Psalm 119 (118):66Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now, consider what follows: "Blessed are they that keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It appears that the group of blessed mentioned here is identical to the one previously referenced. For to delve into the Lord’s testimonies and to earnestly seek Him signifies being blameless on the path, aligning with the law of the Lord. He continues, “For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). Nonetheless, we recognize that those who engage in wickedness indeed examine the testimonies of the Lord, as they prefer knowledge over righteousness. Others also scrutinize the testimonies not because they live righteously, but to understand how they ought to live. These individuals have yet to walk blamelessly according to the law of the Lord, and for this reason, they have not attained blessedness.

Written and reiterated in this Psalm is the truth: “They that do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). We must strive, with the assistance of God, who oversees both us and our words (Wisdom 7:16), ensuring that what is truthfully stated is also clearly comprehended, so as not to confuse the reader or listener. We must be cautious lest all the saints, whose words proclaim, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9), be thought incapable of walking in the Lord's ways since sin is wickedness, and those who do evil do not walk in His paths; or that it might be concluded that, because they undoubtedly walk in the ways of the Lord, they have no sin, which is certainly not true. This assertion is made not merely to prevent arrogance and pride. Otherwise, it would have stated, “Humility is not in us," especially as the subsequent words shed further clarity on the meaning, dispelling any doubt. After making such a declaration, 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 when he states: “You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?” (Psalm 118:4). Have you asked for too great a sum? Or left us wanting? Regardless of how we interpret this, the sentiment stands in stark contrast to that commendable and noble adage admired by the Greeks in their sages, and one which the Latins universally applaud: “Do nothing excessively.” However, the Latin term "nimis" is sometimes used in Scripture and in our conversations in a particularly meaningful context. In this instance, the accusation of adhering to the commandments too strictly, if understood correctly, implies a profound commitment. When we tell a dear friend, "I love you too much," we do not imply excessiveness, but rather intensity.

Oh, if only he might say, “My ways could be made perfect so that I might keep Your statutes" (Psalm 118:5). You have indeed taken on a significant responsibility: O, how I wish I could embody what You have committed to. When you hear this, recognize his words of genuine desire, and upon recognizing this longing, set aside any arrogance of presumption. For who claims to desire what is within their power so much that they can achieve it without divine assistance? Therefore, if one longs for what God commands, they should earnestly seek God’s help to fulfill those commands.

“I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments” (Psalm 118:6). We should regard the commandments of God, whether spoken or remembered, as one would a mirror, as the apostle James advises (James 1:23-25). This person desires to reflect upon the commandments as one perceives their likeness in a mirror, remaining unconfounded, for they choose to be not only hearers but doers as well. Thus, they long for their paths to be aligned and for faithfulness to the statutes of God. How does one achieve such alignment if not through the grace of God? Without it, they will find the law of God to be a source of distress rather than of joy if they seek to examine commandments to which they turn a blind eye.

“I will confess to You, O Lord, with the guidance of my heart; in this, I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness” (Psalm 117:7). This is not merely a confession of sins, but rather an act of adoration; as stated, “In whom there was no sin, I confess unto You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25), and as written in the book of Ecclesiasticus: “Confess all the works of God that they are very good” (Sirach 39:15-16). I confess to You, he declares, with the guidance of my heart. Indeed, if my ways are made straight, I will praise You, recognizing that it is Your doing, and thus it is Your glory that I proclaim, not my own.

Furthermore, he continues, “I will keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? "O leave me not too much!" or, as some translations convey, not even excessively. Although God may seem to have abandoned the world amidst its wilderness of sin, He would have forsaken it entirely if it were not sustained by His powerful remedy, the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ; yet now, in response to this prayer from the body of Christ, He does not abandon it even minimally, for God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Love is birthed from faith and reverence for God, nurtured and fortified by hope, and reaches its fulfillment through kindness and mercy, which reflect the imitation of God. The Gospel says, “Be merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36), and it also states, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13). The essence of mercy, compassion towards our neighbor, and the forgiveness of their faults surpasses sacrifice, which is unacceptable without reconciliation with our neighbor. The Gospel teaches, “If you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23). Our love for God is demonstrated through love and mercy towards our neighbors. This mercy, grace, compassion, and forgiveness of others’ shortcomings stem from humility and self-reflection. In all sorrowful and challenging situations, we are called to place the blame on ourselves rather than others, recognizing that our inability to act rightly may have led to distress and sorrow. By embracing this perspective, we will be less prone to anger and frustration which does not align with God’s Truth. The Apostle John warns, “He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 Jn. 3:14), and “walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going” (1 Jn. 2:11); and “whoever hates his brother is a murderer” (Jn. 3:15). Teach me chastisement. In the Slavonic dialect, the term for punishment conveys a soul-enriching instruction on how to navigate the virtuous path in reverent compliance with God’s commandments and the Church’s regulations. The Old Testament illustrates this by stating, “A son who is not disciplined brings grief to his father and sorrow to his mother” (Proverbs 17:25), indicating the importance of instilling a sense of reverence for God and adherence to His law. In contemporary times, many parents impart knowledge that may be trivial and superfluous but often neglect the imperative of instilling fear of God and obedience to divine commandments, leading to disobedient and disrespectful behavior in their children, which can bring shame to both family and nation, sometimes even resulting in malicious conduct. Teach me reason, that is, true and sound understanding. The Holy Scripture urges, “Seek reason, that you may live and correct your mind in knowledge” (Proverbs 9:6), implying that we should strive to comprehend the Holy Scriptures in a manner that is not arbitrary or subjective, but rather accurate and sincere. This is evidenced by the fact that while all nations read the same Gospel, their interpretations can vary greatly. The Orthodox and Catholics may differ in their understanding of the Gospel, just as Armenians, Copts, and Arians interpret it differently, and Reformed and Lutherans possess their own interpretations. Such disparities arise from the lack of due diligence in grasping the Gospel’s profound meanings as articulated by the Lord: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). The Orthodox Church fully accepts both the Old and New Testaments, whereas those who diverge from Orthodox beliefs tend to selectively embrace portions of Scripture that align with their preferences, leading to their classification as heretics, deriving from the Greek word ‘Ereo’ (I choose). The Apostle Paul warns about such individuals, stating: “Reject a divisive person after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” (Titus 3:10-11). Like St. David, let us engage in prayer and self-denial. Let us earnestly seek divine help to learn goodness, mercy, spiritually enriching chastisement, and true reason—without which our eternal salvation remains uncertain and precarious—unless we turn to our Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and humility. He who suffered for us and died on the cross, having risen on the third day, to whom belongs all glory, honor, and worship, together with the Father, who is eternal, and the Most Holy, Blessed, and Life-giving Spirit, forever. Amen.

