Psalm 119 (118):47Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now, heed what follows: "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It appears that this passage refers back to the group already mentioned. To delve into the testimonies of the Lord and to seek Him wholeheartedly signifies walking blamelessly in His ways, in accordance with His law. Then he states, "For they who do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet we realize that those who commit wrongdoing may engage with the testimonies of the Lord, often favoring knowledge over righteousness. Others may also examine His testimonies not because they live rightly, but in order to learn how they ought to live. Such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly in the law of the Lord, and for that reason, they have yet to receive true blessedness.

It is affirmed within this psalm, "They who do evil do not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Nonetheless, we must strive, with God's aid—who holds both us and our words in His hands (Wisdom 7:16)—to ensure that what is correctly articulated is not misunderstood by those who read or hear it. We should be cautious lest all the saints who proclaim, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9), be assumed to be incapable of walking in the Lord's ways, considering that sin is indeed evil, and those who do evil do not tread His paths. Alternatively, since it is evident that they do walk in His ways, one might mistakenly think they are without sin, which is certainly untrue. This statement is not merely meant to prevent arrogance and pride; otherwise, the subsequent phrase, "And truth is not in us," would instead convey, "Humility is not in us." Particularly as the following words illuminate this matter further and erase ambiguity. After stating this, the 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 imply to claim, "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?" (Psalm 118:4). Have You demanded an excessive sum? Or allowed too much to remain? Regardless of our understanding, the meaning seems to contrast sharply with the admired adage lauded by Greek and Latin philosophers alike: "Avoid excess." Yet, the Latin occasionally employs the term "nimis" in a manner retaining significant meaning, seen both in Scripture and our conversations. In this passage, we grasp much by interpreting, "You have accused us of adhering to Your commandments too consistently." When we express to a cherished friend, "I love you too much," we certainly do not intend to convey excessive affection, but rather profound affection.

Oh, if only, he declares, "my ways would be so directed that I may keep Your statutes" (Psalm 118:5). Indeed, You have assumed the burden: "Oh, if I could comprehend all that You have taken upon Yourself." When you hear this, acknowledge the heartfelt expression, and, recognizing this desire, reject the arrogance of presumption. Who can claim to long for what lies within their power to achieve without assistance? Therefore, if one yearns for what God commands, one ought to petition Him for the strength to fulfill His commandments.

"I will not be ashamed as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). As God's commandments are proclaimed or recalled, we should regard them as a mirror, as the apostle James cautions (James 1:23-25). This man aspires to see himself reflected through God's commandments and not to be troubled, for he chooses to be not merely a listener but a doer. Hence, he desires his ways to be straight in order to adhere to God's statutes. But how can one be set right without God's grace? Otherwise, the law of God would become a source of confusion rather than joy, should one fail to engage with the commandments.

"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 is not a confession of transgressions but an expression of gratitude; as He declares, "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, for they are exceedingly good" (Sirach 39:15-16). "I confess to You," he states, "according to the guidance of my heart." If my ways are made right, my acknowledgment will be to You for what You have accomplished, as it is Your glory and not mine.

He further declares, "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? "Do not forsake me even too much!" Or, as some manuscripts say, "not excessively, but with moderation." God did indeed withdraw from the world during its sinful wilderness, and had it not been for the sufficiency of a mighty remedy—namely, the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ—He would have left it utterly desolate. However, by this prayer of Christ's body, He did not forsake it even too much, for God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Chrysostom, alongside Theodoret, reminds us that the Kingdom of God is not merely in words, but in strength. Thus, the sacred prophet emphasizes the importance of action alongside contemplation, stating, "I have studied in your commandments, which I love greatly," and expressing a passionate yearning for them by adding, "And I have lifted up my hands to your commandments." What I've learned from Your scriptures, I strive to accomplish through my deeds. Origen notes that the purpose of engaging with God's commandments is to act upon them; hence it is fitting to declare, "I have studied Your commandments, and I have lifted up my hands to them, which I hold dear." After contemplating the commandments and grasping their meaning, it is right to raise one’s hands in order to fulfill them, doing so with joy and eagerness, performing their works with love and diligence. Theodoret adds that true learning of God's commandments involves not only reading them but also putting them into practice; for anyone who genuinely loves something will invariably act upon it. Moreover, one who loves deeply, as David expresses here, will not hesitate to endure any hardship in pursuit of what they cherish. Athanasius emphasizes that hands symbolize active works, and to have 'deepened' means to have reasoned extensively about Your justifications.

