United Commentaries

Ps.119.1-176

This psalm combines elements of wisdom, lament, praise, thanksgiving, and confession. Eight Hebrew words are used frequently, translated as “instructions,” “laws,” “words,” “regulations,” “statutes,” “commands,” “decrees,” “commandments,” and “promises.” Together, these words encourage love for and obedience to God’s instructions, as found in the Scriptures (see 2 Tim 3:14-17). The expression of deep commitment to these instructions unifies the psalm.

Ps.119.1-8

Aleph (א): God, the author of these instructions, commands that his followers live by them. The psalmist prays to be given the grace to live by that revelation.

Ps.119.1-4

The wise are happy. They are people of integrity (see 84:11) who follow the path of divine instruction. They obey God’s revelation and search for it with all their hearts (see 27:7; 119:10, 45, 94, 155), and they reject all forms of evil. Cp. 1:1-2.

Ps.119.4

To keep God’s commandments means to guard them by obeying them.

Ps.119.9-16

Beth (ב): The psalmist is determined to pursue purity and encourages the cultivation of wisdom through God’s principles (119:9) and instructions (119:10-16).

Ps.119.9

A young person tends toward foolishness (Prov 22:15) and can easily make mistakes that destroy his life (Prov 7:6-23). Youth is also the best time to develop personal discipline and pursue wisdom (see Ps 34:11; Prov 1:4).

To stay pure means to remain uncorrupted by wickedness and sin and to develop the integrity of life defined in Ps 15.

Ps.119.10

The student asks God the teacher to discipline him so that he will not wander.

Ps.119.14

God’s wisdom is far greater than any riches humans seek (119:72, 127; Prov 3:14-15).

Ps.119.15

The way of wisdom includes meditating on God’s ways (see 119:1, 3). The wise reflect on the implications of God’s word.

Ps.119.17-24

Gimel (ג): Like a foreigner in hostile territory, God’s servant needs God’s guidance.

Ps.119.17-18

The psalmist seeks to please the Lord with a full and obedient life of praise (118:17; 119:25, 77, 116, 144, 175). Only the Lord can remove his adversaries and enable him to see the wonderful truths found in God’s instructions.

Ps.119.20-21

The arrogant are probably those who mock the psalmist (119:22-23).

Ps.119.23-24

Those who meditate on God’s instructions receive wise advice from them.

Ps.119.25-32

Daleth (ד): Though the poet feels anguish and sorrow, he entreats the Lord to revive him because he wants to obey the Lord. Suffering and death may result from the Lord’s chastening (118:17-18; 119:67, 71, 75), but his instruction revives the weary soul (see 119:12).

Ps.119.29

lying to myself: Self-deception is a fruit of sinful human nature (Jer 17:9); it leads to folly.

Access to God’s word is a privilege, not a right.

Ps.119.33-40

He (ה): As a student, the poet asks his teacher, God, to renew life and to transform disgrace into righteousness.

Ps.119.36

The love for money can lead to sin (cp. Exod 18:21; 1 Tim 3:1-5; 6:10).

Ps.119.41-48

Waw (ו): The psalmist prays that God’s word would continue to be the source of his love and salvation.

Ps.119.41-43

The psalmist asks to be saved from enemies who speak harshly (see 42:10; 44:16; 89:50-51; 102:8).

Ps.119.44-46

The psalmist is determined to obey the Lord.

Ps.119.47-48

The psalmist finds delight in God’s word in spite of pain (119:92, 143).

Ps.119.49-56

Zayin (ז): The psalmist asks God to remember his word as the psalmist also remembers God’s word and his name. Remembrance expresses devotion.

Ps.119.52

The age-old regulations are the Torah (God’s “instructions” or “law”), a term that refers to the books of Genesis—Deuteronomy.

Ps.119.57-64

Heth (ח): The psalmist seeks God’s favor and unfailing love. Although surrounded by evildoers, he remains a loyal servant of the Lord.

Ps.119.61

Evil people try to drag him into sin, but the psalmist’s memory of God’s word keeps him standing firm (see 119:16).

Ps.119.64

God’s goodness fills the earth; the whole created order provides evidence of his goodness (see Isa 6:3; 11:9).

Ps.119.65-72

Teth (ט): The psalmist describes himself as a penitent sinner who gratefully accepts the Lord’s discipline.

