Изъяснение псалма 118-го.

"Hallelujah" The divine David had many different changes in his life, and fled from enemies, and put enemies to flight, fell into sorrow, and then led a joyful life; walked the divine path, and stumbled in the procession, and again followed the Divine laws. Therefore, he collected all this into one in this psalm, and brought all the prayers that they offered to God under every circumstance into one harmonious composition, offering people a single useful teaching, and in what was said to them, he shows how one can succeed in active virtue. He does not leave dogmas without special attention and precision, but adds teaching about them to moral lessons. Therefore, this psalm is sufficient to perfect those who want perfect virtue, to arouse those living in absentmindedness to diligence, to inspire those who are falling in spirit, to correct those who are careless, and in a word, to give all kinds of medicine against various human infirmities. Ps.119:1. Blessed are those who are blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. "Blesseds of innocence on the way." The Prophet pleases those who steadily follow the royal path, and following the suggestions of the law, do not turn aside either to the right or to the left. Who these blessed ones are is shown further. "Walk in the law of the Lord." For to those who live in accordance with the laws of God belongs integrity. And “the path” the Prophet calls the life that we all go through from birth to the grave. Ps.119:2. Blessed are those who keep His revelations, who seek Him with all their hearts. “Blessed are they who experience His witness; they will seek Him with all their hearts.” While still explaining the eighteenth psalm, we said how the law, testimonies, justifications, fates, and commandments differ. However, let us briefly recall what was said there. The Prophet calls the law given by the God of all through the divine Moses; commandments and commandments - the same law again, as royally taught and decreed; justifications, as having the power to justify the performer; destinies, as indicating Divine determinations and worthy rewards for those living lawfully and unlawfully; and testimonies, as testifying and showing what punishments those who break the law will be subjected to. Therefore, here too the Prophet pleases those who constantly experience the testimonies of God; and seek God with all their hearts. But this is not possible for everyone, but only for those who have reached the very pinnacle of virtue; for such a one does not divide his mind into thoughts about God and about worldly concerns, but devotes himself entirely to God. Ps.119:3. They do not commit iniquity; they walk in His ways. “For those who do not do iniquity walk in His ways.” The Prophet made this division in the first psalm. For there, having blessed “one who studies in the law of the Lord” day and night, and showing the fruit of this study, he added: “not so wickedness, not so” (Psalm 1:4). Therefore, here too, having pleased the blameless, he shows that the workers of iniquity prepared a different path for themselves, and abandoned the path laid out by God. Ps.119:4. You have commanded that Your commandments be kept firmly. “Thou hast commanded that Thy commandments should be kept strictly.” The Lord commands this both in the law, and in the Prophets, and in the sacred Gospel; All divine Scripture is filled with such a law, because it prescribes not only to preserve the commandments, but to preserve them “zealously,” that is, in all accuracy. Ps.119:5. Oh, that my ways would be directed to keep Your statutes! “May my ways be corrected; Thy justifications may be preserved.” Therefore, says the Prophet, I beg that by Your law, as if by some kind of rule, my path may be corrected, and that I may observe Your justifications. Showing the fruit of this, he adds: Ps.119:6. Then I would not be ashamed, considering all Your commandments. “Then I will not be ashamed; I will always look upon all Your commandments.” For the fruit of transgression is shame. This is what the divine Apostle said: “What fruit did you have then, about which you are now ashamed” (Rom. 6:21)? And those who fulfill all God’s commandments have boldness in their conscience. Ps.119:7. I would glorify You in the uprightness of my heart, learning from the judgments of Your righteousness. “Let us confess to You that we are upright in our hearts; let us always learn the destinies of Your righteousness.” The prophet calls thanksgiving a confession. Then, he says, I will be able to bring a pure song; when I know all Your judgments and live in accordance with them. Ps.119:8. I will keep Your statutes; don't leave me completely. “I will keep Your excuses: do not leave me to ruin.” Divine Grace often leaves others for a short time, directing this to their own benefit. So the great Elijah, having been abandoned, fell into fear and recognized the weakness of human nature, but soon again accepted Divine grace. So the divine Peter, having rejected, crawled, but soon the Vladyka reinforced him. And Judas, having completely lost God’s providence for him, became ready prey for the enemy. And blessed David was abandoned after his sin, and fell into grave disasters; but again he took boldness towards God, and was worthy of His care. And Saul, having completely lost it, was left without the grace of the Spirit, and entered into an alliance with the evil spirit. Therefore, it is not without reason that the Prophet begs not to be abandoned to him “until the end,” that is, so as not to be completely deprived of the grace that provides for him. Ps.119:9. How can a young man keep his path pure? - By keeping yourself according to Your word. “How will the youngest correct his path? Always keep Your words." Youth is fickle and prone to vice; because he is overwhelmed by various disturbances of passions. Therefore, she needs a guide to guide her to the pier. And this is characteristic of the words of God, because they, turning away from opposite paths, are sufficient to guide and instruct on the Divine path. What is the bridle and rider for a young horse, so is the Divine word for a young man. Ps.119:10. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me wander from Your commandments. “With all my heart I seek You: do not turn me away from Your commandments.” Many seek God, but not with all their hearts, because they devote it not only to worries about everyday affairs, but also to indecent wishes, envy, deception, and malicious intent against their neighbors. But the lover of the Divine devotes his entire mind to God and makes himself dependent on His providence. Ps.119:11. I have hidden Your word in my heart, so as not to sin against You. “Hide Your words in my heart, lest I sin against You.” He who has acquired gold, or silver, or precious stones, does not place them in plain sight, but hides them in inner cages and churches, so that they may escape the hands of thieves. – Thus, he who has acquired the wealth of virtue hides it in his soul, so that, out of vanity, the robbers of souls do not plunder him. The prophetic word also gives another lesson; for he commands not to offer the words of God to everyone. It is said: “Thou shalt not let the holy thing be cast down by dogs; neither shall ye cast your pearls before swine” (Matthew 7:6). Ps.119:12. Blessed are You, Lord! teach me Your statutes. “Blessed art thou, Lord, teach me by thy justification”; that is, You are meek and philanthropic, and worthy of the song of all. Therefore, I beg You, let me find out from You how I can justify myself. Ps.119:13. With my mouth I have proclaimed all the judgments of Your mouth. “With my mouth I have declared all the destinies of Your mouth.” For whatever I learn from Your goodness, I will teach it to the ignorant. Ps.119:14. On the path of Your revelations I rejoice, as in any wealth. “In the way of Thy testimonies we have enjoyed ourselves, as in all riches.” The path of virtue is difficult, but very desirable for the perfect. That is why the Lord Christ said: “Take My yoke upon you: for My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30). This was also spoken by the prophetic word, namely: the acquisition of Thy testimonies is more pleasant to me than any wealth. This: about “all wealth” was added not without intention, but makes it clear wealth of every kind; because there are many types of wealth. A person is called rich who has gold, someone has silver, someone has a lot of land, either planted with trees or sown, and someone has a lot of livestock. But the Prophet takes all this together, and compares it with God’s testimonies, saying that he appreciates God’s testimonies, just as all types of wealth are dear to the rich. Ps.119:15. I meditate on Your commandments, and consider Your ways. “I will mock Your commandments, and understand Your ways.” Therefore, says the Prophet, I will unceasingly practice teaching Your words, and make my journey along Your paths. Ps.119:16. I take comfort in Your statutes, I do not forget Your words. “I will learn from Your justifications: I will not forget Your words.” I will preserve within myself the unforgettable memory of Your words. Ps.119:17. Show mercy to Your servant, and I will live and keep Your word. "Reward Your servant." Not everyone is able to say this. He who has an evil conscience does not prompt the judge to retaliate. And whoever is guided by pure thoughts will boldly pronounce these words. “Live by me, and I will keep Your words.” Using Your help, I will avoid sinful death and find life in Your words. Ps.119:18. Open my eyes, and I will see the wonders of Your law. “Open my eyes, and I will understand the wonders of Your law.” Not everyone who reads the words of God understands their miracles, but only those who are illuminated from above. About this, blessed Paul