(14) “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” What a comfort the truth of this verse has been to God’s people in all ages, even before it was written here. It had been the sustainer of the men of faith in the ages past as well as of the present age. The faithful one here has been afflicted very much, but his trust is in the One who has given him His testimonies, and desires to go on unto the end of his sojourn here.
(15) The humbled one here expresses his hatred of the vain thoughts of those around him, whom he looks upon as evildoers. They have rejected and trodden down the states of God. But he desires to be upheld in the path of faith, that he may not be ashamed of his hope. He is confident that God will deal severely with the wicked, which makes him tremble at the thought of His judgments upon them.
(16) He pleads with the Lord not to allow the oppressors to triumph and for Him to deal with him in mercy. The oppressors have made void the law, but this stirs him up to desire it all the more, to be taught by it, and to be given an understanding of it. This desire for the Word of God should be in the hearts of all those who are the Lord’s, whom He has redeemed by His own blood.
(17) He has found the testimonies of the Word to be wonderful and the entrance of them to give light and understanding unto the simple in heart. He asks the Lord to be merciful to him, as He was in former times to those who loved His name. He desires his steps to be ordered by the Word, and feels with great sorrow the fate of those who have not kept His law.
(18) Righteousness is attributed to the Lord and His Word is righteous and very faithful. Because it is also pure, the servant of the Lord loves it. His righteousness is said to be an everlasting righteousness. The Lord Jesus kept the law and made it honorable, that is, He showed that it was pure according to God. Now that He has finished the work which was given to Him on earth to fulfill, there is a righteousness of God which is unto all and upon all them which believe, and being of God, it is everlasting. (Rom. 3:2222Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22).)
(19) There are deep exercises of heart expressed here for the testimonies of the Lord. His hope is in them. It seems as he passes through the night, he desires the dawn of the morning to have His Word before him. Then when he thinks of the night watches coming, it is that he might meditate in His Word. He says, “Concerning Thy testimonies, I have known of old that Thou hast founded them forever.” We learn in the New Testament that His Word abides after heaven and earth have passed away. This should impress us of their everlasting importance, and their effect upon our lives.
ML 05/07/1961