John Calvin Commentary Psalms 119:59

"I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies." — Psalms 119:59 (ASV)

I thought upon my ways. The meaning is that after the prophet had paid careful attention to his way of life, his only aim then was to follow the teaching of the law. In these words he indirectly suggests that if one asks why people go astray and are miserably distracted by conflicting impulses, the reason is that they thoughtlessly indulge themselves in gratifying their passions.

Every person watches most carefully and applies all their energy to whatever their inclination may lead them, but all are blind in choosing the object they should pursue. Or rather, as if their eyes were sealed, they are either thoughtlessly hurried away or, through carelessness, wander imperceptibly from one object to another.

One thing is certain: no one carefully considers their ways. Therefore, it is not without reason that the prophet exhorts us that the beginning of a godly life consists in people awaking from their lethargy, examining their ways, and finally, wisely considering how to regulate their conduct properly.

He next instructs us that when a person is earnestly inclined to order their life well, there is nothing better than for them to follow the direction the Lord points out. In fact, if people were not infatuated, they would universally and unanimously choose God to be the guide for their lives.