Psalms 119 · The Lantern

Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way: and walk in the law of the Lord.

And as he is Firstborn among brothers and rose from the dead "the firstfruits of them that slept"; so, since it became him "in all things to have the preeminence," therefore he is created "a beginning of ways," that we, walking along it and entering through him who says, "I am the Way" and "the Door" and partaking of the knowledge of the Father, may also hear the words, "Blesse…

And again, in another place, he [David] ascribeth blessedness to the man who feareth God, and he maketh known what good things the fear of God worketh in him that feareth [Him], saying, "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord", and here the fearer of God is accounted blessed.

Wherefore the Psalm reads: Happy are they whose way is blameless. And: Instruct me, O Lord, in the way of Your statutes, etc. In every verse there is a reference to commands, indicated as law, or witnessing, or declarations, or some other equivalent name.

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies: and seek him with their whole heart.

For they who do no wickedness: walk in his ways.

Thou hast charged: that we shall diligently keep thy commandments.

O that my ways were made so direct: that I might keep thy statutes!

So shall I not be confounded: while I have respect unto all thy commandments.

I will thank thee with an unfeigned heart: when I shall have learned the judgements of thy righteousness.

I will keep thy ceremonies: O forsake me not utterly.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way: even by ruling himself after thy word.

To sum up, David in the Psalms speaks about obedience: "How shall a young person keep his path straight?" The answer comes immediately: "By keeping your Word with his whole heart." Jeremiah says, "These are the Lord's words: do not follow the paths of the Gentiles."

Let us listen, then, to the master of precaution: "I said, I will pay attention to my ways"; that is, "I said to myself: in the silent biddings of my thoughts, I have enjoined on myself, that I should pay attention to my ways." Some ways there are that we ought to follow; others as to which we ought to pay attention.

"Wherewithal shall a young man correct his way? even by keeping Thy words" (ver. 9). He questioneth himself, and answereth himself.

With my whole heart have I sought thee: let me not go wrong out of thy commandments.

Thy words have I hid within my heart: that I should not sin against thee.

Blessed art thou, O Lord: O teach me thy statutes.

With my lips have I been telling: of all the judgements of thy mouth.

I have had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies: as in all manner of riches.

I will talk of thy commandments: and have respect unto thy ways.

My delight shall be in thy statutes: and I will not forget thy word.

O do well unto thy servant: that I may live, and keep thy word.

Open thou mine eyes: that I may see the wondrous things of thy law.

We should ask the Father of the Word during each individual reading "when Moses is read," that he might fulfill even in us that which is written in the Psalms: "Open my eyes, and I will consider the wondrous things of your law." For unless he himself opens our eyes, how shall we be able to see these great mysteries that are fashioned in the patriarchs, that are pictured now in…

Hear me, therefore, my fellow servant, my friend, my brother; give ear for a moment that I may tell you how you are to walk in the holy Scriptures. All that we read in the divine books, while glistening and shining without, is yet far sweeter within.

In these twelve mysteries is the whole of Scripture. In each of these there are twelve lights of scriptural interpretation, that is, the allegorical, the anagogical, and the tropological. And twelve times twelve are one hundred and forty-four, and this corresponds to the number of those marked with the sign, and to that of the City.

I am a stranger upon earth: O hide not thy commandments from me.

My soul breaketh out for the very fervent desire: that it hath alway unto thy judgements.

Thou hast rebuked the proud: and cursed are they that do err from thy commandments.

O turn from me shame and rebuke: for I have kept thy testimonies.

Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant is occupied in thy statutes.

For thy testimonies are my delight: and my counsellors.

My soul cleaveth to the dust: O quicken thou me, according to thy word.

"My soul cleaveth to the pavement: O quicken Thou me according to Thy word" (ver. 25). What meaneth, "My soul cleaveth to the pavement, O quicken Thou me according to Thy word"? ...If we look upon the whole world as one great house, we see that the heavens represent its vaulting, the earth therefore will be its pavement.

Now the very faithful emperor came boldly within the holy temple but did not pray to his Lord standing, or even on his knees, but lying prone upon the ground he uttered David's cry, "My soul cleaves to the dust; you give me life according to your word."

