Romans 15:4(v50)For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the…
Psalms 119:133(v45)Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.
John 6:63(v50)It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.
Psalms 119:94(v45)I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
Proverbs 4:12(v45)When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
Show all 100 cross-references
James 1:25(v45)But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be…
Psalms 94:19(v50)In the multitude of my thoughts within me, your comforts delight my soul.
Psalms 119:48(v47)I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
Psalms 28:7(v50)Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will…
Psalms 119:97(v47)How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.
John 8:30-36(v45)As he spoke these things, many believed in him. Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then…
2 Samuel 7:25(v49)Now, Yahweh God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as you have…
Psalms 119:127(v47)Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
Psalms 42:11(v50)Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my…
Psalms 106:45(v49)He remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
John 5:39(v45)“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
Psalms 19:7-10(v47)Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple. Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the…
Psalms 106:4(v49)Remember me, Yahweh, with the favor that you show to your people. Visit me with your salvation,
Psalms 119:15(v48)I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
Romans 1:16(v46)For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first,…
Hebrews 6:17-19(v50)In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an…
2 Peter 2:19(v45)promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.
Job 23:11(v51)My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.
Psalms 105:42(v49)For he remembered his holy word, and Abraham, his servant.
Psalms 119:16(v47)I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
Psalms 119:81(v49)My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
Jeremiah 15:16(v50)Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name, Yahweh, God…
John 4:34(v47)Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
Ephesians 5:17(v45)Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
James 2:12(v45)So speak and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.
Psalms 1:2(v48)but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.
Psalms 27:13(v50)I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.
Psalms 71:14(v49)But I will always hope, and will add to all of your praise.
Psalms 119:25(v50)My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
Psalms 119:74(v49)Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
Psalms 119:162(v45)I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
Psalms 119:174(v47)I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.
Jeremiah 20:7(v51)Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded. You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day.…
Matthew 7:21(v48)Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:18-19(v46)Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they deliver you…
Luke 4:18(v45)“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to…
Acts 26:1-2(v46)Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. “I think myself happy, King…
1 Peter 1:13(v49)Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of…
Job 23:11-12(v47)My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away. I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have…
Psalms 42:8(v50)Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalms 112:1(v47)Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments.
Psalms 119:19(v45)I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.
Psalms 119:71(v45)It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
Psalms 119:140(v47)Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
Psalms 119:148(v45)My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
Psalms 119:167(v47)My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
Proverbs 18:1(v45)A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
Ecclesiastes 1:13(v45)I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given…
Isaiah 62:6(v49)I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. They will never be silent day nor night. You who call on Yahweh, take no rest,
John 15:14(v48)You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
Romans 5:3-5(v50)Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and…
Romans 7:22(v47)For I delight in God’s law after the inward man,
Genesis 8:1(v49)God remembered Noah, all the animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ship; and God made a wind to pass over the earth. The…
Genesis 32:9(v49)Jacob said, “God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh, who said to me, ‘Return to your country, and to your relatives,…
Deuteronomy 4:3-4(v52)Your eyes have seen what Yahweh did because of Baal Peor; for Yahweh your God has destroyed all the men who followed Baal Peor from among…
2 Samuel 5:2(v49)In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. Yahweh said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people…
Job 7:7(v49)Oh remember that my life is a breath. My eye will no more see good.
Psalms 44:18(v51)Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path,
Psalms 77:11-12(v52)I will remember Yah’s deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings.
Psalms 103:18(v52)to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts.
Psalms 105:2(v49)Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works.
Psalms 105:5(v52)Remember his marvelous works that he has done: his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
Psalms 119:24(v47)Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.
Psalms 119:43(v49)Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
Psalms 119:147(v49)I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
Psalms 119:157(v51)Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.
Proverbs 2:4-5(v45)if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures: then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge…
Mark 8:38(v46)For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him,…
John 13:17(v48)If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Romans 7:12(v47)Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
Romans 15:13(v49)Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 2:21(v47)For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
Deuteronomy 1:35-36(v52)“Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land which I swore to give to your fathers, except Caleb the son of…
Psalms 138:1(v46)I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.
Ezekiel 37:10(v50)So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Daniel 3:16-18(v46)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it happens, our God…
Daniel 4:1-3(v46)Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. It has seemed…
Daniel 4:25-27(v46)that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and…
Acts 26:24-29(v46)As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!” But he said,…
Romans 7:16(v47)But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.
Philippians 1:20(v46)according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will…
Philippians 2:5(v47)Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
2 Timothy 1:8(v46)Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the…
James 1:18(v50)Of his own will he gave birth to us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
1 Peter 1:21(v49)who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.
1 Peter 4:14-16(v46)If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is…
2 Peter 2:4-9(v52)For if God didn’t spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness to be reserved for…
Exodus 14:29-30(v52)But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on…
Numbers 16:3-35(v52)They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much on yourself, since all the…
Psalms 77:5(v52)I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
Psalms 119:21(v51)You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
Psalms 119:31(v51)I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don’t let me be disappointed.
Psalms 119:69(v51)The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
Psalms 123:3-4(v51)Have mercy on us, Yahweh, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those…
Isaiah 38:3(v51)and said, “Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is…
100 distinct cross-references across this passage (113 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (19 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
John Calvin1540 · Public DomainOn vv45, 46, 47, 49, 51, 52The next verse may be read as expressing a…
The next verse may be read as expressing a desire that he might walk. Be this as it may, we retain the commonly received reading, That David exults at the thought of his path becoming plain and easy, in consequence of his seeking diligently after God’s precepts; that is, to walk at ease The ways of men are frequently rugged and obstructed, because they themselves lay various stumblingblocks in them, or entangle themselves in many inextricable windings. Hence it comes to pass, that while none will submit to the word of God as their rule, every man endures the punishment legitimately due to such arrogance. On all sides God lays snares for us, puts pitfalls in our way, causes us to fall in with paths broken and rugged, and at last shuts us up in a bottomless pit: and by how much the more politic a mart is, by so much the more will he meet with obstructions in his path.
This verse teaches us that, if any man yield implicit obedience to God, he will receive this as his reward, that he shall walk with a calm and composed mind; and should he meet with difficulties, he will find the means of surmounting them. The faithful, however readily and submissively they give themselves up to God, may happen to find themselves involved in perplexity; nevertheless, the end contemplated by Paul is accomplished, that though they be in trouble and toil, yet they do not continue in irremediable distress, because it is the duty (so to speak) of God to point out a way for them where there seems to be no way, (2 Corinthians 4:8.) Moreover, when grievously oppressed, even then they walk at ease, for they commit the doubtful issue of events to God in such a manner, that, having him for their guide, they have no doubt they will come out boldly from the depths of distress.
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.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn vv45, 46, 49, 51, 52They that simply walk after God’s word, have no…
They that simply walk after God’s word, have no lets to entangle them, whereas they that do contrary, are ever in nets and snares.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv45–52Psa 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for…
Psa 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Ver. 45. And I will walk at liberty] In the full latitude of thy commandments, and not by wilful wickedness ensnare and ensnarl myself, as those do who, in the fulness of their sufficiency are in straits, and in pursuit of their lusts do pierce themselves through with many sorrows. The Italian senseth it, I will walk in peace of conscience.
