Salmos 119
Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
Salmos 119
Henry - Supplications with the whole heart are presented only by those who desire God's salvation, and who love his commandments. Warren
Salmos 119
Henry: Though the Psalmist, in this psalm, much in prayer, yet he did not neglect the duty of thanksgiving; for those that pray much will have much to give thanks for. 1. How much God's hand was eyed in his thanksgivings. He does not say, "I will give thanks because of thy favours to me, which I have the comfort of," but, "Because of thy righteous judgments, all the disposals of thy providence in wisdom and equity, which thou hast the glory of." We must give thanks for the asserting of God's honour and the accomplishing of his word in all he does in the government of the world. 2. How much his heart was set upon his thanksgivings. He would rise at midnight to give thanks to God. Great and good thoughts kept him awake, and refreshed him, instead of sleep; and so zealous was he for the honour of God that when others were in their beds he was upon his knees at his devotions. He did not affect to be seen of men in it, but gave thanks in secret, where our heavenly Father sees. He had praised God in the courts of the Lord's house, and yet he will do it in his bed-chamber. Public worship will not excuse us from secret worship. When he found his heart affected with God's judgments, he immediately offered up those affections to God, in actual adorations, not deferring, lest they should cool. Yet observe his reverence; he did not lie still and give thanks, but rose out of his bed, perhaps in the cold and in the dark, to do it the more solemnly. And see what a good husband he was of time; when he could not lie and sleep, he would rise and pray. Charles Bridges - Another exercise of sacred pleasure is the ways of the Lord! His portion was always satisfying to this holy man, and he was daily feeding upon it with fresh delight. There was no occasion for the painful restrictions and mortifications of a monastery to oblige him to self-denying observances. Much less was there any desire, by these extraordinary services, to work out a righteousness of his own, to recommend him to the favor of God. His diligence in this heavenly work was the spontaneous effusion of a heart “filled with the Spirit.”8 Presenting the morning and evening service “seven times a day,”9 was not enough for him; but he must “rise at midnight,” to continue his song of praise. These hours sometimes had been spent in overwhelming sorrow.10 Now they were given to the privileged employment of praise.1 Indeed it seems to have been his frequent custom to stir up his gratitude by a midnight review of the Lord’s daily manifestations of mercy.2 A most exciting example—especially for the child of sorrow, when “wearisome nights are appointed to him,” and he “is full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day!”3 Thus “let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud upon their beds.”4 We observe this Christian enjoyment under circumstances of outward trial. When “at midnight—their feet made fast in the stocks—Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God;”5 they gave thanks, because of his righteous judgments. We often complain of our want of spirituality in the Divine life—how much our body hinders the ascent of the soul heavenwards—how often drowsiness overcomes our evening communion with our God; the “weakness of the flesh” overpowering the “willingness of the Spirit.”6 But after making all due allowances for constitutional infirmity, how far are we “instant in season and out of season” in the “mortification of the flesh?”7 Do we earnestly seek for a heart delighting in heavenly things? The more the flesh is denied for the service of God, the more we shall be elevated for the enjoyment, and realize the privilege of the work; and instead of having so often to mourn that our “souls cleave unto the dust,”8 we shall “mount upwards with eagles’ wings,”9 and even now by anticipation, take our place before “the throne of God and the Lamb.” Such is the active influence of self-denial in exercising our graces and promoting our comfort! Oh! how much more ferrent would be our prayers—how much more fruitful in blessings—were they enlivened with more abundant delight in the ‘angelical work of praise.’10 The theme is always before us. The subject of the heavenly song should constantly engage our songs on earth—Jesus and his love—the worthiness of the Lamb that was slain—his “power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”11 Midnight wakefulness would be far sweeter than slumber; yea, night itself would be turned into day, did “the judgments of God,” as manifested in the glory of the Saviour, thus occupy our hearts.12 Lord, tune my heart to thy praise, and then no time will be unseasonable for this blessed employment. Time thus redeemed from sleep will be an antepast of the unwearied service of heaven.13 8 Eph. 5:18. 9 See Ps 119:147, 148, 164. 10 See Ps. 77:3, 4. 1 Ps. 42:8. Comp. Job 35:10. 2 Ps 139:17, 18. 3 Job 7:3, 4. 4 Ps. 149:5. 5 Acts 16:24, 25. 6 Matt. 26:41. 7 1 Cor. 9:27. 8 Ps 119:25. 9 Isaiah 40:31. 10 Baxter. 11 Rev. 5:12. 12 See Rev 15:3, 4. 