Psalm 119 (118):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now, take note of what follows: "Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and seek Him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). It appears that no other kind of blessedness is referenced here apart from what has already been mentioned. To reflect upon the Lord’s testimonies and seek Him wholeheartedly equates to being blameless in the path, to living in accordance with the law of the Lord. Then, it is stated, "For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet, we understand that those who commit iniquity may examine the Lord's testimonies, but their preference lies in knowledge over righteousness. Others may study these testimonies not because they live righteously, but to discern how they should live. These individuals do not yet walk blamelessly within the Lord's law, which is why they are not yet blessed.

Indeed, it is written in this Psalm, and it stands true: "They that do evil walk not in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). However, we must strive, with God’s assistance, who holds both us and our words in His hand (Wisdom 7:16), to ensure that accurately spoken words are not misunderstood, confusing the reader or listener. We must be cautious not to imply that all saints, who affirm, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8-9), can be thought of as not walking in the Lord’s ways since sin is indeed evil, and those who do evil do not walk in His ways; or that, since it is undeniable they walk in the ways of the Lord, they are assumed to be without sin, which is surely untrue. This statement is not intended merely to prevent arrogance or pride, or else they would have said, "Humility is not in us." The following words clarify the message 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 could this mean: "You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?" (Psalm 118:4). Have you demanded too much? Or have you perhaps left us wanting? Regardless of how we interpret this, the sentiment seems to counter those celebrated maxims by the Greeks and upheld by the Latins: "Do nothing too much." Yet, in the Latin tongue, nimis can convey a deeper meaning, and we recognize its value in sacred Scripture and our discussions. When we assert, "You have accused us of adhering to Your commandments too strictly," it reveals a significant message if rightly understood. When we tell a dear friend, "I love you too much," it doesn’t imply excessiveness but profound affection.

Oh, if he expresses, "If only my ways were made straight, that I might keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:5). You have certainly taken on this challenge: Oh, if only I could realize the calling that You have set for me. When you hear this, recognize the genuine desire behind the words and let go of prideful presumption. Who claims that they desire something within their power to achieve without divine assistance? Therefore, if one aspires to fulfill God’s commandments, they should implore God for the strength to accomplish them.

"And I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). When reflecting on the commandments of God, whether read or recalled, we should view them as a mirror, as the Apostle James indicates (James 1:23-25). This individual seeks to embody the command of God, desiring to look upon His commandments without confusion, for they are not merely hearers but doers of the word. Thus, he longs for his paths to be made straight in order to uphold God's statutes. Yet, how can anyone achieve this apart from God’s grace? Without it, they will find God’s law not a source of joy, but a cause of confusion, when failing to turn toward the commandments.

"I will confess to You, O Lord, in the direction of my heart; in this way, I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness" (Psalm 117:7). This passage does not express a confession of sins, but an articulation of praise; he states, "In whom there was no sin, I confess unto You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25), and as written in Ecclesiasticus: "So confess all the works of God, that they are very good" (Sirach 39:15-16). "I confess to You," he declares, in accordance with the compass of my heart. Indeed, if my ways are made right, I will praise You, for it is Your work, and thus it is You who deserves the glory.

He continues: "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8). But what comes next? "O leave me not even too much!" or, as some manuscripts state, "Even too much, not excessively." Yet, since God had abandoned the world amidst the wilderness of sin, He would have forsaken it entirely were it not for the strong remedy provided by His grace through our Lord Jesus Christ; thus, according to this prayer from the body of Christ, He has not forsaken it too much; for "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Initially, those embarking on God's mission often do not rely on their own judgment but seek counsel from those who possess wisdom, much like in secular matters. However, through committed attention—highlighted in the previous verse—and guided experience, diligent efforts lead to fruitful outcomes that cultivate the soul's ability to discern truths independently. This discernment matures through life's experiences and becomes firmly established, resulting in an inner righteousness that accurately determines actions and methods; the spirit of righteousness is renewed within the heart. This discernment operates in two dimensions: one that differentiates thoughts and another that perceives God's intentions behind particular events and situations, recognizing that everything originates from Him and is designed for our benefit and salvation. For those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of this discernment of thoughts, the writings of Barsonophios and John, the seer hermits, offer valuable insights. In any matter, thoughts may present themselves in multiple ways—how does one decide which path to pursue? If passionate thoughts could be clearly distinguished from non-passionate ones, making a decision would be straightforward. Yet, for those who begin to cultivate self-awareness, passionate thoughts often disguise themselves beneath a façade of reasonableness. Consequently, there exists a constant risk of acting under the pretense of goodness while actually yielding to passion. The aforementioned writings explore various scenarios analyzed by the divinely inspired wisdom of visionary elders, detailing the art of discerning the path of God's truth in such situations.

