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Commentary on Psalms 119 verses 43–44
Here is, 1. David's humble petition for the tongue of the learned, that he might know how to speak a word in season for the glory of God: Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth. He means, "Lord, let the word of truth be always in my mouth; let me have the wisdom and courage which are necessary to enable me both to use my knowledge for the instruction of others, and, like the good householder, to bring out of my treasury things new and old, and to make profession of my faith whenever I am called to it." We have need to pray to God that we may never be afraid or ashamed to own his truths and ways, nor deny him before men. David found that he was sometimes at a loss, that the word of truth was not so ready to him as it should have been, but he prays, "Lord, let it not be taken utterly from me; let my always have so much of it at hand as will be necessary to the due discharge of my duty." 2. His humble profession of the heart of the upright, without which the tongue of the learned, however it may be serviceable to others, will stand us in no stead. (1.) David professes his confidence in God: "Lord, make me ready and mighty in the scriptures, for I have hoped in those judgments of thy mouth, and, if they be not at hand, my support and defence have departed from me." (2.) He professes his resolution to adhere to his duty in the strength of God's grace: "So shall I keep thy law continually. If I have thy word not only in my heart, but in my mouth, I shall do all I should do, stand complete in thy whole will." Thus shall the man of God be perfect, thoroughly furnished for every good word and work, Ti2 3:17; Col 3:16. Observe how he resolves to keep God's law, [1.] Continually, without trifling. God must be served in a constant course of obedience every day, and all the day long. [2.] For ever and ever, without backsliding. We must never be weary of well-doing. If we serve him to the end of our time on earth, we shall be serving him in heaven to the endless ages of eternity; so shall we keep his law for ever and ever. Or thus: "Lord, let me have the word of truth in my mouth, that I may commit that sacred deposit to the rising generation (Ti2 2:2) and by them it may be transmitted to succeeding ages; so shall thy law be kept for ever and ever," that is, from one generation to another, according to that promise (Isa 59:21), My word in thy mouth shall not depart out of the mouth of thy seed, nor thy seed's seed.
"O take not the word of Your truth away out of my mouth even exceedingly" [Psalm 119:43]. He says, out of my mouth, because the unity of the body is speaking, among whose members those also are counted who failed at the hour by denying, but by penitence afterwards came again to life, or even, by renewing their confession, received the palm of martyrdom, which they had lost. The word of truth, therefore, was not "even exceedingly," or, as some copies have it, even every way, that is not altogether taken from the mouth of Peter, in whom was the type of the Church; because although he denied for the hour, being disturbed with fear, yet by weeping he was restored, [Matthew 26:70-75] and by confessing was afterwards crowned. The whole body of Christ therefore speaks....Next follows, "for I have hoped in Your judgments." Or, as some have more strictly rendered it from the Greek, "I have hoped more;" a word which, although compounded in a somewhat unusual way, yet answers the necessary purpose of conveying the truth in a translation....Behold the saints and the humble in heart when they have trusted in You, have not failed in persecutions: behold also those who from trusting in themselves have failed, and nevertheless have belonged to the Very Body, have wept when they became known unto themselves, and have found Your grace a more solid support, because they have lost their own pride.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 119:43 presents a fervent and deeply personal prayer from the psalmist, imploring God to preserve his ability to articulate divine truth. It reflects an earnest desire to remain a faithful witness to God's revealed will and righteous decrees, a desire firmly rooted in an unwavering hope and confident trust in His perfect "judgments." This verse powerfully encapsulates the believer's profound dependence on God for the courage, clarity, and ongoing opportunity to speak His word, particularly amidst potential opposition or the temptation to remain silent.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily functions as a Prayer or Supplication, directly addressing God with a specific, earnest request. The psalmist employs Metaphor by referring to the "mouth" as the vessel or instrument through which the "word of truth" is spoken, implying that this truth is a living entity that can be "taken out" or withheld. The phrase "utterly out of my mouth" can also be seen as a form of Hyperbole, emphasizing the psalmist's intense desire for the complete and continuous presence of God's truth in his speech. Furthermore, there is a clear Cause-and-Effect relationship or Reasoning established by the conjunction "for," linking the psalmist's hope in God's judgments as the foundational reason for his plea to speak the word of truth. This structure highlights the profound connection between internal faith and external expression, demonstrating that genuine hope in God's character naturally leads to a desire to proclaim His truth.