said: “Whenever they turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away, but the Lord is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:16-17). And the Apostle, illuminated by the Divine light, rightfully cried out: “But we, all of us with revealed face beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18). And we must beg the Lord to remove the veil from the eyes of our mind and show us the power of Divine words. Ps.119:19. I am a wanderer on earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. “I am a stranger on earth: do not hide Your commandments from Me.” We are not permanent residents on earth, but strangers, because, having lived for a short time, we pass into another life. But not everyone wants to know this: others are proud of real benefits, as permanent and lasting. And he who is instructed in the Divine knows the transience of life; That’s why he calls himself a stranger and prays to God not to remain ignorant of God’s commandments. Ps.119:20. My soul is exhausted with the desire for Your judgments at all times. “My soul love to desire Your destiny at all times.” Many desire God's destinies and desire the Kingdom of Heaven, but not always; sometimes they delight in the Divine, and sometimes they follow bodily passions. The Prophet desires to constantly have this desire. Ps.119:21. You have tamed the proud, the cursed, those who turn away from Your commandments. “Thou hast rebuked the proud.” Those who neglect the Divine laws fall into the disease of pride; but they accept punishment from the righteous Judge. Absalom, Saul, Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar and thousands of others were subjected to this. The Prophet, knowing this as a Prophet, added: “Curse those who turn away from Your commandments.” The law imposes this oath on criminals. For he says: “Cursed is everyone who does not abide” in what is written in the book of “the law that I do” (Deut. 27:26). Ps.119:22. Take away from me reproach and shame, for I keep Your testimonies. “Take away from Me reproach and humiliation, for I have sought Your testimonies.” The Prophet was reviled by Nabal; called him a slave, a fugitive; The Hephaeans reviled him. Grieving over this, he begs to be freed from reproach, as one who sought God's testimonies. Therefore, this saying cannot be applied to the reproaches of Shimei; because they were after sin; and the Navalovs and others before sin. Ps.119:23. Princes sit and conspire against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes. “For the princes are gray, and I am slandered.” And Saul, and Abner, and Ahithophel, and Absalom slandered David. “Thy servant mocked at Thy justifications.” Recognizing Your sovereignty, I reflected on Your justifications. Ps.119:24. Your testimonies are my comfort, [and Your statutes] are my counselors. “For Your testimonies are my teaching, and my counsels are Your justifications.” Having rejected all human instruction, I will follow Your lessons. Ps.119:25. My soul is cast into the dust; quicken me according to Your word. “My soul is drawn to the earth.” The Prophet expressed this excess of humility. For he said so in the forty-third psalm: “For our soul is humbled into the dust, our belly clings to the earth” (Psalm 43:26). “Live according to Your word.” The prophet does not ask for a life indefinitely, but for a life in accordance with the law. Ps.119:26. I declared my ways, and You heard me; teach me Your statutes. “Thou hast declared my ways, and thou hast heard me: teach me by Thy justification.” I have revealed all my actions to You, Lord; and did not allow myself to hide anything of mine from You. Therefore, bow down to my petitions; I beg you to know exactly Your justifications. Ps.119:27. Let me understand the way of Your commandments, and I will meditate on Your wonders. “Let me understand the way of Your justifications, and I will mock at Your wonders.” We need Divine understanding so that, according to the law of God, we can succeed in virtue, and the ascetic does not have vanity in mind, the ascetic does not seek human praise, and the chaste, not out of shame of an intemperate life, but out of love for virtue, maintains chastity. Therefore, the Prophet rightly begs that he become a participant in the Divine understanding and learn the path of righteousness. Ps.119:28. My soul faints with sorrow: strengthen me according to Your word. “My soul is slumbering from despondency; strengthen me in Your words.” The frequent attack of sin often weakens the strength of thoughts, causes the ascetic to begin to tire, and produces in him so-called despondency; a weakened soul bows to sleep, and sleep brings death. Therefore, the Prophet asks to confirm and strengthen it. He said this in another psalm: “enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep into death” (Psalm 12:4), calling sin death. Ps.119:29. Remove from me the path of lies, and grant me Your law. Ps.119:30. I have chosen the path of truth, I have set Your judgments before me. “Leave the path of unrighteousness from Me, and have mercy on me by Your law.” “I have chosen the path of truth; I have not forgotten Your destiny.” And this petition is necessary; because we must ask the God of all for help in order to deviate from the path of wickedness, prefer to walk in the truth and have an unforgettable memory of God’s testimonies. Ps.119:31. I have clung to Your testimonies, O Lord; don't shame me. “I cleave to your testimonies, Lord, do not put me to shame.” The Prophet said not simply: he followed, but: “we stuck close,” that is, and for a short time he did not distract his thoughts from them. He tries to reap the fruit of such a disposition and never experience shame. Ps.119:32. I will flow in the path of Your commandments when You enlarge my heart. “The path of Your commandments flowed when You enlarged my heart.” There is a real need for both: both in our zeal and in God’s providence; because the grace of God is not given to those who lack good zeal, and human nature cannot succeed in virtue without help from above. This is what the Prophet shows, saying: I flowed along the path of Your commandments without hindrance, taking advantage of Your convenience in this flow. For this convenience he called latitude. And in another place he says: “You have spread me out in sorrow” (Psalm 4:2); and again: “Thou hast made my feet wide under me, and my feet are not weary” (Ps. 17:37). Ps.119:33. Show me, O Lord, the path of Your statutes, and I will adhere to it to the end. “Lord, lay down for me the way of Your justifications, and I will seek and take away.” Instead of: “lay down the law,” Symmachus said: “indicate,” and Aquila and Theodotion: “illuminate.” Always, says the Prophet, I need Your illumination and law, in order to know the path of Your justifications and to walk along it unhindered. Ps.119:34. Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and keep it with all my heart. “Give me understanding, and I will try Your law, and I will keep it with all my heart.” And the Lord commanded that the Scriptures be tested (John 5:39). But those who are searching need illumination from above in order to both find what they are looking for and preserve what they have found. Ps.119:35. Place me on the path of Your commandments, for I have desired it. “Train me in the path of Your commandments, as I have desired.” He does not simply ask that the God of all things become his leader on the journey, but shows his desire to walk this path. Ps.119:36. Incline my heart to Your revelations, and not to self-interest. “Incline my heart to Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.” The water usually rushes down the slope, and as soon as it finds a way out, it all flows down there. So after the devil opened the way to sin, human nature rushed towards the worse. Therefore, it is very fitting that the Prophet begs that his heart be inclined towards the witness of God, and avoid reasons to experience a desire for something else. Ps.119:37. Turn away my eyes, so as not to see vanity; quicken me in Your path. “Turn away my eyes from seeing vanity.” What is useless and serves no purpose is vain: and such are the imaginary pleasures in life. This is what the wise Solomon calls them: “vanity of vanities, all kinds of vanity” (Eccl. 1:2). And having recounted how he built houses, planted gardens, arranged fonts of water, he added: “And behold, all vanity and the will of the spirit” (Eccl. 2:11). Therefore, the Prophet begs that the eyes of his mind be inclined to a different contemplation, and not be deceived by the vanity of the present. “Live for me on your journey.” Grant me to lead my life according to Your laws. Ps.119:38. Establish Thy word unto Thy servant, for the sake of reverence before Thee. “Make Thy servant Thy word to fear.” Make me firm in Your words, always protecting me with Your fear; that is, let Thy fear be upon me, keeping me in fear, and not allowing me to deviate from Thy words. Ps.119:39. Turn away my reproach, which I fear, for Your judgments are good. “Take away My reproach, the hedgehog of the nepshchevah: for Your destinies are good.” Akila, instead of: “nepshchevah,” said: hiding; This is how Theodotion translated it; and Symmachus: which is terrible for me. Here the Prophet means reproach brought about by sin. He hid from this, he was afraid of this, and he lived a fearful life. Therefore, he added, not as usual to him: I sought Your destinies, or preserved Your destinies; but: “for Thy fate is good.” For you not only threaten punishment for those who sin, but also promise salvation for those who repent. The Prophet called God’s truthful determinations “destiny.” Ps.119:40. Behold, I have desired Your commandments; quicken me with Your righteousness. “Behold, I have desired Your commandment: live in Your righteousness.” Grant me, who desire