A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 119 · Part מ
MEM.
Ver. 97. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
He goeth on in this section, to commend the VVord of God, and to shew his estimation of it for eight reasons. The first is, because it hath gained the affection of his heart unto it, so as he cannot but continually dwell upon the meditation of it. VVhence learn, 1. As the Scripture in it self is most lovely for the Author, matter and use thereof: so is it most affectionately loved by the beleever, and none can either expresse or judge, how great is his affection to it, except God only, O how love I thy law! 2. True love to the Scripture maketh good memory of it, and frequent meditation of it also; It is my meditation all the day.
Ver. 98. Thou through thy Commandments hast made me wiser then mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
The second reason of commending the Scripture, is the wisdom which it teacheth against enemies. Whence learn, 1. Holiness is great wisdome: for albeit learning, and malice, and long experience may teach persecutors much, yet wisdom from the Word of God doth teach the persecuted believer far more: Through thy Commandments thou hast made me wiser then mine enemies. 2. Such as derive their wisdom not from the Word of God, but from the counsel of flesh and blood, within or without themselves, cannot have their counsellors alwayes with them to consult with, but he that seeketh his wisdom from God and his Word, hath his counsel alwayes present with him, to bring to his remembrance what he hath learned, and to teach him to make use of it; For thy Commandments are ever with me. 3. Whatsoever use or benefit we make by the Word of God, all the glory thereof belongeth to the Lord; For thou through thy Commandments hast made me wiser then mine enemies.
Vers. 99. I have more understanding then all my teachers: for thy Testimonies are my meditation.
The third reason of commending the Scripture is, because the beleever thereby is made more wise then his teachers. Whence learn, 1. Wisdome is not so…ied to teachers, but God is free to give as much and more to those that are taught: I have more understanding then my teachers. 2. Though the teacher give forth the general doctrine of faith and manners, yet there is a more particular application of the Word to the hearers, which only God furnisheth unto the beleever by the Word: and in this respect the believer may say, I have more understanding then all my teachers. 3. The special application of the Word to our several necessities, cometh by joyning private means with the publick, such as are reading, praying and meditation: For thy testimonies are my meditation.
Ver. 100. I understand more then the ancients: because I keep thy Precepts.
The fourth reason of the commending of the Word is, because it is able to make a man more wise then old age, and long experience of the affaires of men in the world can do. VVhence learn, 1. Old age and experience in common affaires, is not effectual to direct men in the course of Gods obedience, especially when they have to do with persecutors, but Gods special wisdom by the VVord must come in here and teach: I understand more then the ancients. 2. To keep close to direction of Gods Word is more safe then to follow the minde of antiquity departing from the VVord, or the authority of men; I have more understanding then the ancients, because I keep thy Precepts.
Ver. 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy Word.
The fifth reason of the commendation of the Scripture, which is also an evidence of his respect unto it is, because for the love of the understanding of it, and keeping of it, he had abandoned every sinful course▪ how pleasant and how profitable soever it seemed to be. VVhence learn, He that would be a wise disciple of Gods VVord, must beware …o follow sinful courses, for so he shall grieve Gods Spirit, who must make the VVord clear unto him: neither is it sufficient to abstain from notorious sins only, but also from every evil way for the same reason; I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep thy VVord.
Ver. 102. I have not departed from thy judgements: for thou hast taught me.
The sixth reason of his commending the VVord is, because he was enabled by it to overcome all tentations which tended to divert him from obedience thereof. VVhence learn, 1. As there are nor wanting tentations on all hands, to divert men from obedience of the VVord, specially in time of persecution: so there is great need of adhering unto it alwayes, and specially in time of trouble, as the Psalmist did: I have not departed from thy Commandment. 2. He who hath stood fast in his obedience in the day of trouble, may lawfully take comfort in it afterward, but must give the glory thereof unto God, as here: I have not departed from thy judgements, for thou hast taught me.
Ver. 103. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter then honey to my mouth.
The seventh reason of his commending the Scripture is, because of felt sweetnesse in it. VVhence learn, 1. There is pleasure and delight to be found in hearing, reading, speaking and meditating on Gods VVord, yet only the believer is he who can discern it: How sweet are thy words to my taste! 2. Spiritual pleasure doth far surmount earthly and carnal pleasure; Thy words are sweeter then honey to my mouth.
Ver. 104. Through thy Precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
The eighth reason of his commending the VVord is, because he is made wise to sanctification by it, and made to hate all sin for it. VVhence learn, 1. As men are involved in error, because they understand not the Scriptures: so by the knowledge of it they are delivered from errour, and made wise against seducers: Through thy Precepts I get understanding. 2. He that rightly understandeth the Scripture, as he cannot choose but love and commend it, so he cannot choose but hate every course contrary to it: Therefore I hate every false way. 3. Because every sinful way is a false way, and cannot but deceive the man that walketh therein, therefore we must hate every sinful way, and that from the fountain of love to the VVord of God; Through thy Precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way.