The sacraments of Scripture, which externally seem arid, are yet alive within. No other Scripture besides this one is able to give life. Hence, in the Psalm: "For the sake of Your promise, give me life."

I have acknowledged my ways, and thou heardest me: O teach me thy statutes.

Make me to understand the way of thy commandments: and so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

My soul melteth away for very heaviness: comfort thou me according unto thy word.

I bid you, therefore, be considerate enough to regard in a natural sense our plausible discourse and to weigh our statements in simplicity of mind and with attentive intellect. Do not follow the traditions of philosophy or those who gather the semblance of truth in the "vain deceit" of the arts of persuasion.

Whence the Psalmist, struggling and wearied with the difficulty of obeying them, says, "My soul has slumbered for very heaviness: O establish Thou me with Your word!" [Psalm 119:28]. What means, has slumbered? save that he has cooled in the hope which he had entertained of being able to reach them.

"And you," it says, "may dwell securely in your land." The wicked person is never secure but is always disturbed and wavering. He is tossed about by every wind of doctrine to deceitful error, by the craftiness of people. However, the just person who observes God's law dwells in security on his land, because he governs his body in fear of God and brings it into subjection.

Take from me the way of lying: and cause thou me to make much of thy law.

I have chosen the way of truth: and thy judgements have I laid before me.

I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, confound me not.

I will run the way of thy commandments: when thou hast set my heart at liberty.

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it unto the end.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law: yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.

Make me to go in the path of thy commandments: for therein is my desire.

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies: and not to covetousness.

O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity: and quicken thou me in thy way.

Next you say, "and all his pomp." The pomp of the devil is the craze for the theater, the horse races in the circus, the wildbeast hunts and all such emptiness, from which the saint prays to God to be delivered in the words, "Turn away my eyes that they may not behold worthless things." Avoid an addiction to the theater, with its portrayal of sinful conduct, the lewd and unseem…

The next words in the Psalm which we have undertaken to expound are, "O turn away my eyes, lest they behold vanity: and quicken Thou me in Your way" [Psalm 119:37]. Vanity and truth are directly contrary to one another. The desires of this world are vanity: but Christ, who frees us from the world, is truth.

Again, civil war is the temptation of the world. Indeed, every creature is a trap. Hence the saying: Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! What profit has man from all the labor which he toils at under the sun? Vain and worthless is anything of which nothing remains to man after death: wherefore all things are vanity.

O stablish thy word in thy servant: that I may fear thee.

Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of: for thy judgements are good.

Behold, my delight is in thy commandments: O quicken me in thy righteousness.

Let thy loving mercy come also unto me, O Lord: even thy salvation, according unto thy word.

So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers: for my trust is in thy word.

O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my mouth: for my hope is in thy judgements.

So shall I alway keep thy law: yea, for ever and ever.

And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy commandments.

I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings: and will not be ashamed.

And my delight shall be in thy commandments: which I have loved.

My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved: and my study shall be in thy statutes.

O think upon thy servant, as concerning thy word: wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust.

The same is my comfort in my trouble: for thy word hath quickened me.

The proud have had me exceedingly in derision: yet have I not shrinked from thy law.

For I remembered thine everlasting judgements, O Lord: and received comfort.

I am horribly afraid: for the ungodly that forsake thy law.

Thy statutes have been my songs: in the house of my pilgrimage.

I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night-season: and have kept thy law.

This I had: because I kept thy commandments.

Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have promised to keep thy law.

I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole heart: O be merciful unto me, according to thy word.

I called mine own ways to remembrance: and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

I made haste, and prolonged not the time: to keep thy commandments.

The congregations of the ungodly have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee: because of thy righteous judgements.

In petition one asks for mercy for one's sins, in thanksgiving you give thanks to your Father who is in heaven, while in praise you praise him for his works. At a time when you are in trouble, offer up petition, and when you are well supplied with good things, you should give thanks to the Giver, and when your mind rejoices, offer up praise.

