Psalm 119 (118):137Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now, consider his addition: "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and seek him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It seems to me that the group of the blessed mentioned here is no different from the previous one. To study the Lord's testimonies and to seek Him wholeheartedly is to be blameless in the journey; it signifies walking in the law of the Lord. Then follows the assertion, "For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet, we are aware that those who commit iniquity do engage with the Lord's testimonies, as they prefer knowledge over righteousness; we also observe that others examine the testimonies not because they live righteously, but in hopes of learning how to live rightly. Such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly within the law of the Lord and, therefore, have not attained blessedness.

It is indeed written in this Psalm that "they that do evil walk not in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Nonetheless, we must strive, with divine assistance—understanding that both we and our words rest in God's hands (Wisdom 7:16)—that what is rightly expressed is not misunderstood, causing confusion for readers or listeners. We should be cautious that all the saints, who proclaimed, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9), may appear as if they do not walk in the ways of the Lord, since sin is indeed evil, and those who do evil do not walk in His ways; or conversely, since they undoubtedly walk in His ways, they may be thought to be without sin, a conclusion that is undeniably false. Such statements are not merely meant to avoid arrogance but to emphasize the reality that "truth is not in us," rather than to suggest, "Humility is not in us." The subsequent words clarify this and remove any ambiguity. After asserting this, the 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 imply: "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?" (Psalm 118:4). Have you imposed too great a burden? Or perhaps held back too much? Whichever interpretation one adopts, the sentiment seems to contrast significantly with that esteemed principle celebrated by both Greek and Roman sages: moderation in all things. However, the Latin lexicon sometimes employs the word nimis in a manner that resonates deeply with our understanding. In this context, your accusation of us keeping your commandments too much suggests a significant commitment; when we express to a treasured friend, "I love you too much," we are not conveying an excess, but rather a deep and profound affection.

“Oh, if,” he expresses, “my ways could be made straight so that I might keep your decrees” (Psalm 118:5). You have indeed taken upon yourself this desire: Should I come to fully understand what you have undertaken? When you hear this, recognize the voice of one who is willing; and in recognizing this expression of yearning, let go of the arrogance of presumption. For who can truly desire what they are capable of doing independently? Therefore, if one yearns for what God commands, one ought to beseech God for the strength to fulfill these commands.

"I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). We should regard the commandments of God as if looking into a mirror, as the apostle James indicates (James 1:23-25). This individual desires to reflect upon the commandments of God without confusion, because he is not merely a hearer but also a doer. Thus, he seeks to align his paths and uphold God’s statutes. How can one attain such straightness, if not through the grace of God? Otherwise, he will find the law of God to be a source of distress rather than joy when examining the commandments that he fails to adhere to.

"I will confess to You, Lord, with the intent of my heart; in this, I will understand the judgments of Your righteousness" (Psalm 117:7). This expression is not a confession of wrongdoing but rather one of praise; as He has stated, "I confess unto Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25) and as noted in Ecclesiasticus, "Confess all the works of God, for they are very good" (Sirach 39:15-16). He asserts, "I confess to You" in accordance with the guidance of my heart. Surely, if my paths are aligned, I will confess to You, for it is You who have accomplished it, thereby deserving all praise rather than my own.

He continues, "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8). What then follows? "Do not forsake me even a little!" or, as some versions specify, "Not even excessively," which suggests that, in times when God has distanced Himself from the world amidst its sins, He would have abandoned it entirely if not for the powerful remedy—His grace, delivered through our Lord Jesus Christ. According to this prayer from the body of Christ, He has not abandoned it in any considerable measure, as God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

This encapsulates the essence of these eight verses.

In Psalm 118:137, “Righteous are Thou, O Lord, and righteous are Thy judgments,” the prophet acknowledges the righteousness of the Lord. He asserts that no injustice can emanate from God’s mouth, stating, “Righteous are Thou, O Lord.” This declaration is not merely theoretical; instead, it serves as the foundation for understanding the righteousness of God's judgments. These judgments refer to divine assessments, which encompass all that occurs and are subject to God’s governance, ensuring our fidelity to His will. Since the focus is on commandments, as implied by the subsequent parallel verse, ‘judgments’ here signifies God’s directives on how we ought to live, emphasizing our actions rather than our destinies.

The Greek term for ‘right’ is εὐθεῖς, conveying a sense of ‘straightness’ – the paths delineated by Your commandments, O Lord, lead us directly to our intended destination. In verses 137 and 138, the prophet assures us of the integrity and truthfulness of the commandments. From contemplating God's righteousness in the first verse, he derives his confidence, while the second verse reinforces this by highlighting the intrinsic qualities of the commandments. The prophet asserts that Your commandments, O Lord, are straightforward because of Your inherent righteousness; nothing flawed or indirect would gain Your endorsement. When You declare, “Live in this manner,” and I am certain that this is indeed Your word, I cannot fathom any ambiguity in Your commandments. My assurance is as strong regarding Your righteousness as it is regarding the clarity of the paths laid out in Your commandments, which are as direct as a straight line between two points.

The trust I have in Your commandments is a reflection of the certainty of Your truth. The rays of Your truth illuminate the commandments, adorning them with Your righteousness. If the prophetic understanding asserts that true confidence in the righteousness of the commandments springs from faith in God's righteousness, how can others hope to establish a firm moral framework devoid of faith in God and His Sacred Revelation? Regardless of their efforts, they cannot even arrive at a robust ethical system, let alone ensure the truth of its guidelines. What a multitude of divergent paths arises from human customs! How many forks in the road emerge from distorted perspectives fueled by passions and misguided inclinations! How can we discern the straightest way and guarantee the correctness of our chosen path? Just as a skilled navigator expertly steers a ship through treacherous waters, only an omniscient, all-seeing, and perfectly righteous God can direct us towards a reliable and secure path amidst life’s manifold diversions. Only through faith in Him can we derive confidence in the correctness of our journey, recognizing that He Himself has delineated the right paths.

You, O Lord, are just, and Your law reflects Your righteousness and truth; it causes me great sorrow that my enemies can so easily forget such a law. For my part, I am wholly committed to the perfect word of the Lord. Although my foes perceive me as naive and simple, I do not neglect Your law; it is steadfast and unchanging, and in my profound trials, it remains my focus and delight. Oh, grant me a deeper insight into it.