Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 118

Overview:
The general scope and design of this psalm is to magnify the
Divine Law, and make it honourable. There are ten words By which
Divine Revelation is called in this psalm, and each expresses
what God expects from us, and what we may expect from him.
1. God's Law; this is enacted By him as our Sovereign.
2. His way; this is the rule of his Providence.
3. His testimonies; they are solemnly declared to the world.
4. His Commandments; given with authority.
5. His precepts; not left as indifferent matters to us.
6. His Word, or saying; it is the declaration of his mind.
7. His judgments; framed in infinite Wisdom.
8. His Righteousness; it is the rule and standard of what is
right.
9. His statutes; they are always binding.
10. His Truth or faithfulness; it is eternal Truth, it shall
endure for ever.

1-8 This psalm may be considered as the statement of a
believer's experience. As far as our views, desires, and
affections agree with what is here expressed, they come from the
influences of the Holy Spirit, and No further. The pardoning
Mercy of God in Christ, is the only source of a sinner's
happiness. And those are most happy, who are preserved most free
from the defilement of Sin, who simply believe God's
testimonies, and depend On his promises. If the Heart be divided
between him and the world, it is evil. But the saints carefully
avoid all Sin; they are conscious of much evil that clogs them
in the ways of God, but not of that wickedness which draws them
out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they
are at liberty to follow the Word of God or not, as they please.
But the desire and Prayer of a good Man agree with the will and
command of God. If a Man expects By obedience in one thing to
purchase indulgence for disobedience in others, his hypocrisy
will be detected; if he is not ashamed in this world,
Everlasting shame will be his portion. The psalmist coveted to
learn the laws of God, to give God the Glory. And believers see
that if God forsakes them, the temper will be too hard for them.

9-16 To original corruption all have added actual Sin. The ruin
of the young is either living By No rule at all, or choosing
false rules: let them walk By Scripture rules. To doubt of our
own Wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the
purpose of Holiness is sincere. God's Word is treasure worth
laying up, and there is No laying it up safe but in our hearts,
that we may oppose God's precepts to the dominion of Sin, his
promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its
violence. Let this be our plea with Him to teach us his
statutes, that, being partakers of his Holiness, we may also
partake of his blessedness. And those whose hearts are fed with
the Bread of Life, should with their lips feed many. In the way
of God's Commandments there is the unsearchable riches of
Christ. But we do not meditate On God's precepts to good
purpose, unless our good thoughts produce good Works. I will not
only think of thy statutes, but do them with delight. And it
will be Well to try the sincerity of our obedience By tracing
the Spring of it; the reality of our Love By cheerfulness in
appointed duties.

17-24 If God deals in strict Justice with us, we all perish. We
ought to spend our lives in his service; we shall find true Life
in keeping his Word. Those that would see the wondrous things of
God's Law and Gospel, must Beg him to give them understanding,
By the Light of his Spirit. Believers feel themselves strangers
On Earth; they fear missing their way, and losing comfort By
erring from God's Commandments. Every sanctified soul hungers
after the Word of God, as Food which there is No living without.
There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful Sin.
God can silence lying lips; reproach and contempt may humble and
do us good, and then they shall be removed. Do we find the
weight of the Cross is above that we are able to Bear? He that
bore it for us will enable us to Bear it; upheld By him we
cannot sink. It is sad when those who should protect the
innocent, are their betrayers. The psalmist went On in duty, and
he found comfort in the Word of God. The comforts of the Word of
God are most pleasant to a gracious soul, when other comforts
are made Bitter; and those that would have God's testimonies to
be their delight, must be advised By them. May the Lord direct
us in exercising Repentance of Sin, and Faith in Christ.

25-32 While the souls of the children of this world cleave to
the Earth as their portion, the children of Light are greatly
burdened, because of the remains of Carnal affections in their
hearts. It is unspeakable comfort to a gracious soul, to think
with what tenderness all its complaints are received By a
gracious God. We can talk of the wonders of redeeming Love, when
we understand the way of God's precepts, and walk in that way.
The penitent melts in sorrow for Sin: even the patient Spirit
may melt in the sense of affliction, it is then its interest to
pour out its soul before God. The way of lying means all false
ways By which men deceive themselves and others, or are deceived
By Satan and his instruments. Those who know and Love the Law of
the Lord, desire to know it more, and Love it better. The way of
serious Godliness is the way of Truth; the only true way to
happiness: we must always have actual regard to it. Those who
stick to the Word of God, may in Faith expect and pray for
acceptance with God. Lord, never leave me to do that By which I
shall shame myself, and do not thou reject my services. Those
that are going to Heaven, should still press forward. God, By
his Spirit, enlarges the hearts of his people when he gives them
Wisdom. The believer prays to be set free from Sin.