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.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn vv45–52I will walk at liberty; or, I shall walk…
I will walk at liberty; or, I shall walk at large, as it is in the margin; I shall be delivered from all my present straits, both of the outward and inward man, and enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry1710 · Public DomainOn vv45, 49, 50, 51, 52We may observe in these verses, 1. What David…
We may observe in these verses, 1. What David experienced of an affection to the law of God: "I seek thy precepts, Psa 119:45. I desire to know and do my duty, and consult thy word accordingly; I do all I can to understand what the will of the Lord is and to discover the intimations of his mind. I seek thy precepts, for I have loved them, Psa 119:47, Psa 119:48. I not only give consent to them as good, but take complacency in them as good for me." All that love God love his government and therefore love all his commandments. 2. What he expected from this. Five things he promises himself here in the strength of God's grace: - (1.) That he should be free and easy in his duty: "I will walk at liberty, freed from that which is evil, not hampered with the fetters of my own corruptions, and free to that which is good, doing it not by constraint, but willingly." The service of sin is perfect slavery; the service of God is perfect liberty. Licentiousness is bondage to the greatest of tyrants; conscientiousness is freedom to the meanest of prisoners, Joh 8:32, Joh 8:36; Luk 1:74, Luk 1:75. (2.) That he should be bold and courageous in his duty: I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings. Before David came to the crown kings were sometimes his judges, as Saul, and Achish; but, if he were called before them to give a reason of the hope that was in him, he would speak of God's testimonies, and profess to build his hope upon them and make them his council, his guards, his crown, his all. We must never be afraid to own our religion, though it should expose us to the wrath of kings, but speak of it as that which we will live and die by, like the three children before Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 3:16; Act 4:20. After David came to the crown kings were sometimes his companions; they visited him and he returned their visits; but he did not, in complaisance to them, talk of every thing but religion, for fear of affronting them and making his conversation uneasy to them. No; God's testimonies shall be the principal subject of his discourse with the kings, not only to show that he was not ashamed of his religion, but to instruct them in it and bring them over to it. It is good for kings to hear of God's testimonies, and it will adorn the conversation of princes themselves to speak of them. (3.) That he should be cheerful and pleasant in his duty (Psa 119:47): "I will delight myself in thy commandments, in conversing with them, in conforming to them. I will never be so well pleased with myself as when I do that which is pleasing to God." The more delight we take in the service of God the nearer we come to the perfection we aim at. (4.) That he should be diligent and vigorous in his duty: I will lift up my hands to thy commandments, which denotes not only a vehement desire towards them (Psa 143:6) - "I will lay hold of them as one afraid of missing them, or letting them go;" but a close application of mind to the observance of them - "I will lay my hands to the command, not only to praise it, but practise it; nay, I will lift up my hands to it, that is, I will put forth all the strength I have to do it." The hands that hang down, through sloth and discouragement, shall be lifted up, Heb 12:12. (5.) That he should be thoughtful and considerate in his duty (Psa 119:48): "I will meditate in thy statutes, not only entertain myself with thinking of them as matters of speculation, but contrive how I may observe them in the best manner." By this it will appear that we truly love God's commandments, if we apply both our minds and our hands to them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv45–52And I will delight myself in thy commandments,.... In…
And I will delight myself in thy commandments,.... In perusing and practising them;
which I have loved; a good man loves the law of God, and the commandments of Christ, and delights in them after the inward man.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn vv45, 48, 49, 52At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in…
At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv45–52Verse 45. I will walk at liberty] When freed…
Verse 45. I will walk at liberty] When freed from the present bondage, we shall rejoice in obedience to thy testimonies; we shall delight to keep all thy ordinances.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson1811 · Public DomainOn vv45, 49, 51Psa 119:45-48. And I will walk at liberty —…
Psa 119:45-48. And I will walk at liberty — Having then no such encumbrances upon me as I now have in these straits and difficulties which beset and burden me, I shall enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways, and will do my duty with cheerfulness and joy. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings — Who commonly entertain all godly discourses with scorn and contempt. I will delight myself, &c. — Whereas other princes place their delight in the glories and vanities of this world, and the study and practice of religion are generally irksome and disagreeable to them, thy law shall be my chief delight and pleasure. My hands also will I lift up — To receive and embrace thy precepts and promises, by faith and love, and cheerfully and vigorously to put them in practice.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv45–52And I will walk at liberty - Margin, “at…
And I will walk at liberty - Margin, “at large.” Luther renders it, “freely.” The Septuagint, “in a broad place.” The Hebrew word means “wide, broad, large, spacious.” The reference is to that which is free and open; that in which there are no limits, checks, restraints; where a man does what he pleases. The meaning here is, that he would feel he was free. He would not be restrained by evil passions and corrupt desires. He would be delivered from those things which seemed to fetter his goings. This does not here refer so much to external troubles or hindrances, to being oppressed and straitened by external foes, as to internal enemies - to the servitude of sin - to the slavery of appetite and passion. Compare the notes at Rom 7:9-14. See also Job 36:16; Psa 118:5. The margin well expresses the sense of the passage.
For I seek thy precepts - I seek or endeavor to obey them. I seek them as the guide of my life. I ask nothing else to direct me.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn v49ז, Zain.
ז, Zain.
49-56. The word… upon which thou hast caused me to hope—In a time of derision and apostasy the psalmist finds strength and delight in the word. Times of persecution and contempt are always times of apostasy. “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Then, the weak fall away, but the strong, though horrified at the desertion, find in Jehovah their strength and their song. Their earthly life, though they be like Paul and Silas in prison, is enlivened and sweetened with song and praise, and “the listening ear of night” catches the accents of their joy.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv45–5245. And I will walk at liberty] Lit. in…
45. And I will walk at liberty] Lit. in a broad place, for God’s commandment is “exceeding broad”; its observance is no restraint but the truest freedom. Or the meaning may be, Let me walk at liberty, free from the constraint of anxiety and persecution. Cp. Psa_119:32; Psa_118:5.
I seek] Or, I have studied, given diligent heed to.
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.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv45, 46, 48, 50(45) At liberty.—See margin. Literally, in a large place.…
(45) At liberty.—See margin. Literally, in a large place. (See Psa_119:32; comp. Pro_4:12.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv45–52And I will walk at liberty. Rekhabah is literally…
And I will walk at liberty. Rekhabah is literally "the open square of a city," hence "a wide, open, free space." In obeying God"s commandments the psalmist will not feel himself under constraint, but a wholly free agent. For I seek thy precepts. Inclination, not constraint, makes him obey God"s precepts he "seeks" them, "loves" them (ver. 47), "delights in" them (vers. 16, 24, 47).
The freedom of right, willedness.
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"I will walk at liberty: for I have sought thy precepts." The Apostle Paul earnestly contends that" we are called unto liberty," but he carefully distinguishes liberty from self-willedness. A man can never have his liberty save on the supposition that he knows what to do with it, and is able to do what he knows. And so the godly man is a free man, be is able to do what he likes, but the distinct assumption is that his likes have come into the renewing grace, and are still in the sanctifying grace, of God. He is free because he is right-willed, and can be trusted with his liberty. The phrase is significant, "freedom in righteousness." We get the idea illustrated if we observe our anxiety that our sons should be right-principled ere they go forth to meet life"s temptations. We are not afraid for them to have their freedom, if only they are right-willed. The psalmist may only mean freedom from special circumstances of constraint and intimidation, but we can use his words in a more comprehensive and more general sense.
I RIGHT-WILLEDNESS AS A CONDITION TO BE GAINED AND KEPT. Here it is the disposition to seek the guidance and help of God"s precepts in every emergency of life. Wrong-willedness is an undue tendency to trust in self for wisdom and guidance. Dependent man never comes right until he wants God; and he never keeps right unless he leans on God. The very essence of the example of the Lord Jesus lies in his rightwilledness. No restraint had ever to be put on him, because he always wanted what God wanted for him. We only get our wills set in harmony with God"s in the persuasion and power of God"s Spirit; but we can set ourselves, and keep ourselves, open to his gracious leadings and inspirings and inworkings.
