Psalms 106:3

Psa 106:3 Blessed [are] they that keep judgment, [and] he that doeth righteousness at all times.

Ver. 3. Blessed are they that keep judgment, &c.] That are of right principles and upright practices; this is real and substantial praising of God. Thanks doing is the proof of thanksgiving; and the good life of the thankful is the life of thankfulness. Those that say God a-thank only, and no more, are not only contumelious, but injurious.

And he that doth righteousness] So preaching forth the virtues (or praises) of God who hath called him into his marvellous light, 1Pe 2:9, and composing his whole course, velar spectatum aliquod simulaehrum et documentum laudis eius constans atque perpetuum (Jun.).

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

3. (Psa 106:3) Happy the keepers of judgment, the doer of righteousness at every time. The form of expression at the beginning is the same as in Psa 1:1. The keepers of judgment are those who observe justice as the rule of their conduct, the same idea that is afterwards expressed in other words, the doer (or practicer) of righteousness, not occasionally merely but at all times. The change from the plural to the singular is common, where the latter denotes an ideal individual, the representative of a whole class. The condition here propounded is identical with that in Psa 105:45; Psa 103:18, Dan 9:4.

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Psalms Translated and Explained (1850) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He showeth that it is not enough to praise God with the mouth, except the whole heart agree thereunto, and all our life be thereunto framed.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 3. Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.] How near do the Anglo-Saxon, the ancient Scottish Version, and the present translation, approach to each other!

Anglo-Saxon. [A.S.]. "Blessed they that holdeth doom, and doth righteousness in ilkere tide."

Anglo-Scottish. Blisful tha that kepes dome, and duse rightwisnes in ilk tyme.

Those are truly blessed, or happy, whose hearts are devoted to God, and who live in the habit of obedience. Those, the general tenor of whose life is not conformed to the will of God, have no true happiness.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

3 Blessed are they that keep judgment I make a distinction between this and the preceding verse, and yet so as to preserve the connection between them. For the prophet, having declared the magnitude of God’s power to be such that no tongue could utter all its praises, now says, that the praises of the lip merely are not acceptable to God, but that the concurrence of the heart is indispensable, nay, that even the whole of our deportment must be in unison with this exercise. Now, when he first commands to keep judgment, and then to work righteousness, he gives us a short description of genuine godliness. I have no doubt, that in the former clause he describes the sincere affection of the heart, and that, in the latter, he refers to external works. For we know, there is nothing but the mere shadow of righteousness, unless a man cordially devote himself to the practice of honesty. He requires perseverance, too, that no one may imagine that he has discharged this duty properly, excepting he whose constant and continued aim it is to live righteously and justly. We behold not a few who have only an empty profession; others show some signs of virtue, but do not maintain a consistent course of conduct.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

3. From the thought of the mercy and the might of Jehovah which are the ground of Israel’s hope, the Psalmist passes to the conditions of participation in the blessing for which he looks. Happy those who obey the Divine command, given in view of the near approach of Jehovah’s Advent to redeem, “Keep judgement, and do righteousness” (Isa_56:1): who repent, and bring forth fruits worthy of their repentance, conforming their conduct to the demands and will of God. Cp. Psa_105:45.

he that doeth] Probably we should read they that do (עשֵׂי for עשֵׂה, with LXX and other Versions).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Blessed are they that keep judgment,.... Or "observe" (k) it; the righteous judgment of God on wicked men; by which he is known in his justice, holiness, truth, and faithfulness; and by which the inhabitants of the earth observing it, learn to do righteousness, as follows: or else it may intend the word of God, his laws, statutes, and ordinances, after called his judgments, Psa 19:9, which should be observed and kept, as the rule of our actions, walk, and conversation.

And he that doeth righteousness at all times; continually believes in Christ for righteousness, and puts on that as his justifying righteousness; whereby he becomes righteous as he is, Jo1 3:7, and performs acts of righteousness from a principle of grace, as a fruit of regeneration, and an evidence of it, Jo1 2:29, that does it with right views, aims, and ends; not to be justified and saved by it, but because God requires it; and it is for his glory, and to testify subjection to him, and thankfulness for favours received from him. And this is to be done at all times; we should never be weary of well doing, but be always abounding in good works; and happy are those that will be found so doing, such are "blessed" persons: not that their blessedness lies in or arises from righteousness done by them; but this is descriptive of such that are blessed in Christ with the remission of sins, and his justifying righteousness. And these are the proper persons to show forth the mighty acts and praise of the Lord; they are most capable of it, and more likely to perform it with acceptance than any other; see Psa 50:14.

(k) "observarent", Junius & Tremellius; "observantium", Gejerus.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Blessed are they that keep judgment - They are blessed, for their conduet is right, and it leads to happiness. The Hebrew is, “the keepers of judgment;” that is, they who observe the rules of justice in their conduct, or who are governed by the principles of integrity.

