Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 119:163

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 119:163

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 119:163

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"I hate and abhor falsehood; [But] thy law do I love." — Psalms 119:163 (ASV)

I hate and abhor lying – The mention of lying here particularly seems to have been suggested by the necessity, from the structure of the psalm, of finding some word at the beginning of the verse which began with the letter Schin. At the same time, it is an illustration of the nature of piety, and doubtless there had been numerous occasions in the life of the psalmist when he had seen and experienced the effects of falsehood. This sin, therefore, might occur to him as readily as any other. It is unnecessary to say that religion forbids this sin in all its forms.

But thy law do I love – Particularly here the law which forbids lying. The psalmist was conscious, as every good man must be, that he truly loved that pure law which forbids falsehood in all its forms.