A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 119 · Part ט
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Ver. 65. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
In this section, he gives eight marks of a thankfull soul delivered from heavy trouble for a time. The first mark is his hearty acknowledgement of Gods goodnesse toward himself. Whence learn, 1. There is a time to acknowledge mercies received, as well as to pray for good things not as yet received: and as it is the duty of a believer to pray in his need, so it is the duty of the thankfull man to confesse what he hath received for supplying of his need: Thou hast dealt well with thy servant. 2. The Lord will so performe his promise, as he shall make the believing supplicant witnesse of his fidelity: Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, according to thy word. 3. As gifts prayed for, so also gifts received ought to be examined, whether they be given to us, as to servants of God, and according to the promises made to his servants in the Word, or not: otherwise a man can neither make right use of them, nor be thankfull for them, as the Psalmist doth here, who saith, Thou hast dealt well with thy servant according to thy word.
Vers. 66. Teach me good judgement and knowledge: for I have believed thy Commandments.
Another work of his thankfulnesse, is his seeking the increase of wisdome and discretion, for enabling of him unto better service of God in time to come. Whence learn, 1. Beside the knowledge of the general rule of Gods will, it is necessary to have the gift of discretion, to know our duty, when particulars cloathed with circumstances, come to be tried by the rule: and this the thankfull man should pray for; Teach me good judgement and knowledge. 2. He that would be directed in the faith and obedience of Gods Word in particular, ought to be cleare in general of his estimation and belief of all Gods Word in Scripture. Teach me good judgement, (saith he) for I have believed thy commandments.
Ver. 67. Before I was afflicted, I went a stray: but now have I kept thy word.
The third mark of his thankfulnesse is, his acknowledgement of the wisdome and goodnesse of God, manifested in, and wrought by afflicting of him. Whence learn, 1. So perverse are we by nature, as we are the worse oft-times by prosperity: Before I was afflicted I went astray. 2. When prosperity is abused, it is Gods mercy to us to visit us with the rod of affliction, and by it to drive us to make better use of his Word; But now have I kept thy word. 3. When affliction is sanctified and found in the fruits thereof, it is no lesse sweet when it is past, then it was bitter when it was present; as the comparison of times here doth shew.
Ver. 68. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
The fourth mark of his thankfulness, now being comforted after trouble is, his acknowledgement of the goodnesse of Gods nature and working, and his drawing from this fountain more sanctification. Whence learn, 1. As goodnesse is Gods nature, and good is his work: so it is the thankful mans part to observe it, acknowledge it, and heartily to praise him for it, especially when he …s called unto this by late favours, as the Psalmist doth here: Thou art good, and doest good. 2. When the goodness of God is solidly apprehended, it furnisheth ground of great confidence to seek further fruits thereof towards us▪ as here the Psalmist doth. 3. Of all the fruits of Gods goodness, which a thankful man can crave to himself, none is fitter to be sought, then the growth of the grace of sanctification: as here, Teach me thy statutes.
Vers. 69. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy Precepts with any whole heart.
A fifth mark of a thankful man comforted, is his renewed purpose not to sin, for fear of the malice or craft of any persecutors. Whence learn, 1. Beside violence and crueltie we shall finde lies and false calumnies to be the weapons of the wicked against the godly; The proud have forged a lie against me. 2. The slanders and calumnies of the wicked against the godly, are so trimmed and dressed up with much artifice, as if they were cast in a mould; The proud have forged a lie against me. 3. The only way of resisting and overcoming this tentation, is by the sincere adhering to God in the faith and obedience of his Word; But I will keep thy Precepts with my whole heart.
Ver. 70. Their heart is as fat as grease: but I delight in thy law.
The sixth mark of a thankful man comforted after affliction and persecution, is his despising the prosperity of the wicked, in comparison of the benefit of a good conscience, and joy in God. Whence learn, 1. It is the prosperity of the proud, which encourageth them to persecute the godly, yea, their prosperity so benummeth their consciences, that they may not fear to persecute: Their heart is as fat as grease. 2. As a benummed and seared conscience is a sin annexed to the sin of persecution, so is it also the plague of God upon them ordinarily, that they should not repent; Their heart is as fat as grease. 3. The comfort of a good conscience, and the comfort of delighting in the obedience of faith, is a greater welfare to the godly then prosperity, how great soever it can be unto the wicked, and so the godly need not envie the proud and prosperous man: Their heart is fat as grease, but I delight in thy law.
Ver. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.
The seventh mark of a thankful minde comforted after affliction, is his estimation that holiness wrought by affliction bringeth more pleasure and gain, then affliction did bring with it losse or pain. Whence learn, 1. The godly have as evil natures as the wicked have, which cannot be subdued and beaten down, except by affliction, as appeareth by this experience of the Psalmist. 2. Albeit no affliction for the present be pleasant, yet afterward it proveth medicine to the godly, whose wisdom it is to observe all the advantages which come thereby, as the Psalmist doth here: It is good for me that I was afflicted. 3. Profiting in sanctification, is more then may recompence all the trouble which we are put unto in learning of it: It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.
Ver. 72. The Law of thy mouth is better unto me, then thousands of gold and silver.
The eighth mark of his thankful minde comforted after affliction, is his preferring the advantage of the written Word of God to all riches. Whence learn, 1. No affection to the Word of God can be in a man, till it be esteemed by him, as it is indeed, the VVord of Gods mouth, as it were breathed out by himself speaking it: for it is called here, The law of thy mouth, to direct and inforce our obedience. 2. The spiritual advantage which a holy man doth make of Gods VVord, is more worth then all earthly riches: The law of thy mouth is better unto me then thousands of gold and silver.