| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 Aleph. |
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| O the happiness of those perfect in the way, They are walking in the law of Jehovah, |
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| 2 O the happiness of those keeping His testimonies, With the whole heart they seek Him. |
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| 3 Yea, they have not done iniquity, In His ways they have walked. |
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| 4 Thou hast commanded us Thy precepts to keep diligently, |
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| 5 O that my ways were prepared to keep Thy statutes, |
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| 6 Then I am not ashamed In my looking unto all Thy commands. |
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| 7 I confess Thee with uprightness of heart, In my learning the judgments of Thy righteousness. |
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| 8 Thy statutes I keep, leave me not utterly! |
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| 9 Beth. |
Wherewithal – The law of God is a detector of false ways; therefore we should test all of our ways by it. R705:6
A young man – At the verge of manhood life's great work and duties must be faced, and the youth must come in contact, to some extent, with the wickedness of an ungodly world. R2146:2*
Cleanse his way – Keep a clean course in life. R2146:2*
By taking heed – Very few take time to consider, to weigh and compare principles and motives of action, to see whether the ends for which they strive are worthy of their efforts. R2146:1*
To thy word – "Able to make thee wise unto salvation." (2 Tim. 3:15) R2146:4*
Coming to it for answers to all questions of right and duty, studying how the perfect law of God applies to daily life, its associations and obligations. R2146:6*
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| With what doth a young man purify his path To observe according to Thy word. |
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| 10 With all my heart I have sought Thee, Let me not err from Thy commands. |
I sought thee – The Christian who abandons daily reading of the Word and meditation on its precepts is not a growing Christian. R1850:5
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| 11 In my heart I have hid Thy saying, That I sin not before Thee. |
Hid in mine heart – Heart appreciation of the divine arrangements. R4409:5, R1850: 5
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| 12 Blessed [art] Thou, O Jehovah, teach me Thy statutes. |
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| 13 With my lips I have recounted All the judgments of Thy mouth. |
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| 14 In the way of Thy testimonies I have joyed, As over all wealth. |
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| 15 In Thy precepts I meditate, And I behold attentively Thy paths. |
I will meditate – With a meek and prayerful spirit; not read carelessly. R2146:5
Only in pondering the Word of the Lord can we receive the nourishment it is designed to give. R1390:3
A life acceptable to God is to be attained, not merely by prayers and resolutions, but by systematic effort at self-cultivation and nipping the weeds of perversity in the bud. R1296:2
In thy precepts – By diligent and constant cultivation of pure, benevolent and noble thoughts. R4834:6
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| 16 In Thy statutes I delight myself, I do not forget Thy word. |
I will delight – Not merely a willingness to do the Lord's will under restraint, but a willing heart-- "I delight to do thy will." (Psa. 40:8) R3609:1
I will not forget – The key to all proper living. R3609:1, R4834:5
Thy word – Not according to the imperfect standard, but according to God's Word. R4834:6
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| 17 Gimel. |
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| Confer benefits on Thy servant, I live, and I keep Thy word. |
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| 18 Uncover mine eyes, and I behold wonders out of Thy law. |
Open thou mine eyes – God's Word explains many mysteries, and his faithful servants, who study his Word, are not in darkness. R1063:4*
Wondrous things – The matchless harmony of the divine plan. A349
Out of thy law – The entire Word of God, in a larger sense, is God's law. R1498:5
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| 19 A sojourner I [am] on earth, Hide not from me Thy commands. |
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| 20 Broken hath my soul for desire Unto Thy judgments at all times. |
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| 21 Thou hast rebuked the cursed proud, Who are erring from Thy commands. |
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| 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For Thy testimonies I have kept. |
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| 23 Princes also sat against me they spoke, Thy servant doth meditate in Thy statutes, |
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| 24 Thy testimonies also [are] my delight, The men of my counsel! |
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| 25 Daleth. |
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| Cleaved to the dust hath my soul, Quicken me according to Thy word. |
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| 26 My ways I have recounted, And Thou answerest me, teach me Thy statutes, |
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| 27 The way of Thy precepts cause me to understand, And I meditate in Thy wonders. |