II RIGHT-WILLEDNESS AS A CONDITION IN WHICH FREEDOM CAN BE ENJOYED. Where there is that disposition and purpose there is always sensitiveness to evil. It is detected at once. It is disliked. To it there is a natural resistance. It is illustrated in Joseph, who "could not do wickedly;" and in the Hebrew youths, who could not "defile themselves with the king"s meat." These young people could be trusted anywhere, because they were set on doing right. The only man in God"s world who is really free, and can be safely trusted with freedom, is the man who means to do right, who is resolved to do God"s will as he may get to know it. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles H. Spurgeon1885 · Public DomainOn vv45–52Ver. 45. And I will walk at liberty: for…
Ver. 45. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. Saints find no bondage in sanctity. The Spirit of holiness is a free spirit; he sets men at liberty and enables them to resist every effort to bring them under subjection. The way of holiness is not a track for slaves, but the King's highway for freemen, who are joyfully journeying from the Egypt of bandage to the Canaan of rest. God's mercies and his salvation, by teaching us to love the precepts of the word, set us at a happy rest; and the more we seek after the perfection of our obedience the more shall we enjoy complete emancipation from every form of spiritual slavery. David at one time of his life was in great bondage through having followed a crooked policy. He deceived Achish so persistently that he was driven to acts of ferocity to conceal it, and must have felt very unhappy in his unnatural position as an ally of Philistines, and captain of the body guard of their king. He must have feared lest through his falling into the crooked ways of falsehood the truth would no longer be on his tongue, and he therefore prayed God in some way to work his deliverance, and set him at liberty from such slavery. By terrible things in righteousness did the Lord answer him at Ziklag: the snare was broken, and he escaped.
The verse is united to that which goes before, for it begins with the word "And, "which acts as a hook to attach it to the preceding verses. It mentions another of the benefits expected from the coming of mercies from God. The man of God had mentioned the silencing of his enemies (Ps 119:42), power to proceed in testimony (Ps 119:43), and perseverance in holiness; now he dwells upon liberty, which next to life is dearest to all brave men. He says, "I shall walk, "indicating his daily progress through life; "at liberty, " as one who is out of prison, unimpeded by adversaries, unencumbered by burdens, unshackled, allowed a wide range, and roaming without fear. Such liberty would be dangerous if a man were seeking himself or his own lusts; but when the one object sought after is the will of God, there can be no need to restrain the searcher. We need not circumscribe the man who can say, "I seek thy precepts." Observe, in the preceding verse he said he would keep the law; but here he speaks of seeking it. Does he not mean that he will obey what he knows, and endeavour to know more? Is not this the way to the highest form of liberty, to be always labouring to know the mind of God and to be conformed to it? Those who keep the law are sure to seek it, and bestir themselves to keep it more and more.
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Ver. 45. I will walk at liberty. Wherever God pardons sin, he subdues it (Mic 7:19). Then is the condemning power of sin taken away, when the commanding power of it is taken away. If a malefactor be in prison, how shall he know that his prince hath pardoned him? If a jailer come and knock off his chains and fetters, and lets him out of prison, then he may know he is pardoned: so, how shall we know God hath pardoned us? If the fetters of sin be broken off, and we walk at liberty in the ways of God, this is a blessed sign we are pardoned. Thomas Watson.
Ver. 45. I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. As he who departs from confessing of God's truth doth cast himself in straits, in danger and bonds; so he that beareth out the confession of the truth doth walk as a free man; the truth doth set him free. David Dickson.
Ver. 45. I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. When the Bible says that a man led by the Spirit is not under the law, it does not mean that he is free because he may sin without being punished for it; but it means that he is free because being taught by God's Spirit to love what his law commands he is no longer conscious of acting from restraint. The law does not drive him, because the Spirit leads him... There is a state, brethren, when we recognize God, but do not love God in Christ. It is that state when we admire what is excellent, but are not able to perform it. It is a state when the love of good comes to nothing, dying away in a mere desire. That is a state of nature, when we are under the law, and not converted to the love of Christ. And then there is another state, when God writes his law upon our hearts by love instead of fear. The one state is this, "I cannot do the things that I would; "the other state is this, "I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy commandments." Frederick William Robertson, 1816-1853.
Ver. 45. I will walk at liberty. The Psalmist's mind takes in the enlargement of his position. A little while ago, and he felt like a man straitened hemmed in by rocks, in a narrow dangerous pass who could not make his way out. You know the characteristics of Canaan, and you can easily conceive of the position of a traveller exploring his dreaded way through one of the mountain passes. The traveller before us has attained to tread upon secure ground. Now, all at once, favoured of the Most High, and conscious of being in his way, he finds himself in a spacious place, and he walks at large: "And I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy precepts." He had made diligent enquiry into all that the Lord had enjoined, and seeking conformity thereto, he felt that he could walk with comfort. He recreates himself in his spiritual emancipation. The secret evil doer of fair profession cannot know this spiritual liberty at all. As long as a man finds himself to be wrong, and especially a man of a tender conscience, he feels hampered on all sides, depressed in mind, and evilly circumstanced. To what expansion of mind does a man awake when he becomes conscious of being in the appointed way of God! And he is actually at liberty; for the good providence of God is around him, and his grace supports him. John Stephen.
Ver. 45. He who goes the beaten and right path will have no brambles hit him across the eyes. Saxon proverb.
Ver. 45-48. Five things David promises himself here in the strength of God's grace.
1. That he should be free and easy in his duty: I will walk at liberty: freed from that which is evil, not hampered with the fetters of my own corruptions, and free to that which is good.
2. That he should be bold and courageous in his duty: I will speak of thy testimonies before kings.
3. That he should be cheerful and pleasant in his duty: I will delight myself in thy commandments, in conversing with them, in forming to them.
4. That he should be diligent and vigorous in his duty: I will lift up my hands unto thy commandments; which notes not only a vehement desire towards them, but a close application of mind to the observance of them.
5. That he should be thoughtful and considerate in his duty: I will meditate in thy statutes. Matthew Henry.
Ver. 45-48. In these four verses he explains, seriatim, in what the observance of the law consists; a thing he promised, when he said in fourth verse of this division, that he would observe God's law in his in his words, in his mind, and in his acts; and the prophet seems all once, as having been heard, to have changed his mode of speaking, for says, "And I walked at large." When God's mercy visited me, I did walk in the narrow ways of fear, but in the wide one of love; that is to say, observed the law willingly, joyfully, with all the affections of my heart, "because I have sought after thy commandments" as a thing of great and most important to come at; "and I spoke" openly and fearlessly on the justice of his most holy law, even "before kings, and I was not ashamed" and I constantly turned the law in my mind, and made its mysteries the subject of my meditation, "and I lifted up my hands, "to carry out his high and sublime commands; that is, his extremely perfect and arduous commands. Finally, in all manner of ways, in heart, mind, word, and "I was exercised in thy justifications." Robert Bellarmine.
Ver. 45-47. Liberty of walk. Liberty of speech. Liberty of heart.
Ver. 45-48. The true freeman enjoys
1. Free walk with God.
2. Free talk about God.
3. Free love unto God.
4. Free exercise, of soul, (a) in holy practice; (b) in heavenly meditation. W. Durban.
Ver. 45-48. Five things the Psalmist promises himself here in the strength of God's grace.
