Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:59-60
David had said he would keep God's word (Psa 119:57), and it was well said; now here he tells us how and in what method he pursued that resolution. 1. He thought on his ways. He thought beforehand what he should do, pondering the path of his feet (Pro 4:26), that he might walk surely, and not at all adventures. He thought after what he had done, reflected upon his life past, and recollected the paths he had walked in and the steps he had taken. The word signifies a fixed abiding thought. Some make it an allusion to those who work embroidery, who are very exact and careful to cover the least flaw, or to those who cast up their accounts, who reckon with themselves, What do I owe? What am I wor…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Gill on Psalms 119:59
I thought on my ways,.... What they were, whether right or wrong; whither they led, what would be the consequences of walking in them: the Septuagint and Arabic versions read, "thy ways"; no doubt the psalmist thought of both; of his own ways, in which he had walked; and of God's ways, which he directed him to walk in: and, considering the superior pleasure and profit of the latter, he preferred them to the former. The Targum is, "I thought to mend my ways", or "make them good". Hence he took the following step:
and turned my feet unto thy testimonies; betook himself to the word of God, which testifies of his will, and directs to those ways he would have his people to walk in; and he steere…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Calvin on Psalms 119:57-64
Psalm 119:57-64
ch 57. Thou art my portion, O Jehovah! I have said I will keep thy words. ch 58. I have earnestly besought thy face with my whole heart; have mercy upon me according to thy word. ch 59. I thought upon my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. ch 60. I made haste, and did not delay to keep thy commandments. ch 61. The cords of the wicked have caught hold of me; [420] but I did not forget thy law. ch 62. I will rise at midnight to praise thee for thy righteous judgments. ch 63. I am a companion to all those who fear thee, and who keep thy precepts. ch 64. O Jehovah! the earth is full of thy mercy; teach me thy statutes.
57. Thou art my portion, O Jehovah! The meaning…