And he that doeth righteousness at all times - All who yield obedience to just law - whether a nation or an individual. The psalm is designed to illustrate this “by contrast;” that is, by showing, in the conduct of the Hebrew people, the consequences of “disobedience,” and thus impliedly what would have been, and what always must be, the consequences of the opposite course. Compare Psa 15:1-5.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

That keep judgment; that observe and practise what is just and right towards God and men; which in the next clause he calls

doing righteousness. At all times; in adversity as well as in prosperity. And this clause may belong either,

1. To the last foregoing words, that doeth righteousness at all times, constantly and perpetually; or rather,

2. To the first words, they are blessed at all times, even in the day of their calamity, which therefore ought not to hinder us from this great and just duty of praising God. And so this verse coheres with the former.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Ver. 3. Since the Lord is so good and so worthy to be praised, it must be for our happiness to obey him.

Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Multiplied are the blessings which must descend upon the whole company of the keepers of the way of justice, and especially upon that one rare man who at all times follows that which is right. Holiness is happiness. The way of right is the way of peace. Yet men leave this road, and prefer the paths of the destroyer. Hence the story which follows is in sad contrast with the happiness here depicted, because the way of Israel was not that of judgment and righteousness, but that of folly and iniquity. The Psalmist, while contemplating the perfections of God, was impressed with the feeling that the servants of such a being must be happy, and when he looked around and saw how the tribes of old prospered when they obeyed, and suffered when they sinned, he was still more fully assured of the truth of his conclusion. O could we but be free of sin we should be rid of sorrow! We would not only be just, but "keep judgment"; we would not be content with occasionally acting rightly, but would "do justice at all times."

Ver. 3. Blessed are they that keep judgment, etc. That are of right principles and upright practices; this is real and substantial praising of God. Thanks doing is the proof of thanksgiving; and the good life of the thankful is the life of thankfulness. Those that thank God only, and no more, are not only contumelious, but injurious. John Trapp.

Ver. 3. Keep judgment; doeth righteousness. I doubt not that there is some difference; viz. that he is said to keep judgment who judgeth rightly, but he to do righteousness who acts righteously. Augustine.

Ver. 3. I have read of Louis, king of France, that when he had through inadvertency granted an unjust suit, as soon as ever he had read those words of the Psalmist, "Blessed is he that doeth righteousness at all times, "he presently recollected himself, and upon better thoughts gave his judgment quite contrary. Thomas Brooks.

Ver. 3. The blessedness of a godly life.

Psalms 106:4*

Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

3. Blessed—The psalmist describes the character of the man upon whom will abide true happiness, namely, he who keeps judgment and righteousness—the act and the principle of rectitude—at all times.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. No distinction of meaning is intended between "keeping judgment" and "doing righteousness." The second clause merely repeats the first.

The blessedness of the holy life.

I SUCH LIFE IS POSSIBLE. It would not be spoken of here and throughout the Scriptures as it is, if it were only an ideal but not a possible life. Surely, if sin be the abominable thing which God hates, he must have contemplated, in his redemptive work, our deliverance from it. What is the first and great commandment, but a command to cherish that spirit towards God which is the spring of the holy life?

II IT IS ENTERED INTO BY A DEFINITE WAY.

1. By self-surrender, which consists in the abandoning of whatever we know to be contrary to the will of God; giving it up, though it be dear as the right hand or eye; and in the surrender of all our powers and possessions to the absolute control and direction of God.

2. Then, when we have thus given ourselves up to God, we are to believe that he accepts us, and we are to keep trusting him, day by day and hour by hour, to cleanse us by the blood of Christ from all sin. If we will persevere in this surrender and trust, nothing can hinder our entering into this holy life. Then

III IT IS MOST BLESSED.

1. For what it escapes: the misery of a condemning conscience; of paralyzed power for none can effectually work for God if they are abiding in sin; of knowing that your influence has been evil rather than good; of God"s face hidden from you.

2. For what it wins: the blessedness of inward peace; of confidence towards God; of power with God for man, and with man for God; of the possession of God"s loving kindness, which is better than life, (Ps 63) and of assured hope. When the people of God live this life, then there will be a turning to God on the part of the world, as now there is not, and for long ages has not been. For men will see that God"s people possess a secret spring of joy, and peace, and purity, and strength, and they will come to covet it with a great desire (vers. 4, 5). S.C.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Call me to mind

The phrase "call to mind" means to remember something. AT: "remember me" (See: Idiom)

of your chosen

The word "chosen" refers to Yahweh's chosen people. AT: "of your chosen people" (See: Nominal Adjectives)

rejoice in the gladness ... and glory

These are things that David says he will do, along with "seeing the prosperity of your chosen." The words "I will" may be repeated here. AT: "I will rejoice in the gladness ... and I will glory" (See: Ellipsis)

gladness

joy, delight

glory with your inheritance

Here the phrase "your inheritance" refers to the Isrealites, who are Yahweh's chosen people. Here "glory" means "to boast about" something; in this case they are boasting about Yahweh. AT: "boast of your greatness with your people" or "boast with your people about you" (See: Metonymy)

translationWords

bless

works

just

mind

favor

people of God

save

prosper

chosen one

joy

nation

glory

inherit

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.