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| 28 My soul hath dropped from affliction, Establish me according to Thy word. |
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| 29 The way of falsehood turn aside from me And with Thy law favour me. |
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| 30 The way of faithfulness I have chosen, Thy judgments I have compared, |
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| 31 I have adhered to Thy testimonies, O Jehovah, put me not to shame. |
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| 32 The way of Thy commands I run, For Thou dost enlarge my heart! |
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| 33 He. |
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| Show me, O Jehovah, the way of Thy statutes, And I keep it [to] the end. |
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| 34 Cause me to understand, and I keep Thy law, And observe it with the whole heart. |
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| 35 Cause me to tread in the path of Thy commands, For in it I have delighted. |
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| 36 Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, And not unto dishonest gain. |
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| 37 Remove mine eyes from seeing vanity, In Thy way quicken Thou me. |
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| 38 Establish to Thy servant Thy saying, That [is] concerning Thy fear. |
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| 39 Remove my reproach that I have feared, For Thy judgments [are] good. |
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| 40 Lo, I have longed for Thy precepts, In Thy righteousness quicken Thou me, |
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| 41 Waw. |
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| And meet me doth Thy kindness, O Jehovah, Thy salvation according to Thy saying. |
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| 42 And I answer him who is reproaching me a word, For I have trusted in Thy word. |
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| 43 And Thou takest not utterly away From my mouth the word of truth, Because for Thy judgment I have hoped. |
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| 44 And I keep Thy law continually, To the age and for ever. |
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| 45 And I walk habitually in a broad place, For Thy precepts I have sought. |
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| 46 And I speak of Thy testimonies before kings, And I am not ashamed. |
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| 47 And I delight myself in Thy commands, That I have loved, |
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| 48 And I lift up my hands unto Thy commands, That I have loved, And I do meditate on Thy statutes! |
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| 49 Zain. |
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| Remember the word to Thy servant, On which Thou hast caused me to hope. |
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| 50 This [is] my comfort in mine affliction, That Thy saying hath quickened me. |
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| 51 The proud have utterly scorned me, From Thy law I have not turned aside. |
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| 52 I remembered Thy judgments of old, O Jehovah, And I comfort myself. |
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| 53 Horror hath seized me, Because of the wicked forsaking Thy law. |
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| 54 Songs have been to me Thy statutes, In the house of my sojournings. |
Have been my songs – "Thou hast put a new song into my mouth, even the lovingkindness of our God." (Psa. 40:3) R2232:2
"Songs in the night." (Job 35:10) R2232:1
Not only literal songs, but the entire life will be a song of praise and thanksgiving. R2232:2
Remember Paul and Silas, praising God in the prison of Philippi, while their backs were still lacerated and bleeding? R2232:5
In the house – "The present evil world" (Gal. 1:4) is the general house of our pilgrimage while waiting for the change from the human to the divine nature. OV178:T; R2231:2
"The earthly house of this tabernacle." (2 Cor. 5:1) R2231:3
Of my pilgrimage – While waiting for the "city" of God. R2231:1
Even while we remain here as enemies and foreigners in the enemies' lands, we shall be fed and nourished temporally and spiritually. R5803:6
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| 55 I have remembered in the night Thy name, O Jehovah, And I do keep Thy law. |
In the night – Before the dawn of the Millennial day. R2232:1
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| 56 This hath been to me, That Thy precepts I have kept! |
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| 57 Cheth. |
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| My portion [is] Jehovah; I have said to keep Thy words, |
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| 58 I appeased Thy face with the whole heart, Favour me according to Thy saying. |
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| 59 I have reckoned my ways, And turn back my feet unto Thy testimonies. |
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| 60 I have made haste, And delayed not, to keep Thy commands. |
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| 61 Cords of the wicked have surrounded me, Thy law I have not forgotten. |
