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

Now, take heed of the subsequent words: “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and seek him with all their heart” (Psalm 117:2). It appears to me that this describes the same blessed individuals previously mentioned. To delve into the testimonies of the Lord and genuinely seek Him is to walk blamelessly on His path, to abide by His law. He further states, “For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). We recognize that those who engage in wrongdoing may examine the testimonies of the Lord, drawn more by knowledge than by righteousness. Others might explore these testimonies, not because they already live righteously, but to understand how they should live. Therefore, such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly in the law of the Lord, which is why they have not yet attained blessedness.

The psalm holds a truth: “They that do evil walk not in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). However, we must endeavor, with God's assistance, to ensure that what is rightly stated is not misunderstood. We must be cautious that the saints, who have declared, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8-9), are not thought to walk outside the Lord's paths merely because sin is inherently evil. Conversely, considering the certainty of their ways, it would be incorrect to assume they are without sin. This isn’t merely to prevent pride and arrogance; otherwise, it would have stated, “Humility is not in us.” Rather, the subsequent words clarify and dispel confusion, for after this declaration, blessed John adds, “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 when it reads, “You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly” (Psalm 118:4)? Have you imposed too great a burden, or perhaps left us with too little? Regardless of how we interpret this, it seems to contrast with that profound wisdom praised by Greek sages and esteemed by the Latins: “Do nothing excessively.” However, the Latin sometimes employs the term *nimis* in an intriguing way, as seen in Scripture and our conversations—it conveys great meaning. In the phrase, “You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too much,” we interpret it to signify a significant commitment. When we express to a dear friend, “I love you too much,” we aren’t implying an excess that is inappropriate, but rather a profound love.

“Oh, if,” he expresses, “my ways could be made straight so that I might keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:5). You have willingly accepted this challenge; may I fully comprehend what You have embraced. When you hear this, recognize the yearning expressed and dismiss the arrogance of pride. For who would claim they desire what lies within their ability to achieve without assistance? Thus, if one yearns for obedience to God's commands, they must beseech God for the grace to fulfill them.

“I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments” (Psalm 118:6). The commandments of God should be regarded as a mirror, as the Apostle James illustrates (James 1:23–25). This individual desires to reflect on God's commandments as in a mirror, seeking clarity and not confusion; for he intends to be a doer of the Word, not merely a listener. This is why he yearns for righteous ways and the capacity to adhere to God’s statutes. How can one achieve straight paths except through the grace of God? Without it, the law of God becomes a source of confusion rather than joy, for those who do not heed it.

“I will confess to You, O Lord, with the uprightness of my heart; in this, I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness” (Psalm 117:7). This confession is not one of sin but of praise, much like in the words, “I confess unto You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25), and as inscribed in Ecclesiasticus, “So confess all the works of God, that they are exceedingly good” (Sirach 39:15-16). He states that he confesses according to the alignment of his heart. Indeed, if his ways are rightly ordered, he will praise You, acknowledging Your work rather than his own.

He proceeds: “I will keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? “Do not forsake me even too much!” or as some manuscripts state, “not even with excess.” Certainly, God would have abandoned the world profoundly in its wilderness of sin, had it not been sustained by a mighty remedy—grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, according to this prayer from the body of Christ, He has not forsaken the world to an excessive degree; for God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Theodoret expresses a strong fervor for Your commandments, recognizing that those who violate them face dishonor, contempt, and rejection. According to Athanasius, this is the ultimate fate of those who disregard God's law: they face destruction, primarily because their thoughts are corrupt, having chosen paths of disobedience to God’s law.

To prevent anyone from falling prey to this erroneous notion, God, through the prophet, clarifies that His mercy should not be misconstrued as acceptance of wrongdoing: “I was silent, saith He to the sinner, and did not chastise thee, waiting for thy conversion; but thou thoughtest that I was like thee, that I favoured sin: nay, I will rebuke thee, and to thee I will bring before thine own eyes how much I hate sin” (Psalm 49:21-22). Furthermore, to dispel the belief that His threats are mere words, God sometimes enacts His warnings. His incredible judgments upon transgressors have echoed through the ages, awakening the complacent and stirring the indifferent. The prophet here refers to God's judgments with the assertion, “I will,” as it were, according to the blessed Theodoret’s interpretation, “diligently keep Thy commandments, understanding that those who violate them have been humbled and shamed by Thee.” Thus, we should frequently meditate on God’s judgments, striving to ignite within ourselves a zeal for goodness while simultaneously rejecting the temptations of sin. Consider the profound care the Lord exhibited in creating and shaping the lives of our ancestors. When they turned away from Him, He took decisive action, casting them out of paradise and subjecting our entire lineage to the fallen state we now experience. Under Noah, humanity embraced wickedness, and when they disregarded God’s warns, He did not consider their numbers; He caused all to perish in a deluge. He spared neither Sodom nor Gomorrah, nor the other cities, which He destroyed by fire and inundation, leaving behind reminders of His fearsome judgments. Lot's wife was turned into a “pillar of salt” for merely glancing back, an act that defied God's command given privately. The divine judgments upon Pharaoh, the nations in the promised land, and the Israelites during their repeated rebellions against God—culminating in their Assyrian and especially Babylonian captivities, followed by their scattering for killing the Savior—indicate that God always has disciplinary actions prepared for wrongdoers. If He does not always execute judgment immediately following a sin, it is often because He is awaiting repentance or allows individuals to experience the full consequences of their choices, ultimately to strike more profoundly later. Reflect on these matters and cleanse your heart of any lax thoughts. If you observe your own life and those around you, you will recognize, alongside the mercies with which God has shielded you and others, a multitude of instances that clearly exemplify His righteous corrections. If these truths held in the past, why should we believe they have changed today? Be vigilant in maintaining a healthy fear of God’s judgments. The prophet’s subsequent words, “their thoughts are unrighteous,” signal the nature of ungodly thoughts, which suggest that God remains uncaring—unwilling to call or see. This serves as a reminder of each harmful thought that runs contrary to God’s will and leads towards sin and temptation. It is essential to realize that God punishes not only actions but also the hidden thoughts of the heart. Ultimately, what caused Ananias and Sapphira to meet their end? Their misguided belief that they could deceive the Holy Spirit. And Simon was rejected due to the notion that the gift of the Holy Spirit could be purchased. God examines your heart and is prepared to discipline you for any depravity residing within it. Thus, take a moment to introspect and, in light of God’s judgment, eliminate all unrighteousness from within you.

I detest wrongdoing; my love is solely for your law; grant that even my opposing flesh may be more thoroughly subdued by your fear. In my current state—being bound by flesh—I have ample reason to fear your judgments; it should be otherwise. I seek this crucifixion because I dread the punishment from you that will come if my flesh remains alive.