Psalm 119:1
119:1 ALEPH. Blessed [are] {a} the undefiled in the way, who
      walk in the law of the LORD.

      (a) Here they are not called blessed who think themselves
          wise in their own judgment, nor who imagine to
          themselves a certain holiness, but they whose
          conversation is without hypocrisy.

Psalm 119:3
119:3 They also do {b} no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

      (b) For they are ruled by God's Spirit and embrace no
          doctrine but his.

Psalm 119:5
119:5 {c} O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

      (c) David acknowledges his imperfection, desiring God to
          reform it, that his life may be conformable to God's
          word.

Psalm 119:7
119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of {d} heart, when I
      shall have learned thy righteous {e} judgments.

      (d) For true religion stands in serving God without
          hypocrisy.
      (e) That is, your precepts, which contain perfect
          righteousness.

Psalm 119:8
119:8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not {f} utterly.

      (f) He does not refuse to be tried by temptations, but he
          fears to faint, if God does not help his infirmity in
          time.

Psalm 119:9
119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a {a} young man cleanse his way?
      by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word.

      (a) Because youth is most given to licentiousness, he
          chiefly warns them to frame their lives after God's
          word.

Psalm 119:11
119:11 Thy word have I {b} hid in mine heart, that I might not
       sin against thee.

       (b) If God's word is carved in our hearts, we will be
           more able to resist the assaults of Satan: and
           therefore the prophet desires God to instruct him
           daily more and more in it.

Psalm 119:14
119:14 I have {c} rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as
       [much as] in all riches.

       (c) The prophet does not boast of his virtues, but sets
           forth an example for others to follow God's word, and
           leave worldly vanities.

Psalm 119:17
119:17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, [that] I may
       {a} live, and keep thy word.

       (a) He shows that we should not desire to live but to
           serve God, and that we can not serve him correctly
           unless he opens our eyes and minds.

Psalm 119:19
119:19 I [am] a {b} stranger in the earth: hide not thy
       commandments from me.

       (b) Seeing man's life in this world is only a passage,
           what should become of him, if your word were not his
           guide?

Psalm 119:21
119:21 Thou {c} hast rebuked the proud [that are] cursed, which
       do err from thy commandments.

       (c) In all ages you have plagued all such who maliciously
           and contemptuously depart from your truth.

Psalm 119:23
119:23 {d} Princes also did sit [and] speak against me: [but]
       thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

       (d) When the powers of the world gave false sentence
           against me, your word was a guide and counsellor to
           teach me what to do, and to comfort me.

Psalm 119:25
119:25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the {a} dust: quicken thou
       me according to thy word.

       (a) That is, it is almost brought to the grave and
           without your word I cannot live.

Psalm 119:26
119:26 I have {b} declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach
       me thy statutes.

       (b) I have confessed my offences and now depend wholly on
           you.

Psalm 119:28
119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me
       according unto thy {c} word.

       (c) If God did not maintain us by his word, our life
           would drop away like water.

Psalm 119:29
119:29 Remove from me the {d} way of lying: and grant me thy law
       graciously.

       (d) Instruct me in your word, by which my mind may be
           purged from vanity and taught to obey your will.

Psalm 119:32
119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt
       {e} enlarge my heart.

       (e) By this he shows that we can neither choose good,
           cleave to God's word, nor turn forward in his way,
           unless he make our hearts large to receive grace, and
           willing to obey.

Psalm 119:33
119:33 HE. Teach {a} me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I
       shall keep it [unto] the end.

       (a) He shows that he cannot follow on to the end, unless
           God teaches him often and leads him forward.

Psalm 119:34
119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I
       shall observe it with [my] whole {b} heart.

       (b) Not only in outward conversation, but also with
           inward affection.

Psalm 119:36
119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to {c}
       covetousness.

       (c) By this, meaning all other vices, because
           covetousness is the root of all evil.

Psalm 119:37
119:37 Turn away mine {d} eyes from beholding vanity; [and]
       quicken thou me in thy way.

       (d) Meaning, all his senses.

Psalm 119:39
119:39 Turn away {e} my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments
       [are] good.

       (e) Let me not fall to your dishonour but let my heart
           still delight in your gracious word.

Psalm 119:40
119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: {f} quicken me
       in thy righteousness.

       (f) Give me strength to continue in your word even to the
           end.

Psalm 119:41
119:41 VAU. Let thy {a} mercies come also unto me, O LORD,
       [even] thy salvation, according to thy word.

       (a) He shows that God's mercy and love is the first
           reason for our salvation.

Psalm 119:42
119:42 So shall I {b} have wherewith to answer him that
       reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

       (b) By trusting in God's word he assures himself to be
           able to confute the slanders of his adversaries.