this, to live in truth. Ps.119:41. May Your mercies, O Lord, and Your salvation come to me according to Your word. Ps.119:42. And I will give an answer to him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word. “And may Thy mercy come upon me, Lord.” For we all have need of God’s love for mankind; even one who has reached the most extreme heights of virtue constantly needs it. “Thy salvation is according to Thy word.” “And I answer those who reproach my word.” Grant, O Lord, the salvation that You promised in Your sacred words, so that I can boldly begin to speak to those who laugh at me; because he who is in poverty silently listens to the reproaches made to him; and he who lives in joy himself reproaches those who reproach him maliciously. “For I have trusted in Thy words.” Your promise sustains me; With this hope I make my way. Ps.119:43. Do not completely take away the words of truth from my lips, for I trust in Your judgments. “And do not take away from my lips the words that are absolutely true, for I have trusted in Your destiny.” The Prophet teaches us to love the truth and to ask God for it with great zeal. Ps.119:44. And I will keep Your law always, forever and ever. “And I will keep Your law forever and ever.” In this case, I will be more diligent in keeping Your laws. And with the words: “for ever, and for ever,” the Prophet meant the future life, in which everyone will be given pure and complete preservation of the laws of God. Ps.119:45. I will walk freely, for I have sought Your commandments. Ps.119:46. I will speak of Your testimonies before kings and will not be ashamed. “And I walked in breadth, because I sought Thy commandments.” “And speak of Your testimonies before the kings, and do not be ashamed.” With great convenience, says the Prophet, I made my way, and living according to Your commandments, I was not afraid of the royal power, and with great boldness I addressed my speech to kings, because life in accordance with the law makes a person bold. The great David is a witness to this; because before the Fall he spoke with great boldness before Saul; and after the sin he fled from the son of the parricide, walking with his head bowed to the ground and covering his head. And the great Elijah, firmly relying on the truth, denounced the wickedness of Ahaav. So the divine Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar: and now, “O king, let my advice be pleasing to you, and atone for your sins with alms, and atone for your iniquities with the bounties of the poor” (Dan. 4:24). So the divine Paul spoke to Agrippa, Festus and Felix. Thus, the good-victorious martyrs regarded the evil kings as nothing. Ps.119:47. I will take comfort in Your commandments, which I have loved. Ps.119:48. I will stretch out my hands to Your commandments, which I have loved, and I will meditate on Your statutes. “And I learned in Your commandments, which I loved dearly.” “And I lifted up my hands unto Thy commandments which I have loved.” For “The kingdom of God is not in words, but in power” (1 Cor. 4:20). “Whoever does and teaches, he will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:19). Therefore, the divine Prophet also added activity to teaching. For having said; “I have learned in Your commandments, which I have greatly loved,” and showing ardent love, he added: “And I have lifted up my hands to Your commandments, which I have loved.” For what I learned from the words of God, I fulfilled in my deeds. “For those who hear the law are not righteous before God,” says the divine Apostle, “but the creators of the law will be justified” (Rom. 2:13). “And they mocked at Your justifications;” because he was constantly thinking about them. Ps.119:49. Remember [Your] word to Your servant, in which You commanded me to trust. “Remember Thy words to Thy servant, whose hope Thou hast given me.” God, laying down the law, promised both His favor to those who keep the law and punishment to those who break the law. Therefore, the Prophet, begging God to remember His promises, says: You Yourself taught me to place hope in them. And showing the benefit of hope, he added: Ps.119:50. This is a consolation in my distress, that Your word revives me. “So comfort me in my humility, for Your word lives on me.” I had this hope as a consolation in adversity, and supported by it, I swam across the waves. Ps.119:51. The proud mocked me greatly, but I did not turn away from Your law. “Gordia is a lawbreaker to the extreme; But I have not deviated from Your law.” The prophet calls Saul, Absalom, the king of Ammon, “proud”, who acted illegally with the messenger of David. But just as they, he says, loved the lawless life, so I followed Your laws. The good-victorious martyrs could say the same thing, having endured terrible and cruel torment from inhuman and cruel tormentors. Ps.119:52. I remembered Your judgments, O Lord, from all eternity, and was comforted. “I have remembered Your destinies from time immemorial, O Lord, and have been comforted.” For I brought to myself the thought of what happened to Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, how they were allowed to fall into various temptations, and how You later made them glorious and famous, and from this I drew sufficient consolation for myself. Ps.119:53. Horror takes possession of me at the sight of the wicked who forsake Thy law. “I have received sorrow from the sinners who forsake Thy law.” In my misery, I was consoled by the remembrance of Your destinies. However, he indulged in sadness and did not cease to grieve, seeing that many fearlessly transgressed Your laws. Ps.119:54. Your statutes were my songs in the place of my wanderings. “Your righteousness is blown to me, in the place of my coming.” Blessed David, persecuted by Saul, lived in exile among foreigners. But I think that what he calls “arrival” is not this time, but a whole life; because he spent it not as a permanent resident, but as a stranger, and chanting God’s justifications, he completed the path of life. For other translators interpreted it this way: all Your decrees were hymns for me at the place of my coming. Ps.119:55. At night I remembered Your name, O Lord, and kept Your law. “I have remembered Your name, Lord, in the night, and kept Your law.” The Face of the Saints always rises at night and prays and sings songs to the God of all. But I think that night is the time of temptation here: because it brings darkness, and, like night, befalls people. At this time, remembrance of the God of all is primarily necessary; it consoles, encourages and reflects nasty thoughts. Ps.119:56. He became mine, for I keep Your commandments. “This will come to me, as I seek Your justification.” This, says the Prophet, led me to gain the upper hand and choose for myself to acquire Your justifications. Ps.119:57. My destiny, Lord, I said, is to keep Your words. “Thou art my portion, O Lord, Reh to preserve Thy law.” God is not a “part” for everyone, but for those who love what is perfect. Thus He was a portion and lot of the priests and Levites; for it is said: Let the sons of Levi have no portion among their brethren; their portion I am the Lord (Num. 18:1-2). So in the fifteenth psalm the Prophet said: “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, and of my cups” (Psalm 15:5). So here he says: despising everything else, both abundance and wealth, I have a part of You; therefore I try to preserve Your laws. Ps.119:58. I prayed to You with all my heart: have mercy on me according to Your word. “I prayed to Your face with all my heart.” The Prophet everywhere adds these words: “with all my heart,” and in this he obeys the law. For this is what God commanded of all: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:5; Luke 10:27). “Have mercy on me according to Your word.” He begs not to unconditionally be pardoned, but also to receive mercy according to God’s word. So a prudent patient will say to the doctor: as you know, as art requires, heal me. So a prudent swimmer will say to the helmsman: according to the laws of art, steer the boat, and as science dictates, control the helm. This is how we should ask for God’s mercy. For He whom we ask knows how to have mercy; He often brings about salvation through admonition, and punishment is the work of His love for mankind. So the doctor cuts and cauterizes in order to make the suffering person healthy. So we also need to ask for mercy, because sometimes mercy is given to us with poverty, and in the weakness that is sent, philanthropy is revealed, and, as doctors say, the opposite is healed by the opposite. Ps.119:59. I pondered my ways and turned my steps to Your revelations. “I have considered Thy ways, and brought back my nose to Thy witness.” In Hebrew it reads: “my ways”; This is how other translators and the Seventy translated it in exaplah. The Prophet says: delving into my ways, I directed my feet to Your meetings, not allowing them to deviate from the path leading to You. Ps.119:60. I hastened and did not hesitate to keep Your commandments. “Be prepared and not be troubled to keep Your commandments.” For, having prepared myself to meet the attacks of disasters, I was not overwhelmed even by a sudden attack. So the divine Daniel, so the blessed youths, so the venerable Maccabees, so all the martyrs of the Savior overcame the attacks of the wicked. The Lord commands this in the Holy Gospel: “Watch, for you do not know at what hour... the thief will come” (Matthew 24:42–43). Ps.119:61. The snares of the wicked have surrounded me, but I have not forgotten Your law. “The sinner has already obligated himself to me; he has not forgotten Your law.” The Prophet called the intrigues of either demons or people “snake”, the reason for this way of speaking by taking a tightened knot. So Isaiah said: “Woe to those who draw away their sins, as if they