Exposition of Psalm CXIX

Preface

A CONSIDERABLE portion of the Sacred Volume (as the Books of Psalms and Canticles in the Old Testament, and a large part of the several Epistles in the Xevv Testament) is occupied with the interesting subject of Christian Experience ; and exhibits its character, under different dispensations of religion, and diversified with an endless variety of circumstances, as ever essentially the same. As the same features of countenance and elevation of stature have always marked the human species in the midst of the creation of God ; so an identity of feature and measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" has, in all ages, and under every shade of outward difference, distinguished the family of God as the people that should dwell alone, and should not be reckoned among the nations." ^ This indeed was to have been expected. Human nature has undergone no change since the fall. In its unrenewed state it is still captivated in the same chains of sin ; and, when renewed, it is under the influence x)f the same Spirit of grace. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit."^ We might therefore have conceived, that the modern believer, when employed in tracing the records of Patriarchal or Mosaical experience.

^ Numbers XX hi. 9. ' " Johniii. 6.

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will mark in the infiimities of the ancient people of God a picture of his own heart, answering, as in water face answereth to face ; " ^ and in comparing their spiritual exercises with his own, will be ready to acknowledge — All these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."-

In this view, it is the object of this work to exhibit an Old Testament believer in a New Testament garb, as one walking in the same spirit, and in the same steps" with ourselves; and, in bringing his features of character to the Evangelical standard, it is presumed, that the correspondence will be found to be complete. Faith which worketh by love"^ — the fundamental distinction of the Gospel — pervades the whole man ; with at least an implied reference to the one w^ay of access to God,^ and a distinct regard alike to the promises,^ and to the precepts,^ of Divine revelation. Nor are the workings of this principle delineated with less accuracy. In all the variety of Christian feelings and holy conduct, we observe its operations leading the soul into communion with God, and moulding every part into a progressive conformity to his image. When w^e view the

man after God's own heart" — taking God for his portion 7 — associating with his people,^ and feeding upon his word; 9 when we mark his zeal for his Master's glory — his devotedness^i and self-denial^^ in his Master's work — when we see him ever ready to confess his name,^^ to bear his reproach,^^ and caring

^ Proverbs xxvii. 19. * 1 Corinthians xii. 11.

Verse 139. Verse 38. verse 62.

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V only to answer it b}' a more steady adherence to his service ^^do we not in those lineaments of character recognize the picture of one, who in after times could turn to the churches of Christ, and say' ' Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me ? " ^ Or can we recollect the Psalmist's insight into the extent and spirituality of the law of God,-^ and his continual conflict with indwelling sin ^ — awakening in him the spirit of wrestling prayer, ^ and confidence in the God of his salvation 6— and not be again forcibly reminded of him, who has left upon record the corresponding history of his own experience — " We know, that the law is spiritual ; but I am carnal, sold under sin : I was alive without the law once ; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and T died ; O wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord ! * In short, let his instancy in prayer ^ and praise 9 be remembered — his determined and persevering^! cultivation of heart religion and practical holiness, his hungering and thirsting after righteousness;^^ his jealous fear and watchful tenderness against sin, and regard for the honour of his God;'' his yearning compassion over his fellow-sinners ; his spiritual taste ; ^9 his accurate discernment ; the simplicity*' of his dependence, and the godly sincerity" of his obedience ; his

PREFACE, peace of mind and stability of profession ; ^ his sanctified improvement of the cross ; ^ his victory over the world ; ^ his acknowledgment of the Lord's mercy ; ^ his trials of faith and patience ; ^ his heavenly liberty in the ways of God ; ^ his habitual living in his presence J and under the quickening,^ restraining,^ directing, ^0 and supporting influence of his word — let these holy exercises be considered — either separately, or as forming one admirable concentration of Christian excellence — and what do we desire more to complete the portrait of a finished servant of God upon the Evangelical model ? Is not this a visible demonstration of the power of the word, in perfecting the man of God, and furnishing him thoroughly unto all good works ? "

Having explained the Evangelical character of this Psalm, some notice may next be taken of its peculiar adaptation to Christian experience. The several graces of the Scriptural system, delineated in this Psalm, form an excellent touchstone of the sincerity of our profession, by marking its practical influence in our daily walk and conversation ; — a touchstone which appears especially needful in this day of profession ; not — as warranting our confidence in the Saviour, or as constituting in any measure our ground of acceptance with God ; but as exciting us to give diligence to make our calling and election sure," ^nd tending to quicken our sluggish steps in the path of self-denying obedience. The Writer is free to confess, that his main design in the study of this Psalm was to furnish