Psalm 119:45
119:45 And I will {c} walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

       (c) They who simply walk after God's word have no nets to
           entangle them, while they who do contrary are ever in
           nets and snares.

Psalm 119:46
119:46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before {d} kings,
       and will not be ashamed.

       (d) He shows that the children of God should not permit
           their fathers glory to be obscured by the vain pomp of
           princes.

Psalm 119:49
119:49 ZAIN. Remember {a} the word unto thy servant, upon which
       thou hast caused me to hope.

       (a) Though he feels God's hand still lies on him, yet he
           rests on his promise, and comforts himself in it.

Psalm 119:51
119:51 The {b} proud have had me greatly in derision: [yet] have
       I not declined from thy law.

       (b) Meaning the wicked who contemn God's word, and tread
           his religion under foot.

Psalm 119:52
119:52 I remembered thy {c} judgments of old, O LORD; and have
       comforted myself.

       (c) That is, the examples, by which you declare yourself
           to be judge of the world.

Psalm 119:53
119:53 {d} Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked
       that forsake thy law.

       (d) That is, a vehement zeal to your glory and
           indignation against the wicked.

Psalm 119:54
119:54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my {e}
       pilgrimage.

       (e) In the course of this life and sorrowful exit.

Psalm 119:55
119:55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the {f} night, and
       have kept thy law.

       (f) Even when others sleep.

Psalm 119:56
119:56 {g} This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

       (g) That is, all these benefits.

Psalm 119:57
119:57 CHETH. [Thou art] my {a} portion, O LORD: I have said
       that I would keep thy words.

       (a) I am persuaded that to keep your law is a heritage
           and great gain for me.

Psalm 119:59
119:59 I thought on my {b} ways, and turned my feet unto thy
       testimonies.

       (b) He shows that no one can embrace the word of God,
           unless he considers his own imperfections and ways.

Psalm 119:61
119:61 The bands of the wicked have {c} robbed me: [but] I have
       not forgotten thy law.

       (c) They have gone about to draw me into their company.

Psalm 119:63
119:63 I [am] a {d} companion of all [them] that fear thee, and
       of them that keep thy precepts.

       (d) Not only in mutual consent, but also with aid and
           help.

Psalm 119:64
119:64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: {e} teach me thy
       statutes.

       (e) For the knowledge of God's word is a singular token
           of his favour.

Psalm 119:65
119:65 TETH. Thou hast dealt {a} well with thy servant, O LORD,
       according unto thy word.

       (a) Having proved by experience that God was true in his
           promise, he desires that he would increase in him
           knowledge and judgment.

Psalm 119:67
119:67 Before I was {b} afflicted I went astray: but now have I
       kept thy word.

       (b) So Jeremiah says, that before the Lord touched him,
           he was like a calf untamed so that the use of God's
           rod is to call us home to God.

Psalm 119:70
119:70 {c} Their heart is as fat as grease; [but] I delight in
       thy law.

       (c) Their heart is indurate and hardened, puffed up with
           prosperity and vain estimation of themselves.

Psalm 119:71
119:71 [It is] {d} good for me that I have been afflicted; that
       I might learn thy statutes.

       (d) He confesses that before he was chastened he was
           rebellious as man by nature is.

Psalm 119:73
119:73 JOD. Thy hands have {a} made me and fashioned me: give me
       understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

       (a) Because God does not leave his work that he has
           begun, he desires a new grace: that is, that he would
           continue his mercies.

Psalm 119:74
119:74 They that {b} fear thee will be glad when they see me;
       because I have hoped in thy word.

       (b) When God shows his grace toward any, he testifies to
           others that he does not fail them who trust in him.

Psalm 119:77
119:77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may {c} live:
       for thy law [is] my delight.

       (c) He declares that when he did not feel God's mercies,
           he was as dead.

Psalm 119:79
119:79 Let those that fear thee {d} turn unto me, and those that
       have {e} known thy testimonies.

       (d) That is, be comforted by my example.
       (e) He shows that there can be no true fear of God
           without the knowledge of his word.

Psalm 119:81
119:81 CAPH. My soul {a} fainteth for thy salvation: [but] I
       hope in thy word.

       (a) Though my strength fails me, yet my soul groans and
           sighs, resting still in your word.

Psalm 119:83
119:83 For I am become like a {b} bottle in the smoke; [yet] do
       I not forget thy statutes.

       (b) Like a skin bottle or bladder that is parched in the
           smoke.

Psalm 119:84
119:84 How many [are] the {c} days of thy servant? when wilt
       thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

       (c) How long will you afflict your servant.

