Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 119:105-112

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path. I have sworn, and have confirmed it, That I will observe thy righteous ordinances. I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah, And teach me thine ordinances. My soul is continually in my hand; Yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me; Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes For ever, even unto the end. SAMEKH." — Psalms 119:105-112 (ASV)

The word of God directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. The commandment is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the Spirit, as a light to direct us in the choice of our way and the steps we take in that way. The keeping of God's commands referred to here was that of a sinner under a dispensation of mercy, and of a believer sharing in the covenant of grace.

The psalmist is often afflicted; but with longing desires to become more holy, offers up daily prayers for quickening grace. We cannot offer anything to God that he will accept except what he is pleased to teach us to do. To have our soul or life continually in our hands implies constant danger to life; yet the psalmist did not forget God's promises nor his precepts.

Numberless are the snares laid by the wicked; and happy is that servant of God whom they have not caused to err from his Master's precepts. Heavenly treasures are a heritage forever; all the saints accept them as such. Therefore, they can be content with little of this world. We must look for comfort only in the way of duty, and that duty must be done.

A good man, by the grace of God, brings his heart to his work; then it is done well.