| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
{Each octet of verses in Psalm 119 begins with the same Hebrew letter.}
Meditations and Prayers relating to the Law of God. |
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א ALEPH
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1 Blessed are they that are perfect in the way,
Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
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2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
That seek him with the whole heart.
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3 Yes, they do no unrighteousness;
They walk in his ways.
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4 Thou hast commanded us thy precepts,
That we should observe them diligently.
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5 Oh that my ways were established
To observe thy statutes!
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6 Then shall I not be put to shame,
When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
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7 I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart,
When I learn thy righteous judgments.
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8 I will observe thy statutes:
Oh forsake me not utterly.
ב BETH
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9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
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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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10 With my whole heart have I sought thee:
Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
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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 Thy word have I laid up in my heart,
That I might not sin against thee.
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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 have I declared
All the ordinances of thy mouth.
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14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
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15 I will meditate on thy precepts,
And have respect unto thy ways.
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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 I will delight myself in thy statutes:
I will not forget thy words.
ג GIMEL
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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 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live;
So will I observe thy words.
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18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold
Wondrous things out of thy law.
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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 I am a sojourner in the earth:
Hide not thy commandments from me.
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20 My soul breaketh for the longing
That it hath unto thine ordinances at all times.
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21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed,
That do wander from thy commandments.
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22 Take away from me reproach and contempt;
For I have kept thy testimonies.
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23 Princes also sat and talked against me;
But thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.
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24 Thy testimonies also are my delight
And my counsellors.
ד DALETH
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25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust:
Quicken thou me according to thy word.
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26 I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me:
Teach me thy statutes.
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27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:
So shall I meditate on thy wondrous works.
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28 My soul melteth for heaviness:
Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
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29 Remove from me the way of falsehood;
And grant me thy law graciously.
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30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness:
Thine ordinances have I set before me.
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31 I cleave unto thy testimonies:
O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
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32 I will run the way of thy commandments,
When thou shalt enlarge my heart.
ה HE
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33 Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes;
And I shall keep it unto the end.
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34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;
Yes, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
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35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;
For therein do I delight.
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36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
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37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,
And quicken me in thy ways.
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38 Confirm unto thy servant thy word,
Which is in order unto the fear of thee.
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39 Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid;
For thine ordinances are good.
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40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:
Quicken me in thy righteousness.
ו VAV
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41 Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah,
Even thy salvation, according to thy word.
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42 So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me;
For I trust in thy word.
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43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;
For I have hoped in thine ordinances.
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44 So shall I observe thy law continually
For ever and ever.
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45 And I shall walk at liberty;
For I have sought thy precepts.
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46 I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,
And shall not be put to shame.
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47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments,
Which I have loved.
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48 I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved;
And I will meditate on thy statutes.
ז ZAYIN
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49 Remember the word unto thy servant,
Because thou hast made me to hope.
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50 This is my comfort in my affliction;
For thy word hath quickened me.
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51 The proud have had me greatly in derision:
Yet have I not swerved from thy law.
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52 I have remembered thine ordinances of old, O Jehovah,
And have comforted myself.
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53 Hot indignation hath taken hold upon me,
Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
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54 Thy statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
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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 thy name, O Jehovah, in the night,
And have observed thy law.
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In the night – Before the dawn of the Millennial day. R2232:1
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56 This I have had,
Because I have kept thy precepts.
ח CHETH
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57 Jehovah is my portion:
I have said that I would observe thy words.
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58 I entreated thy favor with my whole heart:
Be merciful unto me according to thy word.
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59 I thought on my ways,
And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
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60 I made haste, and delayed not,
To observe thy commandments.
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61 The cords of the wicked have wrapped me round;
But I have not forgotten thy law.
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62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee
Because of thy righteous ordinances.
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63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee,
And of them that observe thy precepts.
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64 The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy lovingkindness:
Teach my thy statutes.
ט TETH
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65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,
O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
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66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge;
For I have believed in thy commandments.
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67 Before I was afflicted I went astray;
But now I observe thy word.
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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 Thou art good, and doest good;
Teach me thy statutes.
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69 The proud have forged a lie against me:
With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.
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70 Their heart is as fat as grease;
But I delight in thy law.
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71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
That I may learn thy statutes.
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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 The law of thy mouth is better unto me
Than thousands of gold and silver.
י YOD
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73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me:
Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
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74 They that fear thee shall see me and be glad,
Because I have hoped in thy word.
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75 I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous,
And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
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76 Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort,
According to thy word unto thy servant.
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According to thy word – Pray, trusting God's love and mercy. R5380:5*
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77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live;
For thy law is my delight.
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78 Let the proud be put to shame; for they have overthrown me wrongfully:
But I will meditate on thy precepts.
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79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me;
And they shall know thy testimonies.
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80 Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes,
That I be not put to shame.
כ KAPH
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81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation;
But I hope in thy word.
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82 Mine eyes fail for thy word,
While I say, When wilt thou comfort me?
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83 For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke;
Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
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84 How many are the days of thy servant?
When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
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85 The proud have digged pits for me,
Who are not according to thy law.
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86 All thy commandments are faithful:
They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
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87 They had almost consumed me upon earth;
But I forsook not thy precepts.
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88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness;
So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.
ל LAMED
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89 For ever, O Jehovah,
Thy word is settled in heaven.
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90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:
Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
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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 They abide this day according to thine ordinances;
For all things are thy servants.
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92 Unless thy law had been my delight,
I should then have perished in mine affliction.
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93 I will never forget thy precepts;
For with them thou hast quickened me.
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94 I am thine, save me;
For I have sought thy precepts.
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95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me;
But I will consider thy testimonies.
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96 I have seen an end of all perfection;
But thy commandment is exceeding broad.
מ MEM
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97 Oh how love I thy law!
It is my meditation all the day.
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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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98 Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies;
For they are ever with me.
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99 I have more understanding than all my teachers;
For thy testimonies are my meditation.
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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 I understand more than the aged,
Because I have kept thy precepts.
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101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way,
That I might observe thy word.
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102 I have not turned aside from thine ordinances;
For thou hast taught me.
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103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
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104 Through thy precepts I get understanding:
Therefore I hate every false way.
נ NUN
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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 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And light unto my path.
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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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106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it,
That I will observe thy righteous ordinances.
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107 I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
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108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah,
And teach me thine ordinances.
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109 My soul is continually in my hand;
Yet do I not forget thy law.
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110 The wicked have laid a snare for me;
Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts.
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111 Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever;
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
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112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes
For ever, even unto the end.
ס SAMECH
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113 I hate them that are of a divided mind;
But thy law do I love.
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114 Thou art my hiding-place and my shield:
I hope in thy word.
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115 Depart from me, ye evil-doers,
That I may keep the commandments of my God.
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116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live;
And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
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117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe,
And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.
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118 Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes;
For their deceit is falsehood.
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119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross:
Therefore I love thy testimonies.
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120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee;
And I am afraid of thy judgments.
ע AYIN
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121 I have done justice and righteousness:
Leave me not to mine oppressors.
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122 Be surety for thy servant for good:
Let not the proud oppress me.
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123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation,
And for thy righteous word.
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124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy lovingkindness,
And teach me thy statutes.
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125 I am thy servant; give me understanding,
That I may know thy testimonies.
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126 It is time for Jehovah to work;
For they have made void thy law.
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127 Therefore I love thy commandments
Above gold, yes, above fine gold.
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128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right
And I hate every false way.
פ PE
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129 Thy testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore doth my soul keep them.
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130 The opening of thy words giveth light;
It giveth understanding unto the simple.
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Giveth light – Wisdom from above is the noblest science and the best instruction. R4825:1
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131 I opened wide my mouth, and panted;
For I longed for thy commandments.
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132 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me,
As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
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133 Establish my footsteps in thy word;
And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
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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 Redeem me from the oppression of man:
So will I observe thy precepts.
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135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;
And teach me thy statutes.
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136 Streams of water run down mine eyes,
Because they observe not thy law.
צ TZADDI
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137 Righteous art thou, O Jehovah,
And upright are thy judgments.
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138 Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness
And very faithfulness.
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139 My zeal hath consumed me,
Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
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140 Thy word is very pure;
Therefore thy servant loveth it.
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141 I am small and despised;
Yet do I not forget thy precepts.
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142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And thy law is truth.
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143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me;
Yet thy commandments are my delight.
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144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever:
Give me understanding, and I shall live.
ק QOPH
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145 I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah:
I will keep thy statutes.
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146 I have called unto thee; save me,
And I shall observe thy testimonies.
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147 I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried:
I hoped in thy words.
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148 Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches,
That I might meditate on thy word.
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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 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness:
Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thine ordinances.
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150 They draw nigh that follow after wickedness;
They are far from thy law.
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151 Thou art nigh, O Jehovah;
And all thy commandments are truth.
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152 Of old have I known from thy testimonies,
That thou hast founded them for ever.
ר RESH
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153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me;
For I do not forget thy law.
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154 Plead thou my cause, and redeem me:
Quicken me according to thy word.
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155 Salvation is far from the wicked;
For they seek not thy statutes.
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156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah:
Quicken me according to thine ordinances.
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157 Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries;
Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
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158 I beheld the treacherous, and was grieved,
Because they observe not thy word.
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159 Consider how I love thy precepts:
Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
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160 The sum of thy word is truth;
And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.
ש SHIN
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161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause;
But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.
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162 I rejoice at thy word,
As one that findeth great spoil.
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163 I hate and abhor falsehood;
But thy law do I love.
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164 Seven times a day do I praise thee,
Because of thy righteous ordinances.
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165 Great peace have they that love thy law;
And they have no occasion of stumbling.
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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 hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah,
And have done thy commandments.
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167 My soul hath observed thy testimonies;
And I love them exceedingly.
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168 I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies;
For all my ways are before thee.
ת TAV
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169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah:
Give me understanding according to thy word.
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170 Let my supplication come before thee:
Deliver me according to thy word.
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171 Let my lips utter praise;
For thou teachest me thy statutes.
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172 Let my tongue sing of thy word;
For all thy commandments are righteousness.
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173 Let thy hand be ready to help me;
For I have chosen thy precepts.
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174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah;
And thy law is my delight.
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For thy salvation – From all sin, and to the perfection and beauty of holiness. R1938:2
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175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;
And let thine ordinances help me.
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Let my soul live – The soul can be destroyed by its Creator. R1882:1; HG334:5
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176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant;
For I do not forget thy commandments. |
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