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| 62 At midnight I rise to give thanks to Thee, For the judgments of Thy righteousness. |
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| 63 A companion I [am] to all who fear Thee, And to those keeping Thy precepts. |
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| 64 Of Thy kindness, O Jehovah, the earth is full, Thy statutes teach Thou me! |
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| 65 Teth. |
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| Good Thou didst with Thy servant, O Jehovah, According to Thy word. |
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| 66 The goodness of reason and knowledge teach me, For in Thy commands I have believed. |
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| 67 Before I am afflicted, I I am erring, And now Thy saying I have kept. |
I was afflicted – Our Heavenly Father designs that various kinds of trouble shall come upon us to develop and prove our characters. R5879:4, R2382:1; F648
There are great blessings connected with afflictions. F648
The real interests of the New Creation and their physical conditions and interests are often opposites. F631
I went astray – It often requires several adversities to awaken one to come unto the Father through Christ for relief. R4048:3
But now – Therefore, we can thank God for earthly adversities. SM330:T
As Job was blessed more abundantly after his trials than before, so in mankind's final restoration they will have the blessing of added experience to make them wise. R5803:4
The severe tribulations and disciplines of Israel's "seven times" will prove favorable to such of them as incline to do right. In fact, when Jesus came, they had proved so favorable that they were the holiest people in the world. Q356:4
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| 68 Good Thou [art], and doing good, Teach me Thy statutes. |
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| 69 Forged against me falsehood have the proud, I with the whole heart keep Thy precepts. |
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| 70 Insensate as fat hath been their heart, I in Thy law I have delighted. |
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| 71 Good for me that I have been afflicted, That I might learn Thy statutes. |
It is good for me – Precious indeed to the saints of God is the ministry of pain and sorrow. R5803:2, R5879:4, R2382:1; F648
"If ye be without chastisement (discipline, training), then are ye bastards and not sons," (Heb. 12:8) R5879:4
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| 72 Better to me [is] the law of Thy mouth Than thousands of gold and silver! |
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| 73 Yod. |
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| Thy hands made me and establish me, Cause me to understand, and I learn Thy commands. |
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| 74 Those fearing Thee see me and rejoice, Because for Thy word I have hoped. |
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| 75 I have known, O Jehovah, That righteous [are] Thy judgments, And [in] faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me. |
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| 76 Let, I pray Thee, Thy kindness be to comfort me, According to Thy saying to Thy servant. |
According to thy word – Pray, trusting God's love and mercy. R5380:5*
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| 77 Meet me do Thy mercies, and I live, For Thy law [is] my delight. |
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| 78 Ashamed are the proud, For [with] falsehood they dealt perversely with me. I meditate in Thy precepts. |
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| 79 Those fearing Thee turn back to me, And those knowing Thy testimonies. |
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| 80 My heart is perfect in Thy statutes, So that I am not ashamed. |
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| 81 Kaph. |
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| Consumed for Thy salvation hath been my soul, For Thy word I have hoped. |
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| 82 Consumed have been mine eyes for Thy word, Saying, 'When doth it comfort me ' |
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| 83 For I have been as a bottle in smoke, Thy statutes I have not forgotten. |
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| 84 How many [are] the days of Thy servant When dost Thou execute Against my pursuers judgment |
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| 85 The proud have digged for me pits, That [are] not according to Thy law. |
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| 86 All Thy commands [are] faithfulness, [With] falsehood they have pursued me, Help Thou me. |
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| 87 Almost consumed me on earth have they, And I I have not forsaken Thy precepts. |
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| 88 According to Thy kindness quicken Thou me, And I keep the testimony of Thy mouth! |
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| 89 Lamed. |
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| To the age, O Jehovah, Thy word is set up in the heavens. |
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| 90 To all generations Thy faithfulness, Thou didst establish earth, and it standeth. |
And it abideth – The same physical earth remains as the scene for great revolutionary changes which destroy the preceding order of things. R1615:4
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| 91 According to Thine ordinances They have stood this day, for the whole [are] Thy servants. |
