An Exposition of Psalm

AN EXPOSITION OF PSALM 119 By Charles Bridges New York: Robert Carter, 1876 First published 1827. Digitized by Erin Bensing, 2007 Gordon College, Wenham, MA PREFACE. A CONSIDERABLE portion of the Sacred Volume (as the Book of Psalms and Canticles in the Old Testament, and a large part of the several Epistles in the New Testament) is occupied with the interesting subject of Christian Expe- rience; and exhibits its character, under different dispensa- tions of religion, and diversified with an endless variety of circumstances, as ever essentially the same. As the same features of countenance and elevation of stature have always marked the human species in the midst of the creation of God; so an identity of feature and "measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" has, in all ages, and under every shade of outward difference, distinguished the family of God," as the people that should dwell alone, and should not be reckoned among the nations." (Num. xxiii. 9.) This indeed was to have been expected. Human nature has undergone no change since the fall. In its unrenewed state it is still captivated in the same chains of sin; and, when renewed, it is under the influence of the same Spirit of grace. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and vi PREFACE. that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John, iii. 6.) The modern believer, therefore, when employed in tracing the records of Patriarchal or Mosaical experience, will mark in the infirmities of the ancient people of God a picture of his own heart, "answering, as in water face answereth to face" (Prov. xxvii. 19) and in comparing their gracious exercises with his own, he will be ready to acknowledge,—"All these worketh that one and the self- same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." (1 Cor. xii. 11.) In this view, it is the object of this work to exhibit an Old Testament believer in a New Testament garb, as one "walking in the same spirit, and in the same steps" with ourselves and, in bringing his features of character to the Evangelical standard, it is presumed, that the corre- spondence will be found to be complete. "Faith which worketh by love" (Gal. v. 6)— the fundamental distinc- tion of the Gospel—pervades the whole man with at least an implied reference to the One way of access to God (verses 41, 88, 132, 135), and a distinct regard alike to the promises (verses 25, 32, 49, 74, 169, 170), and to the precepts (verses 66, 166), of Divine revelation. Nor are the workings of this principle delineated with less accuracy. In all the variety of Christian feelings and holy conduct, we observe its operations leading the soul into communion with God, and moulding every part into a progressive con- formity to his image. When we view the "man after God's own heart," taking God for his portion (verse 57), associating with his people (verses 63, 79), and feeding PREFACE. vii upon his word (verses 47, 48, 97, 111); when we mark his zeal for his Master's glory (verse 139); his devotedness (verse 38) and self-denial (verse 62) in his Master's work; when we see him ever ready to confess his name (verses 45, 46, 115, 172), to bear his reproach (verses 23, 69, 87, 141), and caring only to answer it by a more steady adherence to his service (verses 51, 78, 157) —do we not in those lineaments of character recognise the picture of one, who in after times could turn to the churches of Christ, and say —"Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me?" (1 Cor. iv. 16.) Or can we recollect the Psalmist's insight into the extent and spirituality of the law of God (verse 96), and his continual conflict with indwelling sin (verses 113, 163), awakening in him the spirit of wrestling prayer (verses 25, 28), and confidence in the God of his salvation (verses 114, 176); and not be again forcibly reminded of him, who has left upon record the corresponding history of his own experience—"I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom. vii. 9, 14, 24, 25.) In short, let his instancy in prayer (verses 145-149) and praise (verse 164) be remembered; his determined (verses 5, 36, 80) and persevering (verses 44, 102, 112) cultivation of heart-religion (verses 30-32, 59, 60) and practical holiness (verses 106, 167, 168), his hungering and thirsting viii PREFACE. after righteousness (verses 20, 40, 131, 174); his jealous fear (verse 161) and watchful tenderness (verses 11, 37, 163) against sin, and regard for the honour of his God (verse 39); his yearning compassion over his fellow-sinners (verses 53, 136, 158); his spiritual taste (verses 103, 140); his accurate discernment (verses 98-100, 104, 129, 130); the "simplicity" of his dependence (verses 8, 10, 86, 116, 117), and the "godly sincerity" of his obedience (verses 104, 128); his peace of mind and stability of profession (verse 165); his sanctified improvement of the cross (verses 67, 71, 75); his victory over the world (verses 14, 36, 72, 127, 162); his acknowledgment of the Lord's mercy (verses 64, 65, 68); his trials of faith and patience (verses 81-83, 107, 123); his heavenly liberty in the ways of God (verses 32, 45); his habitual living in his presence (verse 168), and under the quickening (verses 50, 93) —restraining (verse 101)—directing (verses 9, 24, 30, 105) —and supporting (verses 92, 143) influence of his word —let these holy exercises be considered, either separately, or as forming one admirable concentration of Christian excellence; and what do we desire more to complete the portrait of a finished servant of God upon the Divine model? Is not this a visible demonstration of the power of the word, "perfecting the man of God, and furnishing him throughly unto all good works?" (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17.) Having explained the Evangelical character of this Psalm, we may notice its peculiar adaptation to Christian experience. It may be considered as the journal of one, PREFACE. ix who was deeply taught in the things of God, long prac- tised in the life and walk of faith. It contains the anatomy of experimental religion, the interior lineaments of the family of God. It is given for the use of believers in all ages, as an excellent touchstone of vital godliness, a touchstone which appears especially needful in this day of profession; not as warranting our confidence in the Saviour, or as constituting in any measure our ground of acceptance with God: but as exciting us to "give diligence to make our calling and election sure" (2 Pet. i. 10), and quicken our sluggish steps in the path of self-denying obedience. The Writer is free to confess, that his main design in the study of this Psalm was to furnish a correct standard of Evangelical sincerity for the habitual scrutiny of his own heart; and if in the course of this Exposition, any sug- gestion should be thrown out, to call the attention of his fellow-Christians to this most important, but, alas! too much neglected duty, he will have reason to "rejoice in the day of Christ, that he has not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."* Never let it be supposed, that a dili- * 'I know of no part of the Holy Scriptures,'—remarks a pro- found divine—'where the nature and evidences of true and sincere godliness are so fully and largely insisted on and delineated as in the 119th Psalm. The Psalmist declares his design in the first verses of the Psalm, keeps his eye on it all along, and pursues it to the end. The excellence of holiness is represented as the imme- diate object of a spiritual taste and delight. God's law, that grand expression and emanation of the holiness of God's nature, and pre- scription of holiness to the creature—is all along represented as the great object of the love, the complacence, and the rejoicing of the gracious nature, which prizes God's commandments "above gold, x PREFACE. gent, prayerful, probing examination of the "chambers of imagery," "gendereth unto bondage." Invariably will it be found to establish the enjoyment of Scriptural assurance. "Hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." (1 John, iii. 19, with 18, 20, 21.) As therefore the preceptive part of the Gospel thus be- comes our guide in the happy path of filial obedience, our beloved rule of duty, and the standard of our daily progress; we shall learn in the use of it to depend more entirely upon the Saviour, fresh energy will be thrown into our prayers; and the promises of pardon and grace will be doubly pre- cious to our souls. These views of the Divine life cannot be found un- friendly to the best happiness of mankind. The Psalm opens with a most inviting picture of blessedness, and describes throughout the feelings of one, encompassed indeed with trials superadded to the common lot of men, but yet evidently in possession of a satisfying portion— of a "joy, with which a stranger does not intermedle." (Prov.

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