-
Psalms 119:1-176 open_in_new
The longest Ps. and the best example of an alphabetical Ps. There are in it twenty-two stanzas; each of the 8 vv. of each stanza commences with the same Hebrew letter. The subject is practically the same throughout, viz. the great help and guidance and comfort to be derived from studying continually the Law of the Lord. Much ingenuity is displayed in expressing the same thoughts under various forms.
Note in this connexion the following variety of terms—Law, or instruction (torali) Testimonies, or affirmations of God's will; Judgments, or judicial pronouncements as to the Law; Statutes (lit. 'inscriptions'), or published enactments; Commandments, Precepts, or injunctions.It is difficult to locate the Ps. in time or circumstances. Such devoted meditation on the Law is a feature of later Judaism which arose chiefly after the exile. This is also true of the mechanical arrangement of the Ps. If the writer records his own experiences they must have been very trying—trouble, sorrow, the hostility of powerful foes, and even captivity. But some scholars believe that the writer sometimes records his own experiences, sometimes the experiences of the pious remnant of Israel.
-
Psalms 119:19 open_in_new
Stranger] or, 'sojourner,' passenger, with but a short time to learn God's will.
-
Psalms 119:21 open_in_new
The proud] perhaps Jews who had been influenced by foreign culture.
-
Psalms 119:25 open_in_new
Quicken] i.e. revive.
-
Psalms 119:29 open_in_new
Way of lying] i.e. faithlessness to God's law.
-
Psalms 119:39 open_in_new
My reproach which I fear] viz. of sinning against God.
-
Psalms 119:43 open_in_new
He prays never to be deprived of the power of testifying to God's trathfulness.
46, Before kings] i.e. in exile.
-
Psalms 119:54 open_in_new
'Melodies have thy statutes been to me in the house of my sojourning,' i.e. in this brief life: cp. Psalms 39:12.
-
Psalms 119:56 open_in_new
'This (comfort) I have that I have kept thy law.'
-
Psalms 119:70 open_in_new
Fat as grease] dull, gross: cp. Job 15:26-27; Isaiah 6:10.
-
Psalms 119:83 open_in_new
Bottle] RM 'wine skin.' Bottles were made of the untanned hide of an animal. In the smoke they would be dried up, shrivelled and useless. Such Israel seemed to be in captivity.
-
Psalms 119:84 open_in_new
How many, etc.] i.e. my days are few.
-
Psalms 119:91 open_in_new
They] i.e. the heavens and the earth.
-
Psalms 119:96 open_in_new
The most perfect earthly things are finite and limited; but God's law is for all needs and for all time.
-
Psalms 119:109 open_in_new
My soul, etc.] i.e. my life is ever in jeopardy.
-
Psalms 119:118 open_in_new
Their deceit is falsehood] better, 'their self-deception is a lie.'
-
Psalms 119:123 open_in_new
Fail for] fail through longing for.
-
Psalms 119:130 open_in_new
The entrance] RV 'the opening,' i.e. the unfolding.
-
Psalms 119:132 open_in_new
Usest to do] i.e. art wont to do.
-
Psalms 119:140 open_in_new
Very pure] i.e. true metal: cp. Psalms 18:30.
-
Psalms 119:147 open_in_new
I prevented, etc.] i.e. Before daybreak I cried.
-
Psalms 119:148 open_in_new
'Mine eyes forestall the night-watches,' i.e. when each watch comes I am already awake.
-
Psalms 119:161 open_in_new
Princes] probably it was Israel, i.e. the Jewish nation, that was so persecuted.
-
Psalms 119:164 open_in_new
Seven times] i.e. very often.
-
Psalms 119:165 open_in_new
Nothing shall offend them] RV 'they have none occasion of stumbling.'
-
Psalms 119:176 open_in_new
Like a lost sheep] probably refers to the Jews scattered in exile. The last clause of the v. precludes the idea of straying into sin.