1. That he should be free and easy in his duty: "I will walk at liberty."
2. That he should be bold and courageous in his duty: "I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings."
3. That he should be cheerful and pleasant in his duty: "I will delight myself in thy commandments."
4. That he should be diligent and vigorous in his duty: "I will delight myself in thy commandments."
5. That he should be thoughtful and considerate in his duty: "I will meditate in thy statutes." M. Henry.
Psalms 119:46*
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Biblical Illustrator1887 · Public DomainOn vv45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52And I will walk at liberty: for I seek…
Psa_119:45
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.
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Liberty
I. Liberty is in progressive action. Few can truthfully say, I will walk; they are carried, they are driven on the way of life, they act not from themselves, but from others. They are mere spokes in the wheel of the social machine.
II. Liberty is in the pursuit of right. (Homilist.)
Obedience the secret of liberty
I. Men in this world are under the reign of law. We can see that this is so in matters of everyday experience.
II. The root of bondage lies in disobedience to law, and so is in man and not in God. He says, I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts, and the reverse of that saying is no less true. A plain truth it is, simple even to self-evidence, and yet how slow men are to take it in. It must be the purpose of any true scheme of redemption to lead those who receive it to magnify the law and to make it honourable.
III. Liberty, freedom, enlargement, are found in obedience to Gods law. (E. Medley.)
Conditions of spiritual freedom
I. Deep trust is essential to perfect freedom. Love casteth out fear. The return of the spirit of man to God is inward emancipation--to he the child of God and say Father--Our Father. To trust in Him is unshackled freedom.
II. Holy living is essential to emancipation. To walk at liberty. Liberty is loving service. Freedom to sin would be vilest slavery.
III. Illumination is needful for perfect freedom, knowledge, etc.
IV. The spirit of love is needful for full emancipation.
1. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.
2. Fear not. If this spirit of ours be in earnest, God is working in us. May the light of His Spirit guide us to perfect peace! (Homilist.)
Liberty only in the truth
Liberty is not so much a producing force as a product of other forces. It is not so much a power as it is open space within which other powers work. We want to walk at liberty. How can we do it? If we do not thus walk at liberty, there is only one alternative--stay in bondage. If the psalmist studied Gods will that he might walk at liberty, how much greater is the obligation upon us to do the same, and how much greater our facilities and our encouragement!
1. There is liberty from the world. Sometimes men are in bondage to the world in this sense, that the mainspring of their life is to stand well with it, to do what their set, their society, the world round about them, wishes them to do. Sometimes the bondage is aggravated by another feature, viz. the effort to rise higher, to get into another set; and, oh, how aggravated is the bondage under which many thus live and labour! Freedom from that is obtained when we walk according to Gods statutes. Godliness with contentment is great gain; and these things, the godliness with the contentment, will break these clanking chains of insane and stupid ambition and will prepare you to walk at liberty.
2. There is liberty from bad ways--love of the world, drunkenness, gambling, etc. We learn to walk circumspectly; we learn to keep the heart with all diligence; we learn to hate evil and to do good. We walk securely, for we have been taught of the Spirit to walk with God.
3. There is liberty from bad memories--bad, putrid memories. There may be compunction for the sin, there may be vows against it, there may be honest purposes to resist and overcome it, and these purposes to a good degree carried out; but the horrid, poisonous memories remain in the soul. There is liberty from these to those who walk in Gods statutes, liberty that can be had nowhere else. A new heart will I give you, etc.
4. There is liberty from fear and terror. With the dark cloud of impending wrath overhanging you, how can you walk at liberty? But take Gods precepts, know them, believe them, do them, and this terror is removed, this fear is taken away. (John Hall, D. D.)
Walking at liberty
Liberty and freedom are words not unfrequently used in the Bible in a political, social, and religious sense. How greatly did Israel rejoice in his freedom from the yoke of Egypt. Among the rewards offered to the man who should silence the boastings of Goliath was this, that his fathers house should be made free in Israel. Both the psalmist and St. Paul recognized it as an essential feature in spiritual life, for the one declares that he walked at liberty when he sought the Divine precepts (Psa_119:45); and the other, that where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty. (2Co_3:17).
I. What, then, is true liberty? Whether we choose to call it by this term, or by the Saxon term freedom, it must be evident that it has reference to restraint of some kind. The word emancipation indicates the same. It necessarily implies the removal or absence of something which cramps energies we wish to exert, or impedes acts we purpose to perform. But here a question arises. Is there such a thing in the world as absolute and entire freedom? and if there be, is it worth the having? Alexander Selkirk, on his desolate island, had such liberty. A man may have it now, if he will. Let him only go into a lonely wilderness, far away from human society, there provide for his own wants, and do everything for himself, and he will realize the idea of absolute and entire liberty. No one will restrain, control, or interrupt him; he is at liberty to do whatever his power may be sufficient to accomplish. Whether this absolute and unrestrained liberty be worth much seems to be settled by the fact that very few choose it. But is this the only sort of life in which absolute and unrestrained liberty can be realized? We believe it is. We may safely affirm that a man who had adopted such a course of life could not come out of his isolated position to mingle with other persons without giving up some portion of his liberty. He obtains indeed an equivalent for what he gives, perhaps more than an equivalent; but his liberty is abridged, he is no longer absolutely and entirely free.
II. Some of the restraints which are compatible with genuine freedom, and regulate it to good ends.
1. The general welfare of society.
2. The rights of other individuals. On passing down the street, you see in an open shop window, or at a door, an article of food or clothing: you greatly desire--perhaps you urgently need it. Why is it that you do not at once exercise your liberty and take it? It is easy to do so; and if it lay in the street you would do it at once. You will reply, that the man inside, in the shop, has a right to it, and you have none. You may buy that right from him, if you please; but until you do, you are no more at liberty to take that article than he is at liberty to put his hand in your pocket and take your purse. His right, then, restrains your liberty, and your right restrains his.
3. A person may say, I admit these restraints and will respect them; but I will do as I please, so long as I do not interfere with the rights and liberties of others. I will enjoy my liberty, and allow them theirs; I will eat, drink, and be merry; I will choose the companionship of those who wish to do as I do; and if I spend my money foolishly, and revel in what you stigmatize as vices, what does it matter, since I allow all others to do as they like? Such seems to have been the liberty which the prodigal son in the parable desired, sought, and exercised. Yet is this liberty of his subject to no restraint? What means, then, that violent headache, that prostration of strength, that empty purse? We find, then, that there is no such thing, except in solitude, as absolute and unrestrained liberty; every mans freedom is checked and limited every day and at every turn, and must, of necessity, be so restrained.
