Psalm 119 (118):17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now, pay attention to what follows: “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart” (Psalm 117:2). This seems to refer to the same group of the blessed mentioned earlier. To diligently study the testimonies of the Lord and seek Him wholeheartedly is to walk blamelessly along the path, to remain in the law of the Lord. Then it is stated, “For those who do evil shall not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). We understand that those who engage in wrongdoings examine the testimonies of the Lord not out of a desire for righteousness, but rather a preference for knowledge over virtue. Others may explore His testimonies, not because they live righteously, but to learn how they ought to live. Such individuals have not yet attained blamelessness in the law of the Lord and, for this reason, are still not considered blessed.

The Psalm asserts, “They that do evil, walk not in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). Yet we must strive, with God’s assistance, in whose hands both we and our words reside (Wisdom 7:16), to ensure that what is rightly said is also rightly understood, so as not to confuse the reader or listener. We must be cautious, lest all the saints, who declare, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8-9), be perceived as not walking in the paths of the Lord simply because sin is wrong, and those who commit evil do not walk in His ways. Alternatively, since it is clear that they do walk in His ways, one might erroneously conclude that they are without sin, which is undoubtedly false. This assertion is meant not merely to fend off pride and arrogance; otherwise, it would have stated, “Humility is not in us.” The subsequent words clarify this point and dispel any doubts. After declaring this, blessed John continues, “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 could this imply: “You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly”? (Psalm 118:4) Have you demanded too great a sum? Or perhaps allowed for too much? In either interpretation, the meaning seems contrary to that well-known and esteemed principle praised by Greek philosophers and similarly lauded by the Latins: “Do nothing excessively.” Yet in Latin, the term nimis can convey greater meaning, seen in scripture and everyday conversation. In this context, to say “You have accused us of adhering too much to Your commandments” can imply a profound commitment; saying to a cherished friend, “I love you excessively” conveys high regard, not restraint.

Oh, how he longs, “If only my ways were made straight so that I might keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:5). You have indeed taken on the burden; oh, that I could realize what you have undertaken! When you hear this, recognize the words of the willing soul; having acknowledged desire, cast away the arrogance of presumption. For who professes to wish for what is in their power without divine assistance? If you desire what God commands, pray for His grace to enable you to fulfill those commands.

And “I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments” (Psalm 118:6). We should view the commandments of God as a mirror whenever they are read or recalled, just as the apostle James illustrates (James 1:23-25). The individual aspires to see themselves in the commandments of God as if they were looking into a mirror, seeking clarity rather than confusion, for they choose not merely to hear these commandments but to act on them. Therefore, they yearn for their paths to be straight in order to uphold the statutes of God. How can one achieve straightness if not through the grace of God? Otherwise, when one examines the law of God, they will find not joy, but confusion, if they do not live by those commandments.

“I will confess to You, O Lord, with all my heart; in this, I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness” (Psalm 117:7). This is not merely an admission of sins but an expression of praise, similar to how it is stated, “In whom there was no sin, I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25). As recorded in Ecclesiasticus, “Confess all the works of God, that they are very good” (Sirach 39:15-16), he proclaims, “I confess to You as guided by my heart.” Indeed, if my paths are made right, my confession is to You, for You are the cause of it, and the praise belongs to You, not me.

He further asserts, “I will keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? “O leave me not, not even too much!” or as some versions read, “Not even excessively.” Since God had abandoned the world in its wilderness of sins, He would have abandoned it entirely if it were not for the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, which serves as a powerful remedy. Now, according to this prayer of the body of Christ, He has not forsaken it, not even excessively, for “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

It is noted that not everyone can rightly use the plea for reward; one burdened by a guilty conscience cannot expect a favorable verdict from the judge. However, a person of clear conscience, secure in their purity, can confidently request such a reward. Moreover, these words are grounded in humility, as they refer not to personal merit but to the status of being a servant of God. It is significant that the scripture uses "render" in place of "give," as we see in Psalm 7, where it reflects the principle of reciprocity. Rewards come from the giver; for instance, Abraham offered Isaac, and the Lord bestowed ten minas upon the servant who returned them. Therefore, reward me with a divine and blessed existence, so that I may faithfully keep Your words, knowing that remembering Your words naturally leads to living by them.