13 Rev 4:8. Psalm 119:63 I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. a companion (KJV): Ps 119:79,115 16:3 101:6 142:7 Pr 13:20 Mal 3:16-18 2Co 6:14-17 1Jn 1:3 3:14 I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. Knowing and obeying the Bible will bring into your life the very finest friends. Those who love God’s Word are friends indeed. There are false friends who may dazzle you with their worldly wisdom and wealth, but their friendship will lead you astray. Stick with those who “stick” with the Bible (v31). Charles Bridges - Those that love the Lord’s service naturally associate with kindred spirits—with those that fear him, and keep his precepts.14 These two features identify the same character; as cheerful obedience is always the fruit of filial fear. These then are the Lord’s people; and union with him is in fact union with them. Sometimes the society of the refined and intelligent of this world may be more congenial to our natural taste. But ought there not be a restraint here? Ought not the Christian to say, “Surely the fear of God is not in this place;”1 and “should I love them that hate the Lord?”2 Let those of us, who live in close, and to a certain degree necessary, contact with the world, subject their hearts to an evening scrutiny on this subject. ‘Has the society of this day refreshed my soul, or raised my heart to spiritual things? Has it promoted a watchful temper? Or has it not rather “quenched the spirit” of prayer and restrained my intercourse with God?’ To meet the Christian in ordinary courtesy, not in unity of heart, is a sign of an unspiritual walk with God. Fellowship with God is “walking in the light.” “Fellowship one with another” is the natural flow. “The communion of saints” is the fruit and effect of communion with God.3 The calls of duty, or the leadings of providence, may indeed unavoidably connect us with those, who “have no fear of God before their eyes.” Nor should we repel them from religiously affecting a sullen or uncourteous4 habit. But such men, whatever be their attractions, will not be the companions of our choice. Fellowship with them, is to “remove the ancient land-mark;”5 to forget the broad line of separation between us and them; and to venture into the most hazardous atmosphere. If indeed our hearts were ascending, like a flame of fire, with a natural motion heavenwards, and carrying with them all in their way, the choice of the companions of our pilgrimage would be a matter of little importance. But so deadening to our spirit is the conversation of the men of this world, (however commanding their talents, or interesting their topics,) that even if we have been just before enlivened by the high privilege of communion with God, the free and self-indulgent interchange of their society will benumb our spiritual powers, and quickly freeze them again. To underrate therefore the privileged association with “them that fear God,” is to incur—not only a most awful responsibility in the sight of God; but also a most serious hazard to our own souls. If then we are not ashamed to confess ourselves Christians, let us not shrink from walking in fellowship with Christians. Even if they should exhibit some repulsive features of character, they bear the image of Him, whom we profess to love inexpressibly and incomparably above all. They will be our companions in an eternal home: they ought therefore to be our brothers now. How sweet, and holy, and heavenly is this near relation to them in our common Lord! Shall we not readily consent to his judgment, who pronounced “the righteous to be more excellent than his neighbor?”6 “Iron sharpeneth iron.”7 If then “the iron be blunt,” this will be one of the best means of “whetting the edge.”8 The most established servants of God gladly acknowledge the sensible refreshment of this union of heart.1 It is marked in the word of God, as the channel of the communication of heavenly wisdom2—as a feature in the character of the citizens of Zion3—and as that disposition, which is distinguished with manifest tokens of the Saviour’s presence;4 and which the great day will crown with the special seal of his remembrance. “They that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard” it; “and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day, when I make up my jewels.’5 14 Compare Psalm 103:17, 18. 1 Gen. 20:11. 2 2 Chron. 19:2. 3 See 1 John 1:3–7. 4 See 1 Pet. 3:6. 5 Prov. 22:28. 6 Pr 12:26. 7 Pr 27:17. 8 See Eccl. 10:10. 1 Comp 1 Sam. 23:16. Psalm 16:3. Acts 28:15. Rom. 1:11, 12. 2 Cor. 7:6, 7. 2 Prov. 13:20. 3 Psalm 15:1, 4. Comp. Psalm 16:3, and especially 1 John 3:14. 4 Luke 24:15, 32. 5 Mal. 3:16, 17. Psalm 119:64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes. earth (KJV): Ps 33:5 104:13 145:9 teach (KJV): Ps 119:12,26 27:11 Isa 2:3 48:17,18 Mt 11:29 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes. Charles Bridges - What full provision is made for man’s happiness! The first creation was full of mercy. God knew that he had created a being full of want. Every faculty wanted some suitable object, as the source of enjoyment in the gratification—of suffering in the denial; and now has he charged himself with making provision for them all—so perfect, that no want is left unprovided for. But what a picture does the earth now present on every side—a world of rebels! yet a world “full of the mercy of the Lord!” “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom has thou made them all. The earth is full of thy riches. The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.”6 And how does the contemplation of the Lord’s “mercy” in providence encourage our faith, in the expectancy of spiritual privileges! “O Lord! thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wing. