Psalm 119 (118):141Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The prophet reflected on this selection and declared, "You have honored me, O youth, who is deemed weak among my kin, with such grace, making me both a prophet and a king. Therefore, I am committed to diligently uphold Your commandments."

Now, pay attention to what he adds: "Blessed are they who keep His testimonies, and seek Him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It appears there is no different category of blessed individuals presented here other than the one previously mentioned. To examine the testimonies of the Lord and earnestly seek Him is to embody blamelessness on the path; it reflects a life aligned with the law of the Lord. Next, he states, "For those who do evil will not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet we recognize that some, while engaging in wickedness, still examine the testimonies of the Lord, valuing knowledge over righteousness. Others may study these testimonies not because they already lead virtuous lives, but in hopes of learning how they ought to live. Such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly according to the Lord’s law, thus they have not yet attained blessedness...

As it is inscribed and acknowledged in this Psalm: "They who do evil do not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). However, we must strive, with divine assistance, for in God's hands are both we and our words (Wisdom 7:16) to ensure that statements properly understood do not perplex the reader or listener. We must be cautious, lest we assume all the saints, whose words affirm, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9), could be thought to not walk in the Lord’s ways, since sin is indeed evil, and those who commit evil do not follow His paths; or conversely, if they do indeed walk in His ways, they would, therefore, be wrongly considered to have no sin. This is patently untrue, for it is not stated merely to avert arrogance and pride. If that were the case, we would have seen the phrase "Humility is not in us" instead; particularly as the subsequent verses clarify the meaning and dispel any uncertainties. After expressing this, the blessed John continued, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)...

What is meant by the phrase: "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?" (Psalm 118:4). Have You exacted too heavy a toll? Or have You left too much? Regardless of how we interpret this, the implication counters that well-known and esteemed thought praised by the Greeks in their philosophers, and supported by the Latins who commend, "Do nothing in excess."... However, in the Latin tongue, the word "nimis" can imply excess deeply, as observed in Scripture and employed in conversation meaningfully. In this context, to accuse us of excessively adhering to Your commandments indicates a substantial understanding, assuming we interpret it rightly; similarly, when expressing to a dear friend, "I love you too much," we do not intend to imply an inappropriate measure, but rather a considerable affection.

O, if only he says, my ways could be made so straight as to keep Your decrees (Psalm 118:5). Indeed, You have taken upon Yourself a great responsibility: O, if I could truly grasp the weight of what You bear. When you hear this, recognize the words of willing intent; recognizing true desire allows one to shed the arrogance of presumptuousness. For who claims to desire deeply something within their power, believing they can accomplish it without assistance? Thus, if one longs to fulfill God's commands, they must beseech Him to empower them to achieve His commands...

"I will not be ashamed as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). We should regard God's commandments as a mirror when they are proclaimed or when we recall them, as the apostle James suggests (James 1:23-25). This person aspires to see themselves through the lens of God's commandments, desiring clarity without confusion, for they choose not to merely listen but to act upon them. For this reason, they long for their paths to be aligned with God's statutes. How can one attain such alignment except through the grace of God? Otherwise, one could find in God’s law a source of distress rather than joy if they do not align their lives accordingly.

"I will confess to You, O Lord, in the direction of my heart; in this I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness" (Psalm 117:7). This represents not a confession of sins but of gratitude; as stated, "In whom there is no sin, I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25) and as noted in Ecclesiasticus: "Confess all the works of God, that they are exceedingly good" (Sirach 39:15-16). He declares, "I confess to You according to the guidance of my heart." Indeed, if my paths are made right, I will offer praise, acknowledging that is Your work and Your glory, not mine...

He continues, "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8)... But what follows? "O leave me not in excess!" or as some texts state, "not even unbearably." Yet, God would have turned His back on the world amidst a wilderness of sins, had it not been upheld by such a strong remedy, the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ; but according to this prayer from the body of Christ, He abandoned it not at all, for God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19)...

Theodoret indicates that the new nation is also youthful in terms of their initial grasp of God’s word, reflecting their humble status. Such traits are characteristic of the God-fearer, who lowers himself in this life and is often looked down upon by many due to his humble demeanor and way of living.

I perceived this, yet I did not neglect Your commandments; thus, although men may deem me insignificant, You have honored me because I have not forsaken Your statutes. In fact, You have lifted me high; therefore, I will always remember Your commandments, recognizing that faithfulness invites Your favor and is accompanied by Your strength.” This reflects the thoughts of Blessed Theodoret. However, is it not wiser to think that he speaks this way out of humility, as St. Athanasius suggests? There is nothing useful in me, as if I were of tender age; I lack any reason for even a minor commendation. Though I may feel worthless, I am not truly without value—I do not forget Your commandments, acknowledging their beauty and significance. Instead, I seek refuge in their shelter to conceal my own triviality with their dignity. I have wrapped myself in them like a garment, so that in reverence to their authority, my humility may be overlooked. Or perhaps I see myself as insignificant, yet I have never forgotten Your righteous decrees. Even so, I may regard myself as nothing, but I have not disregarded Your justifications or commandments; for despite my earnest efforts to remember and abide by them, I cannot claim to have accomplished them flawlessly, since “Your commandment is exceedingly broad” (formerly, Psalms 118:96). Here, he articulates what the Lord requires all who observe His commandments to comprehend: “When you have done all that you were commanded, say, We are unworthy servants; we have merely done that which was our duty” (Luke 17:10).

You are just, O Lord, and Your law reflects Your righteousness and truth; it grieves me that my foes might easily overlook such a law. I am committed with my whole being to the most perfect word of the Lord. Even though my enemies regard me as naive and simple, I do not forget Your law; it is steadfast and unchanging, and in the depths of my distress, it is my focus and joy. Oh, that I could gain a deeper insight into it.