PREFACE.

vii his own niind with a correct standard of Evangelical sincerity in the habitual scrutiny of his own heart ; and if, in the course of this Exposition, any suggestion should be thrown out, to call the attention of his fellow-christians to this most important, but alas! too much neglected, duty, he will have reason to

rejoice in the day of Christ, that he has not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.'' ^ Xever let it be supposed, that a diligent, prayerful, probing examination of the chambers of imagery," gendereth unto bondage/' Invariably will it be found to open the way to a more established enjoyment of Scriptural assurance. Hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.'' - As therefore the preceptive part of the Gospel thus becomes our guide in the happy path of filial obedience, our beloved rule of duty, and the standard of our daily progress ; we shall learn in the use of it to depend more entirely upon the Saviour, fresh energy will be put into our prayers, and the promises of pardon and grace will be doubly precious to our souls.

It cannot then be, that these views of the Divine life should be found unfriendly to the best happiness

1 ' I know of no part of the Holy Scriptures ' (remarks a profound divine), * where the nature and evidences of true and sincere godhness are so full}^ and largely insisted on and delineated as in the II 9th Psalm. The Psalmist declares his design in the first verses of the Psalm, keeps his eye on it all along, and pursues it to the end. The excellency of holiness is represented as the immediate object of a spiritual taste and delight. God's law — that grand expression and emanation of the holiness of God's nature, andprescription of holiness to thecreature — is all along represented as the great object of the love, the complacence, and the rejoicing of the gracious nature, which prizes God's commandments " above gold, yea the finest gold ; " and to which they are sweeter than the honey and the honey-comb." '—Edwards on Religious Affections. Part iii. Sect. iii. * The ordinary and serious breathing of my soul,' (observes a deeply spiritual thinker) ' is such as that of the Psalmist throughout the 119th Psalm.' — Halyburton's Life. 2 1 John iii. 19. with 18, 20,21.

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of mankind. We observe this Psalm to open with a most inviting picture of blessedness, and to describe throughout the feelings of one, encompassed indeed with trials superadded to the common lot of men, but yet evidently in possession of a satisfying portion — of a joy, with which a stranger does not intermeddle." 1 Of those, therefore, who would affix the stigma of melancholy to Evangelical religion, we are constrained to remark — that they *^ understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." ^ The children of Edora have never tasted the clusters of Canaan," and cannot therefore form any just estimate of that goodly land. They that have spied the land, can bring a good report of it, and can tell them —

Surely it floweth with milk and honey, and this is the fruit of it. " ^ The work of righteousness is peace ; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever." ^

The structure of this Psalm is peculiar — divided into twenty-two parts — agreeing with the number of the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet — each part, and its several verses, beginning with the corresponding letter of the Alphabet. ^ The whole Psalm is in the form of an ejaculatory address, with the exception of the first three verses, which may almost be considered as the preface to the whole, and one other verse in the course of it, where the man of God rebukes the ungodly from his presence, as if intruding into his

hiding-place," and interrupting his communion with his God.^ It is not always easy to trace the connexion

^ Proverbs xiv. 10. ^ 1 Timothy i. 7.

^ Numbers xiii. 27. Isaiah xxxii. 17.

PREFACE. ix

between the several verses ; at least not beyond the several divisions of the Psalm. Probably nothing more was intended, than the record of the exercises of his own heart at different periods, and under different circumstances. If however they are not links on the same chain, in continuous and unbroken dependence ; they may at least be considered as pearls upon one string, of equal though independent value. The prominent characteristic of the Psalm is a love for the word of God, which is brought before us under no less than ten different names, ^ ' referring to some latent and distinguishing properties of the Divine word, whose manifold excellences and perfections are thus illustrated with much elegant variety of diction.' • In many instances, however, the several terms appear to have been varied, to adapt themselves to the metre; V, hile, perhaps, at other times they may be promiscuously used for the whole revelation of God ; ^ that the view of its inexhaustible fulness might thus conciliate a more attentive regard to its authority : and might add fresh strength to the obligation to read, believe, love and live in it.

If the Writer may be permitted to suggest the method, in which this Exposition may be best studied to advantage, he would beg to refer to the advice of the excellent Philip Henry to his children — that they

^ Sach as way, law, judgments, words, statutes, commandments, precepts, testimonies, righteousness, trufn.