III. Apply this idea of real liberty to the spiritual life and walk of the true Christian. The Christian is a free man. St. Paul speaks of the liberty with which Christ has made him free. Is this liberty of his, then, absolute, or restrained? He rejoices in the liberty wherewith Christ has set him free, and yet he feels that he is not his own, because bought with a price. He knows, he feels, that Gods law is a restraint; but he rejoices that it restrains him; for he serves God with his spirit in the Gospel of His Son, and loves his servitude as much as his liberty. In fact, he regards them as identical; much as our Prayer-book has expressed it: Whose service is perfect freedom. St. Paul also unites the two ideas: He that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lords freeman; likewise he that is called, being free, is Christs servant. Conclusion:--
1. We should always remember that we are not at liberty to do evil.
2. Let us learn to love the restraints of Gods law. (Christian Observer.)
The nature of liberty
Lawlessness, licence, is not liberty. True liberty is found only in obedience to proper restraint. A river finds liberty to flow only between banks; without these it would only spread out into a slimy, stagnant pool. Planets uncontrolled by laws would only bring wreck to themselves and the universe. The same law which fences us in fences others out; the restraints which regulate our liberty also ensure and protect us. It is the right kind of control and e cheerful obedience which make a freeman. (A. T. Pierson, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann1924 · Public DomainOn v49Zain. Patience in Persecution and Crosses. —
Zain. Patience in Persecution and Crosses. —
v. 49. Remember the word unto Thy servant, the reference being to any of the wonderful promises of God in which He assures His servants of His assistance, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope. This is the proper importunity of prayer, to hold the Lord to His promises, Psa 27:8.
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v. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction, serving to console and uphold him in his misery; for Thy Word hath quickened me, filled him with new life and strength. The darker the days which come upon the believers, the more eagerly they watch for every ray of light from God’s Word.
v. 51. The proud, the arrogant and frivolous mockers, such as are always found where the true children of God are following the precepts of God’s holy will, have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not declined from Thy Law, in fact, such mockery causes the believer to cling all the more closely to the Word of God.
v. 52. I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord, in this case particularly the decisions of God concerning the condemnation of the godless, and have comforted myself, since the righteous judgments of the Lord according to His Word would be sure to be maintained.
v. 53. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake Thy Law, that is, he is filled with indignation on account of their wickedness, a holy anger causes him to flare up in zeal for the honor of the Lord and to rebuke the unbelievers with merciless sharpness. At the same time the psalmist is determined to make the Word of God his one rule of life.
v. 54. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage, that is, while the godless jeer with songs of mockery, he will uphold his courage with hymns of praise as long as he is in this earthly house of his pilgrimage, knowing that a complete change will take place in the heavenly home.
v. 55. I have remembered Thy name, O Lord, in the night, the quiet of which is conducive to prayerful meditation, and have kept Thy Law, he has been faithful to the Word at all times.
v. 56. This I had, that was his special privilege, because I kept Thy precepts, looking to the Word for directions to guide his conduct at all times. Thus the believers are ever rich and happy in the possession of the Word.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On vv45, 47, 49, 51I will walk securely
I will walk securely
To walk securely is to live one's life securely. AT: "I will live securely in God" (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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I seek your instructions
To "seek" is to perceive, or gain understanding of God's instructions as if one can see them. (See: Idiom)
solemn commands before kings
"serious commands to kings" or "instructions to kings"
John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv45, 46, 47, 49, 51, 52 The next verse may be read as expressing a…
The next verse may be read as expressing a desire that he might walk. Be this as it may, we retain the commonly received reading, That David exults at the thought of his path becoming plain and easy, in consequence of his seeking diligently after God’s precepts; that is, to walk at ease The ways of men are frequently rugged and obstructed, because they themselves lay various stumblingblocks in them, or entangle themselves in many inextricable windings. Hence it comes to pass, that while none will submit to the word of God as their rule, every man endures the punishment legitimately due to such arrogance. On all sides God lays snares for us, puts pitfalls in our way, causes us to fall in with paths broken and rugged, and at last shuts us up in a bottomless pit: and by how much the more politic a mart is, by so much the more will he meet with obstructions in his path.
This verse teaches us that, if any man yield implicit obedience to God, he will receive this as his reward, that he shall walk with a calm and composed mind; and should he meet with difficulties, he will find the means of surmounting them. The faithful, however readily and submissively they give themselves up to God, may happen to find themselves involved in perplexity; nevertheless, the end contemplated by Paul is accomplished, that though they be in trouble and toil, yet they do not continue in irremediable distress, because it is the duty (so to speak) of God to point out a way for them where there seems to be no way, (2 Corinthians 4:8.) Moreover, when grievously oppressed, even then they walk at ease, for they commit the doubtful issue of events to God in such a manner, that, having him for their guide, they have no doubt they will come out boldly from the depths of distress.
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.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv45, 46, 49, 51, 52 They that simply walk after God’s word, have no…
They that simply walk after God’s word, have no lets to entangle them, whereas they that do contrary, are ever in nets and snares.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv45–52 Psa 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for…
Psa 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Ver. 45. And I will walk at liberty] In the full latitude of thy commandments, and not by wilful wickedness ensnare and ensnarl myself, as those do who, in the fulness of their sufficiency are in straits, and in pursuit of their lusts do pierce themselves through with many sorrows. The Italian senseth it, I will walk in peace of conscience.
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.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv45–52 I will walk at liberty; or, I shall walk…
I will walk at liberty; or, I shall walk at large, as it is in the margin; I shall be delivered from all my present straits, both of the outward and inward man, and enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On vv45, 49, 50, 51, 52 We may observe in these verses, 1. What David…
We may observe in these verses, 1. What David experienced of an affection to the law of God: "I seek thy precepts, Psa 119:45. I desire to know and do my duty, and consult thy word accordingly; I do all I can to understand what the will of the Lord is and to discover the intimations of his mind. I seek thy precepts, for I have loved them, Psa 119:47, Psa 119:48. I not only give consent to them as good, but take complacency in them as good for me." All that love God love his government and therefore love all his commandments. 2. What he expected from this. Five things he promises himself here in the strength of God's grace: - (1.) That he should be free and easy in his duty: "I will walk at liberty, freed from that which is evil, not hampered with the fetters of my own corruptions, and free to that which is good, doing it not by constraint, but willingly." The service of sin is perfect slavery; the service of God is perfect liberty. Licentiousness is bondage to the greatest of tyrants; conscientiousness is freedom to the meanest of prisoners, Joh 8:32, Joh 8:36; Luk 1:74, Luk 1:75. (2.) That he should be bold and courageous in his duty: I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings. Before David came to the crown kings were sometimes his judges, as Saul, and Achish; but, if he were called before them to give a reason of the hope that was in him, he would speak of God's testimonies, and profess to build his hope upon them and make them his council, his guards, his crown, his all. We must never be afraid to own our religion, though it should expose us to the wrath of kings, but speak of it as that which we will live and die by, like the three children before Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 3:16; Act 4:20. After David came to the crown kings were sometimes his companions; they visited him and he returned their visits; but he did not, in complaisance to them, talk of every thing but religion, for fear of affronting them and making his conversation uneasy to them. No; God's testimonies shall be the principal subject of his discourse with the kings, not only to show that he was not ashamed of his religion, but to instruct them in it and bring them over to it. It is good for kings to hear of God's testimonies, and it will adorn the conversation of princes themselves to speak of them. (3.) That he should be cheerful and pleasant in his duty (Psa 119:47): "I will delight myself in thy commandments, in conversing with them, in conforming to them. I will never be so well pleased with myself as when I do that which is pleasing to God." The more delight we take in the service of God the nearer we come to the perfection we aim at. (4.) That he should be diligent and vigorous in his duty: I will lift up my hands to thy commandments, which denotes not only a vehement desire towards them (Psa 143:6) - "I will lay hold of them as one afraid of missing them, or letting them go;" but a close application of mind to the observance of them - "I will lay my hands to the command, not only to praise it, but practise it; nay, I will lift up my hands to it, that is, I will put forth all the strength I have to do it." The hands that hang down, through sloth and discouragement, shall be lifted up, Heb 12:12. (5.) That he should be thoughtful and considerate in his duty (Psa 119:48): "I will meditate in thy statutes, not only entertain myself with thinking of them as matters of speculation, but contrive how I may observe them in the best manner." By this it will appear that we truly love God's commandments, if we apply both our minds and our hands to them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv45–52 And I will delight myself in thy commandments,.... In…
And I will delight myself in thy commandments,.... In perusing and practising them;
which I have loved; a good man loves the law of God, and the commandments of Christ, and delights in them after the inward man.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv45, 48, 49, 52 At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in…
At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv45–52 Verse 45. I will walk at liberty] When freed…
Verse 45. I will walk at liberty] When freed from the present bondage, we shall rejoice in obedience to thy testimonies; we shall delight to keep all thy ordinances.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv45, 49, 51 Psa 119:45-48. And I will walk at liberty —…
Psa 119:45-48. And I will walk at liberty — Having then no such encumbrances upon me as I now have in these straits and difficulties which beset and burden me, I shall enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways, and will do my duty with cheerfulness and joy. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings — Who commonly entertain all godly discourses with scorn and contempt. I will delight myself, &c. — Whereas other princes place their delight in the glories and vanities of this world, and the study and practice of religion are generally irksome and disagreeable to them, thy law shall be my chief delight and pleasure. My hands also will I lift up — To receive and embrace thy precepts and promises, by faith and love, and cheerfully and vigorously to put them in practice.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv45–52 And I will walk at liberty - Margin, “at…
And I will walk at liberty - Margin, “at large.” Luther renders it, “freely.” The Septuagint, “in a broad place.” The Hebrew word means “wide, broad, large, spacious.” The reference is to that which is free and open; that in which there are no limits, checks, restraints; where a man does what he pleases. The meaning here is, that he would feel he was free. He would not be restrained by evil passions and corrupt desires. He would be delivered from those things which seemed to fetter his goings. This does not here refer so much to external troubles or hindrances, to being oppressed and straitened by external foes, as to internal enemies - to the servitude of sin - to the slavery of appetite and passion. Compare the notes at Rom 7:9-14. See also Job 36:16; Psa 118:5. The margin well expresses the sense of the passage.