"At midnight," he says, "I rise to give thanks unto You: because of Your righteous judgments" [Psalm 119:62]. This very fact, that the bands of the ungodly surround the righteous, is one of the righteous judgments of God.

Prayer offered up at night possesses a great power, more so than the prayer of the daytime. Therefore all the righteous prayed during the night, while combating the heaviness of the body and the sweetness of sleep and repelling corporeal nature.

I am a companion of all them that fear thee: and keep thy commandments.

The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: O teach me thy statutes.

O Lord, thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant: according unto thy word.

O learn me true understanding and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

Before I was troubled, I went wrong: but now have I kept thy word.

Thou art good and gracious: O teach me thy statutes.

The proud have imagined a lie against me: but I will keep thy commandments with my whole heart.

Their heart is as fat as brawn: but my delight hath been in thy law.

It is good for me that I have been in trouble: that I may learn thy statutes.

The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me: than thousands of gold and silver.

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: O give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

But though we were to allow some prerogative to the Protoplast as having been deemed worthy of the hand of God, still it must be one of honor, not of nature. For he came from the earth, as other people, and the hand that then fashioned Adam is also both now and ever fashioning and giving entire consistency [same human nature] to those who come after him.

Futile is the act of the father and mother, unless the Creator's work and will also touch the offspring. "Your hands have made me and formed me." And elsewhere it is written, "You have formed me and have laid your hand on me." Therefore, we do not owe our birth and life to ourselves, but we owe them entirely to our Creator.

On that verse of the Psalm, *Your hands have made me and formed me; give me understanding,* the Gloss says: "God alone gives understanding: for God through himself, who *is light,* illuminates devout minds."

They that fear thee will be glad when they see me: because I have put my trust in thy word.

I know, O Lord, that thy judgements are right: and that thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled.

O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort: according to thy word unto thy servant.

O let thy loving mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

Let the proud be confounded, for they go wickedly about to destroy me: but I will be occupied in thy commandments.

Let such as fear thee, and have known thy testimonies: be turned unto me.

O let my heart be sound in thy statutes: that I be not ashamed.

My soul hath longed for thy salvation: and I have a good hope because of thy word.

Mine eyes long sore for thy word: saying, O when wilt thou comfort me?

For I am become like a bottle in the smoke: yet do I not forget thy statutes.

How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me?

The proud have digged pits for me: which are not after thy law.

All thy commandments are true: they persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.

They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I forsook not thy commandments.

O quicken me after thy loving-kindness: and so shall I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

O Lord, thy word: endureth for ever in heaven.

Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another: thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.

But that the providence and ordering power of the Word also, over all and toward all, is attested by all inspired Scripture, this passage suffices to confirm our argument, where people who speak of God say, "You have laid the foundation of the earth, and it abides. The day continues according to your ordinance."

But the next verse, after heaven, pertaineth consequently to earth. For this is one verse of the eight which relate to this letter. For eight verses are appended to each of these Hebrew letters, until this long Psalm be ended. "Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to the other: Thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth" (ver. 90).

Scriptures, explaining the mystery of the heavenly and sub-heavenly hierarchies, say: Your word, O Lord, endures forever; it is firm as the heavens; that is, the word of the Trinity. Through all generations your truth endures; You have established the earth and it stands firm. The Church, represented by the name "earth," was founded upon this Word.

They continue this day according to thine ordinance: for all things serve thee.

If my delight had not been in thy law: I should have perished in my trouble.

I will never forget thy commandments: for with them thou hast quickened me.

I am thine, O save me: for I have sought thy commandments.

The ungodly laid wait for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

I see that all things come to an end: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

Lord, what love have I unto thy law: all the day long is my study in it.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

I have more understanding than my teachers: for thy testimonies are my study.

I am wiser than the aged: because I keep thy commandments.

I have refrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy word.

I have not shrunk from thy judgements: for thou teachest me.

O how sweet are thy words unto my throat: yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth.

The soul presses forward for a glimpse of hidden mysteries, to the very abode of the Word, to the very dwelling place of that highest Good, and his light and brightness. In that bosom and secret dwelling place of the Father the soul hastens to hear his words, and having heard them, it finds them sweeter than all things.

