John Gill Commentary


John Gill Commentary
"Jehovah is my portion: I have said that I would observe thy words." — Psalms 119:57 (ASV)
CHETH. [You are] my portion, O Lord
Which he chose and preferred to all others; to the riches, honours, and profits of this world; the grant of which was made to him in the covenant of grace; the first discovery of it was from the Lord himself; and the choice and claim were made under the influence of his grace; and a great act of faith it is to assert this, and a wonderful blessing to enjoy it. This is a large portion indeed, immense and inconceivable, soul satisfying, safe, and for ever! see (Psalms 73:26) ;
I have said that I would keep your words ;
keep his commandments, lay up his promises, observe his doctrines, profess and retain them; this he determined within himself to do, under a sense of the love of God to him, in being his portion and inheritance.
Some render the words, in connection with the former, thus, "my portion, O Lord, I said, [is]", or "[shall be], to keep your words" F12 ; it is the part and portion of some to preach the word, and of others to hear it; and of all to keep or observe it, its precepts, promises, and truths.
Aben Ezra gives the sense of them thus, ``This I said to many, perhaps they will keep your words;'' namely, that the Lord was his portion, which he thought might induce them to an observance of them, as he had done.