Psalm 119 (118):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Pay attention now to what follows: Blessed are they who keep His testimonies and seek Him wholeheartedly (Psalm 117:2). It appears that no other category of the blessed is referenced here beyond what has already been stated. To study the Lord's testimonies and to seek Him fervently is to embody blamelessness on the path, to walk in the Lord's law. Then he affirms, For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways (Psalm 118:3). Yet, we recognize that those who commit iniquity often scrutinize the Lord’s testimonies, driven more by a preference for knowledge over righteousness. They study the Lord's testimonies, not because they already live rightly, but to understand how they should live. Such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly in the law of the Lord, which is why they have yet to attain blessing.

It is clearly inscribed within this Psalm: they that do evil do not walk in His ways (Psalm 118:3). We must strive, with God’s assistance, in whose hands we and our words reside (Wisdom 7:16), that what is rightly stated is not misinterpreted or misunderstood by the listener. We must be cautious, for it could lead one to assume that all the saints, who have stated, If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8-9), do not truly walk in the Lord's ways, given that sin is inherently evil and those who do evil do not walk in His ways. Or, recognizing that they indeed walk in the Lord's ways, one might incorrectly conclude that they have no sin, which is undoubtedly false. This was not proclaimed merely to prevent arrogance and pride; otherwise, it would not have also included, And the truth is not in us; they would have indicated, Humility is not in us. The subsequent words clarify the matter and dispel any uncertainty. Following this statement, blessed John continued, 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 convey when it states: You have accused us of adhering to Your commandments too rigidly? (Psalm 118:4). Have you perhaps demanded too much? Or left us wanting? Regardless of how we interpret this, the implication seems to contradict the noble adage celebrated by Greek sages and esteemed by the Latins: Do nothing too much. However, it’s significant that the Latin can sometimes interpret the word "nimis" in a deeper sense, which we also find expressed meaningfully in Scripture. In the context of Thou hast accused us of keeping thy commandments too much, a greater understanding might emerge if we grasp it appropriately; much like when we say to a beloved companion, ‘I love thee too much,’ we don't mean we love excessively, but rather profoundly.

Oh, if only, he pleads, my ways could be aligned to preserve Your decrees (Psalm 118:5). You have indeed assumed responsibility: if only I could comprehend what You have undertaken! Upon hearing this, remember the words of one who is willing, and recognize the expression of longing, shedding every trace of presumptuous pride. Who among us can claim to desire what they can achieve without divine assistance? Hence, if one yearns for what God commands, they must earnestly pray for God's aid in fulfilling those commands.

And I will not be ashamed as long as I keep all Your commandments (Psalm 118:6). We should regard God's commandments, whether they are recited or recalled, as one would look into a mirror, as expressed by the Apostle James (James 1:23-25). This individual desires to reflect God’s commandments accurately without confusion; they choose to be not just hearers, but doers of the word. For this reason, he longs for his paths to be straight so that he might observe God's statutes. How can one achieve this straightness except by God's grace? Without it, when reflecting upon God's law, one will only find confusion instead of joy if they fail to adhere to the commandments.

I will praise You, O Lord, he proclaims, according to the direction of my heart; in this I will understand the judgments of Your righteousness (Psalm 117:7). This declaration is not about confessing sins, but rather an expression of worship; as he articulates, In whom there was no sin, I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth (Matthew 11:25). Similarly, in the book of Ecclesiasticus, it is written that we must acknowledge all the works of God as indeed very good (Sirach 39:15-16). When he says, I confess to You according to the guidance of my heart, he acknowledges that if his paths are made righteous, it is due to Your work—his praise is for You, not for himself.

He then states: I will observe Your decrees (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? O do not abandon me, even excessively! or, as some manuscripts read, even overly much. However, since God has distanced Himself from the world in its wilderness of sin, He would have fully forsaken it, had He not provided a robust remedy—namely, the divine grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, according to this prayer from the body of Christ, He has not abandoned it even excessively, for God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

