A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 119 · Part א
ALEPH.
In the first section, he describeth the blessed men to be only they who walk in the obedience of faith, as Gods Word prescribeth, ver. 1, 2, 3. and then he maketh application of this doctrine to himself, v. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Ver. 1. BLessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the LORD.
2. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3. They also do no iniquity: they walke in his wayes.
In the description of the truly blessed man; Learn, 1. This is the first lesson for direction of a mans life, to know wherein true blessednesse doth stand, and who is the blessed man; for the beginning of this Psalme with this doctrine insinuateth so much. 2. Albeit every m…n confusedly desireth happinesse, yet it is the propertie of the children of God, effectually and in earnest to seek true happinesse: as the description of the blessed man doth shew. 3. As the Word of God only doth reveal true happinesse, and the way to it: so only they are blessed, who choose the clear way of Gods Word, to direct them to blessednesse, and do make conscience sincerely to put this doctrine in practice: Blessed are the undefiled in the way that walk in th… law of the Lord. 4. God hath testified in his Word, how a man shall be pardoned of his sins, reconciled to God, and have right unto eternal life, to wit, by faith in the Messiah Jesus Christ, and blessed is the man who doth hold this way fast: Blessed are they who keep his testimonies. 5. The true believer of Gods testimonies, about the way of true blessedness, doth studie to have communion with God, and to grow in the fellowship of his grace sincerely: They seek the Lord with their whole heart. 8▪ As the blessed man holds fast the Lords testimonies for reconciliation and communion with God, so he ordereth his conversation in the way which God in his Word hath prescribed, eschewing sin, and studying to please God; They also do no iniquitie, that is, they are not workers of iniquity, They walk in his way, that is, they aime and endeavour to follow the course which God doth prescribe. 7. Albeit there be no man who sinneth not, yet such as do flee to Gods grace offered in Christ for dai…y pardon, and do set themselves to obey Gods directions set down in his Word, are esteemed to be no workers of iniquity, but men going homeward to God, howsoever clogged with infirmities; They also do no iniquity: How so? They walk in his wayes.
Ver. 4. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts diligently.
This doctrine the Psalmist applieth to himself, and first acknowledgeth his obligation to follow the direction of the Lord in the obedience of faith, v. 4. and then he wisheth to have grace to obey, v. 5, 6, 7, And thirdly, engageth himself to follow this course by promise and prayer, v. 8. from the acknowledgement of his obligation to obey Gods Word; Learn, 1. The doctrine of faith and obedience set down in Scripture, i… not left to our arbitrement, but is enjoyned unto us by divine authority: there is a command given forth unto us to believe in the Son of God, and a command to follow the duties of love to God and man: Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts▪ 2. Albeit the obedience of Gods Word had no promise of reward, and albeit felicity were not proposed unto us, as the gracious reward of the obedience of faith, yet the very command it sel…, and the authority of God, should be a sufficient motive unto it: which obligation as we should acknowledge, so should we subject our selves unto it, and say, Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts. 3. Howsoever there be great weaknesse, even in reconciled soules, and albeit there be some strong reliques of corrupt nature in them, hindering them to do as th…y would, yet God will have them aiming to keep hi… Precepts, diligently making conscience of all duties to God and man, of the smaller duties as well as of the greater, and that on all occasions, in all times, places and companies, with their best affection and strength; Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts diligently.
Ver. 5. O that my wayes were directed to keep thy statutes.
6. Then shall I not be ashamed; when I have respect unto all thy Commandments.
7. I will praise thee with uprightnesse of heart: when I shall have learned thy righteous judgements.
The Psalmist wisheth to have grace to obey; 1. Because so he should not he ashamed nor disappointed of his hope, v. 6. and also, so he should be enabled to glorifie and praise God, more perfectly, v. 7. Whence learn, 1. The Commandments of God are not grievous to the honest heart▪ for albeit he be unable to do what he should, yet it is the desire of his heart to do what is commanded: O that my wayes were directed to keep thy statutes, is his hearty wish. 2. When we have received the general direction of Gods Word, we have need of the effectual direction of Gods Spirit, to apply the Word rightly to our particular actions: O that my wayes were directed, saith he 3. The holiest man is most sensible of his coming short in understanding, and of his weaknesse to keep Gods commands, and most desirous of Gods help, as this example teacheth us. No man shall ever have cause to repent of a sincere e…deavou… … obey Gods revealed will: for howsoever he may suffer hard things from men, and be mocked for his sincerity, yet shall he not be disappointed of his hopes, nor be confounded before God: Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy Commands. 5. Sincerity must aime at universal obedience: for to pretend to keep one command, and to be found a misregarder of other commands, is a matter of shame, and a mark of unsoundness: For then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy commands. 6. As Gods Word and Commands are all righteous decrees in themselves, and unalterable by men; so are they seen to be such by those who know them best: Even Gods righteous judgements. 7. Men do praise God uprightly, only in that measure, that they are careful to frame their life to Gods Will: for honour given to God with the mouth, agreeth not with dishonour done to him in deeds, in a mans life and conversation: I will praise thee with uprightnesse of heart, when I have learned thy righteous judgements. 8. Sound praises of God are the fruit of soundness in piety and righteousness; and the holiest of Gods servants are but Scholars and Students in the knowledge and obedience of both: I will praise thee with uprightnesse of heart, when I shal… have learned thy righteous judgements.
Ver. 8. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
From his engagement to observe this course; Learn, 1▪ Albeit our resolutions and purposes have no strength of themselves, yet God requireth of us that we should with full purpose of heart cleave unto his service, and this course he will blesse, for so doth this practice teach us; I will keep thy statutes; that is, I resolve to aime at upright obedience of thy Word: for this is keeping of Gods statutes, to endeavour to obey them. 2. As he who is most upright in his resolution, is most diffident of his owne strength to performe his resolution: so is he also most earnest with God in prayer, to enable him to do as he resolveth, as this example doth teach us; I will keep thy statutes, O forsake me not. 3. Albeit no man can be exempted from temporal desertions, whereby his Christian graces may be tried, and his corruptions mortified, yet the beleever may both pray and expect, that he shall not be deserted; so as his faith should faile, and his course of obedience should be cut off: for so much doth this prayer promise; O forsake me not utterly.