The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 112

Hie one fear being lest he should prove unworthy, and be a~hamed (vers. 6, 7, 22, 31). If we were to look for one in whom the various coD.ditions of authorship meet, we should turn to the Book of Daniel; either he himself, or one of those three noble Hebrew youths his book tells of, might well have been the writer of this psalm. 11. WHEREFORE IT WAS WRITTEN, 1. Perhaps as a memoir of the writers OW7I, experience, and for his own help. 2. But yet more probably for the instruction of others, Hence the alphabetic, acrostic style, which was adopted as an aid to memory; just as preachers now divide their sermons into various heads. 3 . .Ar,d fur the glory· of God-tbat his grace might be praised. 4. For the commendatim of the Word of God. 'l'he psalmist would b1·ar his emphatic tes[imony to the preciousness of that Word. 6. And for the stirring up of those who should read the psalm to dilig,nt search for the treasures of that Word. Personal testimony such as is so largely given iu this psalm has ever great power over the minds of others. III. hs GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 1. It is from a believer to believers. 'l'he infidel and scoffer are not contemplated in the design of the psalm. 2. It is for the edification and growth in holiness of the people of God. 3. It is intensely spiritual, Rites and ceremonies and appeals to the mere reason are absent from it; it speaks to the soul. 4. lt is universal in character. Limited to no one period, to no one land, to no one nation, but for all. 5, Its spiritual force and power are witnessed to by tM God-fearing of all ages.-S. C. Vcrs. 1-116.-0haracteristics of the Word of God as declared by tl1e variow name, given to it in this psalm. '!'here are eight such names. I. IT IB CALLED THE "LAW." (Vers.1, 18, 34, etc.) The word implies that which rules guides, directs, therefore a rule of conduct. And this was evidently the psalmist's meaning. God's Word was not something to be merely talked about, praised, or argued over, but it was to order a man's life, and be his constant guide. II. "TESTIMONIES." 'l'he word signifies that which bears witness to. And the Word of God is this. 1. It bears witness to us of God, and of his will concerning us; and: 2. It bears witness to our hearts of the acceptableness or wrong of our lives and conduct in the sight of God. It will ever bear true testimony; which it is at our peril if we neglect. By it God's sentence upon us will be determined. III. "PRECEPTS," This expression comes from a word which signifies "that which is entrusted to us." And so God's Word is the deposit of faith, which we are to keep and guard. St. Paul declared, at the end of his career, "I have kept the faith;" and he exhorted 'l'imothy to "keep that which was committed unto" him. We shall be asked at the last what we have done with this precious entrustment. God's words to ue are the talents which, whilst he is absent from our sight, we are to "occupy," that is, trade with, until the Lord comes. IV. "STATUTES." The term is derived from a word which tells of that which i• engraved, definitely and clearly drawn, as a chart, a map, o.nd so prescribes the wo.y that is to be taken, And is not this true of the Word of God? ls it not ever saying to us, "This is the way, walk ye in it"? How clear and ple.iu is the course it mark~ out for us I And, perhaps, the psalmist thought also of the depth and clearness with which this word is written on the human heart, and especially on the believing heart. There God has engraved deeply and definitely his will for us. Christ, the Word, is the Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. V. "CoMMANDMENTB," The.t which is ordained, as the commander of an army orders what is to be done. God's people are the army of the living God, and in this holy war success is only to be gained by strict and diligent obedience to his commands. VI. "JunGMENTS." This expression is used of the verdict in a court of law, that which has legal sanction, and which governs the sentence of the judge. And so the Word of God is the Divine sentence, and is in accordance with the law of nature, of reason, and of righteousness. Who are we to eet up our flimsy ideas against the precedents, principles, and judgments of the righteous Judge? VII. "Woen." (Vers. 9, 11, 17, etc.) This answers to that sacred nnme of Christ, who ie the Word of God. It tells, not of a writlen letter, a series of documents drawn up by men; but it is that inner word of God which the spirit of man hears-it may be  12! 'l'HE BOOK or PSALMS. [1'B. CXIX, 1-liO,