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.”7 ‘As thou dost largely bestow thy blessings upon all creatures according to their nature and condition, so I do desire the spiritual blessings of the lively light of thy law and word, which are fitting and convenient for the being and happiness of my soul.’8 As an ignorant sinner, “what I see not, teach thou me.”9 “Teach me thy statutes,” that which thou hast appointed, as the way of duty and the path to glory—that path which I am utterly unable to discover, or when discovered, to walk in, without the help of thy grace. And indeed the hearts of his people are the vessels, into which the Lord is continually pouring more and more of himself, until they shall “be filled with all the fulness of God.”1 Every good, according to its character and degree, is diffusive. And thus the goodness or mercy of God pervades his whole universe—natural—plentiful—free—communicative.2 Yet none but a believer will understand how to use the plea which is here employed. The mercy that he sees on every side, is to him a pledge and earnest of that mercy, which his soul needs within. The world indeed in its present falling state, when seen through the medium of pride and discontent, exhibits a picture of misery, not of mercy; and only ministers occasion for complaint against the Creator. But the believer—feeling the infinite and eternal desert of sin—cannot but know that the lowest exercise of goodness in God is an act of free undeserved mercy. No wonder then that he sees mercy in everything—in every part of the universe of God—a world “full of mercy.” The very food we eat, our raiment, our habitations, the contrivances for our comfort, are not mere displays of goodness, but manifestations of mercy. Having forfeited all claim upon the smallest consideration of God, there could have been no just ground of complaint, had all these blessings been made occasions of suffering, instead of comfort and indulgence. Indeed is it not a marvel, that when man—full of mercy—is lifting up his hand against his God—employing against him all the faculties which his mercy gave and has preserved—that God should be so seldom provoked to strike by their aggravated provocations? What multitude—what weight—what variety of mercy doth he still shower upon us! Even our hair—though seemingly so unimportant—the seat of loathsome, defiling, and even mortal disease, is the object of his special care.3 All the limbs of the body—all the faculties of the mind—all the affections of the heart—all the powers of the will: keeping us in health—capable of acting for our own happiness—how does he restrain them from those exercises or movements which might be fatal to our happiness! And then the question naturally recurs—and to a spiritual mind will never weary by its recurrence—Whence flows all this mercy? Oh! it is delightful indeed to answer such an inquiry—delightful to contemplate him, “in whom” we are not only “blessed with all spiritual blessings;”4 but who is also the medium, through which our temporal comforts are conveyed to us. How sweet to eye these mercies, as bought with the most precious blood that ever was known in the world, and to mark the print of the nails of our crucified friend stamped upon the least of them! We allow it to add a relish to our enjoyments, that we can consider them as provided by some beloved friend; and should not our mercies be doubly sweet in the remembrance of that munificent Friend, who purchased them for us so dearly; who bestows them upon us so richly; yea, who gives himself with them all? Have we heard of this mercy of God? And do we feel the need of it for ourselves—for every moment? Then let us apply to the throne of grace in the free and open way of acceptance and access. Let us go to the King (as Benhadad’s servants to the King of Israel1) in the spirit of self-condemnation and faith. Our acceptance does not depend (as in the case referred to) upon a “peradventure;” but it rests upon the sure word of promise, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.”2 6 Psalm 104:24; 145:15, 16. 7 Ps 36:6–8. 8 Diodati. “It is worthy of especial notice, how often, and in what varied connections, David in this Psalm prays to be taught the statutes of God, though he seems to have been more intimately acquainted with the sacred oracles, as then extant, than almost any other man; but he knew that Divine teaching alone could enable him rightly to understand the Scriptures, and to apply general rules to all the variety of particular cases, which occurred in the course of his life.”—Scott. 9 Job 34:32. 1 Eph. 3:19. 2 Ps 119:68. 3 Matt. 10:30. 4 Eph. 1:3. 1 Comp. 1 Kings 20:31. 2 John 6:37. Psalm 119:65 Teth. You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. dealt well (KJV): Ps 119:17 13:6 16:5,6 18:35 23:5,6 30:11 116:7 1Ch 29:14 Teth. You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. Warren
Salmos 119
Henry - Those whose hearts stand in awe of God's word, will rather endure the wrath of man, than break the law of God. By the word of God we are unspeakable gainers. Every man hates to have a lie told him, but we should more hate telling a lie; by the latter we give an affront to God. The more we see the beauty of truth, the more we shall see the hateful deformity of a lie. We are to praise God even for afflictions; through grace we get good from them. Those that love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer what they expect; those that love God's word have great peace, for it outdoes what they expect. Those in whom this holy love reigns, will not perplex themselves with needless scruples, or take offence at their brethren. A good hope of salvation will engage the heart in doing the commandments. And our love to the word of God must subdue our lusts, and root out carnal affections: we must make heart work of it, or we make nothing of it. We must keep the commandments of God by obedience to them, and his promises by reliance on them. God's eye is on us at all times; this should make us very careful to keep his commandments. Warren