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| 92 Unless Thy law [were] my delights, Then had I perished in mine affliction. |
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| 93 To the age I forget not Thy precepts, For by them Thou hast quickened me. |
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| 94 I [am] Thine, save Thou me, For Thy precepts I have sought. |
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| 95 Thy wicked waited for me to destroy me, Thy testimonies I understand. |
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| 96 Of all perfection I have seen an end, Broad [is] Thy command exceedingly! |
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| 97 Mem. |
O how I love thy law – The law of love, whose foundation is justice. R5885:5, R3070:6, R3071:4, R1535:5
We should love it as Christ loved it, study it and endeavor to conform to it as he did, glory in it and, by word and example, teach it to others as he did. R1404:5
We learn to delight ourselves in God's law by assembling together for Bible study. R597:6*
Meditation – We should, in every detail of life, consider carefully what is right and what is wrong according to Scripture. This course is termed meditating on God's law. R5116:3
If God's law were the constant meditation of all, there would be fewer glaring mistakes. R5885:5, R3071:4
All the day – Since it is to be applied to all our business and social relations, its often intricate problems require close discernment. R1703:5, R4062:4
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| O how I have loved Thy law! All the day it [is] my meditation. |
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| 98 Than mine enemies Thy command maketh me wiser, For it [is] before me to the age. |
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| 99 Above all my teachers I have acted wisely. For Thy testimonies [are] my meditation. |
More understanding – God's Word explains many mysteries, and his faithful servants, who study his Word, are not in darkness. R1063:4*
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| 100 Above elders I understand more, For Thy precepts I have kept. |
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| 101 From every evil path I restrained my feet, So that I keep Thy word. |
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| 102 From Thy judgments I turned not aside, For Thou Thou hast directed me. |
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| 103 How sweet to my palate hath been Thy saying, Above honey to my mouth. |
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| 104 From Thy precepts I have understanding, Therefore I have hated every false path! |
I get understanding – While seeking to follow the various specific commands of Scripture, let us seek more and more to understand the principles which underlie the divine law. R3596:1, R4803:4; HG620:1
Every false way – The law of God is a detector of false ways; therefore, we should test all our ways by it. R705:6
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| 105 Nun. |
Thy word is a lamp – His providence and Word. R4663:4
A prophetic lamp. D617
We need the Bible now as a lamp because we are in a dark time, until the day dawn. Q43:2; CR251:4
During the time of the world's existence the Bible has been the lamp, or light, to God's people. CR267:3
In this age the Word is the lamp and the Church the lampstand, but in the next age we shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father. (Matt. 13:43) R243:6*, R244:1*
During the Millennium the world will have something better, yet they will get a blessing from the Bible when they see how prophecies were fulfilled. Q43:2
All who walk the narrow way must use the lamp and walk with great particularity. CR340:4
In proportion as we feed the flame of the Spirit with the truth, we become burning and shining lights in the world, having the Spirit of the Lord in us. R4419:4
The lamps are trimmed by searching the Scriptures. C92
Even believers see only in part, and should desire increasing light, which God has for the Church only. HG745:6
The heathen are in gross darkness. Civilization is in darkness also, although not as gross as in heathendom. HG179:6
Those who have it not stumble on in the darkness. R3686:3, R4988:1
Unto my feet – Pictures the traveler with the lamp attached to the toe of his sandal, giving light only for each step of the way. SM242:1; R5055:2
Not a light like that of the moon, which reaches far out, but merely a little light at the feet of those watching for it. Those who are going to sleep will find their light going out. R5256:6
Light unto my path – illuminating the signs of the times. R2973:3
Only for those who walk in the footsteps of Jesus. It does not shine far into the future, but enough for each onward step as it becomes due. A20; OV203:1; R3468:6
"The path of the just is as the shining light." (Prov. 4:18) A20
The light prevents stumbling over the "stone of stumbling." (Isa. 8:14) R176:5
No amount of prayer will make up for neglect to study the Lord's Word. R5709:5
The Law was a light, but was ultimately superseded by the true light, the Gospel. R2439:1, R2504:4
God's promises respecting the glorious morning are figuratively called "light," and these constitute the Bible. R5038:2
But let us beware in this day of the "new lights" and of many presenting themselves as special teachers. R2532:4
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| A lamp to my foot [is] Thy word, And a light to my path. |
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| 106 I have sworn, and I confirm [it], To keep the judgments of Thy righteousness. |