are already long” (Is. 5:18). When these “snake”, says the Prophet, were tightly tightened on me, I did not leave the remembrance of God’s law. Then he explains the reason for remembering. Ps.119:62. At midnight I got up to praise You for Your righteous judgments. “At midnight I rose to confess to You about the destinies of Your righteousness”; because not only during the day, but also at night, even at midnight, when sleep brings great pleasure to people, I did not stop hymning You and praising Your truthful decrees. So the divine Apostle, together with Silas, when, after beating and scourging, their feet were stuffed “in the treasure,” with prayer they dissolved the chant, and reaped the fruit of good vigil; because they were worthy of God's bounties (Acts 16:24). Ps.119:63. I am a companion to all those who fear You and keep Your commandments. “I am a partaker of all those who fear You and keep Your commandments.” And Symmachus, instead of: “participant,” said: ally; Syrian translator: friend. For, turning away those who choose contrary to Your laws, I had as accomplices and close ones those who put the fear of God above all else and who intended to live in accordance with the law. The Prophet said this in another psalm: “I am greatly honored by Your friends, O God” (Psalm 139:17). Ps.119:64. The earth is full of Your mercy, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. “Lord, fill the earth with Your mercy; teach me Your righteousness.” The Prophet says: You abundantly pour out springs of mercy on everyone; You shine “your sun on the evil and the good”, you rain “on the righteous and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), you do not bring wrath “every day” (Psalm 7:12), but you remain long-suffering towards those who undermine the mutual consent of spouses, are stained with unrighteous blood, or appropriate for themselves what does not belong to them, or defile the tongue blasphemy, and dare to engage in any other lawlessness. Therefore, having shown so much love for mankind, O Lord, grant me the same, granting me the knowledge of Your justifications. Ps.119:65. Thou hast done good to Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word. “Thou hast done goodness unto Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word.” I have experienced Your goodness; That’s why I beg you to be worthy of it again, and I ask that I continue to live according to Your laws. Ps.119:66. Teach me good understanding and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. “Teach me kindness and punishment and wisdom, as I have believed in Your commandments.” The Prophet knew the benefits of punishment, he knew that the Lord imposes it on people, driven by love for mankind; That’s why he asks that he too experience it for himself, because God inflicts punishment out of goodness, and punishment produces knowledge. So the Prophet Jeremiah begs: “Lord, punish us, especially in judgment, and not in rage, so that you do not make us humble” (Jer. 10:24). Likewise, a patient, wanting health, demands that they cut with a knife and burn. Then the Prophet shows how he learned the benefits of punishment. Ps.119:67. Before my suffering I was mistaken; and now I keep Your word. “Before we even humble ourselves, I have sinned: for this reason I have kept Your word.” I myself, says the Prophet, brought punishment upon myself; there is not the slightest injustice in the determination of my punishment; sin was followed by punishment; for punishment - keeping the laws. I was sick, had a section at the hands of the doctor, and became healthy. Ps.119:68. You are good and beneficial, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. “Thou art good, Lord.” Indeed, You are good and philanthropic. “And by Thy goodness teach me Thy righteousness.” Therefore, I ask with hope that I may receive from You the knowledge of Your justifications. Ps.119:69. The proud weave lies against me; I will keep Your commandments with all my heart. “Grow upon me the iniquity of the proud: but with all my heart I will try Thy commandments.” Those led by arrogance weave all sorts of intrigues into me, but I am not carried away into their iniquity, conforming to Your commandments. Ps.119:70. Their heart became fat like fat; I am comforted by Your law. “Their heart is as milky; I have learned Your law.” This is similar to the prophetic saying: “for the heart of these people is clothed, and their ears are hard to hear, and their eyes are closed” (Is. 6:10); It is also similar to what the book of Exodus says about Pharaoh: “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened” (Ex. 8:19). Therefore, the Prophet says: they have a stubborn heart, and they themselves have turned its softness into rudeness, just as they thicken and stifle milk; and I melted, learning Your law. Ps.119:71. It is good for me that I suffered in order to learn Your statutes. “It is good for me, for Thou hast humbled me, that I may learn by Thy justification.” The Prophet will thank the Doctor for his cruel healing, having learned that they have restored health. Ps.119:72. The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver. “The law of Your mouth is better to me than a thousand gold and silver.” Even if I was deprived of the kingdom as a son, then this punishment returned to me Your law, which is more precious to me than any wealth. Ps.119:73. Thy hands created me and formed me; Give me understanding, and I will learn Your commandments. “Thy hands made me, and made me, and I will learn Thy commandment.” The Prophet reminds the Creator of His special love for human nature. For it is said that having created everything with a word, He Himself formed human nature, not working with His hands, because He is incorporeal, but showing greater disposition towards this creature. Therefore He begs the Creator to give understanding to His creation. Ps.119:74. Those who fear You will see me and will rejoice that I trust in Your word. “Those who fear You will see Me and rejoice; for I have trusted in Thy words.” I will be a reason for joy for the pious, says the Prophet; because I trusted in You, and reached the end corresponding to this hope. Ps.119:75. I know, Lord, that Your judgments are righteous and You punished me with justice. “Lord, I understood that Thy destiny is true, and Thou hast truly humbled me.” The Prophet says this, mainly expressing his gratitude. I know for sure, he says, that You rightly and truthfully pronounced judgment on me, and subjected me to all kinds of misfortunes. Ps.119:76. Let Thy mercy be my consolation, according to Thy word to Thy servant. “Let Thy mercy, Lord, comfort me.” But the time has come for humanity and consolation. "According to Thy word unto Thy servant." For You have promised Your blessing to those who repent. God said this through the mouth of Isaiah: “When you return and breathe, then you will be saved” (Is. 30:15). And through the mouth of Malachi he cries: “Turn to Me, and I will turn to you” (Mal. 3:7). Ps.119:77. May Thy mercy come to me, and I will live; for Your law is my comfort. “Let Thy compassions come to me, and I will live, for Thy law is my teaching.” The prophet, having lost God's favor, considers himself dead; Therefore, he begs that he, as it were, come to life again according to God’s love for mankind. Ps.119:78. Let the proud be put to shame, for they oppress me innocently; I meditate on Your commandments. “Let pride be ashamed, for I have committed unrighteousness against me; I will mock Your commandments.” The prophet does not curse enemies, but prays for them; because shame paves the way to salvation. Why, what medicine did he use himself, does he want to have it too. Ps.119:79. May those who fear You and know Your revelations turn to me. “Let those who fear You and those who know Your testimonies turn to me.” because, due to sin, he became far from the face of the righteous, and all of them, as well as God, turned away from him; then he begs to be again in unity and have fellowship with the righteous. Symmachus expressed this more clearly: may those who fear You bring me back. Ps.119:80. May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, so that I will not be put to shame. “Let my heart be blameless in Your justifications, so that I will not be put to shame.” He wishes to have a heart free from that which is reproachful; because such a heart is free from shame. That is why at the very beginning of the psalm he blessed the blameless. Ps.119:81. My soul melts for Your salvation; I trust in Your word. “My soul perishes for Thy salvation; I trust in Thy words.” Those who strongly desire something, but are deprived of what they want, say about themselves that they seem to “disappear.” This is what happens to those who are very thirsty and have no water. This happens to those who wait from hour to hour for the return of one of their acquaintances, and without seeing his arrival, they fade from desire. So those who are struggling with any misfortunes and expecting God's favor, when they see the slowdown, seem to disappear. Ps.119:82. My eyes fail because of Thy word; I say: when will You console me? “My eyes are lost in Your word, saying: When will You comfort me?” Here “word” refers to both God’s promise and God’s inspired Scripture. Therefore, not only does he disappear who awaits the fulfillment of God’s promise and the end of the evils that surround him; but also the one who reads the words of God and wants to find out exactly their meaning, and in finding it expects consolation and encouragement for himself. Ps.119:83. I became like a bottle of smoke, but I did not forget Your statutes. “I would have been like fur on the throne; I have not forgotten Your justifications.” When the “fur” heats up, it becomes soft and expands as it swells, but when exposed to snow it hardens and contracts. So the