Psalm 119:59-64 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies. I. THE COURSE WHICH DAVID HERE TOOK FOR THE REFORMING OF HIS LIFE. 1. This thinking on our ways may signify a general survey and examination of our lives; respecting indifferently our good and bad actions. And this, no doubt, is an admirable means to improve men in virtue, a most effectual way to keep our consciences continually waking and tender. 2. This thinking of our ways may particularly and specially refer to the sins and miscarriages of our lives. (1) The taking of a particular account of our sins, together with the several circumstances and aggravations of them. (2) A hearty trouble and sorrow for them; "I thought on my ways;" that is, I laid them sadly to heart. (3) A serious consideration of the evil and unreasonableness of a sinful course. (4) A due sense of the fearful and fatal consequences of a wicked life. (5) A full conviction of the necessity of quitting of this course. (6) An apprehension of the possibility of doing this. II. THE SUCCESS OF THIS COURSE. It produced actual and speedy reformation. I do not say that this change is perfectly made at once. A state of sin and holiness are not like two ways that are just parted by a line, so as a man may step out of the one full into the other; but they are like two ways that lead to two very distant places, and consequently are at a good distance from one another; and the farther any man hath travelled in the one, the farther he is from the other; so that it requires time and pains to pass from the one to the other. Conclusion: — 1. Consideration is the proper act of reasonable creatures (Isaiah 46:8). 2. This is the end of God's patience and longsuffering towards us — to bring us to consideration. 3. Consideration is that which we must all come to one time or other. When we come to die, then we shall think of our ways with trouble and vexation enough; and how glad would we then be, that we had time to consider them? And, perhaps, while we are wishing for more time, eternity will swallow us up. To be sure, in the other world, a great part of the misery of wicked men will consist in furious reflections upon themselves, and the evil actions of their lives. But, alas l it will then be too late to consider; for then consideration will do us no good. (Archbishop Tillotson.) Parallel Verses KJV: I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.WEB: I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes. |
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