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| 107 I have been afflicted very much, O Jehovah, quicken me, according to Thy word. |
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| 108 Free-will-offerings of my mouth, Accept, I pray Thee, O Jehovah, And Thy judgments teach Thou me. |
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| 109 My soul [is] in my hand continually, And Thy law I have not forgotten. |
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| 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, And from thy precepts I wandered not. |
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| 111 I have inherited Thy testimonies to the age, For the joy of my heart [are] they. |
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| 112 I have inclined my heart To do Thy statutes, to the age [to] the end! |
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| 113 Samech. |
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| Doubting ones I have hated, And Thy law I have loved. |
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| 114 My hiding place and my shield [art] Thou, For Thy word I have hoped. |
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| 115 Turn aside from me, ye evil-doers, And I keep the commands of my God. |
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| 116 Sustain me according to Thy saying, And I live, and Thou puttest me not to shame Because of my hope. |
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| 117 Support Thou me, and I am saved, And I look on Thy statutes continually. |
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| 118 Thou hast trodden down All going astray from Thy statutes, For falsehood [is] their deceit. |
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| 119 Dross! Thou hast caused to cease All the wicked of the earth; Therefore I have loved Thy testimonies. |
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| 120 Trembled from Thy fear hath my flesh, And from Thy judgments I have been afraid! |
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| 121 Ain. |
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| I have done judgment and righteousness, Leave me not to mine oppressors. |
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| 122 Make sure Thy servant for good, Let not the proud oppress me. |
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| 123 Mine eyes have been consumed for Thy salvation. And for the saying of Thy righteousness. |
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| 124 Do with Thy servant according to Thy kindness. And Thy statutes teach Thou me. |
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| 125 Thy servant [am] I cause me to understand, And I know Thy testimonies. |
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| 126 Time for Jehovah to work! they have made void Thy law. |
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| 127 Therefore I have loved Thy commands Above gold even fine gold. |
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| 128 Therefore all my appointments I have declared wholly right, Every path of falsehood I have hated! |
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| 129 Pe. |
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| Wonderful [are] Thy testimonies, Therefore hath my soul kept them. |
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| 130 The opening of Thy words enlighteneth, Instructing the simple. |
Giveth light – Wisdom from above is the noblest science and the best instruction. R4825:1
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| 131 My mouth I have opened, yea, I pant, For, for Thy commands I have longed. |
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| 132 Look unto me, and favour me, As customary to those loving Thy name. |
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| 133 My steps establish by Thy saying, And any iniquity doth not rule over me. |
Order my steps – Help me so to walk as to make as few mistakes as possible. R3157:1
In thy word – The Word of God furnishes principles, precepts and examples broad enough to indicate the Lord's will in all the minutest affairs of life. R614:4
According to thy promise; perhaps by sending financial or social disappointments, or sickness of body so as to bring back the wandering sheep. R3157:2
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| 134 Ransom me from the oppression of man, And I observe Thy precepts,
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| 135 Thy face cause to shine on Thy servant, And teach me Thy statutes. |
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| 136 Rivulets of waters have come down mine eyes, Because they have not kept Thy law! |
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| 137 Tzade. |
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| Righteous [art] Thou, O Jehovah, And upright [are] Thy judgments. |
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| 138 Thou hast appointed Thy testimonies, Righteous and exceeding faithful, |
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| 139 Cut me off hath my zeal, For mine adversaries forgot Thy words. |
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| 140 Tried [is] thy saying exceedingly, And Thy servant hath loved it. |
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| 141 Small I [am], and despised, Thy precepts I have not forgotten. |
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| 142 Thy righteousness [is] righteousness to the age, And Thy law [is] truth. |