physical nature of luxury softens, expands and grows on the soul; through ascetic suffering he is humbled and oppressed. Witness to this is Paul, who cries: “But I mortify my body and bring it into subjection, lest by preaching to others I myself should not be enslaved” (1 Cor. 9:27). So is the Prophet, because, persecuted by Saul, he overcame his passions, and having enjoyed the world, he suffered harm from the rebellion of voluptuous desires; then, having humbled his body, he renewed his remembrance of God’s laws. Ps.119:84. How many days are Your servant? When will you bring judgment on my persecutors? “How many days are Thy servant? when will you bring judgment on me from those who persecute me?” The Prophet says: the time of human life is short; for “the days of our years are seventy years” (Psalm 89:10). Therefore, when will you judge me and deliver me from the hostile? Ps.119:85. The proud have dug a pit for me, contrary to Your law. “The transgressors have told me mockery, but not like Thy law, O Lord.” They advised the Prophet to kill his enemies; but the Prophet, obeying God's law, awaited God's determination. And the teaching contained in these words is very useful to us; because one must flee not only pagan fables and Jewish unbelief, but also blasphemous heretical teachings. Ps.119:86. All Your commandments are truth; are persecuting me unjustly: help me. Ps.119:87. They almost destroyed me on earth, but I did not forsake Your commandments. “All Your commandments are true.” I prefer Your law; because I see all Your commandments adorned with truth. “Having persecuted me unjustly, help me.” “I have not yet passed away upon the earth; I have not forsaken Thy commandments.” Great is the untruth, says the Prophet, great is the power of those who are hostile to me; They almost deprived me of my life itself. Ps.119:88. According to Your mercy, quicken me, and I will keep the testimonies of Your mouth. “Let me live according to Your mercy, and I will keep the testimony of Your mouth.” The Prophet decorated his words with humility; because, not as a reward for the truth, he asked for life, but begged to accept it as a gift of mercy, promising to keep the testimonies of God. Ps.119:89. Forever, O Lord, Your word is established in heaven. “For ever, Lord, Your word remains in heaven.” To You, Master, says the Prophet, everything is convenient and possible: because Your commandment is kept by the motionless vaults of heaven. He also said in the one hundred and forty-eighth psalm: “I have established it forever and ever: the commandment has been laid down, and it will not pass by” (Psalm 148:6). And at the same time, it makes it clear that the hosts of Angels living in heaven keep God’s law and are free from any crime. Ps.119:90. Thy truth to generation and generation. You set the ground, and it stands. Ps.119:91. According to Your decrees, everything stands to this day, for everything serves You. “To generation and generation Thy truth.” You preserved it for the Jewish family and for the others that came after it. This means a pagan people who have received salvation from our Savior Jesus Christ. “You founded the earth, and it remains.” “By Thy command the day endureth.” You gave longevity to the earth, and it remains as You commanded. You have separated the day from the night, and they walk according to Your laws. “For all work is Yours.” Everything serves You and obeys Your commands; because You are the Creator of all things. Ps.119:92. If Thy law had not been my consolation, I would have perished in my misfortune. “If it were not for Thy law that my teaching had been, then I would have perished in my humility.” This can be said to every pious person who falls into disaster: Joseph, who escaped slavery, adultery and slander, and Daniel, who was forbidden to pray, and the three youths forced to bow to an idol, and the victorious martyrs who endured all kinds of executions. Blessed David said this justly, expelled by Saul and forced to live with foreigners and evil people. He would have joined in their wickedness if he had not continually studied God’s laws. Ps.119:93. I will never forget Your commandments, for through them You give me life.[Wednesday:] “I will never forget Your justifications, for You have quickened me in them.” Having learned from experience that Your justifications give life, I will keep an indelible remembrance of them. Ps.119:94. I am yours, save me; for I have sought Your commandments. “I am Thine, save me: for I have sought Thy justification.” We can't all say this. He who is a slave to sin lies, calling himself a servant of God. “For if anyone is overcome, he also has work to do” (2 Peter 2:19). Therefore, if, having gotten rid of sin, you decided to follow God’s laws; then we too can express ourselves in the words of the Prophet. Ps.119:95. The wicked lie in wait to destroy me; and I delve deeper into Your revelations. “The sinners were waiting for me to destroy me: I understood Your testimonies.” Instead of: “waiting,” Symmachus and Theodotion said: they hoped. Although they had the hope of putting me to death, but, listening to Your testimonies, I gained life by this. Ps.119:96. I have seen the limit of all perfection, but Your commandment is immeasurably vast. “I have seen the end of every end: Your commandment is great.” And Symmachus translated this: I have seen the end of every preparation; Your commandment is very extensive. Everything human, says the Prophet, and wealth, and abundance, and power, and government power, and military leadership, and arbitrariness, and the kingdom, have an end, and a quick end; and Your commandment is broad and inflexible, and to those who keep it it gives endless and eternal life, blessings that are not subject to any change. Ps.119:97. How I love Your law! I think about it all day. “If I have loved Your law, Lord, I am my instruction all day long.” Not everyone who fulfills God's law does it out of love, but others do it out of fear and fear of punishment, while others seek glory from people, while sincere lovers of virtue, out of a disposition for good, try to fulfill God's commands. Ps.119:98. By Your commandment You have made me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. “Thou hast made me wiser than mine enemy through Thy commandment, even as I am in my age.” The Prophet confessed that he passionately loves the law of God, attributes everything to God’s grace, and says: having received wisdom and knowledge from You, I have loved Your law; because You have given me greater knowledge than your enemies. Therefore, they are trying to kill me, but I don’t even want to take revenge on the offenders; because I imagine in my mind the eternal benefit of virtue. Ps.119:99. I have become more intelligent than all my teachers, for I meditate on Your revelations. Ps.119:100. I am more knowledgeable than the elders, for I keep Your commandments. “More than all those who taught me, I understood that Your testimonies are my teaching.” “The elder understood that I have sought Your commandments.” Kings tend to teach, and subjects tend to learn. Saul reigned and was older in years; however, neither royal power nor the advantage of age made him chaste, but he wanted to kill his benefactor. But the great David, while still one of his subjects and at a young age, loved wisdom, and did not want to raise his hands to offend, nor to take revenge on those who offend. Ps.119:101. I have kept my feet from every evil way, to keep Your word; “I have been forbidden my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy words.” For it is impossible to suddenly follow two paths, the path of lewdness and chastity, rightness and untruth. But one must avoid opposite paths and follow the right path. This is the only way to become guardians of God's laws. Ps.119:102. I do not shy away from Your judgments, for You teach me. “I have not deviated from Your judgments, as You have laid down laws for me.” For knowing that You are the Lawgiver of them, with all my affection I loved Your destinies. Ps.119:103. How sweet are Your words to my throat! better than honey to my lips. “If your words are sweeter to my throat than honey on my lips.” It is not so much the sweetness of honey that is pleasant to the taste of my lips, but rather the contemplation of Your words that delights my soul. The Prophet mentioned the “larynx” as an instrument of the word, and through the word thought is formed. The soul, having used both, derives benefit from it. Ps.119:104. I have been admonished by Your commandments; That’s why I hate every path of lies. “I understood from Your commandments; for this reason I hated every way of unrighteousness.” Having understood what was pleasing to You, I turned away from all types of vice. Ps.119:105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. “Your law is the lamp of my feet, and the light of my paths.” For I do not walk in darkness, illuminated as by a lamp by Your law. You need to know that the law is called a “lamp,” and our Savior and Lord is called the sun of righteousness; because the law, like a lamp, barely enlightened one people, but the Savior enlightened the whole universe. So the Lord Christ called the divine John a lamp, just as he appeared to the Jews in the night. Then the “true Light, which enlightens every person coming into the world” (John 1:9) shone. And He called the holy Apostles “light” (Matthew 5:14), as those who partook of the Light, and who enlightened all people with their teaching. Ps.119:106. I have sworn to keep Your righteous judgments, and I will fulfill them. “I swore and vowed to preserve the fate of Your righteousness.” The Prophet called the firm decision of the soul an “oath”; because most deeds are confirmed by an oath. Ps.119:107. I am greatly oppressed, O Lord; quicken me according to Your word. “I have humbled