A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 119 · Part ב
BETH.
In this section, first he propounds this doctrine; the Word of God is the only rule, and effectual instrument of renewing and sanctifying of an unrenewed man: and the only way to finde the efficacy of the Word, is to studie to conforme a mans minde, will and actions thereunto, v. 1. And then in the next place, to the end he may teach men to make use of this doctrine by his example, he sheweth the sincerity of his owne endeavour, by seven evidences in the seven following verses.
Ver 9. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy Word.
In the doctrine about the meanes of regeneration and reformation of life; Learn, 1. As all men are from the birth polluted with sin, so should they early and timously be sensible of this evil, and seek for the remedy of the running issues of sin: for here it is presupposed, That a young man should cleanse his way. 2. Seeing death is uncertain, and sin groweth stronger through custome; seeing justice is the more provoked, the longer men shall continue in sin; seeing no age is fitter to serve Satan then youth, being enclined to take liberty to be headst…ong, self-willed, and given to despise grave admonition, and no age hath more excuses to continue in …in to its own perdition, therefore no age hath more need of remedy from God then youth hath, and this is imported in the question; Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? 3. Seeing youth is loose, inconsiderate and unattentive; seeing the way of obedience is slippery, and many by-paths are offered to the way-faring man; seeing danger of perishing is great, and many are the enemies of mans salvation, who are alwayes seeking whom they may devoure, and seeing no reconciliation can be made with God, no forgiveness of sin can be obtained, no solid sanctification nor salvation can be had, except the Word of God be held for the only rule of direction of faith and conversation: therefore no meanes can be, To cleanse the young mans way, but by taking heed thereto, according to thy Word.
Vers. 10. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy Commandments.
After he hath set down the rule of a young mans Conversion and conversation, he offereth himself as an example to follow this rule, and here are the first and second evidences of his sincerity in aiming at this way; The first is, the conscience of his upright seeking of God: and the second evidence is his prayer, to be preserved from wandering from the way of Gods obedience Whence learn, 1. The sight of what others have attained unto, is a great encouragement to young Scholars in Gods schoole: for to encourage the young man, the Psalmist sh…w…eth here his own profiting in his study 2. Sensiblenesse of a mans own imperfections, sins and dangers, and seeking in unto God all-sufficient, for relief of sin and misery, and for a daily more and more near communion with God, is a mark of sincerity in Religion; With my whole heart have I sought thee 3 The more experience a man hath in the wayes of God, the more sensible is he of his own readiness to wander insensibly, by ignorance and unadvertance from the wayes of God; but the young souldier dare run hazards, ride into his adversaries camp, and talk with tentations, being confident he cannot easily go w…ong, he is not so feared, as David here, crying, O let me not wander. 4. To be diff…ent of our own wit and strength, and to depend upon God, instantly praying to be kept in, and recalled from wandring, proveth the sincerity of the purpose of holinesse: O let me not wander from thy Commandments. 5. The going on of the beleever in the course of obedience, and his living the life of God, is not from what he hath received before, but must flow from present influence of grace, sustaining what was given before, and from grace furnishing fresh supply drawn forth by prayer; as this prayer, O let me not wander, doth testifie.
Ver. 11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart: that I might not sin against thee.
The third evidence of his sincere endeavour to cleanse his way, by taking heed thereto according to his Word, is, the laying up of the Word by faith in his heart; Whence learn, 1. It is not sufficient to have the Word of God in brain-knowledge, and common memory, for not wit and memory, but the heart is the chest to keep it in: I hid thy Word in my heart. 2. Seeing it is impossible to keep sin out of the heart, void of the Word of God, it is necessary for the servant of God, to lay up the Lords Word in his heart by faith and honest affection to it: Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I should not sin against thee 3. It is a proof of our sincere endeavour to profit by the Word of God in the course of sanctification, to be careful that we let not the Word of God slide from us, that we be not spoiled of it by feare of men, or force of tentation: that we be not deceived by Satans wiles, that we suffer it not to go by our negligence and forgetfulness of it, and that we be careful to approve our selves to God, in our love to the Lords Word, and estimation of it, as of a most precious Jewel, as here we see; Thy VVord have I hid in my heart, that I should not sin against thee.
Ver. 12. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
A fourth evidence of his sincerity, in making use of the Wo…d of God, is his blessing God for the knowledge he hath received of it, joyned with prayer for encreasing the measure thereof. Whence learn, 1. It is a mark of sincerity of obedience, to be thankful for what measure we have received, and to be seeking to encrease, as young birds receive their food and cry for more: Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes. 2. Beside all external teaching, we have need of inward and effectual teaching from God, to make knowledge lively and fruitful; Teach me thy statutes. 3. The goodness of God, and his readiness to blesse more and more, is a ground of encouragement to seek a greater measure of his blessing; Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy statutes.
Vers. 13. With my lips have I declared all the judgements of thy mouth.
A fifth evidence of his sincere endeavour to make use of Gods Word, is his care to edifie others, and glorifie God by the knowledge and experience which he had of it. Whence learn, 1. The revealed will of God in Scripture should be the matter of our speech and conference with others; With my lips have I declared all the judgements of thy mouth. 2. The Word of God in Scripture should be looked upon as the sentence of the supreme Judge, uncontrollable and unalterable by any creature, and whereby men must judge of all truth, and look to be judged by it: for therefore it is called, The judgement of his mouth. 3. As the conscience of communicating of our knowledge, and our spiritual gifts, is a means of encouragement to seek a greater measure: so it is an evidence of the sincerity and fruitfulness of what knowledge we have; Teach me thy statutes, with my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
Ver. 14. I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies: as much as in all riches.
The sixth evidence of his sincere endeavour to conforme his way to Gods Word, is his joy in Gods service. Whence learn, 1. Delight in Gods service and worship, is a mark of sincere obedience of his Word: I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies. 2. Spiritual joy in spiritual objects farre exceedeth any joy in worldly possessions; I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies, more then in all riches. 3. It is a most sure joy, which ariseth from the conscience of practical obedience, and not from contemplation only; I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies
Ver. 15. I will meditate in thy Precepts: and have respect unto thy wayes.
16. I will delight my self in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
The seventh evidence of his sincere endeavour to conforme his way unto Gods Word, is his engagement to set his heart toward Gods Word in time to come, and not to rest upon any thing already past and done. Whence learn, 1 Sincerity of our obedience present and past, is proved best, by joyning of our hearty resolution and purpose to go on for time to come: I have rejoyced, I will meditate, I will delight in thy statutes. 2. It is a profitable meanes to grow in grace, to meditate on Gods Word; I will meditate on thy Precepts. 3. Meditation is then fruitful, when in our conversation we have respect to the wayes of God set down in his Word, whereupon we have meditated; I will have respect unto thy wayes. 4. In meditation on the Word, and endeavour to make use of it in our life, we will easily wax weary, except we make this course our delight; I will delight my self in thy statutes. 5. Meditation will faile, and delectation will wax cold, except the Word be treasured up in a sanctified memory: I will not forget thy Word. Thus a copy is cast for a young man to cleanse his way, and to make his life comfortable.