For I seek thy precepts - I seek or endeavor to obey them. I seek them as the guide of my life. I ask nothing else to direct me.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v49 ז, Zain.
ז, Zain.
49-56. The word… upon which thou hast caused me to hope—In a time of derision and apostasy the psalmist finds strength and delight in the word. Times of persecution and contempt are always times of apostasy. “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Then, the weak fall away, but the strong, though horrified at the desertion, find in Jehovah their strength and their song. Their earthly life, though they be like Paul and Silas in prison, is enlivened and sweetened with song and praise, and “the listening ear of night” catches the accents of their joy.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv45–52 45. And I will walk at liberty] Lit. in…
45. And I will walk at liberty] Lit. in a broad place, for God’s commandment is “exceeding broad”; its observance is no restraint but the truest freedom. Or the meaning may be, Let me walk at liberty, free from the constraint of anxiety and persecution. Cp. Psa_119:32; Psa_118:5.
I seek] Or, I have studied, given diligent heed to.
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.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv45, 46, 48, 50 (45) At liberty.—See margin. Literally, in a large place.…
(45) At liberty.—See margin. Literally, in a large place. (See Psa_119:32; comp. Pro_4:12.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv45–52 And I will walk at liberty. Rekhabah is literally…
And I will walk at liberty. Rekhabah is literally "the open square of a city," hence "a wide, open, free space." In obeying God"s commandments the psalmist will not feel himself under constraint, but a wholly free agent. For I seek thy precepts. Inclination, not constraint, makes him obey God"s precepts he "seeks" them, "loves" them (ver. 47), "delights in" them (vers. 16, 24, 47).
The freedom of right, willedness.
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"I will walk at liberty: for I have sought thy precepts." The Apostle Paul earnestly contends that" we are called unto liberty," but he carefully distinguishes liberty from self-willedness. A man can never have his liberty save on the supposition that he knows what to do with it, and is able to do what he knows. And so the godly man is a free man, be is able to do what he likes, but the distinct assumption is that his likes have come into the renewing grace, and are still in the sanctifying grace, of God. He is free because he is right-willed, and can be trusted with his liberty. The phrase is significant, "freedom in righteousness." We get the idea illustrated if we observe our anxiety that our sons should be right-principled ere they go forth to meet life"s temptations. We are not afraid for them to have their freedom, if only they are right-willed. The psalmist may only mean freedom from special circumstances of constraint and intimidation, but we can use his words in a more comprehensive and more general sense.
I RIGHT-WILLEDNESS AS A CONDITION TO BE GAINED AND KEPT. Here it is the disposition to seek the guidance and help of God"s precepts in every emergency of life. Wrong-willedness is an undue tendency to trust in self for wisdom and guidance. Dependent man never comes right until he wants God; and he never keeps right unless he leans on God. The very essence of the example of the Lord Jesus lies in his rightwilledness. No restraint had ever to be put on him, because he always wanted what God wanted for him. We only get our wills set in harmony with God"s in the persuasion and power of God"s Spirit; but we can set ourselves, and keep ourselves, open to his gracious leadings and inspirings and inworkings.
II RIGHT-WILLEDNESS AS A CONDITION IN WHICH FREEDOM CAN BE ENJOYED. Where there is that disposition and purpose there is always sensitiveness to evil. It is detected at once. It is disliked. To it there is a natural resistance. It is illustrated in Joseph, who "could not do wickedly;" and in the Hebrew youths, who could not "defile themselves with the king"s meat." These young people could be trusted anywhere, because they were set on doing right. The only man in God"s world who is really free, and can be safely trusted with freedom, is the man who means to do right, who is resolved to do God"s will as he may get to know it. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles H. Spurgeon 1885 · Public Domain On vv45–52 Ver. 45. And I will walk at liberty: for…
Ver. 45. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. Saints find no bondage in sanctity. The Spirit of holiness is a free spirit; he sets men at liberty and enables them to resist every effort to bring them under subjection. The way of holiness is not a track for slaves, but the King's highway for freemen, who are joyfully journeying from the Egypt of bandage to the Canaan of rest. God's mercies and his salvation, by teaching us to love the precepts of the word, set us at a happy rest; and the more we seek after the perfection of our obedience the more shall we enjoy complete emancipation from every form of spiritual slavery. David at one time of his life was in great bondage through having followed a crooked policy. He deceived Achish so persistently that he was driven to acts of ferocity to conceal it, and must have felt very unhappy in his unnatural position as an ally of Philistines, and captain of the body guard of their king. He must have feared lest through his falling into the crooked ways of falsehood the truth would no longer be on his tongue, and he therefore prayed God in some way to work his deliverance, and set him at liberty from such slavery. By terrible things in righteousness did the Lord answer him at Ziklag: the snare was broken, and he escaped.
The verse is united to that which goes before, for it begins with the word "And, "which acts as a hook to attach it to the preceding verses. It mentions another of the benefits expected from the coming of mercies from God. The man of God had mentioned the silencing of his enemies (Ps 119:42), power to proceed in testimony (Ps 119:43), and perseverance in holiness; now he dwells upon liberty, which next to life is dearest to all brave men. He says, "I shall walk, "indicating his daily progress through life; "at liberty, " as one who is out of prison, unimpeded by adversaries, unencumbered by burdens, unshackled, allowed a wide range, and roaming without fear. Such liberty would be dangerous if a man were seeking himself or his own lusts; but when the one object sought after is the will of God, there can be no need to restrain the searcher. We need not circumscribe the man who can say, "I seek thy precepts." Observe, in the preceding verse he said he would keep the law; but here he speaks of seeking it. Does he not mean that he will obey what he knows, and endeavour to know more? Is not this the way to the highest form of liberty, to be always labouring to know the mind of God and to be conformed to it? Those who keep the law are sure to seek it, and bestir themselves to keep it more and more.
