Psa 119:161-168 | JFB | STEP | 161-165. (Compare ). awe —reverential, not slavish fear, which could not coexist with love ( ). Instead of fearing his persecutors, he fears God's Word alone ( ). The Jews inscribe in the first page of the great Bible ( ), "How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"

Psalms 119:161-168

161-165. (Compare Ps 119:46, 86).

awe—reverential, not slavish fear, which could not coexist with love (Ps 119:163; 1Jo 4:8). Instead of fearing his persecutors, he fears God's Word alone (Lu 12:4, 5). The Jews inscribe in the first page of the great Bible (Ge 28:17), "How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"

162. (Compare Mt 13:44, 45). Though persecuted by the mighty, the pious are not turned from revering God's authority to seek their favor, but rejoice in the possession of this "pearl of great price," as great victors in spoils. Hating falsehood and loving truth, often, every day, praising God for it, they find peace and freedom from temptation.

163. lying—that is, as in Ps 119:29, unfaithfulness to the covenant of God with His people; apostasy.

161-165. (Compare Ps 119:46, 86).

165. nothing shall offend them—or, "cause them to offend" (compare Margin).

166-168. As they keep God's law from motives of love for it, and are free from slavish fear, the are ready to subject their lives to His inspection.

168. all my ways are before thee—I wish to order my ways as before Thee, rather than in reference to man (Ge 19:1; Ps 73:23). All men's ways are under God's eye (Pr 5:21); the godly alone realize the fact, and live accordingly.

TAU. (Ps 119:169-176).