Psalm 119 (118):99Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Jewish educators are referred to as elders, given their chronological precedence over the apostles; yet, the apostles surpassed them in their grasp of the law and the prophets, understanding their deeper spiritual significance. Thus, the apostles interpreted God's commandments in their contemporary context.

Now listen to the continuation: "Blessed are those who keep his testimonies and seek him with all their heart" (Psalm 117:2). This seems to reaffirm the previously mentioned group of the blessed. To delve into the testimonies of the Lord and seek Him wholeheartedly is to embody blamelessness in the way, to live in accordance with the law of the Lord. He then cautions, "For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet, we recognize that those who practice iniquity often study the testimonies of the Lord, preferring knowledge over righteousness, while others examine them not out of righteous living but in search of guidance. Such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly in the law of the Lord, and for this reason, they have not attained blessing.

It is stated clearly in this Psalm: "They that do evil walk not in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). However, we must strive, with divine assistance, as we are in God's hands, that what is correctly articulated is also rightly comprehended, lest it confuse the reader or listener. We must be cautious not to misconstrue that all saints, whose words include, “If we say that 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 ways due to the presence of sin, or conversely, assume that since they do walk in His ways, they must be without sin—which is clearly incorrect. This is not said merely to discourage arrogance; otherwise, it would have been phrased differently, as “Humility is not in us.” Moreover, the subsequent statement provides clarity, dispelling any ambiguity. For after this, blessed John continues, "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 when accused of adhering too rigorously to Your commandments? (Psalm 118:4). Have we burdened ourselves excessively? Or perhaps let something go? Regardless of the interpretation, the implication stands in contrast to that noble maxim praised by the Greeks and lauded by the Latins: "Do nothing to excess." Yet, the Latin term 'nimis' in Scripture carries weight, suggesting depth. In acknowledging your accusation of observing Your commandments excessively, we can glean profound insight, for when we express, "I love you too much" to a cherished friend, it implies a significant, rather than excessive, affection.

The psalmist expresses, "Oh, if my ways were steadfast, that I might keep your decrees" (Psalm 118:5). The desire is profound; it acknowledges the challenge of maintaining what God commands. Upon hearing this plea, reflect upon the words of sincerity, and upon recognizing this longing, dismiss any prideful presumption. Who can claim to desire the impossible without divine assistance? Thus, those wishing to fulfill God’s commands must seek Him earnestly for strength.

"I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). When reflecting upon God's commands, be it during readings or remembrance, one should perceive them as a mirror, as indicated by the Apostle James (James 1:23-25). This individual aspires to reflect the commandments without confusion, recognizing the importance of not merely hearing them, but acting upon them. Therefore, he yearns for his path to align with the statutes of God; alignment can only be achieved through grace, as otherwise, the law reveals not joy, but disarray for the one who does not fulfill it.

"I will confess to You, O Lord, with an upright heart; in this, I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness" (Psalm 117:7). This declaration signifies praise rather than confession of sin; as he affirms, "In whom there was no sin, I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25), and as it is recorded in Ecclesiasticus, "So confess all the works of God, for they are very good" (Sirach 39:15-16). He acknowledges that if his ways are made straight, he will offer praise solely because of God's work, attributing the glory to Him.

He further claims, "I will keep Your decrees" (Psalm 118:8). Following this, he prays, "Do not abandon me!" or as some manuscripts read, "not even excessively." For had God entirely forsaken the world amid its sins, the situation would have been dire without the sustaining remedy of His grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. However, as a reflection of Christ's prayers, God did not forsake the world wholly, for "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Eusebius notes that although the Savior proclaims, "A disciple is not above his teacher, neither is a servant above his master," it is essential to recognize that this is stated after He has made His position clear, affirming, "Call no one on earth your teacher; for you have one Teacher who is in heaven." Consequently, the disciple is not greater than that Master, and those many instructors referred to are not authoritative figures, but rather those whom the disciple can surpass through diligent and persistent engagement with the word of God.

Thus, these statements do not reflect any arrogance or inflated self-opinion on the part of the prophet; rather, they attest to God's mercy in bestowing upon him a more profound and comprehensive understanding of His will than what his teachers had conveyed.

St. Ambrose suggests that such remarks could be seen as presumptuous, were it not for the foundation laid by the prophet, stating that the Lord had enlightened him. He was instructed by Wisdom itself, making it inevitable that he would comprehend more than all the rest. This is why he asserts elsewhere, "Blessed is the man whom You discipline, O Lord, and whom You teach from Your law" (Psalm 93:12). When the Lord educates an individual, He illuminates the mind and fills it with treasures of knowledge, or lifts the human spirit into direct contemplation of revealed truths. Under God's influence, the mind perceives what the Lord desires to unveil with the same clarity as physical eyes perceive objects during daylight. This revelation can occur in an instant, with an outpouring of insights so vast that human language cannot encapsulate them.

This was exemplified in St. Paul's extraordinary experience when he was taken to the third heaven; similarly, the Apostles, when the Lord appeared after His resurrection and breathed the Spirit upon them, had their minds opened to comprehend the Scriptures fully. In that moment, they grasped all that had been concealed in the Old Testament concerning the New Testament's events. The Lord then summarized what the Apostles had witnessed: "Thus it is fitting that Christ should suffer and enter into His glory" (Luke 24:45-46). The Lord reveals heavenly mysteries to all whom He finds deserving in a manner that is both instantaneous and complete.

However, such extraordinary illuminations of the mind are rare. Generally, the process of enriching one's understanding with Divine knowledge involves enlightening the intellect through the study of previously revealed truths. The prophet also acknowledged that he attained wisdom beyond his instructors: "Your testimonies are my delight." He engaged earnestly with God's revelations through faith and prayer, and the Lord, recognizing his dedication and love, endowed him with a comprehension of Scripture that was beyond his personal grasp. It has been recounted that during prayer, his mind was transported into a contemplation of divine truths with such clarity that neither his own efforts nor the study of others had previously provided. Therefore, we can surmise that true understanding of revelation is that which is infused into the mind in this manner. The endeavor of study prepares the heart, while grace completes this understanding during prayer, illuminating the mind and engraving insights into the heart. All other teachings are external; this is the only one that is internal, spiritual, Divine, and fruitful.

He also declares that by studying the commandments, he became wiser than even the elders steeped in knowledge: "I understand more than the aged, for I keep Your precepts" (Psalm 118:100). Brothers and sisters, "whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction" (Romans 15:4). The Holy Prophet inscribed these words to teach and encourage us, so that we, too, through our daily reflection on the Lord's words, may discern and comprehend the path to salvation.

Your law is my deepest affection and continual contemplation; through it, I have surpassed my enemies, who rely on fleeting worldly wisdom, whereas Your law and its eternal wisdom are ever present with me. I have grown wiser than those around me, including those who wish to impart their worldly knowledge and deem me lacking, revealing their false illumination. Ultimately, I have surpassed even the most seasoned elders, whose wisdom is confined to earthly matters. My understanding, rooted in my devotion to Your law, guides me to shun evil; practical wisdom teaches me the immeasurable value of Your law.