33-40 Teach me thy statutes, not the mere words, but the way of
applying them to myself. God, By his Spirit, gives a right
understanding. But the Spirit of Revelation in the Word will not
suffice, unless we have the Spirit of Wisdom in the Heart. God
puts his Spirit within us, causing us to walk in his statutes.
The Sin here prayed against is Covetousness. Those that would
have the Love of God rooted in them, must get the Love of the
world rooted out; for the friendship of the world is Enmity with
God. Quicken me in thy way; to redeem time, and to do every duty
with liveliness of Spirit. Beholding vanity deadens us, and
slackens our pace; a traveller must not stand gazing upon every
object that presents itself to his view. The promises of God's
Word greatly relate to the preservation of the true believer.
When Satan has drawn a Child of God into worldly compliances, he
will reproach him with the falls into which he led him. Victory
must come from the Cross of Christ. When we enjoy the sweetness
of God's precepts, it will make us long for more acquaintance
with them. And where God has wrought to will, he will work to
do.

41-48 Lord, I have By Faith thy mercies in view; let me By
Prayer prevail to obtain them. And when the Salvation of the
saints is completed, it will plainly appear that it was not in
vain to trust in God's Word. We need to pray that we may never
be afraid or ashamed to own God's truths and ways before men.
And the psalmist resolves to keep God's Law, in a constant
course of obedience, without backsliding. The service of Sin is
slavery; the service of God is liberty. There is No full
happiness, or perfect liberty, but in keeping God's Law. We must
never be ashamed or afraid to own our religion. The more delight
we take in the service of God, the nearer we come to Perfection.
Not only consent to his Law as good, but take pleasure in it as
good for us. Let me Put forth all the strength I have, to do it.
Something of this mind of Christ is in every true Disciple.

49-56 Those that make God's promises their portion, may with
humble boldness make them their plea. He that By his Spirit
Works Faith in us, will work for us. The Word of God speaks
comfort in affliction. If, through Grace, it makes us holy,
there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions. Let us
be certain we have the Divine Law for what we believe, and then
let not scoffers prevail upon us to decline from it. God's
judgments of old comfort and encourage us, for he is still the
same. Sin is horrible in the eyes of all that are sanctified.
Ere long the believer will be absent from the body, and present
with the Lord. In the mean time, the statutes of the Lord supply
subjects for grateful praise. In the season of affliction, and
in the silent hours of the night, he remembers the name of the
Lord, and is stirred up to keep the Law. All who have made
religion the first thing, will own that they have been
unspeakable gainers By it.

57-64 True believers take the Lord for the portion of their
inheritance, and nothing less will satisfy them. The psalmist
prayed with his whole Heart, knowing how to value the blessing
he prayed for: he desired the Mercy promised, and depended On
the promise for it. He turned from By-paths, and returned to
God's testimonies. He delayed not. It behooves sinners to hasten
to escape; and the believer will be equally in haste to Glorify
God. No care or grief should take away God's Word out of our
minds, or hinder the comfort it bestows. There is No situation
On Earth in which a believer has not cause to be thankful. Let
us feel ashamed that others are more willing to keep from sleep
to spend the time in sinful pleasures, than we are to praise
God. And we should be more Earnest in Prayer, that our hearts
may be filled with his Mercy, Grace, and peace.

65-72 However God has dealt with us, he has dealt with us
better than we deserve; and all in Love, and for our good. Many
have knowledge, but little Judgment; those who have both, are
fortified against the snares of Satan, and furnished for the
service of God. We are most apt to wander from God, when we are
easy in the world. We should leave our concerns to the disposal
of God, seeing we know not what is good for us. Lord, thou art
our bountiful Benefactor; incline our hearts to Faith and
obedience. The psalmist will go On in his duty with constancy
and resolution. The proud are full of the world, and its wealth
and pleasures; these make them senseless, secure, and stupid.
God visits his people with affliction, that they may learn his
statutes. Not only God's promises, but even his Law, his
percepts, though hard to ungodly men, are desirable, and
profitable, because they lead us with safety and delight unto
eternal Life.