I say that in this mystical number the children of Israel came to Marah, where they were not able to draw water because of its bitterness—for the spring had water but no sweetness; it was delightful in appearance, but not sound for tasting—but when Moses threw in a piece of wood they drank the water made sweet in its smoothness, for the mystery of the cross took away the harshn…

Sacred Scripture is a tongue, hence: "Sweetmeats and milk are under your tongue — How sweet to my palate are your promises, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" This tongue enjoys the taste of food, wherefore these same Scriptures are compared to loaves of bread that nourish and are pleasant to the taste.

Through thy commandments I get understanding: therefore I hate all evil ways.

Thy word is a lantern unto my feet: and a light unto my paths.

Nevertheless, I remember, when we explained that verse of Psalm 118 [LXX], in which it is written, "Your law, Lord, is a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths," we showed the difference between "lamp" and "light" as best we could.

"Your word is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my paths" [Psalm 119:105]. The word "lantern" appears in the word "light;" "my feet" are also repeated in "my paths." What then means "Your Word"? [John 1:1] Is it He who was in the beginning God with God, that is, the Word by whom all things were made? It is not thus. For that Word is a light, but is not a lantern.

If we notice carefully, we will realize that what our Lord said to the blessed apostles also refers to us: "You are the light of the world," he says, "and no one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel but on the lampstand, so as to give light to all in the house." Now, if the head's bodily eyes refuse to show the way to the rest of the members, the whole body walks in darknes…

I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed: to keep thy righteous judgements.

I am troubled above measure: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.

Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord: and teach me thy judgements.

My soul is alway in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

The ungodly have laid a snare for me: but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.

Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever: and why? they are the very joy of my heart.

I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway: even unto the end.

I hate them that imagine evil things: but thy law do I love.

Thou art my defence and shield: and my trust is in thy word.

Away from me, ye wicked: I will keep the commandments of my God.

O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live: and let me not be disappointed of my hope.

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.

Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes: for they imagine but deceit.

Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

My flesh trembleth for fear of thee: and I am afraid of thy judgements.

O the divine mystery of that cross, on which weakness hangs, might is free, vices are nailed and triumphal trophies raised. So that a certain saint said, "Pierce my flesh with nails for fear of you"; he says not with nails of iron but of fear and faith. For the bonds of virtue are stronger than those of punishment.

The grace of God, then, being known, which alone freeth from transgression, which is committed through knowledge of the law, he saith, in prayer, "Fix with nails my flesh in Thy fear" (ver. 120). For this some Latin interpreters have literally rendered the Greek καθήλωσον, which that language has expressed in one word.

The third origin of the fear of the Lord is from the consideration of the severity of divine vengeance, because the judgments of God are many. Whence the Psalm: "Pierce my flesh with your fear, for I have feared your judgments." For there are seven judgments of God: six are in the present life, and the seventh is at death, and that one shall be doubled.

I deal with the thing that is lawful and right: O give me not over unto mine oppressors.

Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good: that the proud do me no wrong.

Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health: and for the word of thy righteousness.

O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy: and teach me thy statutes.

I am thy servant, O grant me understanding: that I may know thy testimonies.

"I am Your servant. O grant me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies" [Psalm 119:125]. This petition must never be intermitted. For it suffices not to have received understanding, and to have learned the testimonies of God, unless it be evermore received, and evermore in a manner quaffed from the fountain of eternal light.

The blessed David asks the Lord for that very understanding by which he can recognize God's commands, which he well knew were written in the book of the law, when he says "I am your servant: O give me understanding that I may learn your commandments." Certainly he was in possession of understanding, which had been granted to him by nature, and also had at his fingers' ends a kn…

"I am thy servant: give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies." Gratuitous knowledge teaches to know and the manner of knowing.

It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand: for they have destroyed thy law.

For I love thy commandments: above gold and precious stone.

"Therefore," he says, "I love Your commandments above gold and topaz" [Psalm 119:127]. Grace has this object, that the commandments, which could not be fulfilled by fear, may be fulfilled by love...Therefore, they are above gold and topaz stones. For this is read in another Psalm also, "Above gold and exceeding precious stones." For topaz is a stone considered very precious.

