Psalm 119:17-24 ג

ג Gimel

Be good to your servant while I live,
    that I may obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
I am a stranger on earth;
    do not hide your commands from me.
My soul is consumed with longing
    for your laws at all times.
You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
    those who stray from your commands.
Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

• Psalm 119:17-24

Type of Psalm

Didactic psalms: These psalms are psalms that are intended to teach.  In most cases the psalm instructs us in moral principles.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“This is a psalm by itself, like none of the rest; it excels them all, and shines brightest in this constellation. It is much longer than any of them more than twice as long as any of them. It is not making long prayers that Christ censurers, but making them for a pretence, which intimates that they are in themselves good and commendable. It seems to me to be a collection of David’s pious and devout ejaculations, the short and sudden breathings and elevations of his soul to God, which he wrote down as they occurred, and, towards the latter end of his time, gathered out of his day-book where they lay scattered, added to them many like words, and digested them into this psalm, in which there is seldom any coherence between the verses, but, like Solomon’s proverbs, it is a chest of gold rings, not a chain of gold links. And we may not only learn, by the psalmist’s example, to accustom ourselves to such pious ejaculations, which are an excellent means of maintaining constant communion with God, and keeping the heart in frame for the more solemn exercises of religion, but we must make use of the psalmist’s words, both for the exciting and for the expressing of our devout affections; what some have said of this psalm is true, “He that shall read it considerately, it will either warm him or shame him.” The composition of it is singular and very exact. It is divided into twenty-two parts, according to the number of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and each part consists of eight verses, all the verses of the first part beginning with Aleph, all the verses of the second with Beth, and so on, without any flaw throughout the whole psalm. Archbishop Tillotson says, It seems to have more of poetical skill and number in it than we at this distance can easily understand. Some have called it the saints’ alphabet; and it were to be wished we had it as ready in our memories as the very letters of our alphabet, as ready as our A B C. Perhaps the penman found it of use to himself to observe this method, as it obliged him to seek for thoughts, and search for them, that he might fill up the quota of every part; and the letter he was to begin with might lead him to a word which might suggest a good sentence; and all little enough to raise any thing that is good in the barren soil of our hearts. However, it would be of use to the learners, a help to them both in committing it to memory and in calling it to mind upon occasion; by the letter the first word would be got, and that would bring in the whole verse; thus young people would the more easily learn it by heart and retain it the better even in old age. If any censure it as childish and trifling, because acrostics are now quite out of fashion, let them know that the royal psalmist despises their censure; he is a teacher of babes, and, if this method may be beneficial to them, he can easily stoop to it; if this to be vile, he will be yet more vile.

II. The general scope and design of it is to magnify the law, and make it honourable; to set forth the excellency and usefulness of divine revelation, and to recommend it to us, not only for the entertainment, but for the government, of ourselves, by the psalmist’s own example, who speaks by experience of the benefit of it, and of the good impressions made upon him by it, for which he praises God, and earnestly prays, from first to last, for the continuance of God’s grace with him, to direct and quicken him in the way of his duty. There are ten different words by which divine revelation is called in this psalm, and they are synonymous, each of them expressive of the whole compass of it (both that which tells us what God expects from us and that which tells us that we may expect from him) and of the system of religion which is founded upon it and guided by it. The things contained in the scripture, and drawn from it, are here called, 1. God’s law, because they are enacted by him as our Sovereign. 2. His way, because they are the rule both of his providence and of our obedience. 3. His testimonies, because they are solemnly declared to the world and attested beyond contradiction. 4. His commandments, because given with authority, and (as the word signifies) lodged with us as a trust. 5. His precepts, because prescribed to us and not left indifferent. 6. His word, or saying, because it is the declaration of his mind, and Christ, the essential eternal Word, is all in all in it. 7. His judgments, because framed in infinite wisdom, and because by them we must both judge and be judged. 8. His righteousness, because it is all holy, just, and good, and the rule and standard of righteousness. 9. His statutes, because they are fixed and determined, and of perpetual obligation. His truth, or faithfulness, because the principles upon which the divine law is built are eternal truths. And I think there is but one verse (it is ver. 122) in all this long psalm in which there is not one or other of these ten words; only in three or four they are used concerning God’s providence or David’s practice (as ver. 75, 84, 122), and ver. 132 they are called God’s name. The great esteem and affection David had for the word of God is the more admirable considering how little he had of it, in comparison with what we have, no more perhaps in writing than the first books of Moses, which were but the dawning of this day, which may shame us who enjoy the full discoveries of divine revelation and yet are so cold towards it. In singing this psalm there is work for all the devout affections of a sanctified soul, so copious, so various, is the matter of it. We here find that in which we must give glory to God both as our ruler and great benefactor, that in which we are to teach and admonish ourselves and one another (so many are the instructions which we here find about a religious life), and that in which we are to comfort and encourage ourselves and one another, so many are the sweet experiences of one that lived such a life. Here is something or other to suit the case of every Christian. Isa. any afflicted? Isa. any merry? Each will find that here which is proper for him. And it is so far from being a tedious repetition of the same thing, as may seem to those who look over it cursorily, that, if we duly meditate upon it, we shall find almost every verse has a new thought and something in it very lively. And this, as many other of David’s psalms, teaches us to be sententious in our devotions, both alone and when others join with us; for, ordinarily, the affections, especially of weaker Christians, are more likely to be raised and kept by short expressions, the sense of which lies in a little compass, than by long and laboured periods.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 119:18 “I must close the eyes of my mind if I want to see what God is showing me. God makes me blind when he wants to have me see his word (Ps. 119:18). …  It is a new prayer daily, when we open our eyes in the morning and when we close them at night, that God will give us enlightened eyes of the heart that stay open when the day tries to deceive our natural eyes and when the night deludes us into evil dreams – open, enlightened eyes that are always filled with the wonders of the law of God. … When God opens our eyes for his word, we see into a world of miracles. What previously appeared dead to me is full of life, what was contradictory resolves itself in higher unity, and the hard demand becomes the graceful commandment. In the middle of human words I hear God’s eternal word; in past history I perceive the present God and his work for my salvation. Merciful words of comfort become a new demand of God; the unbearable burden becomes a gentle yoke. The great miracle in the law of God is the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through him the Word receives life, what is contradictory gains unity, and what is obvious acquires unfathomable depth. Lord, open my eyes.”