73-80 God made us to serve him, and enjoy him; but By Sin we
have made ourselves unfit to serve him, and to enjoy him. We
ought, therefore, continually to beseech him, By his Holy
Spirit, to give us understanding. The comforts some have in God,
should be matter of joy to others. But it is easy to own, that
God's judgments are right, until it comes to be our own case.
All supports under affliction must come from Mercy and
compassion. The mercies of God are tender mercies; the mercies
of a Father, the compassion of a mother to her son. They come to
us when we are not able to go to them. Causeless reproach does
not hurt, and should not move us. The psalmist could go On in
the way of his duty, and find comfort in it. He valued the good
will of saints, and was desirous to keep up his Communion with
them. Soundness of Heart signifies sincerity in dependence On
God, and devotedness to him.

81-88 The psalmist sought deliverance from his sins, his foes,
and his fears. Hope deferred made him faint; his eyes failed By
looking out for this expected Salvation. But when the eyes fail,
yet Faith must not. His affliction was great. He was become like
a leathern Bottle, which, if hung up in the smoke, is dried and
shrivelled up. We must ever be mindful of God's statutes. The
days of the believer's mourning shall be ended; they are but for
a moment, compared with eternal happiness. His enemies used
craft as Well as power for his ruin, in contempt of the Law of
God. The Commandments of God are true and Faithful guides in the
path of peace and safety. We may best expect help from God when,
like our Master, we do Well and suffer for it. Wicked men may
almost consume the believer upon Earth, but he would sooner
forsake all than forsake the Word of the Lord. We should depend
upon the Grace of God for strength to do every good work. The
surest token of God's good-will toward us, is his good work in
us.

89-96 The settling of God's Word in Heaven, is opposed to the
changes and revolutions of the Earth. And the engagements of
God's Covenant are established more firmly than the Earth
itself. All the creatures answer the ends of their Creation:
shall Man, who alone is endued with reason, be the only
unprofitable Burden of the Earth? We may make the Bible a
pleasant companion at any time. But the Word, without the Grace
of God, would not quicken us. See the best help for bad
memories, namely, good affections; and though the exact words be
lost, if the meaning remain, that is Well. I am thine, not my
own, not the world's; save me from Sin, save me from ruin. The
Lord will keep the Man in peace, whose mind is stayed On him. It
is Poor Perfection which one sees an End of. Such are all
things in this world, which pass for perfections. The Glory of
Man is but as the flower of the Grass. The psalmist had seen the
Fulness of the Word of God, and its sufficiency. The Word of the
Lord reaches to all cases, to all times. It will take us from
all confidence in Man, or in our own Wisdom, strength, and
Righteousness. Thus shall we seek comfort and happiness from
Christ alone.

97-104 What we Love, we Love to think of. All true Wisdom is
from God. A good Man carries his Bible with him, if not in his
hands, yet in his head and in his Heart. By meditation On God's
testimonies we understand more than our teachers, when we
understand our own hearts. The written Word is a more sure guide
to Heaven, than all the fathers, the teachers, and ancients of
the Church. We cannot, with any comfort or boldness, attend God
in holy duties, while under guilt, or in any By-way. It was
Divine Grace in his Heart, that enabled the psalmist to receive
these instructions. The soul has its tastes as Well as the body.
Our relish for the Word of God will be greatest, when that for
the world and the Flesh is least. The way of Sin is a wrong way;
and the more understanding we get By the precepts of God, the
more rooted will be our Hatred of Sin; and the more ready we are
in the Scriptures, the better furnished we are with answers to
Temptation.

105-112 The Word of God directs us in our work and way, and a
dark place indeed the world would be without it. The commandment
is a Lamp kept burning with the Oil of the Spirit, as a Light to
direct us in the choice of our way, and the steps we take in
that way. The keeping of God's commands here meant, was that of
a sinner under a Dispensation of Mercy, of a believer having
part in the Covenant of Grace. The psalmist is often afflicted;
but with longing desires to become more holy, offers up daily
prayers for quickening Grace. We cannot offer any thing to God,
that he will accept but what he is pleased to teach us to do. To
have our soul or Life continually in our hands, implies constant
danger of Life; yet he did not forget God's promises nor his
precepts. Numberless are the snares laid By the wicked; and
happy is that servant of God, whom they have not caused to err
from his Master's precepts. Heavenly treasures are a heritage
for ever; all the saints accept them as such, therefore they can
be content with little of this world. We must look for comfort
only in the way of duty, and that duty must be done. A good Man,
By the Grace of God, brings his Heart to his work, then it is
done Well.

