The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 102

Word (comp. Pe. xl. 2). And let not any 67, 69. etc.). Yet thy commandments are iniquity (i.e. any wicked persons) have my delight. I am happy in the midst of dominion over me. 'l'he prayer is not for my troubles, for the j >y that I have in thy deliverance from internal corruption, but Worrl (see vere. 16, 35, 47, 77, 174). from the external oppression of enemies Ver. 144.-The righteousness of thy testi- (eee the next ver~e). monies ie everlasting (comp. vers. 138, 142, Ver. 134.-Deliver me from the oppression 152). Give ms understanding, and I shall of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Out live; i.e. "give me full nnclerstanding or of gratitude for thy interposition. thy commandments, of their depth and Ver. 135.-Make thy fa.ea to shine upon brearlth and exceeding excellence." Then thy senant (comp. Pas. iv. 6; xliv. 3, etc.). shall I truly "live." My spirit will shake And taacll me thy ate.tutes (see the com- off its torpor, and be quickened iuto a" life" ment on ver. 124). that will deael'.Ve the name. Vflt. 136.-Rivers of waters ruu down mine eyes; literally, mine 61Je8 run down [with] p KOPIL ri1Jer8 of water ( comp. Lam. iii 48; and see also Jer. ix. 1; xiv.17). Because they keep Ver. 145.-I cried with my whole heart; not thy Law (cowp. ver. 53). hear me, 0 Lord. "Earuest and patient prayer for grace" (Kay) seems to be in- tended, not mere prayer for deiivere.nce. I ~ TZADDL will keep thy statutes. If thou bee.rest and answerest my prayer, I shall have both the Ver. 137.-Righteous art thou, 0 Lord will and the power to keep thy command- ( comp. P•s. vii. ll; xi. 7; xxv. 8 ; cxvi. 5; ment~. cxlv. 17). And upright are thy judgments Ver. 146.-I cried unto thea; save me, (see vere. 106, 160, lti4). and I shall keep thy testimonies. The Ver. 138.-Thytestimonies that thou hast thought of ver. 145 is repeated in other commanded are righteous and very faithful; words. literally, righteoumes, and very faithfulneBB Ver. 147.-I prevented the dawning of the (eee the Revised Version). "Harsh and morning, and cried (comp. ver. 62). Even- severe as thy testimonies may seem, they ing, morning, and noonday were tl.te three are all thoroughly for mo.u'e highest good" ueue.l times of prayer (Pa. h-. 17). 'fha (Kay). writer could not wait for morning. Either Ver. 139.-My zeal hath oonsnmed me he woke up to pray e.t midnight, or at any (comp. Pe. lxix. 9). Because mine enemies rate he untioipated the dawn, nnd beg(LU his have forgotten thy words (see above, vers. morning prayer while it was still dark. I 53, 136). The psalmist was at once grieved hoped in thy Word. Hope was so strong iu and angered by man's disobedience to God's him that it did not suffer him to rest. commandments (comp. Pa. cx:xxix. 21). Ver. 148.-Mi.ne eyes prevent the night Ver. 140.-Thy Word is very pure; or, watohes. As ver. HG is o. repolitiou of ver. "ie purged, assayed, tried in the fire." 145, so this verse is very uearly a repetition God's "promises" ure especially meant, of ver. 147. The only change of idea ie in which the course of events tests. Therefore the second elo.uee--that I might msditata thy servant loveth it (comp. vere. 07, 113, in thy Word; or, "on thy prowiso "-which 119, 127, 159, 163). m~kes meditation ro.thor than prayer tho Ver. 141.-I am small and dospieed (comp. psalmist's objeot iu hio e1uly rising. vers. 22, 51 ). Some tro.nelate, " I am young." Ver. 149.-Hear my voioo aocording unto But the writer can soucely have been really thy loving-kindness; i.e. "heo.r me, nud, a youn" man. Hie thoughts are the thou~hts according to thy mercy, gmut ruy prayer." of oue ~ho has had much experienco of life. 0 Lord, quicken me acoording to thy judg- Yet do not I forget thy precepts. As do ment; or, "according to the rules that thou those that persecute me (see ver. 139). settest thyself" (comp. ver. 132). Ver. 142.-Thy righteou1ne■1 is an ever- Ver. 150.-They draw nigh; i.e. come laating rightnune11. With God there is near me to throe.ten me. That follow after "no variableness, neither shadow or turn- miaohief; or," after wickedness." They are ing" (Jas. i. 27). Hie righteouenese (;,piY) far from thy Law (comp. vere. 21, 53, 118, ie puro abstract right (piY), one and the 126, 136, eto.). same always-not shifting, like human Ver. 151.-Thou a.rt near, 0 Lord. If ideo.s of justice. And thy Law is the tru~h. "U,ey draw nigh," stil.l more near art thou, An embodiment of that immuto.ble moroltty ready to succour aud defend 11,nd save (eotnp. which rests upon a ho.sis of absolute eterual Pe. cxlv. 18). And nil thy comm"ndmenta truth. are truth (comp. ver. 142, "Tby Lnw is Ver .143.-Trouble and anguiah have taken the truth;" and see the cowwent ou lhat bold on me (oowp. vere. 22, 23, 28, 50, 51, 61, pa.eeege).  112 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PB, OXIX, 1-176