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Commentary on Psalms 119 verses 55–56
Here is, 1. The converse David had with the word of God; he kept it in mind, and upon every occasion he called it to mind. God's name is the discovery he has made of himself to us in and by his word. This is his memorial unto all generations, and therefore we should always keep it in memory - remember it in the night, upon a waking bed, when we are communing with our own hearts. When others were sleeping David was remembering God's name, and, by repeating that lesson, increasing his acquaintance with it; in the night of affliction this he called to mind. 2. The conscience be made of conforming to it. The due remembrance of God's name, which is prefixed to his law, will have a great influence upon our observance of the law: I remembered thy name in the night, and therefore was careful to keep thy law all day. How comfortable will it be in the reflection if our own hearts can witness for us that we have thus remembered God's name, and kept his law! 3. The advantage he got by it (Psa 119:56): This I had because I kept thy precepts. Some understand this indefinitely: This I had (that is I had that which satisfied me; I had every thing that is comfortable) because I kept thy precepts. Note, All that have made a business of religion will own that it has turned to a good account, and that they have been unspeakable gainers by it. Others refer it to what goes immediately before: "I had the comfort of keeping thy law because I kept it." Note, God's work is its own wages. A heart to obey the will of God is a most valuable reward of obedience; and the more we do the more we may do, and shall do, in the service of God; the branch that bears fruit is made more fruitful, Joh 15:2.
Considering this, he adds, "This was made unto me, because I sought out Your righteousnesses" [Psalm 119:56]. "Your" righteousnesses, whereby Thou dost justify the ungodly; not mine, which never make me godly, but proud. For this man was not one of those who, "ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." [Romans 10:3] Others have better interpreted these righteousnesses, as those whereby men are justified for nought through God's grace, though by themselves they cannot be righteous, "justifications." But what means, "This was made unto me"? What is "This"? It is perhaps the law? As he had said, "and I have kept Your law;" to which he subjoins, "This was made unto me," meaning, "This was made my law." We must therefore enquire first what was thus made unto him, next in what manner, whatever it may have been, was made unto him. "This," he says, "was made unto me:" not "This law," for the Greek, as I have said, refuses this sense. Perhaps then, "This night:" since the preceding sentence stands thus: "I have thought upon Your Name, O Lord, in the night-season:" and the next words are, "This was made unto me:" since then it is not the law, it must truly be the night which is thus spoken of. What then means, "I had the night-season: for I have sought out Your righteousnesses"? Rather light had come unto him than night, since he sought out the righteousnesses of God. And it is thus rightly understood, "It was made unto me," as if it were said, It became night for my sake, that is, that it might profit me. For that low estate of mortality is not absurdly understood as night, where the hearts of mortals are hid to one another, so that from such darkness innumerable and heavy temptations arise....
Cheth
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SUMMARY
Psalms 119:56 serves as a profound personal testimony from the psalmist, affirming that the blessings and spiritual benefits experienced were a direct result of diligent and intentional adherence to God's divine instructions. This verse encapsulates the foundational biblical principle that a life lived in devoted obedience to the Lord's precepts yields tangible and deeply satisfying outcomes, testifying to the goodness and wisdom inherent in God's revealed will.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic poem structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses dedicated to each letter. The entire psalm is an ardent celebration of God's law, statutes, commandments, testimonies, and precepts, often using these terms interchangeably to refer to God's divine revelation. Verse 56 falls within the 'Zayin' section (verses 49-56), where the psalmist frequently reflects on his personal relationship with God's word, seeking comfort, hope, and understanding in times of affliction and persecution. This particular verse acts as a concluding summary for its section, functioning as a powerful personal declaration and testimony to the direct and beneficial consequences derived from a life committed to God's obedience, providing a personal validation of the truths expressed throughout the preceding verses.