If the fire is extinguished, there is neither illumination nor warmth; similarly, if zeal is quenched, the soul finds no inclination towards goodness and becomes indifferent to a life aligned with God. This critical role of zeal in upholding the commandments is why St. David emphasizes it first. To reinforce this point, he reminds us that such vibrant zeal is required because the commandments themselves are issued with great seriousness, inherently encouraging their fervent observance. Blessed Augustine has noted that the term 'evil' applies to both 'commanded' and 'keep,' leaning more heavily towards the latter. Thus, God has commanded the commandments with urgency, presenting them not merely as beneficial, but as essential; without them, our doom is certain. The narrow path of the commandments leads to life, while the wide road of unrighteousness leads to eternal peril. The commandments are given with great gravity, as the Lord has never displayed indifference towards their observance; He did not utter them casually or with apathy towards adherence, but He expressed a deep concern for their fulfillment. This seriousness is illustrated through the presence of divine reprimands and the threats of dire consequences for those who fail to follow them, as well as the blessings promised to the faithful. This is why the saints have referred to God as a jealous God. He articulates this relationship to His commandments: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good things of the earth; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword” (Isaiah 1:19-20). Reflect upon the expulsion from Paradise, the Great Flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the plagues upon Egypt, the annihilation of the Canaanites, the Babylonian exile, the devastation of Jerusalem and the temple along with the scattering of the Jewish people, and other similar divine judgments upon sinners, and one cannot help but conclude that God's commandments were issued with urgency. A heart that does not grow cold toward such events naturally becomes zealously committed to observing the commandments. The Lord demands that we keep His commandments fervently and expects us to do so with care and unwavering diligence, as noted by Patriarch Anfim. Keeping the commandments requires us not only to comply outwardly but to do so with precision, ensuring that we engage with the commandments wholeheartedly, with reverence toward the One who gave them. Only through such diligence can our actions contribute to our growth in faith. If we fulfill them with a careless heart and a distracted mind, we risk performing mere external duties lacking the dignity of true godly actions, as St. Hilary reflects. Thus, the reference to 'green' keeping of the commandments warns against not only overt violations but also remind us of fulfilling them inadequately or unworthily, which borders on transgression. Our greatest sin in this regard often lies in our indifference. While our actions may be good, they sometimes lack genuine intent, and even our souls may not be fully present. Hence, our holy instructors consistently urge us to ensure that wherever our bodies are engaged, our hearts and minds must also be present. When bowing, we must do so reverently in our hearts before the Omniscient; when we give alms, we must do so with our hearts oriented toward Him who invisibly accepts our offerings; and when forgiving an offense, we should view it as divine chastisement meant to lead us to seek our own forgiveness. Therefore, in all actions and deeds, there must be an inner sincerity from which true value and external output derive. Our sorrow lies in our tendency to reduce everything to mere formality—not only when we initiate actions superficially but also when we start with heartfelt intentions. After engaging in a task repeatedly with genuine emotional involvement, the heart can grow indifferent, and the mind can wander, resulting in actions that are merely formal. This malaise can afflict even the most pious practices, which may require significant effort. What remedy is there? The only solution is to impose upon ourselves a rule whereby we commence every task afresh, without considering any prior executions. Each time, we must act as though it were the first time. When St. Paul declared he stretches forward, forgetting what lies behind, he meant this fundamentally; a law laid down in such a way enables one to maintain diligence in all endeavors, acting with heart and attentiveness, thus avoiding the condemnation articulated in the Revelation: “You are neither cold nor hot; I will spit you out of My mouth” (Rev. 3:16). It follows, then, that a persistent and passionate zeal for upholding the commandments is both a gift of divine grace that nourishes such fervor and a calling for us to fan this flame within ourselves by embracing various motivations for obedience. This effort resembles adding fuel to a fire. When our hearts are engaged in this way, grace transforms our small efforts into something magnificent; absence of this effort leads to grace's retreat. A frequent inquiry is about the cause of this cooling—typically, it arises from conscious negligence or distraction regarding the matters at hand. This cooling serves as an internal correction from grace.

The primary themes reflected in the initial verses emphasize the blessedness of those who uphold the law, who increasingly engage with it, and who do not act like the ungodly, but remain faithful to God's commandments. Oh, if I could achieve this, I would never experience shame. I am grateful for the understanding of the law, and I strive to fulfill it; may God alone not take away His grace that enables me to do so.

To walk in accordance with the law of the Lord represents a life characterized by integrity. The essence of "keeping His revelations" conveys the commitment to righteousness, avoiding wrongdoing and instead walking in His ways. May my conduct be focused and unwavering in adhering to God's commandments. Justification here signifies a divine decree, encapsulating God's intended order, synonymous with divine commands and judgments. To be zealous encompasses a thorough and complete dedication to His will.