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Commentary on Psalms 119 verse 68
Here, 1. David praises God's goodness and gives him the glory of it: Thou art good and doest good. All who have any knowledge of God and dealings with him wilt own that he does good, and therefore will conclude that he is good. The streams of God's goodness are so numerous, and run so full, so strong, to all the creatures, that we must conclude the fountain that is in himself to be inexhaustible. We cannot conceive how much good our God does every day, much less can we conceive how good he is. Let us acknowledge it with admiration and with holy love and thankfulness. 2. He prays for God's grace, and begs to be under the guidance and influence of it: Teach me thy statutes. "Lord, thou doest good to all, art the bountiful benefactor of all the creatures; this is the good I beg thou wilt do to me, - Instruct me in my duty, incline me to it, and enable me to do it. Thou art good, and doest good; Lord, teach me thy statutes, that I may be good and do good, may have a good heart and live a good life." It is an encouragement to poor sinners to hope that God will teach them his way because he is good and upright, Psa 25:8.
If the soul, with its capacity for pleasure and delight, has tasted this true and highest good and has adhered to both with the means at its disposal, putting away sorrow and fear, then it is wonderfully inflamed. Having embraced the Word of God, it knows no bounds, it knows no satiety, and says, “You are sweet, O Lord, and in your joy teach me your laws.” Having embraced the Word of God, the soul desires him above every beauty; it loves him above every joy; it is delighted with him above every perfume; it wishes often to see, often to gaze, often to be drawn to him that it may follow. “Your name,” it says, “is as oil poured out, and that is why we maidens love you and vie with one another but cannot attain to you. Draw us that we may run after you, that from the odor of ointments we may receive the power to follow you.
Sin abounded by the law because through the law came knowledge of sin, and it became harmful for me to know what through my weakness I could not avoid. It is good to know beforehand what one is to avoid, but, if I cannot avoid something, it is harmful to have known about it. Thus was the law changed to its opposite, yet it became useful to me by the very increase of sin, for I was humbled. And David therefore says, “It is good for me that I have been humbled.” By humbling myself I have broken the bonds of that ancient transgression by which Adam and Eve had bound the whole line of their succession. Hence, too, the Lord came as an obedient man to loose the knot of human disobedience and deception. And as through disobedience sin entered, so through obedience sin was remitted. Therefore, the apostle says, “For just as by the disobedience of one man the many were constituted sinners, so also by the obedience of the one the many will be constituted just.”
"Sweet are You, O Lord;" or, as many have it, "Sweet are You, even Thou, O Lord" [Psalm 119:68]. Some also, "Sweet are You," or, "Good are You:" as we have before treated of this word: "and in Your sweetness teach me Your statutes." He truly desires to do the righteousnesses of God, since he desires to learn them in His sweetness from Him unto whom he has said, "Sweet are You, O Lord."
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SUMMARY
Psalms 119:68 profoundly articulates the psalmist's foundational understanding of God's character and His actions, declaring Him to be inherently good and consistently benevolent. This theological confession serves as the bedrock for a humble and earnest petition for divine instruction, reflecting a deep desire to comprehend and align one's life with God's perfect and beneficial decrees. The verse thus intertwines adoration of God's nature with a profound dependency on His revealed will.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 119:68 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically synonymous parallelism, where "Thou art good" and "and doest good" express similar ideas in different words, reinforcing the singular concept of God's comprehensive goodness—both in His essence and in His actions. This repetition emphasizes the unwavering and complete nature of God's benevolence. The verse also utilizes Apostrophe, a direct address to God ("Thou art good... teach me"), which creates an intimate and personal tone, reflecting the psalmist's direct relationship with the Divine. Furthermore, the verse functions as a Theological Statement followed by a Petition, a common structure in biblical prayers. The declaration of God's character ("Thou art good, and doest good") serves as the foundational premise and motivation for the subsequent request ("teach me thy statutes"), illustrating that true prayer is rooted in a right understanding of who God is.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:68 provides a vital theological anchor, affirming that God's inherent goodness is the source and guarantee of all His actions and His revealed will. This truth is foundational for trust and obedience; if God is perfectly good, then His commands are not arbitrary burdens but gracious guidelines designed for our ultimate well-being. The psalmist's plea for instruction, therefore, is not born out of ignorance of God's existence, but a deep desire for intimate knowledge of His character as expressed through His statutes. It underscores the biblical principle that true wisdom is not self-derived but divinely imparted, and that a humble, teachable spirit is essential for spiritual growth. This verse reminds us that our pursuit of God's Word should always be predicated on the unwavering belief in His benevolent nature.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:68 offers a profound model for our faith and prayer life. It calls us first to anchor our hearts in the unshakeable truth of God's intrinsic goodness and His consistent benevolence. In a world often marked by suffering, injustice, and doubt, this verse encourages us to remember that God's character remains pure and His intentions towards His children are always good, even when circumstances are difficult. This foundational trust then empowers us to approach Him with humility, acknowledging our need for His divine guidance. Just as the psalmist recognized his dependence on God to "teach him His statutes," we too must cultivate a teachable spirit, diligently seeking to understand and apply God's Word in every aspect of our lives. This isn't merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual discipline that shapes our decisions, transforms our character, and aligns our will with His perfect plan, leading to a life of greater peace, purpose, and obedience.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Psalmist ask God to "teach me thy statutes" if God is already good?
Answer: The psalmist's request for God to "teach me thy statutes" is not an indictment of God's goodness, but rather a direct consequence and affirmation of it. Because God is good and does good, His statutes are inherently good, beneficial, and perfect. The psalmist recognizes that human understanding is limited and prone to error, and therefore, relies on God's perfect wisdom to illuminate His ways. It is a humble acknowledgment that true wisdom and the path to a flourishing life come only through divine revelation and instruction. This plea demonstrates a deep trust in God's benevolent intentions, believing that His laws are not burdensome but liberating, designed for human well-being. It reflects a posture of dependence, echoing the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty?
Answer: Psalms 119:68 deeply intertwines with the concept of God's sovereignty by establishing His goodness as the very foundation of His rule. If God is inherently good and consistently does good, then His sovereign authority is not arbitrary or tyrannical, but perfectly just, wise, and benevolent. His "statutes" are the tangible expressions of His sovereign will and wise governance, designed for the flourishing of His creation. This verse assures us that God's control over all things is exercised from a place of perfect goodness, meaning His ultimate purposes are always for the good of His people and the glory of His name. Even when His sovereign ways are mysterious, we can trust that they are rooted in His unchanging goodness, as affirmed in Romans 8:28.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:68 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of God's goodness, the very radiance of God's glory, through whom the Father's benevolent nature is fully revealed to humanity. As the Word made flesh, Jesus perfectly lived out God's statutes, fulfilling every jot and tittle of the Law not by abolishing it, but by living in perfect obedience and demonstrating its true intent (Matthew 5:17). He is the preeminent Teacher, the one who authoritatively expounds God's ways, not merely as an interpreter but as the very source of truth and life (Matthew 7:28-29). Through Christ, we not only understand God's statutes, but we are also empowered by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sends, to live in accordance with them. The Spirit, the Helper, will teach us all things, guiding us into all truth and enabling us to obey God's good will, for it is God who works in us to will and to act according to his good purpose. Thus, in Christ, the psalmist's declaration of God's goodness and his plea for divine instruction are met and perfectly answered.