- Rev.T. H. Home's Introduction to Scripture, Vol. ii. 536. As a proof of the promiscuous and extended application of those terms, whose definite sense is restricted to particular parts of revelation — we may mark the use of the word law%'' applied by our Saviour to quotations from the book of Psalms. Compare John XV. 25. with Psalm xxxv. 16 ; Ixix. 4 . also John x. 34, with Psalm Ixxxii. 6. ' Under this word — " law" ' — Calvin observes — ' there is no doubt, but that David comprehended the sum of all the doctrine, which God gave to his church.' Sermons on Psalm cxix. verse 153. Compare Psalm xix. 7. marg.

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should ^ take a verse of Psalm cxix. every morning to meditate upon, and so go over the Psalm twice in a year : ' ' and ^Aa^'— said he—' will bring you to be in love with all the rest of the Scripture.' i The Writer does not presume to suppose, that this superficial sketch will supply food for meditation year after year. Yet he ventures to hope, that it may have its use, in directing the attention from time to time to a most precious portion of Holy Writ ; which, however unfruitful it may have proved to the undiscerning mind, will be found by the serious and intelligent reader to be profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.'' 2

The composition of this work has been diversified with as much variety as the nature of the subject would allow. The descriptive character of the book will be found to be interspersed with matter of discussion, personal address, hints for self-inquiry, and occasional supplication, with the earnest endeavour to cast the mind into that meditative, self-scrutinizing, devotional frame, in which the new creature is strengthened, and increases, and goes on to perfection. Such however as the work is, the Writer would commend it

' P.Henry's Life, Williams' Edition, p. ,247. In conformity withthis rule, we find his godly daughter writing thus in her diary, * 1687-8, March 9, Friday morning. I have been of late taking some pains to learn by heart Psalm cxix. and have made some progress therein.* Extracted from Mrs. Savage's MSS. in P. Henry's Life — Ditto. — As an illustration of the view given by this excellent man of the importance of this Psalm, an Index is added to this work of the several matters more or less touched upon ; to which, as well as to the texts referred to throughout the work, the reader's attention is invited.

2 2 Timothy iii. 16. Bishop Cowper sweetly calls it — *a Holy Alphabet — so plain that children may understand it— so rich and instructive that the wisest and most experienced may learn every day something from it.

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to the gracious consideration of the great Head of the Church ; imploring pardon for what in it may be his own, and a blessing on what may be traced to a purer source : — and in giving both the pardon and the blessing, may his holy name be abundantly glorified.^

Old Newton Vicarage, July 20th, 1827.

Preface To The Tenth Edition

The Writer readily acknowledges the kind indulgence with which his work has been received by the Church of Christ. Oh ! may his God and Saviour have all the glory, while he is humbled in thankfulness for the high privilege of leading his fellow-sinners into the ways of pleasantness and peace/' and of miu istering to the spiritual edification of the family of God.

The numerous alterations and additions in the later editions have not, it is hoped, altogether failed in giving increased perspicuity to the style, and fulness of evangelical statement to the matter. The Writer has desired, that every page should be lighted up with the beam of the Sun of Righteousness,'' who is the glory of the Revelation of God — the Christian's

All in all." He has endeavoured to illustrate true religion, as the work of the Divine Spirit, grounded on the knowledge of Christ, advancing in communion with him, and completed in the enjoyment of Him, and of the Father by Him. He has also aimed to elevate the standard of Christian privilege, as flowing immediately from Him ; by giving such a Scriptural statement of the doctrine of assurance, as may quicken the slothful to greater diligence in their holy profession, and at the same time encourage the weak and fearful to a clearer apprehension of their present salvation.

Old Newton, January 14, 1834.

AN EXPOSITION OF PSALM CXIX,

Part I

1. Blessed are the undejiled in the way^ who walk in the law of the Lord.

This most interesting and instructive Psalm, like the Psalter itself, * opens with a Beatitude for our comfort and encouragement, directing us immediately to that happiness, which all mankind in different ways are seeking and inquiring after» All would secure themselves from the incursions of misery ; but all do not consider that misery is the offspring of sin, from which therefore it is necessary to be delivered and preserved, in order to become happy or blessed,*^ ^

The undejiled character described in this verse marks, in an Evangelical sense, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile ^ — not one who is without sin, but one who in the sincerity of his heart can say — that which I do I allow not.'^3 As his way is, so is his ivalk^^ — " in the law of the LordJ^ He is strengthened in the Lord, and he walks up and down in his name/^

^ Bp. Home on Psalm i. 1. ^ John i. 47. Comp, Acts xxiv, 16. 3 Rom. vii. 15. ^ Zech. x. 12.

