works of God. Let us give God the glory of all the comfort and benefit we have by the lights of
heaven, still looking above and beyond them to the Sun of righteousness.
Verses 7–10
The Holy Scripture is of much greater benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe,
or the light of the sun. To recover man out of his fallen state, there is need of the word of God. The
word translated “law,” may be rendered doctrine, and be understood as meaning all that teaches us
true religion. The whole is perfect; its tendency is to convert or turn the soul from sin and the world,
to God and holiness. It shows our sinfulness and misery in departing from God, and the necessity
of our return to him. This testimony is sure, to be fully depended on: the ignorant and unlearned
believing what God saith, become wise unto salvation. It is a sure direction in the way of duty. It
is a sure fountain of living comforts, and a sure foundation of lasting hopes. The statues of the Lord
are right, just as they should be; and, because they are right, they rejoice the heart. The
commandments of the Lord are pure, holy, just, and good. By them we discover our need of a
Saviour; and then learn how to adorn his gospel. They are the means which the Holy Spirit uses in
enlightening the eyes; they bring us to a sight and sense of our sin and misery, and direct us in the
way of duty. The fear of the Lord, that is, true religion and godliness, is clean, it will cleanse our
way; and it endureth for ever. The ceremonial law is long since done away, but the law concerning
the fear of God is ever the same. The judgments of the Lord, his precepts, are true; they are righteous,
and they are so altogether; there is no unrighteousness in any of them. Gold is only for the body,
and the concerns of time; but grace is for the soul, and the concerns of eternity. The word of God,
received by faith, is more precious than gold; it is sweet to the soul, sweeter than honey. The pleasure
of sense soon surfeit, yet never satisfy; but those of religion are substantial and satisfying; there is
no danger of excess.
Verses 11–14
God's word warns the wicked not to go on in his wicked way, and warns the righteous not to
turn from his good way. There is a reward, not only after keeping, but in keeping God's
commandments. Religion makes our comforts sweet, and our crosses easy, life truly valuable, and
death itself truly desirable. David not only desired to be pardoned and cleansed from the sins he
had discovered and confessed, but from those he had forgotten or overlooked. All discoveries of
sin made to us by the law, should drive us to the throne of grace, there to pray. His dependence
was the same with that of every Christian who says, Surely in the Lord Jesus have I righteousness
and strength. No prayer can be acceptable before God which is not offered in the strength of our
Redeemer or Divine Kinsman, through Him who took our nature upon him, that he might redeem
us unto God, and restore the long-lost inheritance. May our hearts be much affected with the
excellence of the word of God; and much affected with the evil of sin, and the danger we are in of
it, and the danger we are in by it.