Psalms 119:72

Verse Psalms 119:72. The law of thy mouth is better] Who can say this? Who prefers the law of his God, the Christ that bought him, and the heaven to which he hopes to go, when he can live no longer upon earth, to thousands of gold and silver? Yea, how many are there who, like Judas, sell their Saviour even for thirty pieces of silver? Hear this, ye lovers of the world and of money!

As the letter ט teth begins but few words, not forty, in the Hebrew language, there is less variety under this division than under any of the preceding.

ANALYSIS OF LETTER TETH. - Ninth Division

The psalmist, having been afflicted, shows, -

I. How graciously God dealt with him, in bringing him profitably through it.

II. Prays for a right judgment and knowledge.

III. Expresses his love to God's law, and the value he set upon it.

I. The psalmist gives thanks for mercy granted in affliction.

1. "Thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant." Graciously in afflicting him, and graciously in relieving him.

2. And this thou hast done "according to thy word." Thou hast fulfilled thy promise.

II. He prays to be taught of God: -

1. "Teach me good judgment." Many judge badly; for they think that affliction is a sign of God's displeasure. Let me have that good judgment that receives it as a fatherly correction from thee.

2. He asks for science and knowledge. A spiritual perception, and taste for heavenly things.

3. For this he gives his reason: "I have believed thy commandments." If we believe not God, we cannot profit by his word.

4. There is something remarkable in the manner of asking: 1. A good or sound judgment. 2. Knowledge; for without a sound judgment, knowledge is of no use.

III. He acknowledges that God's chastisements had done him good.

1."Before I was afflicted." Prosperity is often the mother or error.

2. "Now I have kept thy word." Schola crucis, schola lucis, "The school of the cross is the school of light."

3. He acknowledges that the good God had done him good. To have a right notion of God is a great blessing.

IV. Much of the psalmist's affliction proceeded from wicked men. These he describes: -

1. They were proud. Pride is the mother of rebellion, both against God and man.

2. They were liars. Evil speaking and calumny are the first weapons of persecutors.

3. They forged these lies; they invented them. There was none ready to their hand, so they framed some to serve their purpose.

4. The psalmist opposes them with humility and truth: "I will keep thy precepts."

5. He shows more particularly their moral character: "Their heart was as fat as grease;" they were stupid, brutish, hoggish. Their god was their belly. 1. Because they abounded in wealth, they were proud. 2. Because they pampered themselves, they were stupid, and incapable of moral feeling. The fat is the least sensible part of the animal system.

V. He shows the condition of the godly.

1. They see God's hand in their afflictions.

2. They learn his statutes.

3. They prefer his word to all earthly treasures; and,

4. They persevere in this heavenly disposition, because they continue to depend on God.