The second area of focus involves the ability to perceive divine providence in all that relates to our lives—from major life events to everyday encounters—grounded in the belief that all occurrences are guided by God's will. God places us in specific situations with the expectation that we will respond in a manner befitting His care. Being omnipresent, He is always with us, observing our capacity to act in line with His desires. Under such divine scrutiny, we are called to refrain from acting impulsively and to seek God's guidance in every circumstance, responding accordingly. Diligent attention to personal circumstances and unwavering commitment to God's will equips us with the discernment to understand His intentions for us. While worldly wisdom may label this type of discernment as prudence, spiritual reasoning often contravenes conventional human wisdom, revealing itself as simplicity or ignorance, yet proving to be wiser than all earthly understanding. Ultimately, as previously mentioned, righteousness of heart is cultivated, allowing for genuine confession to God that emanates from this righteous state. This confession possesses various forms, but the focus here is on its intrinsic quality. When one attains the ability to recognize the outcomes of God's righteousness—or develops a heart of righteousness—then their confession becomes a sincere expression of childlike simplicity and purity; as the blessed Theodoret observes, “then I will be able to bring Thee a pure song, when I know all Thy judgments and live according to them.” Why is this the case? It is because, through both internal reflections and external experiences, one acknowledges the constant, loving presence of God, which leads to complete surrender to His will, much like a child finds rest in their mother's embrace. In recognizing that all of God’s deeds are intended for our benefit, this conviction manifests as unending gratitude and praise. When we say, “Let us confess unto Thee,” it signifies, as Theodoret explains, a willingness to give thanks, or as Augustine remarks, an expression of praise for both God’s care and the very ability to perceive the outcomes of His righteousness. This confession may also reflect the diligence of those who remain aware of themselves, realizing they exist under God's benevolent care, presenting their souls—along with all their weaknesses and failings—to God, seeking correction according to His divine will. Blessed Anfim of Jerusalem refers here to the acknowledgment of one’s own shortcomings, from which no one is exempt, in order to stand pure and unblemished on the Day of God's Judgment, in both significant matters and the smaller ones. This aligns with the fervent cry of those in pursuit of salvation, echoed in the words, “O ye that weigh the fates, save us who are unworthy!”

The central themes of these first eight verses convey that blessed is the person who upholds the law (1), who increasingly engages with it (2), who does not behave as the wicked do (3), but faithfully follows God’s commandments (4). Oh, how I long to embody this (5), for then I would never feel ashamed (6). I am grateful for my understanding of the law (7), and I am committed to fulfilling it; may God alone not remove His grace from me to achieve this. The path of life, ethical behavior; the one who adheres to the Lord’s law lives blamelessly. The term “tested” translates from the Hebrew, meaning ‘keeping His revelations.’ Conversely, one must avoid wrongdoing, as reflected in the continuation of verse 2: ‘not committing iniquity, but instead walking in His way.’ May I be corrected - Oh, if only my conduct were guided directly and without any avoidance towards the observance of God's commandments. Justification signifies the expression of Divine will; it relates to statutes, laws, and is synonymous with commands. Judgments, which embody the Divine will, represent standards for righteousness and justice. To be zealous means to do so in all respects, achieving perfection.