myself to the core: Lord, live me according to Your word.” The Prophet didn't just say; humbled himself, but: “humbled to the core,” and he says this, being a king and a Prophet, having the boldness acquired by virtue, abounding in wealth and having subdued his enemies. But he never wanted to place his hope in wisdom, courage, or truth. And asking for life from the Mighty One to give it, he asks not for life unconditionally, but for rational life, in accordance with the law, finding its glory in the law of God. Ps.119:108. Deign, O Lord, to accept the voluntary sacrifice of my lips, and teach me Your judgments. “Lord, please the freedom of my lips, and teach me Your destinies.” Most of the progress in virtue is prescribed by divine laws, but something also comes from good will. So the sacrifices were both legal and arbitrary. For the law commanded that sacrifices for sin and crime, and sacrifices for ignorance, be made, and they, like a certain debt, were repaid to God. The sacrifices made out of the generosity of good will were called gifts. So now chastity and truth are prescribed by the word of the Gospel, but virginity and abstinence in married life, non-covetousness, hermit life, living in the desert, are matters of good will, not included within the limits of the law. Therefore, the Prophet called such deeds “free”; because they are not subject to the necessity of laws, but are the fruit of God-loving will, and are rightly called “free.” Ps.119:109. My soul is continually in my hand, but I do not forget Your law. “I have taken my soul into Thy hand, and have not forgotten Thy law.” For, protected by Your providence, I have removed from myself the oblivion of Your laws. Ps.119:110. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I have not turned away from Your commandments. “The sinners have laid a snare for me, and from Your commandments they have not gone astray.” Many people and demons weave all kinds of intrigues, but I decided to follow the unblemished path of Your commandments. Ps.119:111. I have accepted Your revelations as an inheritance forever, for they are the joy of my heart. “I have inherited Your testimony forever, for it is the joy of my heart.” Being confident that Your testimonies are an eternal and indelible inheritance, I rejoice and rejoice in the acquisition of them. Ps.119:112. I have inclined my heart to fulfill Your statutes forever, to the end. “Incline my heart to create Your justifications forever for reward.” The self-determination of the soul is like a scale; and the scales are held by the mind that has assumed dominion. Therefore, if the mind indulges in pious thoughts; then the scales must tip towards the better. So I did, says the Prophet: “I incline my heart to create Thy justifications forever for reward.” Seeing the benefits that came from this, I willingly accepted the work for this. And explaining how he preferred the divine, he added: Ps.119:113. I hate human inventions, but I love Your law. “I hate the lawbreakers; I have loved Your law.” Having rejected thoughts that suggested breaking the law, I preferred Your law to them. Ps.119:114. You are my cover and my shield; I trust in Your word. “Thou art my helper and my intercessor: I trust in thy words.” I succeeded in this not without Your help, but using Your assistance and feeding on hope in You. Ps.119:115. Depart from me, you wicked, and I will keep the commandments of my God. “Depart from me, you who are evil, and I will test the commandments of my God.” I, says the Prophet, answered the following to obscene thoughts that tried to advise something bad: do not offer me any such advice; because life in accordance with God’s commandments is preferable to me. I will not just follow them, but I will test them in all accuracy, so that nothing in them hides from me, and I fulfill everything that the Lord of all has commanded. Ps.119:116. Strengthen me according to Your word, and I will live; Do not disgrace me in my hope. “Protect for me according to Your word, and I will live: and do not put me to shame because of my hope.” Therefore, grant me Thy providence, who accepted this intention, so that, having been deceived in hope, I should not be filled with shame. By “word” the Prophet here means a promise, and says: grant me the promised salvation. Ps.119:117. Support me, and I will be saved; and I will continually attend to Your statutes. “Help me, and I will be saved, and I will learn from Your justifications.” For I will take care to find salvation in Your justifications, and I will continually learn from them. The prophet understands the teaching, which consists not only in words, but also in deeds. Ps.119:118. You overthrow all who deviate from Your statutes, for their devices are lies. “Thou hast brought to naught all who turn away from Thy justifications, for their thoughts are unrighteous.” I will have such zeal to fulfill Your commandments, knowing that those who violate them have become worthy of reproach and laughter. Ps.119:1119. Like dross, You sweep away all the wicked of the earth; therefore I have loved Your testimonies. “Those who transgress against all the sinners of the earth: for this reason have I loved Your testimony.” Instead of: “those who transgress the Nepschevah,” Theodotion said: he counted them as nothing, and Symmachus: he considered them dross. The Prophet expressed that he, like God, humiliating the lawbreakers, turned all his zeal to fulfilling God’s words, as having known the harm of transgressing the law. Ps.119:120. My flesh trembles with Thy fear, and I fear Thy judgments. “Nail my flesh with Thy fear: for I have feared Thy judgments.” My soul, says the Prophet, is clothed in Thy fear. But since the body and its members resist the soul; then I beg you to nail them with this fear, so that, having become dead to sin, they will follow the guidance of the soul. This is similar to the apostolic saying: “put to death your evils that are on the earth, fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5); and again: “I have slept with Christ; I live not for this purpose, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:19-20). Ps.119:121. I did justice and righteousness; do not deliver me over to my persecutors. “I have done justice and righteousness: do not betray me to those who offend me.” Having decided to follow Your laws, says the Prophet, let me not be caught by the hostile. Who now has such spiritual purity to boldly repeat these words of the Prophet? The divine Apostle said something similar to this: “For this is our praise, the testimony of our conscience” (2 Cor. 1:12). Ps.119:122. Intercede for Your servant for his good, so that the proud do not oppress me. “Take Thy servant for good.” And Symmachus translated: accept me as Your good servant; Aquila and Theodotion: vouch for me, that is: I do not lie in truth; believe the promise of Your servant; Be the guarantor of my promise that I will try to fulfill Your laws. “Let not pride slander me.” Slander is deplorable, even if the reward is great. The wonderful Joseph and thousands of others fell under it. And the Lord commands us to pray “so as not to fall into misfortune” (Matthew 26:41). Therefore, the Prophet did not do anything indecent by making this request. For the slander of arrogant and strong people is especially difficult: because untruth, when power is given to it, produces great harm. Ps.119:123. My eyes melt away, waiting for Your salvation and the word of Your righteousness. “My eyes perish for Thy salvation, and for the word of Thy righteousness.” The Prophet here again calls the promise a “word.” Constantly, he says, I expect from You salvation and the fulfillment of the promise. He said: “disappeared,” meaning a strong desire. Ps.119:124. Do unto Thy servant according to Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes. “Do unto Thy servant according to Thy mercy, and teach me Thy justification.” A doer of great virtue desires to be worthy of mercy, and asks by mercy to gain salvation; does not demand rewards, but seeks philanthropy. Ps.119:125. I am Thy servant: give me understanding, and I will understand Thy testimonies. “I am Thy servant: give me understanding and hear Thy testimonies.” By nature, all people are servants of God, and by disposition, they are slaves who willingly surrender themselves to the rule of God. As one of the latter, the Prophet calls himself a slave, and begs to be granted understanding in order to know God's testimonies. Ps.119:126. It is time for the Lord to act: Your law has been destroyed. “It is time for the Lord to do: I have destroyed Your law.” God, who controls everything in weight and measure, tolerates human sins for a very long time; but when he sees that with long-suffering wickedness increases, then he imposes punishment. Therefore, here too the Prophet says the following: it is time, Master, to rise to the aid of the offended; because the enemies have completely trampled Your law. Ps.119:127. But I love Your commandments more than gold, even pure gold. “For this reason I have loved Your commandments more than gold and topaz.” They have despised Thy law, but I regard Thy commandments as more worthy than gold and precious stones; because topaz is one of the most expensive stones; and to them alone the Prophet designated everything. It is likely that at that time topaz was preferred to other stones. Ps.119:128. I recognize all Your commandments as fair; I hate every path of lies. “For this reason I have been guided by all Your commandments, and have hated every way of unrighteousness.” For love produces zeal, and zeal led one to follow the right path, and hated the path of unrighteousness. Ps.119:129. Wonderful are Your revelations; therefore my soul preserves them. “Wonderful is Thy testimony: for this cause am I to try my soul.” The Prophet showed that it was