Psalm 119 (118):96Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now, hear what follows: “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart” (Psalm 117:2). It appears that the only group of the blessed mentioned here aligns with those already described. To study the Lord's testimonies and seek Him wholeheartedly signifies being blameless on the journey, which means living according to the law of the Lord. He continues, “For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). We recognize that those who commit iniquity may still scrutinize the Lord’s testimonies, prioritizing knowledge over righteousness; likewise, others may examine these testimonies not out of righteous living but from a desire to know how to live rightly. Such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly in the law of the Lord and, thus, have not yet reached blessedness.

It is penned and understood in this Psalm: “They that do evil do not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). However, we must strive, with divine assistance—God holds both us and our words (Wisdom 7:16)—to ensure that rightful words do not confuse the reader or listener due to a lack of understanding. We must caution against dismissing all the saints, whose words assert, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8-9). This might lead one to think they cannot walk in the ways of the Lord, as sin is sinful, and those who do evil do not tread His paths, or conversely, that since they surely walk in His ways, they must imply the absence of sin, which is undoubtedly incorrect. This assertion is not merely to prevent arrogance; if it were so, they would have stated, "Humility is not in us." The subsequent lines clarify this interpretation and dispel any doubts. The blessed John reminds us, “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 signify: “You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too seriously” (Psalm 118:4)? Have You taken too much? Or perhaps have we returned too much? Regardless of which we consider, the implication seems to contrast sharply with the celebrated and noble philosophy praised by Greek sages and lauded by the Latins: “Do nothing excessively…” Yet, in Latin, the term “nimis” is sometimes understood in a manner that significantly impacts our conversations. When we say, “You’ve accused us of keeping Your commandments excessively,” we imply a deep understanding; and when we express to a beloved friend, “I love you too much,” we do not mean it in moderation, but profoundly.

“Oh, if,” he expresses, “my ways were so directed that I might observe Your decrees” (Psalm 118:5). You have indeed taken on the burden; if only I could comprehend the weight of that burden. When you hear this, recognize the plea of the willing heart; upon acknowledging this desire, shed the arrogance of presumption. Who among us claims to desire what lies within our grasp without divine aid? Therefore, if a person wishes for what God commands, they should pray for God's assistance in fulfilling that command.

“I will not be ashamed as long as I observe all Your commandments” (Psalm 118:6). We ought to perceive God's commandments as a reflection, much like a mirror, as the apostle James notes (James 1:23-25). This individual aspires to see himself mirrored in God's commandments without confusion, as he chooses to be a doer of the Word and not merely a listener. For this reason, he seeks straight paths and aims to uphold God's statutes. How can one achieve such straightness, save by God’s grace? Without it, one may only find confusion in the law of God if they attempt to peer into commandments they do not follow.

“I will confess to You, O Lord, according to the direction 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 an expression of praise, echoing the sentiment of the one in whom there was no sin: “I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25), as further stated in Ecclesiasticus: “Confess all the works of God, that they are exceedingly good” (Sirach 39:15-16). When he says, “I confess to You according to the guidance of my heart,” it signifies that if my ways are aligned, my praise is directed to You, recognizing Your deeds, not my own.

He adds, “I will keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? “Do not forsake me, even in excess!” or as some manuscripts indicate, “not excessively.” Yet, since God abandoned the world in the wilderness of sins, it would have been forsaken utterly had it not been upheld by such a powerful remedy—God’s grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, in light of this supplication from the body of Christ, He has not forsaken it even in excess, for “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

The commandment, as you declare, O Lord, liberates those who exist or dwell in severe confinement, as stated by Eusebius, yet it imposes no affliction or distress upon those who fulfill it, although it may appear burdensome and challenging to the indifferent. As noted by Symmachus: Of every dispensation I have seen the end; vast is your commandment. Everything, according to Theodoret's interpretation, encompasses wealth and poverty, authority and realms, military leadership, and kingdoms, all of which have an end, often a swift one: but your commandment is broad and infinite, bestowing eternal life and unchanging goods upon those who uphold it. Athanasius asserts that the end pertains to the accusations from demons. I witnessed the termination of such, diminishing to nothing; thus, the commandment became a wide path for me. For anyone who treads a narrow and unfortunate path adheres to the commandment as an expansive way: none is limited along God's commandment, becoming generous and wise through this journey. Your commandment has become broad to me, he professes, due to its fulfillment. Those who walk contrary to God's commandments and suffer punishment for wrongdoing perceive the observance of these commandments as narrow and bleak; however, those perfected in virtue uphold the commandment of God with ease, therefore they regard it as broad for themselves. According to Cyril, I witnessed the conclusion of every conclusion, encompassing every misfortune. Before its inception, I sought to comprehend how it would conclude and the direction it would take. By stating, your commandment is broad, he dismisses the constriction of the law. The law may be confining; yet we find expansiveness through faith and love, nearly clinging to Christ. The road to glory opens wide for both the great and the small, as each individual, according to their ability, bears fruit; for God honors spiritual valor, self-restraint, patience, and other virtues. Timothy notes: Although virtue has one conclusion, which culminates in complete triumph, there also exists a conclusion for each individual achievement. Thus, someone who has traversed all successes can proclaim: I have seen the end of every conclusion; for he who strives toward perfect goodness perceives many beginnings and endings; the accomplishment of the first success initiates the next, and its conclusion serves as the foundation for the following one. This is why it is stated that when a person concludes, they begin anew; and when they cease, they enter doubt (Sir 18:6); David, through these words, seems to express that he has attained the culmination of all spiritual achievements and virtues; yet your commandment, O Lord, is broad and endless; hence, I could not attain its perfection. The more one strives for perfection in the commandments, the more one realizes they are but a worthless servant, still far from their fulfillment.

