A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 119 · Part ל
LAMED.
In this section, he sheweth, first, how he was comforted under persecution, by faith in Gods Word: and to this end he commends the worth of the Word of God, or of the Scripture, for foure reasons: The first is, because of the stability of it in heaven, v. 89. The next, for the durable usefulness of it in every age of the Church, v. 90. The third is, because by Gods Word the earth is established, v, 90, 91. The fourth is, because of his own experience of comfort and strength by it in his affliction, v. 91. And in the next part, he expresseth his thankfulnesse in the rest of the verses of this section.
Ver. 89. For ever, O LORD, thy word is setled in heaven.
90. Thy faithfulnesse is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
92. Vnlesse thy law had been my delight: I should then have perished in mine affliction.
In his setting down his comfort, which he had by faith in the Word, and what estimation he had of the Scripture; Let us learn, 1. God hath given unro us his Word to bear up our faith, in every hardest condition, and it is a sure rock which wil not fail us, whatsoever appear, or howsoever we do faile or faint: For ever, O Lord, thy word is established. 2. Albeit the effect of Gods Word doth not appear sometime, but is over-clouded with trouble and tentations, yet it is sure and fixed by Gods decree unalterable in heaven, and cannot want the effect in due time: For ever, O Lord, thy word is setled in heaven. 3. The stability of the Lords Word depends upon the stability of Gods truth and faithfulness, which because he is absolutely unchangable, his VVord is so also; Thy faithfulness is unto all generations. 4. The truth of God is not alwayes hid up in heaven, but in all generations the truth of the VVord, and the faithfulness of God who hath spoken it, is from age to age made manifest among men; Thy faithfulness is unto all generations. 5. The stability of the earth is nothing but the effect of Gods VVord, and the stability of the earth, and frame of the world, is a pawne of the stability of Gods VVord: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 6. As heaven and earth do continue in their motion and station, and do serve God as his Word hath ordained, so should we do: They continue this day according to thy Ordinances, for all are thy servants. 7 Affliction draweth forth the worth of Gods Word, which otherwise could not be known, and lets it be seen, that the Word of God is able to save a sinking man in tribulation; Unlesse thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in my affliction. 8. The Word of God, being received by faith, is able not only to save the believer from desperation in trouble, but also to make him rejoice, as he who is feeding on delicates, as experience hath proved; Unlesse thy law had been my delight, I should have perished in mine affliction.
Ver. 93. I will never forget thy Precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
94. I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy Precepts.
95. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy Commandment is exceeding broad.
In the latter part of this section, he sheweth his thankfulness: first, by engaging his heart to the faith and obedience of the Word, v. 93. Then, by dedication of himself unto God, as his servant, to be saved by him, v. 94. Thirdly, by engagement of his heart to continue against all persecution in the obedience of the Word, v. 95. And fourthly, by commendation of the Word above all things in the world, v. 96. Whence learn, 1. The worth of the Word of God is found so excellent in the experience of the believers, that their experience doth sixe and settle their estimation of it, their love to it, and their purpose to make use of it alwayes; I will never forget thy Precepts, for with them thou hast quickened me. 2. The believer is the Lords peculiar servant, bound to him by the bonds of Creation, Redemption and Covenant; and it is his duty thankfully to reckon his interest and right in God, and Gods interest in him, for his own encouragement and for Gods praise; I am thine. 3. When a mans faith is strengthened about his own interest in God, then may he be confident to pray to God, and to expect for salvation temporal and eternal from him: I am thine, save me. 4. Honest endeavour to obey Gods commands, how weak soever, doth prove the believers interest in God, and confirmeth his hope to be saved by him; I am thine, save me, for I have sought thy Precepts. 5. Persecutors of Gods servants for obedience to Gods Word, are in effect murtherers both of soul and body, in driving them to forsake Gods commands: The wicked have waited for me to destroy me. 6. The trouble which the godly sustain by persecutors, should drive them to search more deeply into the Word of God, and to harden themselves against all that the persecutors can do: and every comfort given to them from the Word, should do the same; But I will consider thy testimonies. 7. The use of all things visible is temporal, but the use and benefit of the Scripture is everlasting: all things visible have their own perfections in their own kinde, and do extend some of them to one temporal use, others of them to another use, but the Word of God extendeth in its kinde to all uses, which may bring blessedness in this life, and in the world to come; A man may satisfie himself in the contemplation of the worth and vertue of any thing, which is visible in the world, but the riches of the Word of God is unsearchable, the deep wisdome of God in the Scriptures is unscarchable, and the perfection of the Scripture is above all comparison; I have seen, (saith he) an end of all perfection, but thy Commandment is exceeding broad.