not in vain that he loved them. For he says that they are wonderful, sufficient to attract and arouse to love those who are capable of seeing this. How did you know their kindness? Ps.119:130. The revelation of Your words enlightens and enlightens the simple. “The manifestation of Your words enlightens and instructs little children.” Illuminated by Your light, says the Prophet, I have acquired this knowledge, and Your law fulfills the understanding of all who are possessed by ignorance and like babies. Ps.119:131. I open my mouth and sigh, for I thirst for Your commandments. “My mouth was opened, and the Spirit was drawn, because I desired Thy commandments.” The Prophet here calls the zeal of the heart “mouths”; because it attracts the grace of the Spirit. For in another place he says: “Enlarge your mouth, and I will do it” (Psalm 80:11). And the divine Apostle prayed: “let the word be given to him by the opening of his mouth” (Eph. 6:19). And the Prophet himself in another psalm said: “The Lord will give the word to those who bring good news with much power” (Psalm 67:12). He said this here too: “My mouth was opened, and the Spirit was drawn away, because I desired Thy commandments.” Seeing that I desire Your commandments, He made me worthy of Your grace. Ps.119:132. Look upon me and have mercy on me, as You do to those who love Your name. “Look upon me and have mercy on me according to the judgment of those who love Your name.” The prophet begs to be granted God's favor; but not simply, but as usual for You, he tells God, to show mercy to those who love You. For I expressed this with the words: “according to the judgment of those who love Your name,” that is, I beg you to give the same definition for me as for them. Ps.119:133. Establish my steps in Your word and do not let any iniquity take possession of me. “Direct my steps according to Thy word, and let not all iniquity possess me.” For when we bring our zeal, and God gives help and directs our procession; then the dominion of sin has no place. Ps.119:134. Deliver me from human oppression, and I will keep Your commandments. “Deliver me from the slander of men, and I will keep Your commandments.” And the Lord Christ called those who were reviled and slandered worthy of competition and blessed; however, he also commanded us to pray so as not to fall into misfortune. Therefore, this prayer of the Prophet agrees with the Gospel laws. Ps.119:135. Shine upon Thy servant the light of Thy countenance, and teach me Thy statutes. “Make Thy face shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy justification.” The deity is immaterial, simple and not complex. But divine scripture expresses Him bodily and sensually, proportioning the words to human nature. Therefore, by the appearance of the face of God we must mean the cessation of sorrows and the giving of blessings. Ps.119:136. Streams of water flow from my eyes because they do not keep Your law. “My eyes have seen the issue of the waters, but I have not kept Your law.” And this is the apostolic law; for it is said: “If one soul suffers, all the people suffer with him” (1 Cor. 12:26). Therefore, the Prophet strives for gospel perfection, bemoaning the iniquity of others. “But flowing out of water,” he called many tears, and said: I shed tears in streams, looking at the iniquities of man. Ps.119:137. You are righteous, O Lord, and Your judgments are just. Ps.119:138. Your revelations, which You have commanded, are truth and perfect truth. “Thou art righteous, Lord, and Thy judges are righteous.” “Thou hast commanded the truth of Thy testimony and the truth.” You manage everything truthfully, Lord. Taking care of people and wanting to show them to be workers of righteousness, You gave the law, and to those who violated it You testified what executions they would be subjected to, and to those who kept it You promised the reward of blessings, and You confirm the promises with deeds. For this is what the words mean: “and the truth is great.” Ps.119:139. My jealousy consumes me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words. “Your jealousy has consumed me; for you have forgotten the words of your enemies.” And the Prophet mourns those living in lawlessness, and seeing the Lawgiver neglected, he rightly becomes indignant. Such jealousy made Phinehas famous; she made the great Elijah ever-honored; with it, the inflamed Stephen exposed the unbelief of the Jews; keeping it within himself, the divine Paul cried out: “Who is faint, and I do not faint? Who is tempted, and I am not relieved?” (2 Cor. 11:29). And blessed Luke says about him that “in Athens his spirit was ashamed, seeing the idol full of the city” (Acts 17:16). Ps.119:140. Your word is very pure, and your servant has loved it. “Thy word is kindled with great heat: and Thy servant loveth him.” Your word, says the Prophet, is tested, unadulterated, does not contain anything reproachful; and I have a burning love for him. Ps.119:141. I am small and despised, but I do not forget Your commandments. “I am the youngest and humiliated; I have not forgotten Your justifications.” When the divine Samuel was commanded by God to appoint one of the sons of Jesse as king; Then he did not recognize as worthy all the others, who were adorned with strength, and strength, and the beauty of the body, but asked Jesse: does he have any more children left? And as Jesse said: there is a little boy left, and he tends the pasture, and cannot be a king; The prophet ordered him to be brought, and as soon as he was brought, he immediately anointed him (1 Samuel 16:8-13). The Prophet recalled this gift here and said: You vouchsafed so much grace to me as a young man, who was considered nothing by my parents, and made me both a Prophet and a king. Therefore, with all my zeal I desire to preserve Your justifications. Ps.119:142. Your righteousness is eternal righteousness, and Your law is truth. “Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and Your law is truth.” Submissive to human laws and in real life, even does not enjoy honor from legislators; and those who follow God’s commandments have eternal life as a reward for their labors. Moreover, human laws are not all fair in all respects; and the law of God shines with truth. Therefore, the Prophet rightly said: “Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and Your law is truth.” Ps.119:143. Sorrow and sorrow befell me; Your commandments are my comfort. “Sorrow and need have found me.” They are inseparable from lovers of virtue. “Your commandments are my teaching.” From their teachings I draw lessons of courage, and I endure sorrows generously. Ps.119:144. The truth of Your revelations is eternal: give me understanding, and I will live. “The truth of Thy testimony endureth forever,” that is, they bring eternal blessings. “Give me some sense, and I will live.” Enlightened by You, I will enjoy eternal life. Ps.119:145. I cry with all my heart: Hear me, O Lord, and I will keep Your statutes. “I cried with all my heart, hear me, Lord; I will seek Your justification.” The prophet again calls the zeal of the soul by crying; That’s why I added: “with all my heart.” So Moses cried out in silence, and God mentally said to the one praying: “What, cry to me” (Ex. 14:15)? Ps.119:146. I call upon You: save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. “I called upon You, save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.” For having received salvation from You, I will be the keeper of Your laws. Ps.119:147. I anticipate the dawn and call; I trust in Your word. “I went ahead in hopelessness and cried out: I have trusted in Your words.” The Prophet was a king, burdened with thousands of worries; in addition, he took upon himself military exploits, but he offered prayers to God, not only at dawn, but even in the middle of the night, without waiting for the roosters to crow. So he loved the God who created; I so diligently asked Him for help. Ps.119:148. My eyes anticipate the morning watch, so that I may delve deeper into Your word. “Preparing my eyes for the morning, that I may learn by Thy words.” Not only during the sweetness of sleep, but also throughout the morning, he studied God's laws. And we, living in poverty, freed from all worries, spend our nights resting on our beds, and when the day comes, we do not offer chants to the giver of blessings. Ps.119:149. Hear my voice according to Thy mercy, O Lord; according to Your judgment, revive me. “Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy mercy: live for me according to Thy destiny.” Abundant in so many benefits, he asks for mercy, and not just asks for mercy, but according to the definition, meaning benefit. Ps.119:150. Those who plot deceit have approached; They are far from Your law. “Those who persecute me through iniquity draw near; but they have departed from Thy law.” For those who attempt to take up arms against the truth are far from the divine laws. It is said: “Cast you aside,” it is not you that is cast aside, but him who sent you (Luke 10:16); and: “I will be Your enemy, and I will resist Your enemy” (Ex. 23:22). Ps.119:151. You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are true. “Thou art near, O Lord, and all Thy ways are truth.” You see everything, Lord, says the Prophet; because you are not far from everything, but you fill the universe, and guided by the truth, you govern creation. This is what God Himself says through the mouth of the Prophet: “I am a God who draws near, and not a God from afar” (Jer. 23:23). And blessed Paul says: “In Him we live, and we move, and we are” (Acts 17:28). Ps.119:152. Long ago I learned about Your revelations, that You established them forever. “I knew from the beginning from Your testimonies that I founded the age.” The prophet calls heaven and earth “meetings.” “Go down,” it is said, “testify to them with heaven and earth” (Ex. 19:21). Therefore, the great Moses, starting the song, said: “Look up to the heavens, and I will speak, and let the earth hear the words of my mouth” (Deut. 32:1). And in this the Providence of God is constantly seen; because everything goes with great harmony. From this, says the Prophet, I knew exactly that “thou art near,” inherent in everything that happens, and nothing is hidden from You. Ps.119:153. Look at my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law. “See my humility and forgive me, for I have not forgotten Your law.” According to the word of the Lord, “he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14); and: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for of these is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). The divine Prophet also adorned other virtues with humility; Pointing to his humility, he promises himself God’s help. Ps.119:154. Intercede in my cause and protect me; revive me according to Your word. “Judge my judgment, and deliver me: live me by Thy word.” Reminds the Lord of the promises; asks Him for salvation; and begs to judge him and those who are hostile to him. Ps.119:155. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes. “Salvation is far from the sinner, for I have not sought Your justification.” Those living in lawlessness, not wanting to find out what You have legalized to do, says the Prophet, have deprived themselves of the salvation bestowed by You. Ps.119:156. Many are Your compassions, O Lord; according to Your judgment, revive me. “Thy bounties are many, O Lord: live me according to Thy destiny.” Great is the riches of Your love for mankind; Your sentence is true. I ask for salvation, bestowed through philanthropy and truth. Ps.119:157. I have many persecutors and enemies, but I do not move away from Your revelations. “There are many who drive me out and afflict me; I have not turned away from Your testimonies.” Stoned by many calamities, says the Prophet, I did not dare to transgress anything that was legalized by You. And setting out the contents of the psalm, we said that in this psalm the divine David combined into one everything that happened to him in life: and another befits the sorrows that befell him under Saul, and another to what he suffered from Absalom. The words given now, obviously, he said as he was persecuted by Saul; because then he had not yet tasted sin. Ps.119:158. I see apostates and I am saddened, for they do not keep Your word. “I have seen not understanding, and have ceased to see, for I have not kept Thy words.” Thus blessed Paul lamented about the Jews; thus the Master Himself expressed regret for Jerusalem: thus the divine Jeremiah mourned the iniquity of the people. Ps.119:159. See how I love Your commandments; By Thy mercy, Lord, revive me. “See that I have loved Your commandments: Lord, live for me according to Your mercy.” The Prophet often mentions commandments, laws, justifications and testimonies, showing his love for them. Ps.119:160. The foundation of Your word is true, and every judgment of Your righteousness is eternal. “The beginning of Thy words is truth: and the whole destiny of Thy righteousness endures forever.” Your promises are not false, You adorn Your promises with truth; You confirm your words with your actions. The Prophet calls the “beginning” of “words” the promises given to Abraham; because from him descend the race of Judah. But God fulfilled the promises, made the people as numerous as the stars of heaven, and through his Seed, according to the promises, blessed all nations. David expressed this, saying: “And in the age of all the destiny of Thy righteousness”; because, as a Prophet, he saw the eternal power of Christ; That’s why he said that the beginning of God’s words is adorned with truth. Ps.119:161. Princes persecute me innocently, but my heart fears Your word. “The princes drove me to hell; and at Thy words my heart feared.” I was not afraid of enemies and persecutors, says the Prophet; but I feared Your laws. Why, having found the enemy sleeping, did he not dare to kill him? And regretting this parricide and vile son, he said: “Spare my lad” (2 Sam. 18:5). Ps.119:162. I rejoice in Your word, as one who has received great profit. “I will rejoice in Your words, for I have gained much gain.” The Prophet, since he mentioned the enemies who were pursuing him, incidentally added a mention of military spoils. He says: if I had put them all to death and taken possession of a great part of the collected wealth, then even then I would not have rejoiced as much as Your laws delight me. Ps.119:163. I hate lies and abhor them; I love Your law. “I have hated and detested iniquity; but I have loved Your law.” And this word is true; for he who is ardently disposed towards the divine hates the opposite of it. Ps.119:164. Seven times a day I glorify You for the judgments of Your righteousness. “During the seven days we praised You about the destinies of Your righteousness.” Others translated the word “sevenfold”: many times. Both express the ardent love of the Prophet; because he did not find satiety in divine chants. Ps.119:165. Great is the peace of those who love Your law, and there is no stumbling block for them. “There will be much peace for those who love Your law, and there will be no offense for them.” Inflamed by divine love, and by keeping the commandments, acquiring peace with God, although all people would arm themselves against them, they live in joy. Witness to this is the divine Paul, who cries out: “We are sorrowful in everything, but not saddened: we do not despair, but we do not despair; we persecute, but we do not forsake; we cast down, but we do not perish” (2 Cor. 4:8-9). And the Lord, having sent the holy Apostles into the whole universe, like “sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16), said to them: “My peace I give to you, My peace I leave with you” (John 14:27). Ps.119:166. I trust in Your salvation, O Lord, and I fulfill Your commandments. “Lord, I have longed for Your salvation, and I have loved Your commandments.” And, stunned by disasters, I did not cease to have good hope, but continued to wait for Your salvation and follow Your commandments. Ps.119:167. My soul keeps Your revelations, and I love them deeply. Ps.119:168. I keep Your commandments and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You. “My soul preserve Thy testimonies, and I love dearly.” “I will keep Your commandments and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You, Lord.” Knowing that You watch over everything, as one who lives under Your supervision, I not only fulfilled Your commandments, but also did it with ardent disposition. Ps.119:169. Let my cry come near before Thy face, O Lord; give me understanding according to Your word. “Let my prayer come near before You: Lord, give me understanding according to Your word.” Having offered his prayer, the Prophet begs to accept and not reject the request, and asks for himself not human prudence, but the knowledge of God’s words. Ps.119:170. Let my prayer come before Thy face; deliver me according to Your word. “Let my petition come before You: Lord, deliver me according to Your word.” The Prophet calls prayer “petition.” For I found this from other interpreters. Using various sayings, he propitiates the Lord with them. Ps.119:171. My lips will utter praise when You teach me Your statutes. “My lips will burst out singing, when Thou teachest me Thy righteousness.” What is regurgitated corresponds to what is eaten. Having studied Your justifications, says the Prophet, to You, the teacher in them, I will bring a gift of song. Ps.119:172. My tongue will proclaim Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous. “My tongue proclaims Your words, for all Your commandments are true.” I will devote my tongue to the teaching of Your words, knowing that Your commandments are adorned with all righteousness. Ps.119:173. Let Your hand be to help me, for I have chosen Your commandments. “Let Thy hand be to save me, as I have willed Thy commandments.” Symmachus translated: loved; and Aquila and Theodotion: chose. “Hand” the Prophet calls divine effectiveness, from which he asks to improve God’s salvation. Ps.119:174. I thirst for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my consolation. “I have desired Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my teaching.” I wish, says the Prophet, to obtain salvation from You, constantly learning from Your law. Ps.119:175. May my soul live and glorify You, and may Your judgments help me. “My soul will live and praise Thee: and Thy judgments will help me.” I know that I will not be deceived in hope, but I will receive true life from You, and I will praise You, the Giver of blessings. Ps.119:176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek Thy servant, for I have not forgotten Thy commandments. “I have gone astray like a lost sheep.” This was fitting for the Prophet to say after his sin, and fitting for all human nature. “Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.” If some have transgressed; then he did not fall into complete oblivion of them. But the Prophet brought this prayer; and all human nature was granted salvation; because the Good Shepherd came for the lost sheep, and, having walked around the mountains and hills (she wandered there, serving the demons), found her, and brought her back on His shoulder, and rejoiced over her more than over the ninety-nine who were not lost. Having made a brief explanation of this psalm, we ask the readers not to be content with what is written, and not to think that this only belongs to the Prophet; on the contrary, let everyone extract from this what is actually good for him and prepare for himself a protective cure for his own ailments. You might be interested in: