Psalm 119 (118):10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now, take heed of his further declaration: "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It appears that he refers to the same group of the blessed as before. To engage with the testimonies of the Lord and seek Him wholeheartedly is to embody blamelessness and to walk in His commandments. He states, "For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet, it is evident that those who commit iniquity diligently examine the testimonies of the Lord, not out of a desire for righteousness, but for knowledge. Some may scrutinize the Lord's testimonies not because they lead righteous lives, but to discern the right way to live. These individuals do not yet walk blamelessly in the law of the Lord, and thus they are not blessed at this stage.

It is affirmed in this Psalm that "they that do evil walk not in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). However, we must strive, with God’s assistance—He being the source of our beings and our words (Wisdom 7:16)—to avoid the misinterpretation of what is accurately stated. We must be cautious not to imply that all saints, who declare, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9), cannot possibly walk in the ways of the Lord, given that sin is inherently evil, and those who do evil do not follow His paths. Conversely, if it is clear that they do walk in His ways, they could mistakenly be thought to be without sin, which is undeniably incorrect. This statement is made not merely to stave off pride but to emphasize the truth of the matter, as indicated by the subsequent clarifying words: "If we confess our sins, He, being faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

What does it signify to say: "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly" (Psalm 118:4)? Have we demanded more than is reasonable? The meaning seems to contrast starkly with the esteemed wisdom held by the Greeks and celebrated by the Latins: "Do nothing in excess." Nonetheless, in Latin, the term "nimis" conveys depth, as found in Scripture and our everyday speech. If one says, "You have accused us of adhering too rigorously to Your commandments," we grasp a significant meaning when understood correctly. For instance, if one expresses to a cherished friend, "I love you too much," it conveys a deep affection rather than an excessiveness.

"Oh, if only," he exclaims, "my ways would be made straight so that I could keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:5). Indeed, you have taken upon yourself this plea: Oh, if I could realize the burden you bear. When you hear this, acknowledge the earnestness within, and upon recognizing this yearning, dismiss the arrogance of presumption. Who can claim they desire what lies within their ability without seeking aid? Thus, if one yearns for what God commands, it is essential to pray for His grace to fulfill those commands.

"I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). We ought to view God's commandments as a reflection, as the apostle James notes (James 1:23-25). This person aspires to embody such a reflection, allowing for a true sight of God’s commandments without confusion, as they commit not merely to hear the Word but to act upon it. This is why they yearn for their ways to be directed according to God’s statutes. But how can one attain such a straight path except through the grace of God? Without it, the law may present as a source of confusion rather than joy for those who do not genuinely heed its lessons.

"I will confess to You, O Lord, with all my heart; in this, I will know the judgments of Your righteousness" (Psalm 117:7). This is a confession not of sin but of praise, echoing the statement, "In whom there was no sin" (Matthew 11:25), and reflecting the wisdom expressed in Ecclesiasticus: "So confess all the works of God, that they are very good" (Sirach 39:15-16). He proclaims, "I confess to You, according to the guidance of my heart." Truly, if I am directed in my ways, I will confess to You, acknowledging Your work, as it is praiseworthy and not for my own glory.

He continues, "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8). But then asks, "Oh, do not leave me, even if it may seem excessive!" or as some texts interpret, "Not even excessively." Despite God withdrawing from the world burdened with sin, He would have completely forsaken it were it not for the powerful remedy of grace bestowed through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, as reflected in the petition of the body of Christ, He has not abandoned it, but rather has reconciled the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Many embark on the search for God, but not wholeheartedly; their hearts are divided by worldly concerns and sinful desires, as noted by Athanasius, leading them to stray from divine commandments. However, the one who cherishes Your commandments dedicates their entire heart to You and, in turn, receives guidance. It is also clear that those who genuinely seek God with their whole heart will receive, with His assistance, what is lacking in human nature necessary for fulfilling all of God's commandments. Conversely, those who do not sincerely seek God, despite performing His works, do so carelessly and will find themselves deprived of what they believed they possessed due to their lax approach to His commands.

Reflect upon your life from the moment you awaken until you sleep, and you'll notice that just as the mind is persistently engaged with thoughts, the will is consistently engaged with actions and plans; not a minute passes without some form of endeavor. However, actions can be executed randomly or thoughtfully; they can be motivated by self-interest or duty, the latter being aligned with the commandments and the will of God. The prophet carries out his actions in accordance with the commandments, which is further emphasized by his prayer, “Thou shalt not take me away from the commandments.” The pursuit of divine guidance in all actions is to seek the Lord. He states, “In all my endeavors and acts of will, which I strive to perform according to Thy commandments, I seek Thee alone, O Lord.” The endeavors and activities we engage in outwardly reflect the commandments that underscore them, and the essence of all endeavors is the quest for the Lord. Hence, the foundational aspect of the commandments lies in the pursuits of the will.

I remember St. Anthony's response to the question, “How shall I be saved?” He said, “Whatever you do, ensure it is supported by Scripture.” Essentially, no matter what actions you take, ensure they align with the command of God. Furthermore, whatever you do—even in eating and drinking—do everything for the glory of God, as instructed by the Apostle (1 Corinthians 10:31). As for aligning actions with the commandments, this is guided by the discernment and reasoning referenced in the earlier verses. Take the time to deliberate and, in light of God’s commandments, decide how to act in every situation and adversary of your life. Then, remain steadfast in these resolutions, and you will walk in accordance with the commandments and God’s will, pleasing Him in all endeavors, whether great or small. Approach Him, seek Him, and He will reveal Himself to you in due time.

Having established this principle, the prophet prays, “Do not cast me away from Thy commandments.” What does this imply? Does God ever remove someone from the commandments? Indeed, one can behave towards God’s commandments much like some conduct themselves in relation to the temple. A person is invited into the house of God, not thrust out. Yet, some position themselves so poorly that, much to the sorrow of the meek Savior, He must drive them out of His sanctuary. Picture the cultivation of the commandments likened to tending a vineyard; laborers are called upon to work, but should the master find one doing more harm than good, he may bar them from the vineyard, declaring, “You, brother, leave; I don't want you here because you only ruin what has been entrusted to you.” He would emphasize this point even more if it had already been demonstrated that the laborer is unproductive. So it is with regard to the commandments: some are devoted workers, while others are of little use. These poor workers are often lazy, neglect what is necessary, and act not for the Lord but out of their own interests, or more frequently, for the sake of human approval. They work half-heartedly, begrudgingly, or with pride, harming more than they help, and thus they merit rejection. How does this rejection manifest? Certainly not through punitive measures, but by the withdrawal of divine favor. True adherents to the commandments receive inner peace, experience God's protection, and sense His aid. Conversely, those who work poorly miss out on these blessings and, deprived of them, struggle to follow the commandments, sinking into vice.

Thus, “Do not cast me away from the commandments” equates to “Do not strip me of Your grace and support; for without Your assistance, I cannot fulfill Your commandments—leading me to despair.” Why does the prophet choose to articulate this sentiment? This expression reflects the feelings of one who repents. A penitent, especially one who has stumbled repeatedly and broken their promises to God, carries a heightened awareness of their failings. Even while believing in God's mercy towards repentant hearts, they may wonder, “What if God has abandoned me, loses patience, and ignores my attempts?” Such thoughts are especially likely when no evidence of repentance seems apparent for some time. “He has forsaken me; surely He will not gaze upon me with compassion!” Yet, God permits such feelings to ignite deeper repentance and to cultivate stronger resolve to faithfully adhere to His commandments.

We might paraphrase the verse in this manner: “You, Lord, require that we conduct all our actions and efforts in accordance with Your commandments, ensuring that our sole focus remains on seeking You. Those who do not perform accordingly are not embraced by You and do not receive Your aid. Here I am, seeking only You with all my heart and with all my endeavors aligned with Your commandments; do not withdraw Your grace and assistance, lest I become weary and falter. I am accountable for what you require of me; may I not also lose what You have promised.” This aligns with the Lord’s proclamation: “To him that hath shall be given, and it shall be given unto him; but from him that hath not, even that which he thinketh he hath shall be taken away” (Matthew 25:29). Saints Ambrose and Hilary elaborate on this same theme. The decision to remain forever faithful to the commandments, aiming to seek the Lord in all things, transforms the soul into a vessel worthy of receiving God’s grace, always available to those who maintain such intentions. This grace empowers them to remain true to the commandments, just as their desire for faithfulness originates from genuine intention. This disposition is like a magnet that attracts even more grace, or like capital that ensures abundance in all necessities.

I am but a novice; if I desire to walk before You in righteousness, I must faithfully observe Your commandments; this is my sincere wish. Please do not withdraw Your grace from me. Your commandments serve as a safeguard against sin and engage my heart; teach me, O mighty God, to understand them increasingly. I willingly speak of them, for they are my utmost treasure. I will joyfully meditate on them continually.

To keep straight implies remaining pure without deviating. Your commandments should not be denied, as I rely on the grace that enables me to follow them. The commandments of God testify of Himself before Israel and reveal His holy will; following them leads to a life aligned with Your guidance. I rejoice in the life principles found in Your commandments, pondering them with fervor.