Psalm 119:151

Vs. 151 — You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth.

James Harrington Evans, 1785–1849:

“Thou art near, O LORD.” This was once man’s greatest blessing, and source of sweetest consolation. It was the fairest flower which grew in Paradise; but sin withered it, the flower faded, it drooped, it died. Gen. 3:8; 4:16. It must be so once more; the flower must once again bloom, again it must revive; even upon earth must it blossom, or in heaven it will never put forth its fragrance.
“Thou art near.” Even in thy works of creation, in the sun in his glory, in the moon in her softness, gleaming in the firmament, I see thee. In the halm of this fragrant air, in the light of this cheerful day, in the redolence of these shrubs around me, whose flowery tops, as they drink in the soft and gentle shower as it falls, seem to breathe forth a fresh perfume in gratitude to him who sends it. In the melody of these birds which fill the air with their songs, thou, O Lord, art near. I perceive thee not with my bodily eyes, although by these I discern thy workmanship, and with the eye of the mind behold thee in thy works, a present God.
“Thou art near.” Even in the book of thy providence, dark and mysterious though it be, I see thee. There do I read thy wisdom, as developed in thy world, thy church, thy saints, thy servant before thee; the wisdom that guides, the wisdom that guards, the wisdom that bestows, the wisdom that encourages, the wisdom that corrects, that kills and makes alive. There do I read thy power, thy justice, thy faithfulness, thy holiness, thy love.
But it is in thy Son, thy beloved Son, that I most clearly and distinctly see thee as near. If in creation, if in providence, thou art near, in him thou art very near, O Lord. Near as a sin-forgiving God. Rom. 8:1. Near as a promise keeping God. 2 Cor. 1:20. Near as a prayer-hearing God. John 16:20; Ps. 145:18. Near as a covenant-keeping God. Heb. 8:10. Near as a gracious, tender Father. John 20:17.
“Thou art near, O LORD.” O that I might live in the constant sense of thy nearness to me! How often, far too often, alas, do I seem quite to forget it!
Art thou near? Then may I realizingly remember, that by the blood of thy dear Son, and by that alone, have I been brought nigh (Eph. 2:13); that it required nothing less than the stoop of Deity, and the sufferings and death of his perfect humanity, to remove those hindrances which interposed between a holy God and an unholy creature. Oh, to walk before thee with a grateful spirit, and with a broken, contrite heart!
Art thou near? Then may I walk as before thee, as seeing thee, in holy fear, in filial love, in simple faith, in child-like confidence. Gen. 17:1. When sin would tempt and solicit indulgence, when the world presents some new allurement, when Satan would take advantage of constitution, society, circumstances, oh, that I may ever remember “Thou art near.”
If my dearest comforts droop and die, if friends are cool, if the bonds once the firmest, the closest, the tenderest, are torn asunder, and dissevered, yet may I still remember, “Thou art near, O Lord,” and not afar off. And when the solemn moment shall come, when heart and flesh shall fail, when all earthly things are seen with a dying eye, when I hear thee say, “Thou must die, and not live,” then, oh then may I remember, with all the composedness of faith, and all the liveliness of hope, and all the ardour of love, “Thou art near, O LORD.” (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, pp. 410–411). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth. I do not know where to rank this grace among all that You have given me–to know Thy nearness. Yet I know and have sure confidence in Your nearness only because of the divine gift of eternal life through the Son of Righteousness. You are near; such comfort, such peace, such assurance, such confidence this brings to my soul, to my whole life. You are near; ever near. Such knowledge is a sweet fragrance that draws me closer into communion with Thee. You have captivated my soul with Your love and desire for me. I rejoice and proclaim: Blessed be the name of the Lord, my Lord, forever and ever. Amen.


Psalm 119:150

Vs. 150 — They draw near who follow after wickedness; They are far from Your law.

Charles Bridges:

Our spiritual enemies, like David’s earthly persecutors, are ever present and active. The devouring “lion,” or the insinuating “serpent” is “nigh to follow after mischief”; and so much the more dangerous, as his approaches are invisible. Nigh also is a tempting ensnaring world; and nearer still, a lurking world of sin within, separating us from communion with our God. But in turning habitually and immediately to our stronghold, we can enjoy the confidence—“Thou art near, O Lord.” Though “the High and Lofty One, whose name is Holy”—though the just and terrible God, yet art thou made nigh to thy people, and they to thee, “by the blood of the cross.” And thou dost manifest thy presence to them in “the Son of thy love.” (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 410). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

J. J. Stewart Perowne:

They are “nigh” to persecute and destroy me; thou art nigh, O Lord, to help me. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 410). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

The workers of iniquity plan and scheme against Your Church–Your covenant people. They hate Your law, despising the way of righteousness and truth. They love death over life, and they are consumed with a love for self. Justice is defined by their desires, not righteousness. But You are God, even of the wicked. They do not realize that You are the sovereign ruler over all the affairs of mankind, yes all mankind. You are not far, but near. You are not silent or asleep, but are working Your perfect will. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. To the glory of the King, forever and ever. Amen.

 


Psalm 119:149

Vs. 149 — Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.

Prayer:

According to Your lovingkindness. Yes, according to Your lovingkindness, O’ Lord. Revive me according to Your justice that was fulfilled at the cross through and by my Savior, Jesus Christ. This is how I know that I know that You indeed hear my voice when I pray.


Psalm 119:148

Vs. 148 — My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

Hengstenberg:

” ‘Mine eyes prevent the night watches.’ …the expression means, The night watches find me awake.” (Alexander, W. H. (1867). The Book of Praises: Being the Book of Psalms, according to the Authorized Version, with Notes Original and Selected (p. 413). London: Jackson, Walford, and Hodder.)

Prayer:

My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. When my heart is anxious and will not rest, when my soul is troubled, cause me to think on You and what You have spoken in Your word. Help me to remember in the night watches what You have shown me in the daylight, that I may rest with hope. Take my mind to the place of refuge, which is in Your promises, to find comfort and peace.


Psalm 119:147

Vs. 147 — I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.

John Morison:

“I prevented the dawning of the morning.” Early prayers are undisturbed by the agitating cares of life, and resemble the sweet melody of those birds which sing loudest and sweetest when fewest ears are open to listen to them. O my soul, canst thou say that thou hast thus “prevented the dawning of the morning” in thy approaches to God? Has the desire of communion with heaven raised thee from thy slumbers, shaken off thy sloth, and carried thee to thy knees?” (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 402). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Charles H. Spurgeon:

“I hoped in thy word.” Hope is a very powerful means of strengthening us in prayer. Who would pray if he had no hope that God would hear him? Who would not pray when he has a good hope of a blessed issue to his entreaties? His hope was fixed upon God’s word, and this is a sure anchorage, because God is true, and in no case has he ever run back from his promise, or altered the thing that has gone forth from his mouth. He who is diligent in prayer will never be destitute of hope. Observe that as the early bird gets the worm, so the early prayer is soon refreshed with hope.” (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 402). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. Who is likened unto Thee, O’ God?! Where else can I go but to Thee? You hear my cries. You hear my groaning. You feel my tears. And You alone are able to comfort me, revive me, and strengthen me. Let Your word, I ask, blossom in my soul and fill my whole being with the fragrance of Christ. When Christ is the aroma of my whole life–my direction, desires, and need, then I will be anchored in a sure hope and filled with joy. This I pray.