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:43 powerfully encapsulates the theological truth that God's revelation is not merely for private contemplation but for public proclamation. The "word of truth" is a divine gift, entrusted to believers not only for their sanctification but also for their testimony to the world. The psalmist's plea underscores the inherent value and necessity of truth-telling in a world often indifferent or hostile to divine revelation, emphasizing that our ability to speak God's truth is both a spiritual gift and a divine enablement. This verse also highlights the foundational role of hope and confident trust in God's character—specifically in His "judgments"—as the wellspring from which courageous and consistent confession flows. It teaches that our unwavering confidence in God's righteousness and the reliability of His word empowers our witness, making the preservation of our testimony a matter of divine grace and profound human dependence.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:43 serves as a timeless prayer for spiritual courage and consistency, offering a profound model for believers today who navigate a world often indifferent, skeptical, or even hostile to biblical truth. It challenges us to deeply examine the quality and depth of our hope in God's "judgments"—His righteous character, His unchanging word, and His perfect will—and to recognize how that hope directly fuels our desire and ability to speak His truth. In moments of fear, doubt, or external pressure, the psalmist's heartfelt plea reminds us that our capacity to bear witness to God's truth is ultimately sustained by His grace and power. We are called to actively pray for the preservation of our voice for truth, not merely for our own spiritual well-being, but for the sake of those around us who desperately need to hear God's liberating and life-giving message. This verse encourages us to be bold and unwavering in our confession, anchored in the absolute certainty that God's word is true and His judgments are just, ensuring that His "word of truth" is never "utterly out of our mouth."
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why would the psalmist pray for God not to "take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth"? Does God silence His faithful?
Answer: The psalmist's prayer reflects a deep awareness of human frailty and the potential for various forms of spiritual or physical silencing. While God certainly does not desire to silence His faithful, this plea can be understood in several nuanced ways. Firstly, it could be a prayer against external opposition, persecution, or social pressure that might physically prevent him from speaking, or against the fear that such opposition might induce. Secondly, it could be a prayer against internal spiritual dryness, doubt, or a loss of conviction that would render him unable to articulate divine truth with passion, clarity, and authority. Thirdly, it might be a recognition that the ability to speak God's word is a divine gift and a sacred privilege, and the psalmist is asking God to sustain that gift, ensuring he remains a vibrant and effective witness. Ultimately, it's a prayer of profound dependence, acknowledging that even the desire and ability to speak God's truth ultimately comes from God Himself. This resonates with the apostles' prayer for boldness in Acts 4:29 when facing threats.
What is the significance of the psalmist's "hope in thy judgments" as the reason for his plea?
Answer: The phrase "for I have hoped in thy judgments" provides the essential motivation and foundational reasoning for the psalmist's prayer. "Judgments" (Hebrew: mišpāṭîm) here refers to God's righteous decrees, ordinances, and the principles of His divine law, which are perfect expressions of His justice, wisdom, and holy character. The psalmist's "hope" (Hebrew: yaḥal) is not a passive wish but an active, confident waiting and unwavering trust in the reliability, goodness, and ultimate triumph of these divine pronouncements. Because he deeply trusts that God's word and ways are perfectly just and true, he passionately desires to continue speaking that truth. His internal conviction and unwavering confidence in God's character and His word are the wellspring from which his desire to testify flows. This connection highlights that true, effective proclamation is always rooted in a profound and active trust in the God who speaks and acts righteously, as affirmed in Psalm 33:4.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:43 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the very embodiment of the "word of truth." John 1:1 declares that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," and John 14:6 reveals Jesus as "the way, and the truth, and the life." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus perfectly spoke God's judgments, always proclaiming the Father's will and truth without deviation or compromise, even in the face of intense opposition and the ultimate silencing of the cross. The psalmist's prayer for the preservation of truth-speaking is answered in Christ, who not only spoke the truth but is the truth, and who, through His resurrection and ascension, ensured that the "word of truth" would never be "utterly out of the mouth" of His church. Moreover, the psalmist's hope in God's judgments is fully realized in Christ's perfect righteousness, His atoning work, and His coming reign, where all God's decrees will be perfectly executed (Revelation 19:11). As believers, we are now empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue proclaiming this "word of truth"—the Gospel of Jesus Christ—to the ends of the earth, fulfilling the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, knowing that the One who enables our speech is faithful and true.