B his ears hearing a word behind him, saying — ' This is the way, walk ye in it' — when he is turning to the right hand or to the left."i And if the pardon of sin, im» putation of righteousness, ^ the communion of saints, and a sense of acceptance with God;3~-if protection in providence and grace, ^ and finally and for ever the beatific vision, ^ are connected in the promises of God and the experience of his people with the way of God ; then there can be no doubt that

blessed are the undejiled in the wayj^ And if temporal prosperity,^ spiritual renovation and fruitfulness,7 increasing illumination, s intercourse with the Saviour ,9 peace within, and throughout eternity a right to the tree of life, are privileges of incalculable value; then surely ^^the walk in the law of the Lord^^ is*' the path of pleasantness and peace." ''Truly'' — indeed may we say — '* God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart."

But let each of us ask — What is the '^way^^ of my heart with God ? Is it always an " undejiled way ? '' Is " iniquity never "regarded in the heart?" Is all that God hates habitually lamented, abhorred, forsaken? " Search me, O God, and know my heart ; try me, and know my thoughts ; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." ^3

Again — What is my *^walkP^^ Is it from the living principle of union with Christ? This is the direct — the only source of spiritual life. We are first quickened in him. Then we walk in him and after

^ Isa. XXX. 21. 2 Psalm xxxii. 1, 2, with Rom. iv. 6 — 8. 3 1 John i. 7. ^2 Chron. xvi. 9. Jobi. 8, 10. ^ Matt, v. 8.

^ Joshua i. 7, 8. 1 Tim. iv. 8. 2 Chron. xvii.4, 5. 7 Psalm i. 2, 3. « John vii. 17. ^ Ibid. xiv. 23 ; xv. 14, 15. 10 Verse 165. Gal. vi. 16. Isa. xxxii. 17. " Rev. xxii. 14.

^2 Psalm Ixxiii. 1. i3 j^id. cxxxix. 23, 24.

him. Oh ! that this my walk may be steady, consistent, advancing ! O that I may be ever listening to my Father's voice — '^1 am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect ! ^

Surely there is enough of defilement in the most undefiled way,^ and enough of inconsistency in the most consistent walk,^'' to endear to us the gracious declaration of the gospel — " If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ thje Righteous." 2

2. Blessed are they that keep his testimo7iies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

The testimony/' in the singular number, usually denotes the whole canon of the inspired writings — the revelation of the will of God to mankind — the standard af their faith. ^ Testimonies^^ appear chiefly to mark the preceptive part of Scripture^ — that part, in which this man of God always found his spiritual delight and perfect freedom. Mark his language; ^' I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever ; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.^^ ^ Not however that this blessedness belongs to the mere outward act of obedience ; ^ but rather to that practical habit of mind, which seeks to know the will of God in order to keep^'^ it. This habit is under the influence of the promise of God — I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do

1 Gen. xvii. 1. ^ 1 John ii. 1.

3 Compare Isa. viii. 20. ^ Verse 138.

^ Verses 14, 1 1 1 . ^ Treasure up his Testimonies. — Bp. Horsle5^

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EXPOSITION OF PSALM CXIX.

them,"i And in thus keeping the testimonies of God,'*^ the believer maintains the character of one that seeks him with the whole heartJ^

Oh ! how many seek, and seek in vain, for no other reason, than because they do not seek him with the whole heart." The worldling's ^* heart is divided ; now shall he be found faulty.'' 2 The professor with his mouth shews much love ; but his heart goeth after his covetousness/' ^ The backslider hath not turned unto me with his whole heart, but feigdediy, saith the Lord/' 4 The faithful, upright believer alone brings his heart, his whole heart, to the Lord — When thou saidst — Seek ye my face, my heart said unto thee — Thy face, Lord, will I seek." ^ For he only has found an object that attracts and fills his whole heart — and, if he had a thousand hearts, would attract and fill them all. He has found his way to God by faith io Jesus. In that way he continues to seek. His whole heart is engaged to know and love more and more. Here alone the blessing is enjoyed, and the promise made good — " Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart ^

But let me not shrink from the question— Do I keep his testimonies from constraint or from love ? Surely when I consider my own natural aversion and enmity to the law of God, and the danger of self-deception in the external service of the Lord, I have much need to pray — Incline my heart to thy testimonies. Give me understanding — save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.^^ 'J And if they are blessed, who seek the Lord with their whole heart, how am I seeking him ? Alas ! with how much distraction ! with how little

^ Ezek. xxxvi. 27. 2 pj^g^ ^ 2. 3 E^ek, xxxiii. 31.