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Ver. 45. I will walk at liberty. Wherever God pardons sin, he subdues it (Mic 7:19). Then is the condemning power of sin taken away, when the commanding power of it is taken away. If a malefactor be in prison, how shall he know that his prince hath pardoned him? If a jailer come and knock off his chains and fetters, and lets him out of prison, then he may know he is pardoned: so, how shall we know God hath pardoned us? If the fetters of sin be broken off, and we walk at liberty in the ways of God, this is a blessed sign we are pardoned. Thomas Watson.
Ver. 45. I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. As he who departs from confessing of God's truth doth cast himself in straits, in danger and bonds; so he that beareth out the confession of the truth doth walk as a free man; the truth doth set him free. David Dickson.
Ver. 45. I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. When the Bible says that a man led by the Spirit is not under the law, it does not mean that he is free because he may sin without being punished for it; but it means that he is free because being taught by God's Spirit to love what his law commands he is no longer conscious of acting from restraint. The law does not drive him, because the Spirit leads him... There is a state, brethren, when we recognize God, but do not love God in Christ. It is that state when we admire what is excellent, but are not able to perform it. It is a state when the love of good comes to nothing, dying away in a mere desire. That is a state of nature, when we are under the law, and not converted to the love of Christ. And then there is another state, when God writes his law upon our hearts by love instead of fear. The one state is this, "I cannot do the things that I would; "the other state is this, "I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy commandments." Frederick William Robertson, 1816-1853.
Ver. 45. I will walk at liberty. The Psalmist's mind takes in the enlargement of his position. A little while ago, and he felt like a man straitened hemmed in by rocks, in a narrow dangerous pass who could not make his way out. You know the characteristics of Canaan, and you can easily conceive of the position of a traveller exploring his dreaded way through one of the mountain passes. The traveller before us has attained to tread upon secure ground. Now, all at once, favoured of the Most High, and conscious of being in his way, he finds himself in a spacious place, and he walks at large: "And I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy precepts." He had made diligent enquiry into all that the Lord had enjoined, and seeking conformity thereto, he felt that he could walk with comfort. He recreates himself in his spiritual emancipation. The secret evil doer of fair profession cannot know this spiritual liberty at all. As long as a man finds himself to be wrong, and especially a man of a tender conscience, he feels hampered on all sides, depressed in mind, and evilly circumstanced. To what expansion of mind does a man awake when he becomes conscious of being in the appointed way of God! And he is actually at liberty; for the good providence of God is around him, and his grace supports him. John Stephen.
Ver. 45. He who goes the beaten and right path will have no brambles hit him across the eyes. Saxon proverb.
Ver. 45-48. Five things David promises himself here in the strength of God's grace.
1. That he should be free and easy in his duty: I will walk at liberty: freed from that which is evil, not hampered with the fetters of my own corruptions, and free to that which is good.
2. That he should be bold and courageous in his duty: I will speak of thy testimonies before kings.
3. That he should be cheerful and pleasant in his duty: I will delight myself in thy commandments, in conversing with them, in forming to them.
4. That he should be diligent and vigorous in his duty: I will lift up my hands unto thy commandments; which notes not only a vehement desire towards them, but a close application of mind to the observance of them.
5. That he should be thoughtful and considerate in his duty: I will meditate in thy statutes. Matthew Henry.
Ver. 45-48. In these four verses he explains, seriatim, in what the observance of the law consists; a thing he promised, when he said in fourth verse of this division, that he would observe God's law in his in his words, in his mind, and in his acts; and the prophet seems all once, as having been heard, to have changed his mode of speaking, for says, "And I walked at large." When God's mercy visited me, I did walk in the narrow ways of fear, but in the wide one of love; that is to say, observed the law willingly, joyfully, with all the affections of my heart, "because I have sought after thy commandments" as a thing of great and most important to come at; "and I spoke" openly and fearlessly on the justice of his most holy law, even "before kings, and I was not ashamed" and I constantly turned the law in my mind, and made its mysteries the subject of my meditation, "and I lifted up my hands, "to carry out his high and sublime commands; that is, his extremely perfect and arduous commands. Finally, in all manner of ways, in heart, mind, word, and "I was exercised in thy justifications." Robert Bellarmine.
Ver. 45-47. Liberty of walk. Liberty of speech. Liberty of heart.
Ver. 45-48. The true freeman enjoys
1. Free walk with God.
2. Free talk about God.
3. Free love unto God.
4. Free exercise, of soul, (a) in holy practice; (b) in heavenly meditation. W. Durban.
Ver. 45-48. Five things the Psalmist promises himself here in the strength of God's grace.
1. That he should be free and easy in his duty: "I will walk at liberty."
2. That he should be bold and courageous in his duty: "I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings."
3. That he should be cheerful and pleasant in his duty: "I will delight myself in thy commandments."
4. That he should be diligent and vigorous in his duty: "I will delight myself in thy commandments."
5. That he should be thoughtful and considerate in his duty: "I will meditate in thy statutes." M. Henry.
Psalms 119:46*
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 52 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek…
Psa_119:45
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.
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Liberty
I. Liberty is in progressive action. Few can truthfully say, I will walk; they are carried, they are driven on the way of life, they act not from themselves, but from others. They are mere spokes in the wheel of the social machine.
II. Liberty is in the pursuit of right. (Homilist.)
Obedience the secret of liberty
I. Men in this world are under the reign of law. We can see that this is so in matters of everyday experience.
II. The root of bondage lies in disobedience to law, and so is in man and not in God. He says, I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts, and the reverse of that saying is no less true. A plain truth it is, simple even to self-evidence, and yet how slow men are to take it in. It must be the purpose of any true scheme of redemption to lead those who receive it to magnify the law and to make it honourable.
III. Liberty, freedom, enlargement, are found in obedience to Gods law. (E. Medley.)
Conditions of spiritual freedom
I. Deep trust is essential to perfect freedom. Love casteth out fear. The return of the spirit of man to God is inward emancipation--to he the child of God and say Father--Our Father. To trust in Him is unshackled freedom.
II. Holy living is essential to emancipation. To walk at liberty. Liberty is loving service. Freedom to sin would be vilest slavery.
III. Illumination is needful for perfect freedom, knowledge, etc.
IV. The spirit of love is needful for full emancipation.
1. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.
2. Fear not. If this spirit of ours be in earnest, God is working in us. May the light of His Spirit guide us to perfect peace! (Homilist.)
Liberty only in the truth
Liberty is not so much a producing force as a product of other forces. It is not so much a power as it is open space within which other powers work. We want to walk at liberty. How can we do it? If we do not thus walk at liberty, there is only one alternative--stay in bondage. If the psalmist studied Gods will that he might walk at liberty, how much greater is the obligation upon us to do the same, and how much greater our facilities and our encouragement!
1. There is liberty from the world. Sometimes men are in bondage to the world in this sense, that the mainspring of their life is to stand well with it, to do what their set, their society, the world round about them, wishes them to do. Sometimes the bondage is aggravated by another feature, viz. the effort to rise higher, to get into another set; and, oh, how aggravated is the bondage under which many thus live and labour! Freedom from that is obtained when we walk according to Gods statutes. Godliness with contentment is great gain; and these things, the godliness with the contentment, will break these clanking chains of insane and stupid ambition and will prepare you to walk at liberty.
