed. Truth is Gods daughter, and he will take care of her. If you have chosen the way of truth, it is a way in which, though some may censure and slander, your righteousness shall come forth, in due time, as the noonday.
Psa 119:32. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
When I get liberty of heart, then will I take as my choice, thy ways. The Christian is never so much at liberty as when he is under law to Christ. He knows the difference between licence and liberty. He has a liberty to do so he wills, because he wills to do as God wills him to do; and herein lies the only freedom which we desire.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 90 and Psa 119:21-32.
Fuente: Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible
rebuked: Psa 119:78, Psa 138:6, Exo 10:3, Exo 18:11, Job 40:11, Job 40:12, Isa 2:11, Isa 2:12, Isa 10:12, Eze 28:2-10, Dan 4:37, Dan 5:22-24, Mal 4:1, Luk 14:11, Luk 18:14, Jam 4:6, 1Pe 5:5
cursed: Psa 119:10, Psa 119:110, Psa 119:118, Deu 27:15-26, Deu 28:15, Deu 30:19, Neh 9:16, Neh 9:29, Isa 42:24, Isa 43:28, Jer 44:9-11, Jer 44:16, Jer 44:28, Jer 44:29, Gal 3:13
Reciprocal: Deu 27:26 – Cursed Deu 28:45 – because Psa 37:22 – cursed Psa 40:4 – respecteth Psa 119:51 – proud Psa 119:122 – let not Jer 43:2 – all the Mat 25:41 – ye cursed Jam 5:19 – err
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 119:21. Thou hast rebuked Or, dost rebuke, that is, reprove and punish, the proud Obstinate and presumptuous sinners, who sin with a high hand; that are cursed That are under the wrath and curse of God, and have his curse upon them in all that they do or possess, Deu 28:16-19. Which, do err Hebrew, , hashogim, wander, or stray, from thy commandments Namely, knowingly, or wilfully, as proud sinners are wont to do.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
119:21 Thou {c} hast rebuked the proud [that are] cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
(c) In all ages you have plagued all such who maliciously and contemptuously depart from your truth.