Although what we express may seem unfamiliar to many, I assert, blessed Father, based on the evidence provided, that even the angels, these spiritual beings, do not lack in glory but continually receive honor for honor and wisdom for wisdom.

How can we conceptually discuss commandments in this manner? Firstly, there are no boundaries to the excellence of any commandment. The stages of ascent or perfection within each commandment are infinite. Each commandment demands a virtue unique to itself; irrespective of the level of proficiency one achieves in any virtue, one can never claim, "I have attained enough," for there exists a higher degree beyond your current position. Consider mercy: can anyone truly reach the ultimate perfection in it, when its pinnacle is the mercy of our heavenly Father, who embodies boundlessness? In every virtue one explores, the final threshold remains the perfect reflection of God. Since creatures can never reach this ultimate point, they are destined to eternally strive for it without ever fully attaining it. When the Lord commanded, "Be ye perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48), He highlighted the obligation for those created in God's image to pursue infinite perfection in every virtue. If this pursuit is mandatory and no individual can assert they have already achieved it, it naturally follows that humility becomes the most authentic sentiment of those excelling in virtues. The more virtuous a person becomes, the more humble they tend to be, as they recognize the never-ending journey that lies ahead.

If the road is infinite, then whatever progress has been made seems negligible; the journey feels as though it has yet to begin. As a result, such individuals often express, "I have not attained; but I press on, striving to grasp" (Philippians 3:12). St. Athanasius remarked, "These are the words of one who, through great success, has ascended to the pinnacle of virtue, achieving the ultimate good and initiating numerous endeavors. For the conclusion of one level of perfection serves as the initiation of the next, in accordance with the saying: 'When a man finishes, then he begins' (Sirach 18:6).

Secondly, the commandment is vast because those who embark on this path enter the domain of God's will, which encompasses all that exists. This aligns with the initial verses of the eight verses, illustrating that everything in heaven and on earth submits to God's will. As the commandment embodies God's will, anyone who begins to follow it enters into the infinite realm where God's will prevails. Conversely, those who stray from the commandments and thus step outside the boundaries of God's will are subjected to the relentless pressures of everything that adheres to it. In contrast, those who live according to God's commandments exist in harmony with all creation, and their positive disposition towards everything grants them unimpeded existence and action.

Thus, thirdly, the commandment provides a breadth of experience and complete freedom to those who adhere to it. Only those who follow the commandments and exercise control over their affairs are not subject to external forces; rather, these external pressures become subordinate to them. Each passion and habitual desire constitutes a chain of servitude, binding individuals to their impulses. This truth is universally acknowledged and experienced. Commandments serve as a remedy for these passions: learning to obey a commandment extinguishes the opposing desire. A person who lives in accordance with all the commandments vanquishes all passions; by doing so, they dismantle their binding nature. If this bond is broken, the individual attains true freedom. This is what the holy Apostle refers to as "the liberty of the children of God," and this is the essence of redemption.

The contemplation of this eternal word has provided me strength in my trials. I will not deviate from Your promised commands, for they bring me vitality. Aid Your devoted servant, for I am in peril; You, like Your law, are infinitely exalted, and in comparison to You, all earthly power and glory, as well as my adversaries, amount to nothing. In the heavens, Your word finds its true abode, remaining unwavering on earth as well. The word, the law, and justification collectively reflect the promises contained within the commandments; just as the laws of nature remain constant, so too do Your promises. In them, You have secured my life through the assurances of Your covenant.

The Holy Prophet David articulates this limitless potency of the commandment that guides toward perfection with the statement: "All endings have seen an end, Thy commandment is wide." In line with the Psalmist's message, while one can reach a conclusion in the pursuit of perfection, the breadth of Thy commandment knows no bounds: its expectations expand alongside its fulfillment, and one’s understanding of it deepens continuously. St. Paul exemplifies this active grasp of Christ’s commandments; having devoted a significant part of his life to their fervent observance, he recognized he was not yet entitled to rest but sought to ascend even higher. "I do not think that I have attained to myself," he writes following his initial imprisonment, "but I, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13, 14, 15).