Commentaires bibliques

Ps 119:1-176.

This celebrated Psalm has several peculiarities. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contains eight verses, and the first letter of each verse is that which gives name to the stanza. Its contents are mainly praises of God's Word, exhortations to its perusal, and reverence for it, prayers for its proper influence, and complaints of the wicked for despising it. There are but two verses

(Ps 119:122, 132)

which do not contain some term or description of God's Word. These terms are of various derivations, but here used, for the most part, synonymously, though the use of a variety of terms seems designed, in order to express better the several aspects in which our relations to the revealed word of God are presented. The Psalm does not appear to have any relation to any special occasion or interest of the Jewish Church or nation, but was evidently "intended as a manual of pious thoughts, especially for instructing the young, and its peculiar artificial structure was probably adopted to aid the memory in retaining the language."

ALEPH.

(Ps 119:1-8).

1. undefiled--literally, "complete," perfect, or sincere (compare

Ps 37:37).

in--or, "of"

the way--course of life.

walk--act

in the law--according to it (compare

Lu 1:6).

law--from a word meaning "to teach," is a term of rather general purport, denoting the instruction of God's Word.

2. testimonies--The word of God is so called, because in it He testifies for truth and against sin.

seek him--that is, a knowledge of Him, with desire for conformity to His will.

3. his ways--the course He reveals as right.

4-6. precepts--are those directions which relate to special conduct, from a word meaning "to inspect."

statutes--or ordinances, positive laws of permanent nature. Both words originally denote rather positive than moral laws, such as derive force from the divine appointment, whether their nature or the reasons for them are apprehended by us or not.

commandments--or institutions. The term is comprehensive, but rather denotes fundamental directions for conduct, both enjoining and forbidding.

have respect unto--or regard carefully as to their whole purport.

7. judgments--rules of conduct formed by God's judicial decisions; hence the wide sense of the word in the Psalms, so that it includes decisions of approval as well as condemnation.

8. Recognizes the need of divine grace.

BETH.

(Ps 119:9-16).

9. The whole verse may be read as a question; for,

by taking heed--is better, "for" taking heed, that is, so as to do it. The answer is implied, and inferable from

Ps 119:5, 10, 18,

&c., that is, by God's grace.

10-16. We must carefully treasure up the word of God, declare it to others, meditate on it, and heartily delight in it; and then by His grace we shall act according to it.