Psalm 119:85
119:85 The proud have {d} digged pits for me, which [are] not
       after thy law.

       (d) They have not only oppressed me violently but also
           craftily conspired against me.

Psalm 119:86
119:86 All thy commandments [are] faithful: they persecute me
       wrongfully; {e} help thou me.

       (e) He assures himself that God will deliver his and
           destroy such as unjustly persecute them.

Psalm 119:87
119:87 They had almost consumed {f} me upon earth; but I forsook
       not thy precepts.

       (f) Finding no help on earth, he lifts up his eyes to
           heaven.

Psalm 119:89
119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in {a}
       heaven.

       (a) Because no one should esteem God's word according to
           the changes of things in this world, he shows that it
           abides in heaven, and therefore is immutable.

Psalm 119:91
119:91 They {b} continue this day according to thine ordinances:
       for all [are] thy servants.

       (b) Seeing the earth and all creatures remain in that
           estate in which you have created them, much more your
           truth remains constant and unchangeable.

Psalm 119:94
119:94 I [am] {c} thine, save me; for I have sought thy
       precepts.

       (c) He proves by effect that he is God's child, because
           he seeks to understand his word.

Psalm 119:96
119:96 I {d} have seen an end of all perfection: [but] thy
       commandment [is] exceeding broad.

       (d) There is nothing so perfect in earth, but it has an
           end, only God's word lasts forever.

Psalm 119:97
119:97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation {a} all
       the day.

       (a) He shows that we cannot love God's word unless we
           exercise ourselves in it and practise it.

Psalm 119:99
119:99 I have more {b} understanding than all my teachers: for
       thy testimonies [are] my meditation.

       (b) Whoever submits himself only to God's word will not
           only be safe against the practises of his enemies,
           but also learn more wisdom than they who profess it,
           and are men of experience.

Psalm 119:102
119:102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for {c} thou
        hast taught me.

        (c) So then of ourselves we can do nothing, but when God
            inwardly instructs us with his spirit, we feel his
            graces sweeter than honey.

Psalm 119:105
119:105 NUN. Thy word [is] a {a} lamp unto my feet, and a light
        unto my path.

        (a) Of ourselves we are but darkness and cannot see
            unless we are lightened with God's Word.

Psalm 119:106
119:106 I have {b} sworn, and I will perform [it], that I will
        keep thy righteous judgments.

        (b) So all the faithful ought to bind themselves to God
            by a solemn oath and promises to stir up their zeal
            to embrace God's word.

Psalm 119:108
119:108 Accept, I beseech thee, the {c} freewill offerings of my
        mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

        (c) That is, my prayer and thanksgiving which Hosea
            calls the calves of the lips, Hosea 14:2.

Psalm 119:109
119:109 My {d} soul [is] continually in my hand: yet do I not
        forget thy law.

        (d) That is, I am in continual danger of my life.

Psalm 119:111
119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an {e} heritage for
        ever: for they [are] the rejoicing of my heart.

        (e) I esteemed no worldly things, but made your word my
            inheritance.

Psalm 119:113
119:113 SAMECH. I hate {a} [vain] thoughts: but thy law do I
        love.

        (a) Whoever will embrace God's word correctly must abhor
            all fantasies and imaginations both of himself and
            others.

Psalm 119:115
119:115 {b} Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the
        commandments of my God.

        (b) And hinder me not to keep the law of the Lord.

Psalm 119:117
119:117 {c} Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will
        have respect unto thy statutes continually.

        (c) He desires God's continual assistance, lest he
            should faint in this race, which he had begun.

Psalm 119:118
119:118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy
        statutes: for their {d} deceit [is] falsehood.

        (d) The crafty practises of them who contemn your law
            will be brought to nothing.

Psalm 119:119
119:119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth [like] {e}
        dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

        (e) Which infected your people, as dross does metal.

Psalm 119:120
119:120 My flesh {f} trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid
        of thy judgments.

        (f) Your judgments not only teach me obedience, but
            cause me to fear, considering my own weakness which
            fear causes repentance.

Psalm 119:122
119:122 {a} Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the
        proud oppress me.

        (a) Put yourself between me and my enemies, as if you
            were my pledge.

Psalm 119:124
119:124 Deal with thy {b} servant according unto thy mercy, and
        teach me thy statutes.

        (b) He does not boast that he is God's servant, but by
            this reminds God that as he made him his by his
            grace, so he would continue his favour toward him.

Psalm 119:126
119:126 [It is] {c} time for [thee], LORD, to work: [for] they
        have made void thy law.

        (c) The prophet shows that when the wicked have brought
            all things to confusion, and God's word to utter
            contempt, then it is God's time to help and send
            remedy.

