Psalm 119 (118):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For the same One who said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, also said, Thou shalt not kill; therefore if you do not commit adultery, but kill, you are also a transgressor of the law,” as noted by the Apostle James (James 2:10, 11).

Take note of his further words: "Blessed are those who keep his testimonies and seek him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It appears that this declaration references the same group previously acknowledged; indeed, to engage with the Lord’s testimonies and search for Him wholeheartedly is simply to embody blamelessness on the path, to walk according to His law. He continues, "For they who do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet, we recognize that those who commit iniquity scrutinize the Lord’s testimonies, preferring knowledge over righteousness; others study these testimonies not out of virtue but to learn how they ought to live. Such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly in the Lord's law and therefore are not yet counted among the blessed...

The truth, as depicted in this psalm, is unequivocal: "they who do evil do not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Our endeavor, with God's assistance—who holds both us and our words (Wisdom 7:16)—is to ensure that what is rightly spoken is rightly understood, preventing confusion for our listeners. We must be cautious not to conclude that all 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), cannot possibly walk in the Lord's paths, since sin is indeed evil, and those who commit evil do not walk in His ways. Conversely, it seems erroneous to suggest that since they undoubtedly walk in the Lord's ways, they could be without sin. This is not merely an admonishment against arrogance; otherwise, they would have stated, "Humility is not in us," particularly as the subsequent words clarify the matter and dispel any doubts. Following this, the 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)...

What does it imply, "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly" (Psalm 118:4)? Is it that you have taken too great a sum or left too much? Regardless of interpretation, this notion seems contrary to that respected wisdom praised by both Greeks and Latins: "Do nothing excessively." However, the Latin language sometimes employs the term "nimis" in a way that resonates within Scripture and our discussions. In this case, when accused of adhering to Your commandments 'too much,' we understand it profoundly; when we tell a dear friend, "I love you too much," we do not imply an excess but rather a great depth of feeling.

"Oh, if only," he expresses, "my ways could be made straight so that I might keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:5). You have indeed accepted the responsibility: "If only I could understand the weight of what You have taken upon Yourself." When you hear this, recognize the words of one who is willing and, having discerned this expression of yearning, cast aside the arrogance of presumption. Who truly claims to desire an achievable goal without divine assistance? Thus, if one seeks to act in accordance with God's commands, they must earnestly pray for the strength to do so...

"I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). We should perceive the commandments of God as a mirror, as the apostle James states (James 1:23-25). This individual longs to reflect this image in his own life, aiming not merely to hear the commandments but to act upon them. Therefore, he desires his ways to align with the divine statutes. How can one straight path be achieved except through God's grace? Otherwise, the law of God becomes a source of confusion rather than joy for those who do not wish to engage with the commandments...

"I will confess to You, O Lord, with all my heart; in this, I shall understand the judgments of Your righteousness" (Psalm 117:7). This confession is one of praise, akin to "I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25), and as acknowledged in Ecclesiasticus, "So confess all the works of God, that they are exceedingly good" (Sirach 39:15-16). I confess, he proclaims, guided by my heart. If my ways align properly, I will render this confession because it is You who has accomplished it; the praise belongs to You, not to me...

Moreover, he states, "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8)... But then he adds, "O leave me not even too much!" or as some translations suggest, "not excessively." God indeed might have forsaken the world during its wilderness of sin; however, it would have been wholly abandoned were it not for the mighty remedy of grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, as a result of the prayers from His body, God does not forsake it even too greatly since "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19)...

The Apostle James affirms that anyone who keeps the whole law yet stumbles in one area is guilty of breaking it all. Therefore, the one who fulfills all the commandments will not experience shame on the day of judgment; he will not hear the words, I never knew you. If my paths are aligned with God's will, I can be assured that I will not stray or stumble, and I will not be ashamed because of my transgressions.

