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Ar the entrance of this Psalm, king David represents the happiness of those who keep the commandments of God. He testifies that his intention and desire is, to apply himself entirely to it, and he begs of God, with great zeal, that he would give him grace to understand his holy law, and to observe it continually.

Reflections.

FROM the first part of this Psalm, we learn, that man's greatest happiness consists in walking uprightly, in keeping the law of the Lord, and in seeking his testimonies with his whole heart; that by his divine law, young people, and all men in general, ought to regulate their behaviour; and that they who do so will never fall into shame or misery. These considerations engage us to choose, as David did, the commandments of God for our portion, to keep them in our heart, to make them the subject of our conversation, to take pleasure in them, and rejoice in the observation of them, more than if we had all the riches in the world. To secure this happiness to ourselves, let us beg of God to teach us his statutes, and open our eyes that we may see the wonders of his law; to keep us from lying and wickedness, and to make us know the way of his holy commandments, that we may walk in them with faith and perseve

rance to the end of our lives.

PSALM CXIX. 33-72.

David, several times, beseeches God to give him grace rightly to understand and keep his laws. He prays him to support him, by that means, under all his trials; he declares, that the word of God had strengthened and comforted him under all his misfortunes. He confesses, that it was good for him to have been afflicted, that he might learn to keep the statutes of the Lord; he protests that he will apply himself to

them more and more; that he had chosen the law of God for his inheritance; and that he valued it above all the goods and advantages of the world.

Reflections.

THE use to be made of the reading this part of the 119th Psalm, is to entertain the same pious sentiments which are here expressed, and to beg of God, with David, to teach us the way of his statutes; to give us understanding to know and keep them; to incline our hearts to obedience, and to turn them away from vanity, covetousness, and every evil way; to make us always sensible of the effects of his mercy, by supporting us in all dangers; and above all, that he would never deprive us of his word and grace. David next teaches us, that good men make an open and public profession of the fear of God, and are never tired with speaking of him and his holy laws. When they see wicked men, that blaspheme God and insult the righteous, they abhor their impiety, and dread the judgments that threaten them; they strengthen themselves more and more in the love of God's law; they take it for their portion and inheritance; they meditate upon it day and night, and seek the company of those that fear God and keep his commandments. Lastly, From what David here says, we learn the usefulness of afflictions, and are led to adore the wisdom and goodness of God, who afflicts and chastises men, that they may learn to observe his word. This was the advantage David made of his troubles, and this taught him to prefer that divine word before all riches, and every thing in the world that is esteemed most valuable.

PSALM CXIX. 73-104.

David continues to show his zeal and love for the law of God, and begs him to enlighten and comfort him. He declares, that the law of God had been his hope in all his troubles; that he had adhered to it more and more; that he considered it as the most

perfect thing in the world; that he loved it above all things; that it afforded him all the understanding, and all the wisdom which he stood in need of; and that he found an unspeakable pleasure and sweetness in the practice of it.

Reflections.

THIS part of the 119th Psalm, sets before us the great benefits which arise from the knowledge and observation of the law of God. David's manner of

speaking shows, that those who give themselves up to it, are never confounded; and that in their afflictions they always meet with that help and comfort which is needful for them. He teaches us, that the evils which the righteous suffer, are so far from making them forsake the law of God, that they engage them to adhere to it more firmly; and that this is their support under all their trials. David assures us, that this law is the most perfect, and most excellent thing in the world; that those who are enlightened by this divine light, surpass the most prudent in wisdom and understanding; and that all earthly pleasures and delights are not comparable to the pleasure and sweetness we taste in the knowledge and love of the divine law. These are the sentiments which we ought all to entertain, and which we should beg God to confirm us in more and more.

PSALM CXIX. 105-144.

David still insists upon the usefulness of the law of God, and vows to observe it all the days of his life. He shows that God confounds the wicked, and all those that depart from the right way, but he is the support of those that fear him; that the righteous have nothing to apprehend from the wicked, and that no harm can happen to them. He then resumes his description of the excellence of the law of God; expresses his sincere concern to see it broken; protests he will always love it, and apply himself to it more and more; and beseeches the Lord to increase his knowledge of it.

Reflections.

THE reflections which this portion of Scripture present us with, are, I. That the word of God is a lamp to our feet, and a light to our paths; and that those who are enlightened by this divine light, and walk in the way which it prescribes, cannot err. II. It appears from hence, that the faithful are sincerely attached to that part of God's word which prescribes their duty, and contains the holy laws which he has given us for the conduct of our lives. They esteem it their perpetual inheritance, and make it the joy of their heart. They vow to love and obey God; saying with David, I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments; and they beseech God that he would give them grace to perform their vow. When they consider the impiety which reigns in the world, and the judgments of God which overtake those who forsake him, they are sincerely grieved, and full of terror and amazement; when they see others forsake God's law, they more firmly adhere to it: and whatever condition they are in, whether it be affliction or prosperity, that divine law is all their pleasure, and all their consolation.

PSALM CXIX. 145-176.

David calls God to his assistance, prays him to look upon his affliction, and to defend his cause against the great ones that persecuted him. He declares that all his desire is to keep the law of his God, to praise him and glorify him during his whole life.

Reflections.

THE instructions which this last part of the 119th Psalm suggests to us, are the following; I. That in all our troubles we should apply ourselves to God, to ask of him, not only the deliverances we stand in need of, but above all things, grace to please and obey him. II. That the law of God should be our greatest delight, and to meditate on his divine word

the general employment of our lives. III. That God sees the sufferings of his people, and hears their prayers; but that he is far from the wicked, and will not deliver them. IV. That God has annexed a glorious reward, and perfect happiness to the observation of his law. This David assures us, when he says, that there is great peace to those who love his law, and that nothing shall offend them. The last reflection is, That we ought to dedicate our whole lives to God, desire to employ them in his service, and to the glory of his name; and beseech him to grant us all necessary assistance to this purpose. This is David's earnest prayer at the end of this Psalm, where he says, Lord, let my soul live, that it may praise thee. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant, and I will not forget thy commandments.

General Reflections on Psalm cxix.

THAT this Psalm may be read with improvement, it will be convenient to add to the particular reflections already made, these three principal reflections; I. That the law of God is most excellent, and its effects most wonderful. David teaches us, that this divine law is the most perfect; that it is a heavenly light which enlightens us; that it gives us understanding; that it purifies and rejoices the heart; that it supports us in afflictions; that it gives us unspeakable peace of conscience; and that it is infinitely better than all the treasures and riches of this world. II. In this Psalm we learn to distinguish good men. They are sincere and upright in their ways; they do that which is right; they walk in the law of the Lord, and meditate on it day and night; they love God and his word with all their heart; they abstain from evil, and from the company of the wicked; they join themselves to the righteous; they are struck with terror at the sight of God's judgments; they trust in him, and are calm and patient under afflictions. III. Lastly, This Psalm is full of many excellent prayers, which should be continually

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