Psalms 119:102

Psa 119:102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

Ver. 102. I have not departed from thy judyments] i.e. From thy law, which is called judgments, because God will thereby judge the world.

For thou hast taught me] sc. To cleave close unto them with full purpose of heart; and not to be drawn aside by any either allurement or fright.

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.

102. (Psa 119:102) From thy judgments I do not depart, because thou guidest me. We have here another word of comprehensive meaning, in which sometimes one phrase of the essential idea is presented prominently, sometimes another. The divine judgments, in this psalm, are always the external exhibitions of the divine righteousness, in word or deed, by precept or by punishment. Here, of course, the former are especially intended. The figure of a way, though not expressed, is still indicated by the verbs depart and guide. As to the latter, see above, on Psa 119:33. From this verse it is doubly clear that he claims nothing as belonging to himself, or as accomplished in his own strength, but ascribes all to the power and grace of God. The preterite forms, in this and the preceding verse, merely make the past more prominent than the future, as an accessory idea to the present.

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

So then of ourselves we can do nothing: but when God doth inwardly instruct us with his spirit, we feel his graces sweeter than honey.

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

Here is, 1. David's constancy in his religion. He had not departed from God's judgments; he had not chosen any other rule than the word of God, nor had he wilfully deviated from that rule. A constant adherence to the ways of God in trying times will be a good evidence of our integrity. 2. The cause of his constancy: "For thou hast taught me; that is, they were divine instructions that I learned; I was satisfied that the doctrine was of God, and therefore I stuck to it." Or rather, "It was divine grace in my heart that enabled me to receive those instructions." All the saints are taught of God, for he it is that gives the understanding; and those, and those only, that are taught of God, will continue to the end in the things that they have learned.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

102. From thy judgements have I not turned aside;

For thou thyself hast instructed me.

God Himself has been his teacher, not men: therefore he has been enabled to keep in the path of right. Cp. Psa_86:11.

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.

I have sworn, and I will perform it,.... Or, "I have performed it" (h). The psalmist had not only taken up a resolution in his mind, but he had openly declared with his mouth, and professed in a solemn manner, that he would serve the Lord; he had sworn allegiance to him as his King, and, through divine grace, had hitherto kept it; and hoped he ever should, and determined through grace he ever would; see Psa 119:48;

that I will keep thy righteous judgments; the precepts of the word, the ordinances of the Lord, the doctrines of grace; all which are righteous, and to be kept, observed, and held to; though they cannot be perfectly kept unless in Christ the surety.

(h) "et statui"; Musculus, Muis; "idque ratum feci et implevi", Michaelis.

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

I have not departed from thy judgments - Thy law; thy commands. This cannot mean that he had never done this, but that as a great rule of life he had not done it. The character and aim of his life had been obedience, not disobedience. A man may honestly say this, though he may be conscious of much imperfection, and may feel that he has not perfectly carried out such an aim and purpose. No one can be a truly pious man, or have evidence of personal religion, who cannot say in sincerity that he has “not departed in this sense, “from the judgments” (the commands) of God; who cannot look back on his life and say that his course - his aim - his character - since he became a professor of religion - has been, one of obedience to God. Compare 1Jo 3:7-9.

For thou hast taught me - Not to himself was this to be traced, but to God; not to any wisdom of his own, but to that which was given him from on high.

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

To wit, by thy blessed Spirit, illuminating my mind, and working upon my heart, which other teachers cannot do.

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

Ver. 102. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. They are well taught whom God teaches. What we learn from the Lord we never forget. God's instruction has a practical effect we follow his way when he teaches us; and it has an abiding effect, we do not depart from holiness. Read this verse in connection with the preceding and you get the believer's "I have, "and his "I have not": he is good both positively and negatively. What he did, namely, "refrained his feet, "preserved him from doing that which otherwise he might have done, namely, "departed from thy judgments." He who is careful not to go an inch aside will not leave the road. He who never touches the intoxicating cup will never be drunk. He who never utters an idle word will never be profane. If we begin to depart a little we can never tell where we shall end. The Lord brings us to persevere in holiness by abstinence from the beginning of sin; but whatever be the method he is the worker of our perseverance, and to him be all the glory.

Ver. 102. By "misphallim", "judgments, "is meant God's law; for thereby he will judge the world. And the word "departed not" intimates both his exactness and constancy: his exactness, that he did not go a hair's breadth from his direction; "Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left" (De 5:32); and his constancy is implied in it, for then we are said to depart from God and his law, when we fall off from him in judgment and practice. Jer 32:40. Thomas Manton.

Ver. 102. Thou hast taught me. God teacheth two ways: 1. By common illumination. 2. By special operation.

1. By common illumination, barely enlightening the mind to know or understand what he propounds by his messengers: so God showed it to the heathen: Ro 1:20. But then, 2. By way of special operation, effectually inclining the will to embrace and prosecute duties so known: "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts": Jer 31:33. This way of teaching is always effectual and persuasive. Now, in this sense they are taught of God, so that they do not only get an ear to hear, but a heart to understand, learn, and practise.

This teaching is the ground of constancy, because, (1) They that are thus taught of God see things more clearly than others do; God is the most excellent teacher. (2) They know things more surely, and with certainty of demonstration, whereas others have but dubious conjectures, and loose and wavering opinions about the things of God. (3) This teaching is so efficacious and powerful, as that the effect followeth: "Teach me thy way, O Lord; I Will walk in thy truth" (Ps 86:11). (4) God renews this teaching, and is always at hand to guide us, and give counsel to us, which is the cause of our standing. Thomas Manton.

Ver. 102. For thou hast taught me. Lest it should seem that David ascribed the praise of godliness to himself, or that it came from any goodness in him that he did refrain his feet from every evil way, he gives here all the glory to God, protesting, that because God did teach him, therefore he declined not. Wherefrom we learn, that if at any time we stand, or if when we have fallen we rise and repent, it is ever to be imputed to God that teacheth us; for there is no evil so abominable, but it would soon become plausible to us, if God should leave us to ourselves. David was taught by his ordinary teachers, and he did reverence them; but that he profited by them he ascribes unto God. Paul may plant, and Apollos water; God must give the increase. William Cowper.

Ver. 102. Divine teaching necessary to secure perseverance, and effectual to that end.

Ver. 102. Consider,

1. The path appointed for men to walk in: "Thy judgments."

(a) Right path.

(b) Clean path.

(c) Pleasant path.

(d) Safe path.

(e) The end eternal glory.

2. The persistent pursuit of it: "I have not departed."

(a) Persecution would drive from it.

(b) Pleasures would allure from it.

(c) The flesh would weary in it.

(d) But the true believer determines to hold on his way to

the end.

(e) And carefully watches his steps lest they depart.

3. The preserving power that holds the traveller to it: "For thou hast taught me."

(a) The traveller walks with God, and receives instruction

by the special illumination of the Holy Spirit.

(b) The choice property of this teaching is, not only that

it makes wise, but that it captivates the soul, strengthens

it, and holds it to a holy obedience. J.F.

Psalms 119:103*

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

I have not departed from thy judgments (comp. vers. 30, 31, 51, 157, 168, etc.). For thou hast taught me. Thy teaching, thy guidance, thy help, have kept me straight.

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

Taught me - By thy blessed spirit, illuminating my mind, and working upon my heart.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.