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| 143 Adversity and distress have found me, Thy commands [are] my delights. |
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| 144 The righteousness of Thy testimonies [is] to Cause me to understand, and I live! |
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| 145 Koph. |
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| I have called with the whole heart, Answer me, O Jehovah, Thy statutes I keep, |
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| 146 I have called Thee, save Thou me, And I do keep Thy testimonies. |
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| 147 I have gone forward in the dawn, and I cry, For Thy word I have hoped. |
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| 148 Mine eyes have gone before the watches, To meditate in Thy saying. |
Prevent – Anticipate. R5518:5
Thy word – Law, precept--the spirit, the purpose of that law, not merely the outward form. R5518:5
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| 149 My voice hear, according to Thy kindness, Jehovah, according to Thy judgment quicken me. |
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| 150 Near have been my wicked pursuers, From Thy law they have been far off. |
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| 151 Near [art] Thou, O Jehovah, And all Thy commands [are] truth. |
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| 152 Of old I have known Thy testimonies, That to the age Thou hast founded them! |
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| 153 Resh. |
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| See my affliction, and deliver Thou me, For Thy law I have not forgotten. |
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| 154 Plead my plea, and redeem me, According to Thy saying quicken me. |
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| 155 Far from the wicked [is] salvation, For Thy statutes they have not sought. |
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| 156 Thy mercies [are] many, O Jehovah, According to Thy judgments quicken me. |
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| 157 Many [are] my pursuers, and adversaries, From Thy testimonies I have not turned aside. |
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| 158 I have seen treacherous ones, And grieve myself, Because Thy saying they have not kept. |
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| 159 See, for thy precepts I have loved, Jehovah, According to Thy kindness quicken me. |
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| 160 The sum of Thy word [is] truth, And to the age [is] every judgment of Thy righteousness! |
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| 161 Shin. |
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| Princes have pursued me without cause, And because of Thy words was my heart afraid. |
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| 162 I do rejoice concerning Thy saying, As one finding abundant spoil. |
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| 163 Falsehood I have hated, yea I abominate [it], Thy law I have loved. |
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| 164 Seven [times] in a day I have praised Thee, Because of the judgments of Thy righteousness. |
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| 165 Abundant peace have those loving Thy law, And they have no stumbling-block. |
Great peace – "God has called us to peace." (1 Cor. 7:15) R2946:3
The knowledge that all of their affairs are under divine supervision. R5933:1
Which love thy law – To appreciate the fact that God has a great purpose; to take delight in finding out what God's will is; to have full confidence in his justice, wisdom, love and power. R4898:1; Q528:5
God's law represents God's will. R4898:1
Offend – Stumble. Those that stumble are those that are not rightly in harmony with God's law. R5933:1; Q528:5
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| 166 I have waited for Thy salvation, O Jehovah, And Thy commands I have done. |
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| 167 Kept hath my soul Thy testimonies, And I do love them exceedingly. |
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| 168 I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies, For all my ways are before Thee! |
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| 169 Taw. |
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| My loud cry cometh near before Thee, O Jehovah; According to Thy word cause me to understand. |
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| 170 My supplication cometh in before Thee, According to Thy saying deliver Thou me. |
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| 171 My lips do utter praise, For Thou dost teach me Thy statutes. |
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| 172 My tongue doth sing of Thy saying, For all Thy commands [are] righteous. |
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| 173 Thy hand is for a help to me, For Thy commands I have chosen. |
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| 174 I have longed for Thy salvation, O Jehovah, And Thy law [is] my delight. |
For thy salvation – From all sin, and to the perfection and beauty of holiness. R1938:2
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| 175 My soul liveth, and it doth praise Thee, And Thy judgments do help me. |
Let my soul live – The soul can be destroyed by its Creator. R1882:1; HG334:5
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| 176 I wandered as a lost sheep, seek Thy servant, For Thy precepts I have not forgotten! |
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