Commonplace –
“The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live” (Psalm 119:144).
Throughout these eight verses, David continuously refers to God’s righteousness, which is fitting, since Tsade means ‘righteousness’. David speaks of God’s upright judgments, righteous testimonies, and everlasting righteousness. David closes the eight verses by asking God to give him understanding, because he knows that understanding God’s testimonies, which are righteous, brings life.
“[God’s] promises are founded forever, so that when heaven and earth shall have passed away every iota and tittle of the promise shall stand firm, 2 Cor.1:20. David had found it so, both by a work of God’s grace upon his heart (begetting in him a full persuasion of the truth of God’s word and enabling him to rely upon it with a full satisfaction) and by the works of his providence on his behalf, fulfilling the promise beyond what he expected. Thus he knew of old from the days of his youth, ever since he began to look towards God, that the word of God is what one may venture one’s all upon. This assurance was confirmed by the observations and experience of his own life all along, and of others that had gone before him in the ways of God. All that ever dealt with God, and trusted in him will own that they have found him faithful” (Henry 587).
To reflect upon one’s life and note the hand of God in it, is a good thing. David’s recollection of all God did for him served him well, as it made him long to obey God, who had been so faithful and whose Word was so true throughout his life.
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.
© 2025 Angela Hormberg
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