113-120 Here is a dread of the risings of Sin, and the first
beginnings of it. The more we Love the Law of God, the more
watchful we shall be, lest vain thoughts draw us from what we
Love. Would we make progress in keeping God's commands, we must
be separate from evil-doers. The believer could not live without
the Grace of God; but, supported By his Hand, his spiritual Life
shall be maintained. Our holy security is grounded On Divine
supports. All departure from God's statutes is error, and will
prove fatal. Their cunning is falsehood. There is a Day coming
which will Put the wicked into Everlasting Fire, the fit place
for the Dross. See what comes of Sin. Surely we who fall So low
in devout affections, should fear, lest a promise being left us
of entering into heavenly Rest, any of us should be found to
come short of it, Heb 4:1.

121-128 Happy is the Man, who, acting upon Gospel principles,
does Justice to all around. Christ our Surety, having paid our
Debt and Ransom, secures all the blessings of Salvation to every
true believer. The psalmist expects the Word of God's
Righteousness, and No other Salvation than what is secured By
that Word, which cannot fall to the ground. We deserve No favour
form God; we are most easy when we cast ourselves upon God's
Mercy, and refer ourselves to it. If any Man resolve to do God's
will as his servant, he shall be made to know his testimonies.
We must do what we can for the support of religion, and, after
all, must Beg of God to take the work into his own hands. It is
hypocrisy to say we Love God's Commandments more than our
worldly interests. The way of Sin is a false way, being directly
contrary to God's precepts, which are right: those that Love and
esteem God's Law, hate Sin, and will not be reconciled to it.

129-136 The wonders of redeeming Love will fix the Heart in
adoration of them. The Scriptures show us what we were, what we
are, and what we shall be. They show us the Mercy and the
Justice of the Lord, the joys of Heaven, and the pains of Hell.
Thus they give to the simple, in a few days, understanding of
those matters, which philosophers for ages sought in vain. The
believer, wearied with the cares of Life and his conflicts with
Sin, pants for the consolations conveyed to him By means of the
sacred Word. And every one may pray, Look thou upon me, and be
merciful unto me as thou usest to do unto those that Love thy
name. We must Beg that the Holy Spirit would order our steps.
The dominion of Sin is to be dreaded and prayed against By every
one. The oppression of men is often more than Flesh and Blood
can Bear; and He who knoweth our frame, will not refuse to
remove it in answer to the prayers of his people. Whatever
obscurity may appear as to the Faith of the Old Testament
believers, their confidence at the Throne of Grace can only be
explained By their having obtained more distinct views of Gospel
privileges, through the sacrifices and services of their Law,
than is generally imagined. Go to the same place, plead the name
and merits of Jesus, and you will not, you cannot plead in vain.
Commonly, where there is a gracious Heart, there is a weeping
Eye. Accept, O Lord, the tears our blessed Redeemer shed in the
days of his Flesh, for us who should weep for our brethren or
ourselves.

137-144 God never did, and never can do wrong to any. The
promises are faithfully performed By Him that made them. Zeal
against Sin should constrain us to do what we can against it, at
least to do more in religion ourselves. Our Love to the Word of
God is evidence of our Love to God, because it is designed to
make us partake his Holiness. Men's real excellency always makes
them low in their own eyes. When we are small and despised, we
have the more need to remember God's precepts, that we may have
them to support us. The Law of God is the Truth, the standard of
Holiness, the rule of happiness; but the obedience of Christ
alone justifies the believer. Sorrows are often the Lot of
saints in this vale of tears; they are in heaviness through
manifold temptations. There are delights in the Word of God,
which the saints often most sweetly enjoy when in trouble and
anguish. This is Life eternal, to know God and Jesus Christ whom
he has sent, Joh 17:3. May we live the Life of Faith and Grace
here, and be removed to the Life of Glory hereafter.

