Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 119:128

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 119:128

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 119:128

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts concerning all [things] to be right; [And] I hate every false way. PE." — Psalms 119:128 (ASV)

Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right - literally, “Therefore all the commandments of all I regard as right.” The idea seems to be that he regarded as right and just all the commandments of God pertaining to “every” thing and “every” person: all, considered in every way; all, wherever the law extended and whomever it embraced; all the law pertaining to duty toward God and toward humanity. He saw in the “violation” of the laws of God (Psalms 119:126) a reason for approving “all” law—all that would restrain people from sin and bind them to duty and virtue.

The effect had been to lead him to reflect on the worth of law as law. He had come to the conclusion that all the laws of God were to be approved and loved, since, in their observance, they would prevent the wrongs and sorrows he saw resulting from their violation.

And I hate every false way - Every course of life not based on truth or on a right view of things. All just law is based on a perception of what is true, on the reality of things, on what is required in the nature of the case, and on what will tend to promote the best interests of society. .