4 Jer. iii. 10. s pgaim xxvii. 8.

heart-work! Oh! let me seek his strength" in order to seek his face/' ^

Lord! search — teach — incline— uphold me. Help me to plead thy gracious promise — I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord ; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God ; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart

3. They also do no iniquity ; they walk in his ways.

This was not their character from their birth. Once they were doing nothing but iniquity. It was without mixture, without cessation — from the fountain-head. ^ Now it is written of them — They do no iniquity, Once they walked, even as others,* in the way of their own hearts — enemies to God by wicked works,'' Now ^' they walk in his ways,'' They are new creatures in Christ ; old things are passed away ; behold ! ail things are become new.'' ^ This is their highly-privileged state — '^Sin shall not have dominion over them : for they are not under the law, but under grace. They are ^'born of God, and they cannot commit sin ; for their seed remaineth in them, and they cannot sin, because they are born of God." 7 Their hatred and resistance to sin are therefore now as instinctive, as was their former enmity and opposition

^ Psalm cv. 4. ^ jgj.^ xxiv. 7.

3 " Every imagination of the thoughts of the heart is evil — only evil — continually." And this "God saw" — before whom all things are naked and open" — who searcheth the heart, and therefore cannot be mistaken. Gen. vi. 5.

But lest we should conceive this to be the picture of some generation of so peculiarly aggravated character, that the awful demonstration of his v;rath could no longer be restrained, this testimony is repeated by the same Omniscient Judge, immediately subsequent to the flood, (Gen. viii. 21.) and confirmed by him in many express declarations. Jer. xvii. 9, 10. Matt. xv. 19. ^ Eph. ii. 2, 3. Col, i. 21. ^ 2 Cor. v. 17.

^Rom. \i. 14. 'iJohniii. 9.

to God. Not indeed that the people of God are as the saints made perfect," who do no iniquity.'^ This is a dream of perfection — unscriptural and selfdeluding. ^ The unceasing Advocacy of their Heavenly Friend evidently supposes the indwelling power of sin, to the termination of our earthly pilgrimage. The supplication also in the prayer of our Lord teaches them to ask for daily pardon and deliverance from temptation/' as for daily bread." 2 Yes— to our shame be it spoken — we are sinners still ; yet — praised be God ! — not walking after the course," not fulfilling the desires," of sin. The acting of sin is now like the motion of a stone upward, violent and unnatural. If it is not cast out, it is dethroned. We are not, as before, ^* its willing people," but its reluctant, struggling captives. It is not the day of its power."

And here lies the holy liberty of the gospel — not, as some have feigned—a liberty to continue in sin, that grace may abound ; " ^ but a deliverance from the guilt and condemnation of abhorred, resisted, yet still indwelling'sin. When our better will hath cast it off — when we can say in the sight of an heart- searching God What we hate, that do we *^ — the responsibility is not ours — It is not we that do it, but sin that dwelleth in us?"^ Still let us inquire, is the promise of deliverance from sin sweet to us?"^ And does our successful resistance in the spiritual conflict realize the earnest of its complete fulfilment ? Blessed Jesus ! what do we owe to thy cross for the present redemption from its guilt and curse, and much more for the blissful prospect of the glorified state, when

^ Comp. Eccl. vii. 20. with Job ix. 20. Phil. iii. 12. - Matt. vi. 11—13. 3 Rom. vi. 1, 2.

this hated guest shall be an inmate no more ! ' O let us take the very print of thy death into our souls in the daily crucifixion of sin.^ Let us know the power of thy resurrection" in an habitual walk in newness of life."

4. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

The Psalmist here begins to direct his address to his God, and calls to mind those obligations to obedience, in which he felt his own happiness most nearly concerned. For even under that dispensation which gendered unto bondage," much encouragement was connected with the command to keep the Lord's precepts diligently — O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be ivell with them and with their children for ever,"* But surely we, under a dispensation of love, can never want a motive for obedience ! Let the daily mercies of Providence stir up the question — " What shall I render unto the Lord?"^ Let the far richer mercies of grace produce **a living sacrifice " to be ** presented to the Lord."^ Let the love of Christ constrain us." 7 Let the recollection of the price with which we were bought," remind us of the Lord's property in us, and of our obligations to glorify him in our body, and in our spirit, which are his."^ Let us only " behold the Lamb of God ; " — let us hear his wrestling supplications, his deserted cry, his

^ Rev. xxi. 27. ^ j^q^^ s phii. Ui. lo. Rom. vi. 4, 5.

^ Deut. V. 29. Comp. Deut. vi. 17, 18 ; xxviii. 1, 2. Jer. viii. 23.

^ Psalm cxvi. 12. ^ Rom. xii. 1.

B EXPOSITION OF PSALM CXIX.

expiring agonies— the price of our redemption ; and then let us ask ourselves — Can we want a motive ?