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I Want to Live These Days with You, devotional compiled from several of his writings (Devotion for October 8, Knowing and Seeing)

My Thoughts

This psalm is not attributed to any author.

These verses start with Gimel, ג.

Gimel starts with something like the prayer of Jabez.  “Lord, I want to obey your law.  I am your humble servant.  Give me what I need so that I can stay faithful to you.”

Some of us have eaten humble pie when we did not get what we thought was our very needs, but we did not violate God’s law in order to obtain those things.  In fact, in spite of all the hardship, we made it through.  Psalm 119:17 is not a prosperity gospel request.  It is a request of just enough so that I should not, with a heart for God, ever want to look elsewhere.

Then the psalmist requests eyes to see God’s law.  He wants to understand what God meant so that he can follow God’s Law to the letter.

God does not like the arrogant.  They are accursed, but they torment those who follow God’s law.

Even though others slander me, I cherish God’s Law.

Psalm 119:25-32 ד

ד Daleth

I am laid low in the dust;
    preserve my life according to your word.
I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.
Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
    be gracious to me and teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
    do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have broadened my understanding.

• Psalm 119:25-32

Type of Psalm

Didactic psalms: These psalms are psalms that are intended to teach.  In most cases the psalm instructs us in moral principles.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

• See Psalm 119:17-24 ג above.

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 119:27 ”A number of years ago, I heard a Chinese man say, after going through two terrible wars and losing every member of his family, that he had come to realize his best times with God were early in the morning. In fact, he said, ‘I live by the motto: No Bible, no Breakfast.’ l don’t remember anything else he said aside from his circumstances and that statement.”

• Charles R. Swindoll, Bedtime Blessings

My Thoughts

This psalm is not attributed to any author.

These verses start with Daleth, ד.

Daleth is in part a lament.  The psalmist is made low, full of sorrow.  People have been deceitful, and he wants God to protect him from that deceit.

Again, the psalmist asks for God to teach him the Law.  The psalmist wants to be faithful, but he also does not wish to be put to shame for his faithfulness.

Psalm 119:33-40 ה

ה He

Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
    and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
    for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life according to your word.
Fulfill your promise to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
    for your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.

• Psalm 119:33-40

Type of Psalm

Didactic psalms: These psalms are psalms that are intended to teach.  In most cases the psalm instructs us in moral principles.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

• See Psalm 119:17-24 ג above.

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 119:33-40 “The commitment to God’s word. He expresses his total dedication to the Lord’s statutes … I will always keep them (119:33). He asks that God would bless such a commitment by turning his heart from dishonest profit and his eyes from what is worthless (119:36-37). He desires a life of value, not one of disgrace (119:39). Devotion to the word can provide such a life.”

• Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary

My Thoughts

This psalm is not attributed to any author.

These verses start with He, ה.

Again, the psalmist asks for understanding of God’s Law.  He wants to obey.  He wants his heart turned toward God’s Law.  I have often used the idea of keeping my eyes on Jesus in order to not stray from the proper path.  This is what the psalmist is saying here.

And while keeping our eyes on Jesus, the psalmist wants God to put the blinders on.  He does not wish to see worthless things.  We can take nothing of this world with us other than the love God puts in our hearts, thus everything of this world is worthless.

But God, keep Your promises.  My enemies cannot scoff me when You make it clear that my needs are met.  And Lord, You preserve my life.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

Psalm 119:17-24 ג

“1. What 8 ‘G-words’ describe your group’s opinion of Bible study?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Psalm 119:25-32 ד

“1. What 8 ‘D-words’ describe your group’s opinion of Bible study?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Psalm 119:33-40 ה

“1. What 8 ‘H-words’ describe your group’s opinion of Bible study?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

There is one set of questions for each of these psalms.  It is the same question, but who among you is the poet who can spin those 8 words into a story of how wonderful our God is?

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.