PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:1. This psalm celebrates the gift of God’s law as the perfect guide for life. Its theme is echoed in Psalms 19:1 and in such wisdom psalms as 1 and 112. It is the longest psalm (and the longest chapter in the Bible, longer than many of the books) and the most carefully... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:2 SEEK. See vv. Psalms 119:10, Psalms 119:45, Psalms 119:94, Psalms 119:155. WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART. See v. Psalms 119:10 and Deuteronomy 4:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:5 The goal of the whole psalm is that each member of the congregation would share in this desire. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:18 OPEN MY EYES. Give me insight beyond my abilities. WONDROUS THINGS OUT OF YOUR LAW. Probably the great deeds recorded there and what they reveal of God himself (see v. Psalms 119:27; Exodus 3:20; Joshua 3:5; Psalms 78:32; Psalms 145:5).... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:21 INSOLENT, ACCURSED ONES. In the psalm, these are Israelites who reject the covenant, who wander from God’s commandments. See vv. Psalms 119:51, Psalms 119:69, Psalms 119:78, Psalms 119:85, Psalms 119:122;... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:23 PRINCES. In this psalm, these are rulers among God’s people. They might use their power to control the faithful. See vv. Psalms 119:84, Psalms 119:86, Psalms 119:121, Psalms 119:134, Psalms 119:150,... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:32 ENLARGE MY HEART. Or “make my heart broad.” See 1 Kings 4:29, where “breadth of heart or mind” is an expanded ability to understand God’s truth. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:36 INCLINE MY HEART. As in v. Psalms 119:5, the singer knows that God must supply the deepest motivation; see v. Psalms 119:112; also Psalms 141:4; 1 Kings 8:58. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:41 STEADFAST LOVE. A recurring theme of the psalm (vv. Psalms 119:64, Psalms 119:76, Psalms 119:88, Psalms 119:124, Psalms 119:149, Psalms 119:159). It is the genuine experience of God’s [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:57 MY PORTION. See note on 16:5–6. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:59 WHEN I THINK ON MY WAYS. The believer considers his own character and conduct, in order to bring them into greater obedience to God’s commandments. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:76 STEADFAST LOVE... MERCY. See Exodus 34:6. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:83 LIKE A WINESKIN IN THE SMOKE. An unused wineskin, hanging in the rafters, becomes shriveled by the smoke. It is an image of one’s health “drying up.” ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:98 WISER... MORE UNDERSTANDING... UNDERSTAND MORE. Because, in the setting of the psalm, neither MY ENEMIES nor MY TEACHERS nor THE AGED attend carefully to God’s word. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:105 LAMP... LIGHT. See note on 112:4. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:113 DOUBLE-MINDED. See 1 Kings 18:21. These are people who should be devoted to the Lord but who allow their loyalties to be divided. The strong terms HATE and LOVE refer not so much to emotions as to deliberate rejection and obedience. See Psalms 119:158; see also v. Psalms... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:126 TIME FOR THE LORD TO ACT. When God’s LAW HAS BEEN BROKEN by his own people and they seem to get away with it, it seems that God is inactive. This is a prayer that he would prove his own justice for the sake of his faithful. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagNa... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:129 WONDERFUL. Far beyond merely human in their origin and excellence (see Psalms 139:6). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:130 THE UNFOLDING OF YOUR WORDS. As they are pondered, explained, and understood, they give insight and understanding. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:155 FOR THEY DO NOT SEEK implies that the cause is not God’s stinginess but their refusal. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:168 ALL MY WAYS ARE BEFORE YOU. God is well aware of every detail of one’s life. This is good motivation to keep a clear conscience (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36; Acts 24:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 119:176 I HAVE GONE ASTRAY LIKE A LOST SHEEP. A humble person praying this recognizes his need for God’s grace, forgiveness, and steadfast love (see note on v. 41). He asks God to SEEK him. One who has received this grace will not easily FORGET God’s COMMANDMENTS. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var ima... [ Continue Reading ]