Psalm 119 [MT 120]

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, “Blessed are the undefiled in the Way,” and “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Discourses Against the Arians 2.21.64

From its commencement, dearly beloved, does this great Psalm exhort us unto bliss, which there is no one who desires not....And therefore this is the lesson which he teaches, who says, "Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord" [Psalm 119:1]. As much as to say, I know what you wish, you are seeking bliss: if then you would be blessed, be undefiled. For the former all desire, the latter fear: yet without it what all wish cannot be attained. But where will any one be undefiled, save in the way? In what way, save in the law of the Lord?...

Exposition on Psalm 119

1–2

Jesus said, “If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” This statement of our Savior is very helpful for salvation, and we must ponder it attentively. We will be blessed if we know the heavenly commands, yet still more so if we eagerly pursue in our works the things that we know. One who neglects to keep his known commandments is not capable of being happy; one who scorns finding out about these [commandments] is separated much further away from the heritage of the blessed. The psalmist agrees with this. Weighing the hearts of mortals and in like manner perceiving that everyone loves happiness but few ask where it is, he clearly testified as to what is the greatest happiness of human beings in this life, saying, “Blessed are those who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the Lord’s law.” And lest it be supposed that this way of the undefiled and blessed can be laid hold of indiscriminately by the ignorant and the untaught, he subsequently continued and said, “Blessed are they who search his testimonies and seek him with their whole heart.”

Homilies on the Gospels 2:5

Listen now to what he adds: "Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and seek Him with their whole heart" [Psalm 119:2]. No other class of the blessed seems to me to be mentioned in these words, than that which has been already spoken of. For to examine into the testimonies of the Lord, and to seek Him with all the heart, this is to be undefiled in the way, this is to walk in the law of the Lord.

Exposition on Psalm 119

It is written, and is read, and is true, in this Psalm, that "They who do wickedness, walk not in His ways" [Psalm 119:3]. But we must endeavour, with the help of God, "in" whose "hand are both we and our words," [Wisdom 7:16] that what is rightly said, by not being rightly understood, may not confuse the reader or hearer. For we must beware, lest all the Saints, whose words these are, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us;" [1 John 1:8-9] may either not be thought to walk in the ways of the Lord, since sin is wickedness, and "they who do wickedness, walk not in His ways;" or, because it is not doubtful that they walk in the ways of the Lord, may be thought to have no sin, which is beyond doubt false. For it is not said merely for the sake of avoiding arrogance and pride. Otherwise it would not be added, "And the truth is not in us;" but it would be said, Humility is not in us: especially because the following words throw a clearer light on the meaning, and remove all the causes of doubt. For when the blessed John had said this, he added, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [1 John 1:9] ...

Exposition on Psalm 119

He then goes on to say, "For they who do wickedness, shall not walk in His ways" [Psalm 119:3]. And yet we know that the workers of wickedness do search the testimonies of the Lord for this reason, that they prefer being learned to being righteous: we know that others also search the testimonies of the Lord, not because they are already living well, but that they may know how they ought to live. Such then do not as yet walk undefiled in the law of the Lord, and for this reason are not as yet blessed....

Exposition on Psalm 119

What means, "You have charged that we shall keep Your commandments too much"? [Psalm 119:4]. Is it, "You have charged too much"? Or, "to keep too much"? Whichever of these we understand, the sense seems contrary to that memorable and noble sentiment which the Greeks praise in their wise men, and which the Latins agree in praising. "Do nothing too much.". ..But the Latin language sometimes uses the word nimis in such a sense, that we find it in the holy Scripture, and employ it in our discourses, as signifying, very much. In this passage, "You have charged that we keep Your commandments too much," we simply understand very much, if we understand rightly; and if we say to any very dear friend, I love you too much, we do not wish to be understood to mean more than is fitting, but very much.

Exposition on Psalm 119

You have commanded your commandments to be kept most diligently. O! that my ways may be directed to obey your decrees. Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all your commandments.

On Holy Virginity 41:42

"O that," he says, "my ways were made so direct, that I might keep Your statutes" [Psalm 119:5]. Thou indeed hast charged: O that I could realize what you have charged. When you hear, "O that," recognise the words of one wishing; and having recognised the expression of a wish, lay aside the pride of presumption. For who says that he desires what he has in such a manner in his power, that without need of any help he can do it? Therefore if man desires what God charges, God must be prayed to grant Himself what He enjoins....

Exposition on Psalm 119

"So shall I not be confounded, while I have respect unto all Your commandments" [Psalm 119:6]. We ought to look upon the commandments of God, whether when they are read, or when they are recalled to memory, as a looking-glass, as the Apostle James says. [James 1:23-25] This man wishes himself to be such, that he may regard as in a mirror the commandments of God, and may not be confounded; because he chooses not merely to be a hearer of them, but a doer. On this account he desires that his ways may be made direct to keep the statutes of God. How to be made direct, save by the grace of God? Otherwise he will find in the law of God not a source of rejoicing, but of confusion, if he has chosen to look into commandments, which he does not.

Exposition on Psalm 119

"I will confess unto You," he says, "O Lord, in the directing of my heart; in that I shall have learned the judgments of Your righteousness" [Psalm 119:7]. This is not the confession of sins, but of praise; as He also says in whom there was no sin, "I will confess unto You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth;" [Matthew 11:25] and as it is written in the Book of Ecclesiasticus, "Thus shall you say in confession, of all the works of God, that they are very good." [Sirach 39:15-16] "I will confess unto You," he says, "in the directing of my heart." Indeed, if my ways are made straight, I will confess unto You, since You have done it, and this is Your praise, and not mine....

Exposition on Psalm 119