Psalm 119 (118):168Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider what follows: "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and seek him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It appears that no other type of blessedness is referenced here apart from the one previously mentioned. To examine the Lord's testimonies and earnestly pursue Him aligns perfectly with being blameless along the path; it embodies walking in His law. He further states, "For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet we acknowledge that those who commit iniquity still scrutinize the Lord's testimonies, valuing knowledge over righteousness. Others may also investigate His testimonies, not from a place of righteous living, but to understand how they ought to live. Such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly according to the law of the Lord, and thus they are not truly blessed.

It is indeed written in the psalm: "They that do evil walk not in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). However, we must strive, with the divine help of God, who governs both us and our words (Wisdom 7:16), to ensure that what is rightly expressed is also rightly interpreted, avoiding any confusion for listeners. We need to pay attention lest we mistakenly conclude that all saints—who declare, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9)—cannot be perceived to walk in the Lord’s ways, given that sin is evil and those who do evil do not walk in His ways. Alternatively, since it is beyond doubt that they do walk in His ways, we may falsely assume they have no sin, which is certainly incorrect. This statement is meant not merely to guard against pride and arrogance; otherwise, it would not include, "And truth is not in us." Rather, it emphasizes humility. Following this, Saint John further clarifies, "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 he mean by, "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?" (Psalm 118:4). Have we perhaps overstepped limits or given too much? Whichever interpretation we adopt, the underlying message appears to contradict the well-regarded wisdom praised by both Greeks and Latins: "Do nothing excessively." Yet, in Latin, the term "nimis" is sometimes used in a way that carries significant meaning within Scripture, suggesting that when we say, "You have accused us of keeping your commandments too much," it conveys a substantial truth. For instance, if we tell a very dear friend, "I love you too much," we do not imply an excess beyond what is fitting, but rather a deep and profound love.

He expresses, "Oh, if my ways were directed to keep Your statutes" (Psalm 118:5). He indeed acknowledges the commitment He has undertaken: "Oh, if only I could realize the weight of that commitment." When you hear this, recognize the heart's earnest plea and, having recognized this desire, shed the arrogance of presumption. For who can claim to desire what is within reach without divine assistance? Therefore, if one longs to fulfill what God commands, they ought to pray to Him for support in achieving His will.

As he states, "And I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6), we ought to regard God's commandments both while reading and reflecting upon them, akin to observing one’s image in a mirror, as indicated by the apostle James (James 1:23-25). This person aspires to be such that they can view the commandments of God without confusion; they do not merely listen to them but strive to act upon them. Thus, he earnestly desires his paths to be straight, enabling him to keep God’s statutes. How can one attain this straightness without the grace of God? Otherwise, they will find that the law of God becomes a source of confusion rather than joy should they seek insight into commandments they do not follow.

He continues: "I will confess to You, O Lord, with an upright heart; I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness" (Psalm 117:7). This confession is not an admission of sins but a declaration of praise; similar to what is expressed, "In whom there was no sin, I confess unto You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25). It is also written in the book of Ecclesiasticus: "So confess all the works of God, that they are very good" (Sirach 39:15-16). He acknowledges, "I confess to You, according to the guidance of my heart." If my paths are made right, I will confess to You, for it is Your action that merits praise, not mine.

He goes on to say, "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8). But what follows this declaration? "Do not leave me, not even excessively!" or, as certain translations convey, "Do not abandon me, even too much." Since God did not forsake the world during its wilderness of sins, He would have distanced Himself considerably had it not been upheld by the potent remedy of grace provided through our Lord Jesus Christ; hence, according to this supplication from the body of Christ, He did not abandon the world even to a great extent, for "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Didymus notes that anyone who walks in virtuous ways, mindful of God's gaze, fulfills these commandments with sincere intent, not for self-gratification or vanity. They give charitable alms righteously, persist in fasting without seeking glory, and carry out all other deeds as mandated by God's law.

If I take the wings of the morning and settle by the sea, Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will support me. I ponder, “Can darkness conceal me?” But even the night shines like day in Your presence, as darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as day (Psalm 138:7-12). This insight guides me to revere You with awe, to live with a sense of sacred fear, and to act, speak, think, and initiate as children before their father and as servants before their lord, turning to You as subjects to their king. All unfolds in Your sight, and everything is bare before Your all-seeing gaze, with nothing hidden from You. From this understanding, I learn to lower my knees before You in every place, calling upon You with humility, seeking Your mercy, and placing my hope in You: Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me (Psalm 22:4). You are my refuge; I will sing to You, for You are my Advocate, O my God, my mercy (Psalm 58:18).

Such awareness invokes profound fear, hope, and love, serving as a powerful safeguard for living in accordance with the commandments. The prophet acknowledged this concept repeatedly, affirming that he maintained a conscious awareness of his ways being laid bare before the Lord, which compelled him to faithfully uphold all His commandments. He had previously declared that he nourished this awareness to avoid straying from the righteous path: ‘I have seen the Lord before me, I will not be moved’ (Psalm 15:8). He also attributed others’ inclinations toward sinfulness to their failure to keep God in their view, stating that they ‘did not offer God before them’ (Psalm 53:5). Similarly, Sirach identifies a propensity for sin as stemming from a flawed assurance among sinners that no one observes them, shrouded as they are in darkness and enclosed by walls. They fail to grasp that ‘the eyes of the Lord are many times lighter than the sun, observing all the ways of men and discerning in hidden places’ (Sirach 23:25-28). If they had truly understood and remembered this, they would have refrained from sinning. Thus, all the holy ascetics emphasized the importance of establishing the remembrance of God within themselves, referring to this as walking before God; for once this awareness is internalized, whatever a person undertakes is done with the understanding that God witnesses every action and thought. This principle applies to both inward attitudes and outward actions. Consequently, one should carefully choose to engage in one God-pleasing action and perform it diligently, recognizing that such a choice is an offering to God and a divine endeavor—one for which negligence invites severe consequence. Therefore, if you wish to remain pure in all your ways, you must firmly establish in your mind that all your paths are unveiled before God, who is attentive to your actions and the intentions of your heart. To cultivate this mindset, begin by earnestly working to develop this awareness; the effort itself will guide you to success. Maintain your aspirations with diligence and enthusiasm.

It is not only ordinary folk but also noble rulers who bring persecution upon me; however, I remain steadfast in my understanding of Your statutes; it is not humanity that I dread, but solely Your word, which fills me with strength and joy. My hatred for sin and love for Your law compel me to offer You praise daily, for You have entrusted us with this law, which grants immense inner joy to its followers and shields them from external trials. Thus, I confidently look forward to Your aid, as a true lover and devoted keeper of this sacred law.