145-152 Supplications with the whole Heart are presented only
By those who desire God's Salvation, and who Love his
Commandments. Whither should the Child go but to his Father?
Save me from my sins, my corruptions, my temptations, all the
hindrances in my way, that I may keep thy testimonies.
Christians who enjoy health, should not suffer the early hours
of the morning to glide away unimproved. Hope in God's Word
encourages us to continue in Prayer. It is better to take time
from sleep, than not to find time for Prayer. We have access to
God at all hours; and if our first thoughts in the morning are
of God, they will help to keep us in his fear all the Day long.
Make me lively and cheerful. God knows what we need and what is
good for us, and will quicken us. If we are employed in God's
service, we need not fear those who try to set themselves as far
as they can out of the reach of the convictions and commands of
his Law. When trouble is near, God is near. He is never far to
seek. All his Commandments are Truth. And God's promises will be
performed. All that ever trusted in God have found him Faithful.

153-160 The closer we cleave to the Word of God, both as our
rule and as our stay, the more Assurance we have of deliverance.
Christ is the Advocate of his people, their Redeemer. Those who
were quickened By his Spirit and Grace, when they were dead in
trespasses and sins, often need to have the work of Grace
revived in them, according to the Word of promise. The wicked
not only do not God's statutes, but they do not even seek them.
They flatter themselves that they are going to Heaven; but the
longer they persist in Sin, the further it is from them. God's
mercies are tender; they are a Fountain that can never be
exhausted. The psalmist begs for God's reviving, quickening
Grace. A Man, steady in the way of his duty, though he may have
many enemies, needs to fear none. Those that hate Sin truly,
hate it as Sin, as a transgression of the Law of God, and a
breaking of his Word. Our obedience is only pleasing to God, and
pleasant to ourselves, when it comes from a principle of Love.
All, in every Age, who receive God's Word in Faith and Love,
find every saying in it Faithful.

161-168 Those whose hearts stand in awe of God's Word, will
rather endure the wrath of Man, than break the Law of God. By
the Word of God we are unspeakable gainers. Every Man hates to
have a Lie told him, but we should more hate telling a Lie; By
the latter we give an affront to God. The more we see the beauty
of Truth, the more we shall see the hateful deformity of a Lie.
We are to praise God even for Afflictions; through Grace we get
good from them. Those that Love the world have great vexation,
for it does not answer what they expect; those that Love God's
Word have great peace, for it outdoes what they expect. Those in
whom this holy Love reigns, will not perplex themselves with
needless scruples, or take Offence at their brethren. A good
Hope of Salvation will engage the Heart in doing the
Commandments. And our Love to the Word of God must subdue our
lusts, and root out Carnal affections: we must make Heart work
of it, or we make nothing of it. We must keep the Commandments
of God By obedience to them, and his promises By reliance On
them. God's Eye is On us at all times; this should make us very
careful to keep his Commandments.

169-176 The psalmist desired Grace and strength to lift up his
prayers, and that the Lord would receive and notice them. He
desired to know more of God in Christ; to know more of the
doctrines of the Word, and the duties of religion. He had a Deep
sense of unworthiness, and holy fear that his Prayer should not
come before God; Lord, what I pray for is, what thou hast
promised. We have learned nothing to purpose, if we have not
learned to praise God. We should always make the Word of God the
rule of our discourse, So as never to transgress it By sinful
speaking, or sinful silence. His own hands are not sufficient,
nor can any Creature lend him help; therefore he looks up to
God, that the Hand that had made him may help him. He had made
religion his deliberate choice. There is an eternal Salvation
all the saints long for, and therefore they pray that God would
help their way to it. Let thy judgments help me; let all
ordinances and all providences, (both are God's judgments,)
further me in glorifying God; let them help me for that work. He
often looks back with shame and gratitude to his lost estate. He
still prays for the tender care of Him who purchased his flock
with his own Blood, that he may receive from him the Gift of
eternal Life. Seek me, that is, Find me; for God never seeks in
vain. Turn me, and I shall be turned. Let this psalm be a
touchstone By which to try our hearts, and our lives. Do our
hearts, cleansed in Christ's Blood, make these prayers,
resolutions and confessions our own? Is God's Word the standard
of our Faith, and the Law of our practice? Do we use it as pleas
with Christ for what we need? Happy those who live in such
delightful exercises.