2. There is liberty from bad ways--love of the world, drunkenness, gambling, etc. We learn to walk circumspectly; we learn to keep the heart with all diligence; we learn to hate evil and to do good. We walk securely, for we have been taught of the Spirit to walk with God.
3. There is liberty from bad memories--bad, putrid memories. There may be compunction for the sin, there may be vows against it, there may be honest purposes to resist and overcome it, and these purposes to a good degree carried out; but the horrid, poisonous memories remain in the soul. There is liberty from these to those who walk in Gods statutes, liberty that can be had nowhere else. A new heart will I give you, etc.
4. There is liberty from fear and terror. With the dark cloud of impending wrath overhanging you, how can you walk at liberty? But take Gods precepts, know them, believe them, do them, and this terror is removed, this fear is taken away. (John Hall, D. D.)
Walking at liberty
Liberty and freedom are words not unfrequently used in the Bible in a political, social, and religious sense. How greatly did Israel rejoice in his freedom from the yoke of Egypt. Among the rewards offered to the man who should silence the boastings of Goliath was this, that his fathers house should be made free in Israel. Both the psalmist and St. Paul recognized it as an essential feature in spiritual life, for the one declares that he walked at liberty when he sought the Divine precepts (Psa_119:45); and the other, that where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty. (2Co_3:17).
I. What, then, is true liberty? Whether we choose to call it by this term, or by the Saxon term freedom, it must be evident that it has reference to restraint of some kind. The word emancipation indicates the same. It necessarily implies the removal or absence of something which cramps energies we wish to exert, or impedes acts we purpose to perform. But here a question arises. Is there such a thing in the world as absolute and entire freedom? and if there be, is it worth the having? Alexander Selkirk, on his desolate island, had such liberty. A man may have it now, if he will. Let him only go into a lonely wilderness, far away from human society, there provide for his own wants, and do everything for himself, and he will realize the idea of absolute and entire liberty. No one will restrain, control, or interrupt him; he is at liberty to do whatever his power may be sufficient to accomplish. Whether this absolute and unrestrained liberty be worth much seems to be settled by the fact that very few choose it. But is this the only sort of life in which absolute and unrestrained liberty can be realized? We believe it is. We may safely affirm that a man who had adopted such a course of life could not come out of his isolated position to mingle with other persons without giving up some portion of his liberty. He obtains indeed an equivalent for what he gives, perhaps more than an equivalent; but his liberty is abridged, he is no longer absolutely and entirely free.
II. Some of the restraints which are compatible with genuine freedom, and regulate it to good ends.
1. The general welfare of society.
2. The rights of other individuals. On passing down the street, you see in an open shop window, or at a door, an article of food or clothing: you greatly desire--perhaps you urgently need it. Why is it that you do not at once exercise your liberty and take it? It is easy to do so; and if it lay in the street you would do it at once. You will reply, that the man inside, in the shop, has a right to it, and you have none. You may buy that right from him, if you please; but until you do, you are no more at liberty to take that article than he is at liberty to put his hand in your pocket and take your purse. His right, then, restrains your liberty, and your right restrains his.
3. A person may say, I admit these restraints and will respect them; but I will do as I please, so long as I do not interfere with the rights and liberties of others. I will enjoy my liberty, and allow them theirs; I will eat, drink, and be merry; I will choose the companionship of those who wish to do as I do; and if I spend my money foolishly, and revel in what you stigmatize as vices, what does it matter, since I allow all others to do as they like? Such seems to have been the liberty which the prodigal son in the parable desired, sought, and exercised. Yet is this liberty of his subject to no restraint? What means, then, that violent headache, that prostration of strength, that empty purse? We find, then, that there is no such thing, except in solitude, as absolute and unrestrained liberty; every mans freedom is checked and limited every day and at every turn, and must, of necessity, be so restrained.
III. Apply this idea of real liberty to the spiritual life and walk of the true Christian. The Christian is a free man. St. Paul speaks of the liberty with which Christ has made him free. Is this liberty of his, then, absolute, or restrained? He rejoices in the liberty wherewith Christ has set him free, and yet he feels that he is not his own, because bought with a price. He knows, he feels, that Gods law is a restraint; but he rejoices that it restrains him; for he serves God with his spirit in the Gospel of His Son, and loves his servitude as much as his liberty. In fact, he regards them as identical; much as our Prayer-book has expressed it: Whose service is perfect freedom. St. Paul also unites the two ideas: He that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lords freeman; likewise he that is called, being free, is Christs servant. Conclusion:--
1. We should always remember that we are not at liberty to do evil.
2. Let us learn to love the restraints of Gods law. (Christian Observer.)
The nature of liberty
Lawlessness, licence, is not liberty. True liberty is found only in obedience to proper restraint. A river finds liberty to flow only between banks; without these it would only spread out into a slimy, stagnant pool. Planets uncontrolled by laws would only bring wreck to themselves and the universe. The same law which fences us in fences others out; the restraints which regulate our liberty also ensure and protect us. It is the right kind of control and e cheerful obedience which make a freeman. (A. T. Pierson, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v49 Zain. Patience in Persecution and Crosses. —
Zain. Patience in Persecution and Crosses. —
v. 49. Remember the word unto Thy servant, the reference being to any of the wonderful promises of God in which He assures His servants of His assistance, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope. This is the proper importunity of prayer, to hold the Lord to His promises, Psa 27:8.
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v. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction, serving to console and uphold him in his misery; for Thy Word hath quickened me, filled him with new life and strength. The darker the days which come upon the believers, the more eagerly they watch for every ray of light from God’s Word.
v. 51. The proud, the arrogant and frivolous mockers, such as are always found where the true children of God are following the precepts of God’s holy will, have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not declined from Thy Law, in fact, such mockery causes the believer to cling all the more closely to the Word of God.
v. 52. I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Lord, in this case particularly the decisions of God concerning the condemnation of the godless, and have comforted myself, since the righteous judgments of the Lord according to His Word would be sure to be maintained.
v. 53. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake Thy Law, that is, he is filled with indignation on account of their wickedness, a holy anger causes him to flare up in zeal for the honor of the Lord and to rebuke the unbelievers with merciless sharpness. At the same time the psalmist is determined to make the Word of God his one rule of life.
v. 54. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage, that is, while the godless jeer with songs of mockery, he will uphold his courage with hymns of praise as long as he is in this earthly house of his pilgrimage, knowing that a complete change will take place in the heavenly home.
v. 55. I have remembered Thy name, O Lord, in the night, the quiet of which is conducive to prayerful meditation, and have kept Thy Law, he has been faithful to the Word at all times.
v. 56. This I had, that was his special privilege, because I kept Thy precepts, looking to the Word for directions to guide his conduct at all times. Thus the believers are ever rich and happy in the possession of the Word.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv45, 47, 49, 51 I will walk securely
I will walk securely
To walk securely is to live one's life securely. AT: "I will live securely in God" (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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I seek your instructions
To "seek" is to perceive, or gain understanding of God's instructions as if one can see them. (See: Idiom)
solemn commands before kings
"serious commands to kings" or "instructions to kings"
translationWords
walk
command
king
shame
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv47, 49, 52 119:47-48 The psalmist finds delight in God’s word in…
119:47-48 The psalmist finds delight in God’s word in spite of pain (119:92, 143).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.