Historical & Cultural Context: For ancient Israel, the "law" (Torah) was not merely a collection of legalistic rules but the very instruction, wisdom, and covenant stipulations given by God to His chosen people. It was understood as the divine blueprint for a flourishing life, both individually and communally. Keeping God's precepts was central to their identity and their covenant relationship with Yahweh, promising blessing for obedience and consequences for disobedience, as vividly outlined in passages like Deuteronomy 28. The psalmist, likely a devout Israelite, expresses a worldview deeply rooted in this covenantal framework, where adherence to divine commands was seen not as a burden but as the pathway to true life, peace, and prosperity, reflecting a profound trust in God's benevolent design for His people.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully reinforces the theme of Obedience and Blessing, presenting a direct correlation between diligent adherence to God's commands and the reception of tangible benefits. It underscores the Divine Law as a Source of Good, challenging any notion that God's instructions are burdensome, instead portraying them as the very path to flourishing and peace, echoing the wisdom found in Psalm 1. Furthermore, the phrase "This I had" serves as a potent Personal Testimony, validating the truth of God's promises through the psalmist's lived experience, inviting readers to discover similar rewards as promised in passages like John 14:21. The verse also subtly highlights the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility, as the psalmist recognizes God's ultimate provision while acknowledging his own active role in receiving it through obedience.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 119:56, though brief, effectively employs several literary devices. The most prominent is Personal Testimony, where the psalmist directly asserts a personal experience ("This I had") as a result of his actions. This lends authenticity and persuasive power to the statement, inviting the reader to consider the validity of the claim through the psalmist's lived reality. Closely related is the device of Cause-and-Effect, clearly articulating that the psalmist's blessings are a direct consequence of his obedience to God's precepts. The structure "This I had, because..." exemplifies this. Furthermore, within the broader context of Psalm 119, the verse participates in the Acrostic Structure of the psalm, falling within the 'Zayin' section, which reinforces the psalmist's meticulous and comprehensive engagement with God's word. The deliberate ambiguity of "this" also functions as a form of Synecdoche or Generalization, allowing the single pronoun to represent the entirety of blessings derived from obedience, making the statement universally applicable.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:56 powerfully encapsulates a foundational biblical truth: God's commands are not arbitrary burdens but the benevolent instructions of a loving Creator designed for human flourishing. The psalmist's experience validates the principle that a life aligned with divine wisdom yields tangible benefits, whether spiritual peace, moral clarity, divine favor, or inner joy. This verse connects deeply to the covenant theology of the Old Testament, where obedience was intrinsically linked to blessing and the maintenance of a right relationship with God. It also foreshadows New Testament teachings on the fruit of righteousness, emphasizing that true spiritual vitality is evidenced by a life that actively embraces and lives out God's revealed will, demonstrating that God's design for humanity is always for their good.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:56 offers a timeless encouragement for believers today, reminding us that our walk with God is not merely about abstract faith, but about practical, diligent obedience to His revealed will. The "this I had" can encompass a multitude of blessings in contemporary life: inner peace amidst chaos, wisdom in complex decision-making, divine protection, joy in the midst of trials, the deep satisfaction of knowing one is living in alignment with their Creator, or the profound sense of purpose found in God's calling. This verse challenges us to reflect on our own lives and honestly consider if we are experiencing the full benefits of God's promises because we are diligently "keeping His precepts." It invites us to embrace God's word not as a burdensome set of rules, but as a living, life-giving path that leads to genuine flourishing and a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Lord, transforming our hearts to delight in His ways.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "This I had" specifically refer to in Psalms 119:56?
Answer: The beauty and power of "This I had" (Hebrew: zot - "this") lies in its intentional ambiguity. The psalmist does not specify a single, concrete blessing, allowing the phrase to encompass the full range of positive experiences, spiritual benefits, and divine favor that result from a life of obedience to God's precepts. It can refer to inner peace, wisdom, joy, comfort in affliction, deliverance from enemies, a clear conscience, a sense of God's presence, or simply the deep satisfaction of living in alignment with God's will. It is a personal testimony to the cumulative, multifaceted goodness experienced by one who diligently guards and observes God's commands, echoing the broad promises of blessing found throughout Scripture, such as in Deuteronomy 28 or Psalm 1.
Does Psalms 119:56 promote a works-based salvation or legalism?
Answer: No, Psalms 119:56 does not promote a works-based salvation or legalism. Instead, it reflects the Old Testament understanding of the covenant relationship between God and His people. Salvation, in both Old and New Testaments, is fundamentally by God's grace, initiated by His faithfulness. Obedience, in this context, is not a means to earn salvation but rather the natural fruit and evidence of a loving relationship with God. It is the response of a heart that delights in God's character and His revealed will. The blessings received are not earned merit but the natural consequence of walking in harmony with the divine order God has established for human flourishing. Just as a healthy tree bears fruit, a life submitted to God's wise and good precepts will naturally experience His goodness and favor, as Jesus taught in John 15:10.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:56 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the keeping of God's precepts and through whom all true blessings flow. While the psalmist testified to the benefits of his own obedience, Jesus is the only one who perfectly "kept" every one of God's precepts, fulfilling the law not by abolishing it but by completing it (Matthew 5:17). His life of perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, secured for us the ultimate "this I had"—salvation, reconciliation with God, and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). Under the New Covenant, the law is no longer merely an external code but is written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33), empowering us to walk in obedience not out of duty, but out of love and gratitude for Christ's finished work. Thus, our ability to "keep His precepts" and experience the resulting blessings is entirely dependent on our union with Christ and the indwelling power of the Spirit, enabling us to live lives that genuinely reflect the righteousness of the One who perfectly obeyed, bringing glory to God our Father (Philippians 2:13).