Psalms 119:49-56 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

Bible Comments

ZAIN.

While we contemplate the ever-blessed Jesus thus hanging upon the promises of the Father, we may in him, and through him, humbly adopt the same language, and remind God our Father of all his covenant promises in Christ. See particularly Psalms 22:7-11. Jesus always cast himself thus upon his Father's covenant engagements. Hence through the whole course of his life, and in death, Jesus had an eye to that support promised him. And hence God's promises. See Psalms 89:26. But, unless we look at Christ as the whole of the covenant, not a promise can we plead; neither can we expect relief, but in and from him, and for his sake; 2 Corinthians 1:20. Never was there anything more true than what is here said of the derision of the proud, considered with reference to Christ. He was counted a blasphemer, a sabbath-breaker, a friend of publicans and sinners; and was made the song of the drunkard; Psalms 69:11-12. What a sweet verse is this, which speaks of Christ comforting himself in the remembrance of Jehovah's judgments of old, namely, the everlasting covenant, that when Christ had made his soul an offering for sin, he should see his seed, Isaiah 53:10. And ought not the believer to take comfort from the same cause, amidst all the exercises he meets with in his warfare? There is a rest, even Jesus, that remaineth for the people of God, Hebrews 4:9; Isaiah 28:12. And doth not this verse, which speaks of horror taking hold upon him, refer to Christ's soul agonies in the garden? Who shall enter into the full apprehension of Jesus's exercises in that solemn season? Luke 22:41-44. But as Jesus reposed himself in God's faithfulness and covenant love to himself and people; So, Reader, let us take these statutes, founded on the love, and made secure to Jesus and his people by the oath and promise of Jehovah, and make them our songs also in this house of our pilgrimage. This will give us sweet remembrance from the Holy Ghost, the Remembrancer in the night. And this we shall assuredly enjoy, because our great Law-fulfiller, both in his obedience and death, hath secured the everlasting salvation of his people!

Psalms 119:49-56

49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.