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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 032. Psa 119:127. The Saints' Estimate of the Word of God
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Psa_119:127. The Saints' Estimate of the Word of God
"I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold."—Psa_119:127
A great portion of this extensive and interesting psalm is taken up in express ing the writer's attachment to the word of God. He speaks of it under a variety of terms: such as law, precepts, statutes testimonies, and, in our text commandments. He expresses the highest esteem for and attachment to them. "I love thy commandments above gold," &c. Observe
I. The Supreme Excellency of the Holy Scriptures.
This will be evident if we consider,
1. Their heavenly origin.
Here called the law of God—law of his mouth, &c. See 2Ti_3:16, 2Ti_3:17.
2. Great antiquity.
The oldest book in existence. Its records embrace the creation of the world, &c 3. Their miraculous preservation.
They have been hated and held in utter detestation by thousands; yet have they been preserved amidst all the revolutions of time, and handed down from generation to generation, even until now.
4. Their glorious revelations.
Concerning man—in his original state, depravity, as redeemed, &c.; concerning God—his perfections, works, mind; concerning Jesus—his offices, death, resurrection, &c.; concerning life, death, and immortality; concerning judgment, heaven, and hell: in short, concerning all which relates to man's present or eternal safety and happiness.
Notice,
II. The Saint's Estimate of them.
"I love thy commandments above gold," &c.
Gold is the most precious of metals, and is distinguished for its rarity, weight, brightness, and value; and in these respects may be a fit emblem of the Holy Scriptures.
But gold,
1. Is in its nature earthly and material. The word of God, heavenly and spiritual.
2. Gold only confers on its possessor temporal benefits.
The word of God, eternal benefits.
3. Gold in its nature mutable and perishing.
The word of our God abideth forever.
But how do saints prove their attachment to the Scriptures?
(1) By a diligent perusal of them; Isa_34:16; 1Ti_4:13.
(2) By making them the subject of meditation. "I will meditate in thy precepts," &c.; ver. 15. "In thy law I will meditate day and night," &c.
(3) By a profession of the doctrines hey exhibit. "With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth;" Ver. 13.
(4) By subjection to their authority, and practical attention to the precepts they enforce; ver 32-35, 168. "Doers of the word;" Jam_1:22. They run in the way of God's commands. &c.
(5) By spreading abroad the blessed truths they contain. "I will speak of thy testimonies before kings," &c.; Psa_119:46.
III. The Advantage of Cordial Attachment to the Word of God.
1. Increasing knowledge.
"Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies;" ver. 91. "I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts," &c.; ver. 100. "Able to make thee wise," &c.; 2Ti_3:15, 2Ti_3:16.
2. Increasing holiness.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee;" ver. 11. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way," &c.; ver. 9. See also ver. 1-3.
3. Increasing happiness.
"Thy statutes have been my songs," &c.; ver. 54. "Great peace have they who love thy law;" ver. 165. "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies," &c. "This is my comfort in my affliction," &c.; ver. 50. "They are my heritage, and rejoicing of my heart;" &c. 111
Application
(1) How grateful should we be for the divine word! Especially that we have the whole canon, the volume complete; law, prophets, gospels, and epistles. Let them be the rule of our life—the directory of our faith—the joy of our souls. (2) How unwise to neglect this blessed book to be ignorant amidst the meridian blaze of gospel light. (3) There is no other true guide to immortality and eternal life.