Matthew Henry on Psalm 119 Introduction as found on Bible Study at
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A3&version=NLT
There
are ten different words by which divine revelation is called in this
psalm, and they are synonymous, each of them expressive of the whole
compass of it (both that which tells us what God expects from us and
that which tells us that we may expect from him) and of the system of
religion which is founded upon it and guided by it. The things
contained in the scripture, and drawn from it, are here called,
1.
God’s law, because they are enacted by him as our Sovereign.
2.
His way, because they are the rule both of his providence and of our
obedience.
3.
His testimonies, because they are solemnly declared to the world and
attested beyond contradiction.
4.
His commandments, because given with authority, and (as the word
signifies) lodged with us as a trust.
5.
His precepts, because prescribed to us and not left indifferent.
6.
His word, or saying, because it is the declaration of his mind, and
Christ, the essential eternal Word, is all in all in it.
7.
His judgments, because framed in infinite wisdom, and because by them
we must both judge and be judged.
8.
His righteousness, because it is all holy, just, and good, and the
rule and standard of righteousness.
9.
His statutes, because they are fixed and determined, and of perpetual
obligation.
10.
His
truth, or faithfulness, because the principles upon which the divine
law is built are eternal truths. And I think there is but one verse
(it is Ps.
119:122)
in all this long psalm in which there is not one or other of these
ten words; only in three or four they are used concerning God’s
providence or David’s practice (as Ps.
119:75,84, 121),
and Ps.
119:132 they
are called God’s name.
The
great esteem and affection David had for the word of God is the more
admirable considering how little he had of it, in comparison with
what we have, no more perhaps in writing than the first books of
Moses, which were but the dawning of this day, which may shame us who
enjoy the full discoveries of divine revelation and yet are so cold
towards it.
In
singing this psalm there is work for all the devout affections of a
sanctified soul, so copious, so various, is the matter of it. We here
find that in which we must give glory to God both as our ruler and
great benefactor, that in which we are to teach and admonish
ourselves and one another (so many are the instructions which we here
find about a religious life), and that in which we are to comfort and
encourage ourselves and one another, so many are the sweet
experiences of one that lived such a life.
Here
is something or other to suit the case of every Christian.
Isa.
any afflicted? Isa. any merry? Each will find that here which is
proper for him. And it is so far from being a tedious repetition of
the same thing, as may seem to those who look over it cursorily,
that, if we duly meditate upon it, we shall find almost every verse
has a new thought and something in it very lively.
And
this, as many other of David’s psalms, teaches us to be sententious
in our devotions, both alone and when others join with us; for,
ordinarily, the affections, especially of weaker Christians, are more
likely to be raised and kept by short expressions, the sense of which
lies in a little compass, than by long and laboured periods.
