Vs. 101 — I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.

Thomas Manton:

“I have refrained my feet,” etc. 1. We have David’s practice: “I have refrained my feet from every evil way.” 2. His end or motive: “That I might keep thy word;” that he might be exact and punctual with God in a course of obedience.

First, In his practice. You may note the seriousness of it: “I have refrained my feet.” By the feet are meant the affections: “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God,” Eccl. 5:1. Our affections which are the rigorous bent of the soul, do engage us to practice; therefore fitly resembled by the feet, by which we walk to any place that we do desire: so that, “I have refrained my feet,” the meaning is, I keep a close and strict hand over my affections, that they might not lead me to sin. Then you may note the extent of it; he doth not only say, I refrained from evil, but universally, “from every evil way.” But how could David say this is truth of heart, if conscious of his offence in the matter of Uriah? Answer: This was the usual frame and temper of his soul, and the course of his life; and such kind of assertions concerning the saints are to be interpreted.. This was his errand and drift, his purpose and endeavour, his usual course, though he had his failings.

Secondly, What was his end and motive in this? “That I might keep thy word”; that I might be exact and punctual with God in a course of obedience, and adhere to his word universally, impartially.  (Manton, Thomas. The Complete Works of Thomas Manton. Vol. 7. London: James Nisbet & Co., 1872.)

Prayer:

Father, I wish that I could say that I have restrained my heart from evil, but I find my thoughts often wandering to self-righteousness, judging others, and numerous other vile sinfulness. I’m not going to pretend to be without sin, as I John tells me: I’d be deceiving myself and the truth would not be in me. I’m not afraid to admit my failures because I know that they are paid for by my Savior. There is no condemnation from You, none. In liberty this child of Yours will seek Your word to know it and keep it. I purpose my life in Your ways, according to Your word, and by the strength provided by grace.