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Here, again, there seems to be the joyful acknowledgment of answered prayer. The longing cry of the former section was for God's quickening grace; here there seems to be the proof and evidence that that cry had been heard. And the answer of God had come through his Word, that ever-blessed Word which he here so lauds and magnifies. For -

I. BY IT HE HAD BEEN DELIVERED FROM THE FEAR OF MAN. (Ver. 161.) Princes, with "the awe and majesty of kings," had persecuted him, innocent though he was; but instead of being abashed and afraid, the greater holier fear, the awe of God's Word, came to his help and drove out all other fear. It is ever so; but only by the fear of God is it so.

II. HIS JOY IN IT WAS THAT OF ONE WHO FINDETH GREAT SPOIL. Sometimes spoil is found unexpectedly, as by the lepers in the Syrian camp (2 Kings 7.); or as by the man who found the treasure hid in the field (Matthew 13.). But the finding here spoken of seems to be that of the warrior who, after stern struggle and the hard conflict of battle, has at length conquered, and is rewarded by the great spoil which he now takes possession of. And it is in such way that the great spoils of the Scriptures are won. Doubt, indolence, distraction, love of sin, the world's clamor, and much beside, have to be met and overcome by faith and earnestness, toil of brain and heart, and by persevering prayer. To those who will thus strive, the Scriptures will open up to them its reachest treasure, and they shall rejoice therein, as is here said.

III. IMPARTS A HOLY AND DEEP DETESTATION OF ALL DECEIT. (Ver. 163.) He who loves God's Law must hate and abhor lying. As the one comes in, the other goes out, and vice versa. And what a blessing this holy hatred of lying is! All society and commerce of man must be based on truth and honesty. Lying is destructive of all good both in the liar and those lied to; but truth, the sure product of the love of God's Law, is for the blessing of us all.

IV. ITS PRAISE IS NEVER WEARISOME TO HIM. (Ver. 164.) He means that he is always, on all possible occasions, to praise God because of his Word, so great is his delight in it. And the reason is not far to seek. The sense of God's loving-kindness is the highest and purest joy of the soul (Psalm 63:3). But that is given only to the pure in heart and life. This purity, however, is the product of the Law of God loved and obeyed, and of this only. What wonder, then, that the instrument of such blessedness should be prized by him so highly?

V. IMPARTS A PEACE WHICH NOTHING CAN DESTROY. (Ver. 165.) For such peace has its anchor in God, and that anchor holds. Experience has proved this perpetually.

VI. SUSTAINS GOOD HOPE OF SALVATION. (Ver. 166; cf. Genesis 49:18.) The commandments of God obeyed create sunshine in the soul, part of which is this hope of salvation. The unfaithful and disobedient have it not.

VII. THE MORE IT IS KEPT THE MORE IT IS LOVED. (Ver. 167.) When not alone, there is external obedience; but that which is inward, of the soul, the love which led to this obedience, now becomes exceeding great. But all such keeping of God's Word is owing to his having set the Lord always before him (ver. 168; cf. Psalm 16:8). - S.C.

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KJV: SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

WEB: Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.