Psalm 119 (118):152Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

While the statutes of earthly rulers and governments may shift, God’s laws are eternal; the commandments of God endure just as the heavens and the earth last forever. Nothing can be added to them, nor can anything be subtracted. The Lord also declared: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

Observe the following addition: "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It appears that this statement refers to the same group of the blessed mentioned previously. To diligently study the testimonies of the Lord and to search for Him earnestly is to embody blamelessness on the path and to walk in accordance with His law. Then it is said, "For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). However, we recognize that those who commit iniquity still examine the testimonies of the Lord, choosing knowledge over righteousness; likewise, there are others who investigate His testimonies, not because they currently live righteously, but in hopes of learning how to do so. These individuals have not achieved blamelessness in the law of the Lord, and as a result, they have not yet attained blessedness...

The scripture states that "they that do evil walk not in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet, we must strive, with God’s assistance, in whose hand we and our utterances reside (Wisdom 7:16), that what is correctly articulated, if misinterpreted, does not confuse the reader or listener. We must exercise caution; for all saints, whose assertion is, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9), could either be perceived as those who do not walk in the Lord's ways—since sin is indeed evil, and those who do evil do not walk in His ways; or, since they undoubtedly do walk in His ways, they may be erroneously thought to be free from sin, which is undoubtedly untrue. This is stated not just to avoid arrogance and pride; otherwise, the added phrase, "And truth is not in us," would instead have read, "Humility is not in us," especially as the subsequent words enhance clarity and dispel doubt. After declaring this, blessed John added, "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)...

He further queries, "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?" (Psalm 118:4). Have you demanded too great a commitment? Or perhaps, have we offered too much? Whichever interpretation we adopt, the implication seems to counteract that esteemed and noble principle which the Greeks extol in their philosophers, and which is universally celebrated by the Latins: Do nothing in excess... Yet, the Latin language sometimes employs the term 'nimis' in a context that makes it resonate within scripture, as we use it in our dialogues with great significance. In this statement, "you have accused us of adhering to your commandments excessively," we perceive that there is indeed considerable meaning to grasp, and when we express to a cherished friend, "I love you too much," we do not intend to suggest an inappropriate excess, but rather a profound depth of affection.

"Oh, if," he expresses, "my ways were made so straight that I could keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:5). Indeed, you have assumed the burden: O, how I wish to understand what you have embraced. When you hear this, recognize the words of one who is willing; and upon identifying this expression of longing, cast aside the arrogance of presumption. For who asserts that they desperately seek what is within their capacity to achieve without divine assistance? Thus, if someone longs for what God commands, they ought to pray for the grace to fulfill His commands...

"I shall not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). We must view God's commandments when they are presented or recalled, as if gazing into a mirror, as the Apostle James explains (James 1:23-25). This individual aspires to a state where he can observe God's commandments in a mirror without confusion, for he chooses not merely to listen to them but to actively live them. Therefore, he seeks to have his paths made straight in order to faithfully observe God's statutes. How can one attain this straightness except through the grace of God? Otherwise, they would discover in God's law not a source of joy but rather one of perplexity, should they wish to examine commandments to which they are not committed.

"I will confess to You, O Lord, with the direction of my heart; in this I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness" (Psalm 117:7). This confession is not of sins, but an expression of praise, aligning with the declaration, "In whom there was no sin, I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25) and as noted in the book of Ecclesiasticus: "So confess all the works of God, that they are very good" (Sirach 39:15-16). He admits, "I will confess to You, according to the guidance of my heart." Indeed, if my paths are made straight, I will praise You, for You are the one who has accomplished this, and its glory belongs to You, not to me...

He continues, "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8)... But what follows? "O leave me not even too much!" or alternatively, as some manuscripts read, "not even excessively." Since God abandoned the world amidst its wilderness of sins, He could have forsaken it entirely, had it not been undergirded by such a potent remedy—the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, now, in response to this plea from the body of Christ, He has not neglected it, not even excessively; for God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19)...

Hence, the great Moses initiates the song with the proclamation, "Cry out to heaven, and I will speak, and let the earth hear the utterance of my mouth" (Deuteronomy 32:1). This highlights the unwavering Providence of God, where every event follows a profound order. Thus, the Prophet has come to know that "Thou art near," intrinsic in every deed, and that nothing remains concealed from You.

Chrysostom and Theodoret suggest that the psalmist invokes heaven and earth as witnesses, stating, “Go, and let heaven and earth testify against them.” This echoes the words of Moses in the opening of his song, where he declares, “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.” Just as the heavens and earth endure eternally, so do God's commandments stand forever. They are immutable, as asserted in Deuteronomy 11:30, where it is stated that nothing can be added to or subtracted from them. The Lord reiterates this assurance: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Within these words lies the Eternal Providence of God, manifesting order in all creation.

From these truths, the psalmist learns profoundly that God is close and present in all circumstances, and nothing remains concealed from Him. Origen expands this notion, stating that as he commenced to explore divine revelation, he gained wisdom through God's testimonies. Through deep contemplation of these faithful declarations, he received clarity and understood that God's testimonies are established eternally, with the foundation being His Word, which embodies wisdom and is identified with His Son.

In imparting the commandments, the Lord Himself proclaims their enduring and immutable nature. However, if we interpret testimonies as the commandments specified by God and confirmed by His sovereign authority, it means: I have understood from the commandments themselves—their essence, their characteristics, and their impact—that they are everlasting. The mark of unchangeability is clearly upon them; I needed only to observe to recognize this truth. With this conviction, he anchors all his expressions of commitment and determination to adhere to the commandments: “I will call, I will keep.” He expresses this conviction as a necessity; there is no other option. This reflects the design of his spiritual nature, the will of the Almighty, and the established order of creation—that he must live in accordance with God’s commandments.

Why does he inscribe this truth in his mind or articulate it? To awaken and energize his moral and spiritual faculties. The resolute assertion “it cannot be otherwise” fosters a sense of urgency that compels action. When one realizes that it is essential to either act in a certain way or face doom, inertia becomes impossible; no one willingly embraces destruction when there is a possible path forward, however challenging it may appear. Where does the audacity of those who transgress the commandments stem from? - From a misleading sense of self-assuredness that dismisses the commands as inconsequential, convinced that “it’s permissible.” Those with a sensitive conscience will respond to their own and others’ rationalizations for breaking a commandment with a firm denial. They declare: No, it is impossible. While they acknowledge that alternative actions are feasible, they continually affirm: No, it is impossible; no matter your arguments, it cannot be done. This conviction of “it cannot be done” acts as a safeguard against sin. An untainted conscience is precious for it erects a protective barrier firmly stating: “you cannot.”