Thus, while a righteous journey offers encouragement and joy, straying from the true path brings feelings of shame just by contemplating it. This inner shame arises from succumbing to passionate impulses, while external shame stems from straying into actions that diverge from the righteous; the most profound shame arises from both sources. There is no means of escaping this shame because conscience prevails; no known commandment can be concealed, nor can any efforts to hide one's actions successfully mask the truth. It's not merely a matter of avoiding dirt; the individual who wallows in filth experiences a profound shame that serves as a dire warning. Humanity possesses an inherent dignity that cannot be repressed, and this awareness should foster a sense of self-respect rather than egotism, which can exist independently of self-exaltation. The holy prophet expresses, "I shall abide in the unashamed way, if I look to all Thy commandments, O Lord." Blessed Theodoret further remarks, "The fruit of lawbreaking is shame. So said the divine apostle: ‘What fruit do you have then, of which you are now ashamed?’ (Rom. 6:21)." Those who fulfill all of God's commandments possess a bold conscience. Saint Ambrose reflects on the forefathers and suggests, "Pray that you may fulfill all the commandments and not be ashamed. You were already shrouded in shame through Adam and Eve; you felt the disgrace of nakedness and sought to cover yourself with leaves. The shame of your nakedness troubled you as you attempted to hide from the face of God. Recognize, therefore, how grave is the shame of transgressing the commandments; take care, therefore, to walk in all the commandments of God."

The strength of this verse lies in the phrase "look upon." Initially, the holy prophet elucidates the path to a righteous life, outlining its beginning, progression, and culmination; he then prepares the seeker for the journey by igniting their zeal and bestowing upon them divine strength. He ultimately provides directions for successful navigation of the path, emphasizing the importance of focused attention. To "look" signifies a concentrated gaze; attentive focus is crucial for success in any endeavor. When one's hands are engaged but their thoughts are scattered, they are prone to mistakes and frequent stops, omissions, and errors in ethical conduct, resulting from a lack of concentrated focus. Attention is essential; one must be mindful of both internal and external happenings, as well as the past and future. In this verse, the holy prophet encourages attention to the commandments, suggesting that by fixing our eyes on them, we will not experience shame. Therefore, it is essential to direct our focus primarily on the commandments. There are numerous tasks, and human attention can easily become divided; however, not all tasks hold equal importance: some are essential, while others are secondary. The secondary tasks can be performed casually, while the primary ones require diligent effort. The prophet insists that the commandments must take precedence, with all other matters regarded as secondary.

Whoever recognizes what is truly significant will engage with it consistently, whether they eat, drink, walk, sit, or even dream about it. Similarly, our focus should be dominated by the commandments, while everything else remains secondary. Naturally, this entails not merely glancing at the commandments but scrutinizing them as one would observe their reflection in a mirror. "In the commandments of God," Blessed Augustine affirms, "whether you read them or commit them to memory, it is vital to regard them as one would a mirror," echoing the command of the Apostle James, who instructs, "not to be hearers of the law only, but doers" (James 1:22-23). This reflection allows us to discern what we ought to be and guides us toward self-improvement. Through the commandments, we can envision the standard for a godly life and strive to embody it; we draw upon the ideal of perfection and incorporate it into our own lives. The Apostle Paul indicates, "running not with uncertainty" (1 Cor. 9:26). He clearly understood what his labor would yield and was encouraged by this vision. Each individual should maintain this clarity, and those who genuinely strive earnestly hold onto that vision. Saint Mark the Ascetic teaches that ignorance is our first enemy, followed by forgetfulness. We forget our true selves and the expectations placed upon us, leading us towards indifference. The negligent listener, who glances in the mirror only to forget their image, will struggle to progress in complying with the perfect law of liberty (James 1:23-25). Those who genuinely scrutinize all the commandments will never entertain self-satisfaction or declare, "It is enough." In contrast, those who divert their gaze from the commandments become vulnerable to vanity. Those ensnared by this danger may grow complacent, halt their journey, and judge others. Such individuals risk losing grace; their passions may become unrestrained unless they promptly return to repentance. And here lies the shame. However, those who diligently observe the commandments in the manner described will avoid falling into this pitfall; they will not experience shame.

The essence of these initial verses emphasizes the happiness of those who uphold the law, who continually dive deeper into it, who do not behave like the wicked, but loyally observe God’s commandments. Oh, if I could achieve this, I would never feel ashamed. I am thankful for the insight into the law, and I endeavor to fulfill it; may the Lord not withdraw His grace, which enables me to do so. The path of life and ethical behavior belongs to those who walk according to the Lord’s law, and those who do so are blameless.

The Hebrew term for ‘keeping His revelations’ implies that they do not engage in wrongdoing; instead, they walk firmly in His way. The desire is for my conduct to be directed straightforwardly toward safeguarding God's commandments without deviation. Justification refers to the Divine will expressed through statutes and laws, synonymous with commandments and norms of judgment. The quest for zeal encompasses a perfect dedication to all aspects of righteousness.