A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 119 · Part נ
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Ver. 105. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet: and a light unto my path.
As in the former section he gave evidences of his love & respect to the Word of God, so in this section he giveth eight evidences of his sincere purpose to make use of it in his practice for time to come. The first is, his resolution to make it his light to direct him in all his actions. Whence learn, 1. A mans wayes are all in darknesse, except in so far as he followeth the direction of Scripture; but he that followeth the rule of the Word, knoweth whither he goeth, and what he doth; Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet. 2. The light of Scripture is not only able to give a man general rules for ordering his life, but also to direct every particular action. Thy Word is a light unto my path. 3. Love to the word, & estimation of it (which is the duty set forth in the former section) is best evidenced by making practical use of it in a mans conversation, which is the duty set down in this section: and whosoever loveth it, and loveth it so as to obey it, shall finde a sweet, lively and comfortable light in it, to carry him through all the dark passages of this miserable and sinful life, that he shall have cause to say, Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, &c.
Ver. 106. I have sworn▪ and I will perform it: that I will keep thy righteous judgements.
The second evidence of his purpose, to conforme his life to the rule of the Word, is the tying of himself by an oath to endeavour to keep it. Whence learn, 1. The upright man is willing to be bound to the obedience of Gods Word, not only with the necessary bond of Gods Command, and of his natural duty to his Sovereign, but also by the straitest voluntary bonds he can, and will not repent his resolution for ever: I have sworne and will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements. 2. Vowes, Covenants and Oathes, to tie us unto the faith, profession and obedience of the true Religion set down in Scripture, are lawful and sanctified meanes to help us to be constant; I have vowed and will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements. 3. The equity of all the Commands of God should be a great motive to fasten us unto the obedience thereof; I will keep thy righteous judgements.
Vers. 107. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy Word.
A third evidence of his purpose to make use of Gods VVord is, his seeking nothing for his comfort and encouragement in his greatest affliction, except the quickening of spiritual life in himself by the VVord. Whence learn, 1. It is no strange thing for the most holy men to be acquainted with the saddest sort of affliction, bodily and spiritual: I am afflicted very much. 2. From whence soever affliction doth come, faith goeth to God only for comfort, as here, Quicken me, O Lord. 3. VVhen God is pleased to make the VVord of Promise lively, or to performe what the promise alloweth us to expect, such a consolation is a sufficient antidote to the heaviest affliction; Quicken me, O Lord, according to thy VVord.
Ver. 108. Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will-offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgements.
A fourth evidence of his purpose to make use of Gods VVord, is his present practising of it, in offering spiritual sacrifices of confession, praise and prayer, that his service may be acceptable, and that he may be taught yet more in the obedience of the VVord. VVhence learn, 1. It was spiritual, moral service, which the Lord by the Ceremonial Law did teach his people of old to offer unto him through Christ, and the godly in the Jewish Church were not ignorant of this; for here the Psalmist prayeth: Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will-offerings of my mouth. 2. Albeit our best service be unworthy of it self to be presented to God, but must have weight by Gods gracious acceptation, yet must we offer it, and have hope through Christs sacrifice that it shall be accepted: Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will-offerings of my mouth. 3. Together with the offer of our present service, it is good to joyne the purpose of growing in obedience and prayer for grace so to do still; Accept the free-will-offerings of my mouth, and teach me thy judgements.
Ver. 109. My soule is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
The fifth evidence of his purpose to practise Gods VVord, is his resolution on all hazards, even of his life, to keep affectionate memory, and actual respect unto Gods revealed will. Whence learn, VVhosoever will live godly, must resolve to run hazard of life daily in the time of persecution, and he who layeth his reckoning so, hath evidence in himself of his upright purpose, to follow Gods VVord; My soul, or my life is continually in my hand, as ready to be laid down for maintaining of righteousness: Yet do I not forget thy law.
Ver. 110. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy Precepts.
The sixth evidence of his purpose of constancy in Gods service, is his approving of his former carriage, in his by-past trial, which sheweth he is resolved so to do also for time to come. Whence learn, 1. It is usual with persecutors to make acts and statutes, or to broach some danger one or other, which shall either force the godly to go off the right way of obedience to Gods VVord, or to fall in the snare; The wicked have laid a snare for me. 2. The godly must hold on the royal way of Gods commands, whether he fall in the snare of worldly inconvenience or not, as the Psalmist did: Yet I erred not from thy Precepts. 3. He who hath kept the high-way, and hath troden upon snares, and repenteth not his course, giveth evidence of his sincere purpose to follow the Lord thereafter also, through all dangers, as this example teacheth us.
Vers. 111. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoycing of my heart.
A seventh evidence of his purpose to adhere to Gods Word, is, his placing of his riches and pleasure in his adhering unto it. Whence learn, 1. The Word of God beleeved, is the surest riches of the Saints, which when all things faile, doth maintaine and hold up their right unto God and eternal life and so should it be looked upon by the beleever; Thy testimonies have I taken as my heritage for ever. 2. The felt benefit of the Word of God, furnishing spiritual light, comfort, peace, strength, meat, drink, clothing, and whatsoever commodities an inheritance can yield, is and should be the joy of the believer, and a tie upon his heart to make him stick close unto it; Thy testimonies have I taken as my heritage for ever, for they are the rejoycing of my heart.
Ver. 112. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway: even unto the end.
The eighth evidence of his purpose to practise the Word of God, is the bent of his heart, carrying him on to performe whatsoever God doth command all the dayes of his life. Whence learn, 1. Albeit it be Gods work only to incline the heart unto Gods testimonies, as we see, v. 36. yet when God hath made the change, and his childe is content to follow the direction of Gods Word, this inclination of the heart is counted also the mans own work, as here, I have enclined my heart. 2. As only hearty service pleaseth the Lord, so that only is sincere and constant, which proceeds from the heart: and he who findeth this inclination, hath in himself the witnesse of his sincerity; I have enclined my heart to perform thy statutes alwayes even to the end.