The Prophet David shows for what reason we ought to speak of the commandments of God, and this he shows through a threefold reason. The first is that we may be inflamed to the love of the divine commandments; for nothing is so necessary as to love the law of God and his commandments. And on account of this he said: "Therefore I have loved thy commandments above gold and topaz."

Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments: and all false ways I utterly abhor.

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

When thy word goeth forth: it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.

I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath: for my delight was in thy commandments.

O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me: as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.

Order my steps in thy word: and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.

O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men: and so shall I keep thy commandments.

Shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant: and teach me thy statutes.

Mine eyes gush out with water: because men keep not thy law.

Righteous art thou, O Lord: and true is thy judgement.

The testimonies that thou hast commanded: are exceeding righteous and true.

My zeal hath even consumed me: because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

Thy word is tried to the uttermost: and thy servant loveth it.

I am small, and of no reputation: yet do I not forget thy commandments.

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness: and thy law is the truth.

Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me: yet is my delight in thy commandments.

For this is the divine promise: "The Lord shall fight for you." Henceforth, although afflictions and trials from without overtake them, yet, being fashioned after the apostolic words and "being steadfast in tribulations and persevering in prayers" and in meditation on the law, they stand against those things that befall them, are well-pleasing to God and give utterance to the w…

On account of this law the younger suffered persecution from the elder, so that the younger says what follows: "Trouble and hardship have taken hold upon me: yet is my meditation in Your commandments" [Psalm 119:143]. Let them rage, let them persecute; as long as the commandments of God be not abandoned, and, after those commandments, let even those who rage be loved.

The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: O grant me understanding, and I shall live.

I call with my whole heart: hear me, O Lord, I will keep thy statutes.

Yea, even unto thee do I call: help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

Early in the morning do I cry unto thee: for in thy word is my trust.

Mine eyes prevent the night-watches: that I might be occupied in thy words.

Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy loving-kindness: quicken me, according as thou art wont.

They draw nigh that of malice persecute me: and are far from thy law.

Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord: for all thy commandments are true.

As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since: that thou hast grounded them for ever.

O consider mine adversity, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me: quicken me, according to thy word.

Health is far from the ungodly: for they regard not thy statutes.

Great is thy mercy, O Lord: quicken me, as thou art wont.

Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me: yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

It grieveth me when I see the transgressors: because they keep not thy law.

Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments: O quicken me, according to thy loving-kindness.

Thy word is true from everlasting: all the judgements of thy righteousness endure for evermore.

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

I am as glad of thy word: as one that findeth great spoils.

As for lies, I hate and abhor them: but thy law do I love.

Seven times a day do I praise thee: because of thy righteous judgements.

Frequent prayer also commends us to God. For if the prophet says, "Seven times a day have I praised you," though he was busy with the affairs of a kingdom, what ought we to do, who read, "Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation"?

Bishop Epiphanius of Cyprus, of holy memory, was told this by the abbot of his monastery in Palestine. 'By your prayers we have kept our rule; we carefully observe the offices of terce, sext, none and vespers.' But Epiphanius rebuked him and said, 'Then you are failing to pray at other times. The true monk ought to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).

On account of which it should be noted that sacred Scripture sets before us a sevenfold septenary for consideration, namely of the capital vices, of the Sacraments, of the virtues, of the gifts, of the beatitudes, of the petitions, and of the glorious endowments, three spiritual and four corporal: the septenary of vices as the first, from which we ought to withdraw; the septena…

Great is the peace that they have who love thy law: and they are not offended at it.

Lord, I have looked for thy saving health: and done after thy commandments.

My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and loved them exceedingly.

I have kept thy commandments and testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

Let my complaint come before thee, O Lord: give me understanding, according to thy word.

Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me, according to thy word.

My lips shall speak of thy praise: when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteous.

Let thine hand help me: for I have chosen thy commandments.

I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord: and in thy law is my delight.

O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee: and thy judgements shall help me.

I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.

Psalms119