Psalm 119:128
119:128 Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts [concerning] all
        [things to be] right; [and] I hate every false {d} way.

        (d) That is, whatever dissents from the purity of your
            word.

Psalm 119:129
119:129 PE. Thy testimonies [are] {a} wonderful: therefore doth
            my soul keep them.

            (a) Containing high and secret mysteries, so that I
                am moved with admiration and reverence.

Psalm 119:130
119:130 The entrance of thy {b} words giveth light; it giveth
        understanding unto the simple.

        (b) The simple idiots that submit themselves to God have
            their eyes opened and their minds illuminated, as
            soon as they begin to read God's word.

Psalm 119:131
119:131 I opened my mouth, and {c} panted: for I longed for thy
        commandments.

        (c) My zeal toward your word was so great.

Psalm 119:136
119:136 Rivers of waters {d} run down mine eyes, because they
        keep not thy law.

        (d) He shows what should be the zeal of God's children
            when they see his word contemned.

Psalm 119:138
119:138 Thy testimonies [that] thou hast commanded [are] {a}
        righteous and very faithful.

        (a) We cannot confess God to be righteous, unless we
            live uprightly and truly as he has commanded.

Psalm 119:141
119:141 I [am] {c} small and despised: [yet] do not I forget thy
        precepts.

        (c) This is the true trial to praise God in adversity.

Psalm 119:144
119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies [is] everlasting:
        give me understanding, and I shall {d} live.

        (d) So that the life of man without the knowledge of God
            is death.

Psalm 119:145
119:145 KOPH. I {a} cried with [my] whole heart; hear me, O
        LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

        (a) He shows that all his affection and whole heart were
            bent toward God to have help in his dangers.

Psalm 119:148
119:148 Mine eyes {b} prevent the [night] watches, that I might
        meditate in thy word.

        (b) He was more earnest in the study of God's word, than
            they who kept the watch were in their charge.

Psalm 119:150
119:150 They draw nigh that follow after {c} mischief: they are
        far from thy law.

        (c) He shows the nature of the wicked to be to persecute
            against their conscience.

Psalm 119:152
119:152 {d} Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that
        thou hast founded them for ever.

        (d) His faith is grounded on God's word, that he would
            always be at hand when his children are oppressed.

Psalm 119:154
119:154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to
        thy {a} word.

        (a) For without God's promise there is no hope of
            deliverance.

Psalm 119:156
119:156 Great [are] thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me
        according to thy {b} judgments.

        (b) According to your promise made in the law, which
            because the wicked lack they have no hope of
            salvation.

Psalm 119:158
119:158 I beheld the transgressors, and was {c} grieved; because
        they kept not thy word.

        (c) My zeal consumed me when I saw their malice and
            contempt for your glory.

Psalm 119:159
119:159 Consider how I {d} love thy precepts: quicken me, O
        LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

        (d) It is a sure sign of our adoption, when we love the
            Law of God.

Psalm 119:160
119:160 Thy word [is] true [from] the {e} beginning: and every
        one of thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever.

        (e) Since you first promised it, even to the end all
            your sayings are true.

Psalm 119:161
119:161 SCHIN. Princes have {a} persecuted me without a cause:
        but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

        (a) The threatenings and persecutions of princes could
            not cause me to cease to confess you whom I fear
            more than men.

Psalm 119:164
119:164 {b} Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy
        righteous judgments.

        (b) That is, often and various times.

Psalm 119:165
119:165 Great peace have they which {c} love thy law: and
        nothing shall offend them.

        (c) For their conscience assures them that they please
            you, whereas they who do not love you have the
            contrary.

Psalm 119:166
119:166 LORD, I have {d} hoped for thy salvation, and done thy
        commandments.

        (d) He shows that we must first have faith before we can
            work and please God.

Psalm 119:168
119:168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: {e} for
        all my ways [are] before thee.

        (e) I had no respect for men, but set you always before
            my eyes as the judge of my doings.

Psalm 119:169
119:169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me
        understanding {a} according to thy word.

        (a) As you have promised to be the schoolmaster to all
            who depend on you.

Psalm 119:171
119:171 My lips shall {b} utter praise, when thou hast {c}
        taught me thy statutes.

        (b) The word means to pour forth continually.
        (c) All his prayer and desire is to profit in the word
            of God.

Psalm 119:175
119:175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy
        {d} judgments help me.

        (d) That is, your provident care over me, and with which
            you will judge my enemies.

Psalm 119:176
119:176 I have {e} gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy
        servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

        (e) Being chased to and fro by my enemies, and having no
            place to rest in.