It suggests that the prophet, having strengthened his faith, turned his heart away from worldly distractions and devoted himself solely to understanding and fulfilling God's commandments. To ‘learn’ involves not just grasping the meaning but also acquiring the ability to act accordingly. This is because the commandments are cherished, and they hold the eternal truths of life, which his strengthened faith, as noted in prior verses, led him to contemplate.

When we hear the phrase ‘one thing for our needs,’ we often think of the necessities required for physical sustenance, and we might wonder how this is possible. However, the call to seek ‘one thing for our needs’ is not a call to idleness; rather, it is a directive to prioritize our efforts appropriately: dedicating our principal attention and most significant labor to the primary task, while assigning secondary efforts and lesser concerns to subsidiary matters. Place first the pursuit of God's will and salvation through the observance of His commandments, and then attend to the various aspects of daily life. Engage wholeheartedly with the former, and address the latter with a lighter touch, as if only gently grazing them. In this manner, you will faithfully embody what the Lord means by ‘one thing for our needs’ and the choice of the good part. This should be your primary focus, and all else will be an arrangement or distribution of priorities, as the esteemed ascetics have articulated.

It is impossible to avoid work or participation in societal affairs; however, it is crucial that these engagements are aligned with our foremost duty and not opposed to it. I recall a dialogue between an elder and his disciple, where the elder lamented that, in his time, there was a misalignment in priorities: auxiliary tasks had taken precedence over essential duties. When the disciple requested an illustration of this point, the elder offered this example: “Imagine that you are busy with your sewing when the church bells ring for prayer. You should immediately set aside your work and hurry to the church, perhaps pausing for a quick prayer in your cell. This action reflects that your heart centers on the work of God. However, if you say, 'I will just finish this small amount,' and continue to work, taking precious time away from serving God, it shows that you value your work and material gain more than God’s service, indicating a distortion of your priorities.”

We can apply this insight to our lives and conclude that if someone focuses exclusively on temporary needs, consistently relegating the pursuit of salvation and pleasing God to a secondary position, fulfilling spiritual duties only as time permits and in a hasty, half-hearted manner, then their priorities are misaligned. In communities where this misalignment becomes the norm, it results in a society that is spiritually inverted. Such disorder leads to further chaos and degradation: confusion, decline, and destruction ensue. How much turmoil, clamor, and crowding arise from this! The outcome is nothing but filth. It is often remarked that those who withdraw from the world to live in seclusion are laboring in vain; however, it is precisely those immersed in worldly concerns who are engaged in futile endeavors, while those in solitude have chosen the good part that will remain with them. They possess a hopeful assurance that will not lead to disappointment, whereas those without faith grasp only at transient splinters, which ultimately lead them to destruction.

Grant me the promised grace of salvation, then I shall provide a robust response to my detractors, the wicked desires within my soul, and display Your assistance as evidence of the righteousness of my cause, which is currently scorned; referencing Your tangible help stands as a testament of truth, yet I cannot do so presently because I am still in anguish. Once Your assistance reaches me, I will fulfill Your law out of gratitude, I will live joyfully, I will extol Your law even in the presence of those who currently mock me, without shame, but with victory, and I will reflect on it joyfully, striving to put it into practice. Grace encompasses both inner enlightenment and external assistance or deliverance from bondage. The word of truth signifies a demonstrably valid response. Freedom serves as a metaphor for joy, in stark contrast to present trials. To extend my hands signifies my fervent desire to diligently fulfill Your commandments. The past in these verses may also be interpreted as a hopeful future.