Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 119:129-136

"Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them. The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened wide my mouth, and panted; For I longed for thy commandments. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Establish my footsteps in thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man: So will I observe thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; And teach me thy statutes. Streams of water run down mine eyes, Because they observe not thy law. TSADHE." — Psalms 119:129-136 (ASV)

The wonders of redeeming love will fix the heart in adoration of them. The Scriptures show us what we were, what we are, and what we will be. They show us the mercy and the justice of the Lord, the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell. Thus they give to the simple, in a few days, an understanding of those matters, which philosophers sought in vain for ages.

The believer, wearied with the cares of life and his conflicts with sin, pants for the consolations conveyed to him by means of the sacred word. And everyone may pray, Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. We must beg that the Holy Spirit would order our steps. The dominion of sin is to be dreaded and prayed against by everyone.

The oppression of men is often more than flesh and blood can bear; and He who knows our frame will not refuse to remove it in answer to the prayers of His people. Whatever obscurity may appear regarding the faith of the Old Testament believers, their confidence at the throne of grace can only be explained by their having obtained more distinct views of gospel privileges, through the sacrifices and services of their law, than is generally imagined. Go to the same place, plead the name and merits of Jesus, and you will not, you cannot plead in vain.

Commonly, where there is a gracious heart, there is a weeping eye. Accept, O Lord, the tears our blessed Redeemer shed in the days of His flesh, for us who should weep for our brothers and sisters or ourselves.