Commonplace –
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (119:165).
In verse 165, David makes reference to the title of this section of Psalm 119 by mentioning peace. “The letter SHIN alludes to Shabbat, the seventh day of Creation. This day signifies total rest from the week of work and is filled with peace and tranquility” (“Shin”). When one has peace, they are not offended. David confesses his love for God’s law, which brings him peace. When David is reading or thinking or writing about God’s law, he is dwelling on God and rises above worldly concerns, experiencing peace. We, too, can achieve this peace, and, when we do, we experience God’s rest, which is what the seventh day of Creation was and is all about. It’s finding God’s peace in the world.
Matthew Henry covers this very well in his commentary on verse 165.
“Here is an account of the happiness of good men, who are governed by a principle of love to the word of God, who make it their rule and are ruled by it.
1. They are easy, and have a holy serenity; none enjoy themselves more than they do: Great peace have those that love thy law, abundant satisfaction in doing their duty and pleasure in reflecting upon it. The work of righteousness is peace (Isa. 32:17), such peace as the world can neither give nor take away. They may be in great troubles without and yet enjoy great peace withing, sat lucis intus – abundance of internal light. Those that love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer their expectation; those that love God’s word have great peace, for it outdoes their expectation and in it they have sure footing.
2. They are safe, and have a holy security: Nothing shall offend them; nothing shall be a scandal, snare, or stumbling-block, to them, to entangle them either in guilt or grief. No event of providence shall be either an invincible temptation or an intolerable affliction to them, but their love to the word of God shall enable them both to hold fast their integrity and to preserve their tranquility. They will make the best of that which is, and not quarrel with any thing that God does. Nothing shall offend or hurt them, for every thing shall work for good to them, and therefore shall please them, and they shall reconcile themselves to it. Those in whom this holy love reigns will not be apt to perplex themselves with needless scruples, nor to take offence at their brethren, 1 Cor. 13:6, 7″ (590).
Works Cited
Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.
Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.
“Shin”. BJE: Your Jewish Journey. NSW Board of Jewish Education, https://bje.org.au/knowledge-centre/jewish-languages/hebrew-alphabet/bet/ , Accessed 2 Aug 2025.
© 2025 Angela Hormberg
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