However, for those who have begun to appreciate the goodness of living in a way that pleases God, internal turmoil occurs when they are devoid of positive thoughts, emotions, or desires: the soul feels frozen and as though it is estranged from everything. This often coincides with external challenges that exacerbate their internal struggles. Faithfulness to God's word and steadfast patience help overcome these trials.

The prophet encapsulates this in the present verses, which could be titled "The Struggles on the Righteous Path," addressing both internal and external challenges faced along the journey. "Render unto Thy servant, live unto me, and I will keep Thy words." The plea for a "reward" is not a demand for compensation as though for toil but a heartfelt request for grace to receive what is necessary, given abundantly, as articulated elsewhere in Scripture: "forget not all His recompense" (Psalms 102:2), representing all His generous gifts, or "grace to offer" (John 1:16). The one who speaks in this manner acknowledges their role as a servant to God, recognizing that they have never acted contrary to His will against their conscience. Yet, they perceive a deficiency in their spiritual vitality: the soul feels lifeless, the thoughts clouded; thus, they cry out: "Reward me," seeking the restoration of what has been lost, filling the emptiness within.

These words can be seen as reflecting the entirety of the verses. The prophet seems to convey that the blessings once experienced have vanished; restore them to me, grant me life, open my eyes, and "take away reproach and humiliation." "Live me..." underscores the notion that a sinner, while entrenched in sin, is spiritually dead and disconnected from the divine life, despite engaging in worldly activities. When God’s grace ignites their spirit, the initial stirrings of spiritual existence emerge, and upon repentance and commitment to live by God's commandments, true life begins. Initially, this spiritual awakening may not be overtly noticeable; the starkness of sin still lingers, obscuring the sense of spiritual vitality. Gradually, an awareness of life in the Lord develops, often accompanied by joy. However, this vitality is not always consistent and can frequently be interrupted. When such interruptions occur, the soul can plunge back into spiritual deadness, manifesting a chilling absence of life. This situation is unsettling and alarming, as the revival of spiritual vigor allows carnality and sinfulness to resurface, drawing close the enemy—how soon before a downfall? This is the scenario to which the prophet alludes. "Render unto Thy servant... and make me alive," acknowledging the servility before God.

Humans are not confined to a single form of life; they encompass bodily, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Each is guided by the consciousness of reason and freedom. When the Holy Spirit stirs the spirit within a person, they transition into spiritual awareness and assert their place in this realm of life through a vow made in baptism or repentance, declaring in baptism: "I deny Satan and all his works and unite myself to Christ the Lord," and in repentance: "I have sinned, I will not." In the state described by the prophet, the soul lies dormant, devoid of visible spiritual activity, yet the free, inner workings of their conscience remain aligned with the spirit. They profess themselves as servants of the Lord, resolute not to stray from this role or infringe upon the boundaries established by their adversary; nevertheless, they fail to perceive the ordinary signs of life in accordance with God. Their inner fidelity to the Lord emboldens them to implore, "revive me," nurturing the hope that He will bring revival.

A state of soul deadness is often depicted as insensibility: an absence of stimuli, neither drawing goodness nor instilling fear of the dreadful. What is to be done? Patience, prayer, and acknowledgment of one’s frailty are essential. This condition captures the essence of the human experience in the absence of grace. When grace diminishes, a person finds themselves adrift. Such moments serve to instill a deeper realization that even in favorable conditions, one's inherent goodness stems not from within but from external grace, which can endure if they avoid the sin of claiming what belongs to others. "And I will keep Thy words..." indicates that while appearing to fulfill them, the individual may do so mechanically, akin to a machine at prayer, performing the commandments without heartfelt engagement. In this context, the guiding principle is to remain steadfast within established norms: endure and pray. If they are patient, the Lord will revive their spirit anew, enabling them to embrace His words not as a mechanism but as a living being, driven by sincere intentions, engaged in joyful labor to fulfill His commandments.

My deep devotion to Your law makes me deserving of assistance. Proud men surround me, indifferent to Your law and mock me for my sincerity; let Your curse rest upon them, freeing me from disgrace. Though the mighty oppose me, they cannot divert me from Your law, which means everything to me.