Wesley's Notes on the Bible ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 119:6 Respect - A due respect, which implies hearty affection, diligent study, and constant practice. To all - So as not to allow myself in any known sin, or in the neglect of any known duty.
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 119:7 When - When by thy good spirit I shall he more fitly instructed in the meaning of thy word.
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. 119:8 Forsake me not - For then I shall fall into the foulest sins.
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 119:9 A young man - Or, any man. But he names the young man, because such are commonly void of wisdom and experience, and exposed to many and great temptations. Cleanse - Purge himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 119:11 Hid - I have laid it up in my mind like a choice treasure, to be ready upon all occasions to counsel, quicken or caution me.
Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 119:17 Live - Safely and comfortably.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 119:18 Open - Enlighten my mind by the light of thy Holy Spirit, and dispel all ignorance and error. Behold - Those great and marvellous depths of Divine wisdom and goodness, and those profound mysteries of Christ, and God's grace to mankind, and of that everlasting state, which are not to be known but by Divine illumination.
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 119:19 A stranger - I am not here as in my home, but as a pilgrim travelling homeward in a strange land. Commandments - Which are my chief support and guide in my pilgrimage.
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. 119:20 Breaketh - Faints, as it frequently does, when a thing vehemently desired is delayed. Judgments - To a more sound knowledge and serious practice of them.
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. 119:21 The proud - Obstinate and presumptuous sinners, who sin with an high hand. Err - Or, wander, knowingly or wilfully.
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellers.
DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. 119:25 The dust - I am in danger of present death: I am like one laid in the grave. Quicken - Preserve my life, or raise me out of the dust. Word - According to thy promise.
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. 119:26 My ways - My sins; and all my cares, and fears, and troubles.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. 119:27 Understand - More throughly.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 119:28 Melteth - Like wax before the fire.
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. 119:29 Grant me - Vouchsafe me an accurate knowledge of thy word, and let me govern myself by it in all things.
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. 119:30 Laid - Or, set before me as a mark to aim at; as a rule to direct me.
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 119:32 Run - I will obey thy precepts with all readiness, fervency, and diligence. Enlarge - When thou shalt replenish my heart with wisdom, and love to thee and thy law.
HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 119:36 Covetousness - He mentions this in particular, because it is most opposite to God's testimonies, and does most commonly hinder men from receiving his word, and from profiting by it: and because it is most pernicious, as being the root of all evil.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. 119:37 Vanity - The vain things of this present world, such as riches, honours, pleasures: from beholding them, with desire or affection. Quicken - Make me lively, vigorous and fervent in thy service.
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. 119:38 Stablish - Confirm and perform thy promises.
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 119:39 I fear - For my instability in thy ways; which in respect to my own weakness, I have great cause to fear.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. 119:40 Longed - After a more solid knowledge and constant performance of them. In - According to thy faithfulness.
VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. 119:43 Take not - Do not deal so with me, that I shall be ashamed to mention thy word. Judgments - In thy word.
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. 119:45 At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways.
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. 119:48 Lift up - To receive and embrace thy precepts and promises.
ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 119:49 Thy word - Thy promises.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. 119:52 Judgments - Thy ancient dispensations to the children of men in punishing the ungodly.
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. 119:53 Horror - A mixed passion, made up of abhorrence of their sins, and dread and sorrow at the consideration of the judgments of God coming upon them.
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. 119:54 The house - In this world, wherein I am a stranger and pilgrim, as all my fathers were.
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. 119:55 Thy name - Thy holy nature and attributes, thy blessed word, and thy wonderful works. In the night - When darkness causes fear in others, I took pleasure in remembering thee; and when others gave themselves up to sleep, my thoughts and affections were working towards thee.
This I had, because I kept thy precepts. 119:56 This - This comfortable remembrance.
CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. 119:57 Said - I have professed and owned it.
I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. 119:59 Thought - I seriously considered both my former courses, and my duty in all my future actions.
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. 119:61 Robbed - Done me many injuries, for my respect to thy law.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. 119:66 Judgment - Whereby I may rightly discern between truth and falsehood. Knowledge - A spiritual experimental knowledge.
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. 119:70 Fat - They are stupid and insensible.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. 119:74 Glad - For the encouragement they have by my example to trust in God. See me - Alive and in safety. Word - In thy promise, and have not been disappointed of my hope.
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 119:75 Judgments - Thy corrections. Of faithfulness - In pursuance of thy promises, and in order to my good.
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. 119:79 Known - Loved and practised them.
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. 119:80 Sound - That I may love and obey them sincerely, constantly, and universally.
CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. 119:81 Fainteth - With long desire and earnest expectation.
Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. 119:83 Bottle - A leathern bottle. My natural moisture is dryed and burnt up.
How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 119:84 The days - The days of my life. I have but a little while to live; give me some respite before I die.
The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. 119:85 Who - Who have no respect to thy law.
All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. 119:86 Faithful - Just and true.
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 119:89 In heaven - With thee in thy heavenly habitation.
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. 119:91 They - The heaven and the earth. Ordinances - As thou hast appointed. For - All things are subject to thy power and pleasure.
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. 119:96 Perfection - Of the greatest and most perfect enjoyments in this world. Commandment - Thy word; one part of it being put for the whole. Broad - Or, large, both for extent, and for continuance: it is useful to all persons: it is of everlasting truth and efficacy; it will never deceive those who trust to it, as all worldly things will, but will make men happy both here and for ever.
MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. 119:100 Because - The practice of religion is the best way to understand it.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. 119:102 Taught me - By thy blessed spirit, illuminating my mind, and working upon my heart.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. 119:108 Offerings - The sacrifices of prayer and praise.
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. 119:109 Is - Exposed to perpetual danger.
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. 119:118 Deceit - Their deceitful devices, shall bring that destruction upon themselves which they design for others.
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. 119:121 Judgment, and c. - Just judgment.
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. 119:122 Surety - Do thou undertake and plead my cause.
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. 119:123 The word - For the performance of thy faithful or merciful promise.
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. 119:126 To work - To put forth thy power for the restraint of evil - doers. They - The wicked. Made void - Or, abrogated thy law, have openly cast off its authority.
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. 119:127 Therefore - Because the general apostacy of others makes this duty more necessary.
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 119:129 Wonderful - In regard of the deep mysteries, the most excellent directions, and the exceeding great and precious promises of God contained in them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. 119:131 Panted - I thirst after thy precepts, and pursue them eagerly.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 119:133 Steps - My motions and actions.
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. 119:136 Rivers - Plentiful tears, witness of my deep sorrow for God's dishonour, and for the miseries which sinners bring upon themselves.
TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. 119:140 Pure - Without the least mixture of falsehood.
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. 119:142 Everlasting - The same in all ages and places.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. 119:143 Trouble - Outward troubles and anguish of spirit.
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
KOPH. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. 119:148 Watches - The middle watch, which was set in the middle of the night; and the morning watch, which was set some hours before the dawning of the day.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment. 119:149 Judgment - According to thy word.
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. 119:150 Nigh - To me, they are at hand and ready to seize upon me. Are far - They cast away from them all thoughts of thy law.
Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. 119:152 Of old - By long experience. Founded - Thou hast established them upon everlasting foundations.
RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. 119:160 The beginning - From the beginning of the world.
SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. 119:161 But - But I feared thine offence and displeasure more than their wrath.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. 119:164 Seven times - Many times; a certain number being put for an uncertain.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 119:165 Offend - Heb. they shall have no stumbling - block, at which they shall stumble and fall into mischief.
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. 119:175 Judgments - Thy word or testimonies, which are the only ground of my hope in thy help.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
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