The Prophet understood the value of discipline and recognized that God, in His benevolence toward humanity, employs it; hence, he requests the honor of receiving it as well. In His kindness, God administers discipline, which leads to wisdom. Like Jeremiah, who prays, “Correct us, O Lord, but with judgment, not in Your anger.” The ailing individual, yearning for healing, appeals to the doctor to apply both surgical and cauterizing techniques. Another interpretation suggests that goodness refers to true comprehension of God's works, discipline signifies the moderation of desires, and knowledge pertains to the contemplation of the Holy Trinity. Additionally, one might interpret goodness as love, understanding as humility, and knowledge as the insight gleaned from the divine Scriptures. This parallels the words of Bezimenius: “If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments” (Sir 1:25).

All subjects outlined are conveyed in the Scriptures: engage with this word, and you shall comprehend them. However, the prophet appeals for divine instruction, because self-teaching through Scripture is merely an external form of knowledge; the development and nurturing of the inner self is achieved through the invisible grace of God facilitated by the word. Thus, he prays: You, Lord, come and bestow these attributes upon my soul, so that my actions may arise from within me, not merely from adhering to written laws, as if it were inherent for me to act in this manner. ‘Teach’: I am ready to heed and obey all that you suggest—only instruct me; for I understand that one cannot learn without being taught. ‘It may be,’ interprets Blessed Augustine, ‘that I will struggle with some concepts, but just as You once opened the minds of Your disciples to grasp the Scriptures, please open my mind as well. I may grasp certain truths, yet I may lack the ability to act on them; therefore, teach me to ‘do Your will’ (Psalm 142:10). I may know the right actions, yet lack the fervor to execute them; inspire in me a righteous love, the wellspring of zeal for every good, so that my heart may continually yield fruitful offerings to You. ‘Behold my soul, like a parched land’ (Psalm 142:6), longs for Your instruction. Teach me ‘goodness.’ ‘It is prayed,’ continues Blessed Augustine, ‘that God may instill a love for goodness—pleasant and willing—or, to put it more succinctly, that a love for God, and for God's sake a love for one’s neighbor, might be granted by God. The aim is to cultivate within all creation a moral and spiritual framework that delights God. This represents the pinnacle of divine teaching. Where love is firmly established, there is little need for instruction; it will naturally guide actions. Teach ‘chastisement.’ Those who are not disciplined are unreasonable beings. Therefore, chastisement implies the ability to act with prudence and discernment. It dictates the appropriate time, means, relationships, and interactions in all matters, ensuring that each endeavor is a refined creation, much like a masterpiece of a skilled artist. Love embodies the essence of life, while chastisement reflects its outward splendor. Teach ‘reason,’ which pertains to the stewardship of the mysteries of faith. Just as the rising sun illuminates the world, bringing radiance to all it touches, the knowledge of the Divine enlightens the mind and clarifies reality. Illumination enables us to savor the joy of existence, dispelling darkness and inspiring us to labor. Illuminated truths invite us forward, revealing how to approach them. Hence, all light of life requires active engagement. Conversely, mental darkness stifles vitality; if it stirs, it does so almost mechanically. The light that directs our conduct is essential; without it, life cannot thrive. Thus, this teaching stands apart from others, yet inherently leads the way. It finds its foundation in the word of God, rooted by divine grace in the hearts of those who transform their learning into action. The cornerstone of learning is faith. If a learner does not trust the teacher, they cannot master even the fundamentals. Therefore, the spiritual journey cannot begin without fully believing that these are the commandments of God, that they guide us to Him, making us acceptable in His sight and ensuring our inheritance of eternal glory. Only steadfast faith in these truths nurtures the zeal for learning and imparts the strength to fulfill it.

You have granted me great favor in the past; now, I ask for Your grace to provide me strength and illumination to fulfill Your law, in which I steadfastly believe. The trials I endure bind me to Your word; therefore, grant me a complete comprehension of it through Your goodness. Despite all adversities, I remain steadfast; my heart is not hardened like those of my foes; rather, I am always alert to Your law, which I cherish more than any material possession.