Ps.119.65-68

Good judgment and knowledge come from wisdom (111:10).

The psalmist admits that he used to wander off like a stray sheep (119:176).

you disciplined me: See 119:25-29.

You are good and do only good: God’s character is perfect (97:2; Jas 1:17; 1 Jn 1:5).

Ps.119.73-80

Yodh (י): In this prayer for comfort and compassion, the psalmist commits himself to his Creator, who has afflicted him. He wants God to pay back his enemies for the wrongs they have done. He also prays to receive the gift of life. He not only prays for himself but also considers the whole community of the godly, asking that God’s answers to prayer would encourage them.

Ps.119.73-76

As God’s child, the psalmist asks for divine wisdom.

Ps.119.81-88

Kaph (כ): The psalmist is worn out from waiting for the Lord, but his hope is in God’s future rescue.

Ps.119.85-88

God’s word is trustworthy, in contrast to the deceptions of the enemies who hunt the psalmist down without cause (see 119:78).

Ps.119.89-96

Lamedh (ל): The stability of God’s wisdom gives understanding. God’s word provides order and a framework for living, even when under pressure from adversaries.

Ps.119.95

The wicked intended to kill the psalmist, but destruction (1:6) was their own fate.

Ps.119.96

Even perfection has its limits: Humans cannot fully understand God’s ways (see Eccl 3:11).

Ps.119.97-104

Mem (מ): The instruction and wisdom of God through his word are far superior to the best that human teachers can offer.

Ps.119.97-102

make me wiser: God’s word provides wisdom and perspective. God is the true source of wisdom.

Ps.119.103-104

Wisdom is preferable to even the finest food (19:10; 81:16).

The psalmist had already rejected the delusion offered by the way of folly (see 119:18, 78, 86, 163).

Ps.119.105-112

Nun (נ): The psalmist’s devotion to God’s word comes from within his being (119:112) and guides his external life.

Ps.119.105-106

The Lord’s word is a lamp that provides perspective, hope, and guidance in darkness (18:25-29; 119:130). Even more, this light gives life (Prov 6:23).

Ps.119.108-112

offering of praise: This Hebrew expression is unique in the Old Testament (cp. 50:23).

The psalmist is vulnerable to his opponents because of his commitment to a wise life.

Ps.119.113-120

Samekh (ס): The psalmist declares his hatred of evil and his love for God and his ways.

Ps.119.113

The godly hate the wicked and their deeds (5:4-6; cp. Ezek 33:11).

Ps.119.121-128

Ayin (ע): The servant of the Lord strains to endure the evil around him. He boldly petitions the Lord to rescue him immediately!

Ps.119.125

Simply possessing God’s law does not provide any benefits. The psalmist knows that only as the Lord gives discernment will he understand it.

Ps.119.129-136

Pe (פ): The psalmist prays earnestly for God to speak to him as he suffers from his adversities.

Ps.119.137-144

Tsadhe (צ): God is righteous, and his word is right and just, especially in contrast to the deceptions of the wicked.

Ps.119.139

The psalmist’s indignation (cp. 69:9) comes from seeing the wicked disregard God’s word.

Ps.119.141

The psalmist is greatly troubled by his oppressors (see 119:143; cp. Isa 53).

Ps.119.145-152

Qoph (ק): The psalmist prays to the Lord at night. Although God appears to be distant, he is nearby.

Ps.119.145-148

I pray and I cry out translate the same Hebrew verb.

I rise early and I stay awake translate the same Hebrew verb.

Ps.119.150-151

Coming to attack me (or are coming near to me) is a Hebrew wordplay on but you are near. The wicked remain far from God’s instructions, whereas the psalmist stays near, so he does not need to fear.

Ps.119.153-160

Resh (ר): This petition for life can be found throughout Ps 119, but it is concentrated in this stanza.

Ps.119.161-168

Shin (ש): The psalmist looks beyond his adversaries to the peace of God. This perspective allows him to praise God throughout the day.

Ps.119.161-164

my heart trembles . . . I rejoice: Fear, trembling, and joy mark the psalmist’s devotion to God.

God’s word is a treasure.

In the Old Testament, seven signifies wholeness.

Ps.119.169-176

Taw (ת): God’s servant petitions the Lord one final time; he still feels like a lost sheep.

Ps.119.176

God, the Great Shepherd, seeks out his lost sheep (23:1; Luke 15:4-6).