A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 119 · Part ע
AIN.
Ver. 121. I have done judgement and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
In this section he prayeth to be directed, comforted and helped against his oppressors, for six reasons. The first whereof, is because his carriage and cause was righteous, Whence learn, 1. It is no strange thing to see godly innocent men troubled, persecuted and oppressed: for here is one oppressed, who saith truly, I have done judgement and justice. 2. A believer put in the power of oppressors for a good cause, may call for, and look for Gods assistance, and presence, and not to be given over to the will of the persecutors: Leave me not to mine oppressors.
Vers. 122. Be surety for thy servant for good, let not the proud oppresse me.
Another reason of his petition, is because he hath ground by the Covenant of grace, to request God to engage for him, that he shall not be oppressed utterly. Whence learn. 1. Seeing the Lord is obliged to his people by Covenant, to defend his servants against their enemies, and that all things shall turn to their good, the believer hath warrant to imploy God in his need, to interpose himselfe for the relief of his servant, that he be not distressed: Be surety for thy servant for good, and let not the proud oppresse me. 2. Before men do turne persecutors of the godly, they forget both God and their own condition, and become proud: Let not the proud oppresse me.
Vers. 123. Mine eyes faile for thy salvation: and for the word of thy righteousnesse.
A third reason, because he is like to faint, and to lose hope by the Lords long delaying of delivery. Whence learn, 1. As men have received a greater measure of faith, so use they to get a greater measure of trial, as here this Champion is suffered to lie in trouble till he be like to sink in it: Mine eyes faile for thy salvation. 2. Albeit the words of promise be neither performed, nor like to be performed, yet faith should justifie the promise, for true and faithfull: Mine eyes faile for the word of thy righteousnesse.
Vers. 124. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy: and teach me thy statutes.
125. I am thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
The fourth reason of his petition for delivery and help, and for direction how to carry himselfe in trouble, in the mean time … delivery come, is because the Lord useth to deal with his servants, not in justice, but in mercy. Whence learn, 1. The course of Gods dealing with his children, is not the rule of strict justice, or the Covenant of works, but the way of mercy: Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy. 2. It should satisfie the request of the child of God under persecution, if God shall direct him to walk holily and righteously till the delivery come, and to profit in sanctification: Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy▪ and teach me thy statutes. 3. When tentation unto mis-beliefe doth oppose our petition, or the reasons thereof, it is wisdome to resist it, and to assert our interest in the promise, whatsoever be opposed, and to pursue our petition: I am thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Vers. 126. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy Law.
The fifth reason of his petition▪ is because the persecutors were come to the height of sinne, and did stand in no awe of God, or his Word, but rejected it as a thing of nought. VVhence learn, 1. As sinners grow in sinne till they trample Gods law under their feet, so according as they grow in their sinne, the time of Gods manifesting his justice draweth near; It is time for thee, Lord, to work. 2. What persecutors do intend, yea, and what their work of persecution driveth at, and intendeth, is put upon the persecutors score; for they have made void thy Law, is charged upon them for their controvening of it so grosly, as if they had intended to abolish it.
Vers. 127. Therefore I love thy Commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.
128. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right: and I hate every false way.
The sixth reason of his petition, is because the more the persecutors do go about to make Gods law void, the Psalmist was the more zealous for it, loved it, esteemed of it, justified it, and hated whatsoever was contrary to it so much the more. VVhence learn, The hatred of holinesse and of Gods truth, perceived in the persecutors, should stirre up the love of the godly to the truth so much the more, Therefore I love thy commandments. The more that the wicked despise Gods Word, we should esteem the more of it; I love thy commands above gold, yea, above fine gold. The more they wrangle, and wrest it in any point, the more should we defend and justifie it in every point; Therefore I esteem thy precepts concerning all things to be right. And the more the wicked love wickednesse, we should the more hate it, and all the branches of it; I hate every false way.