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Selected Verse: Psalms 1:2 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Ps 1:2 |
King James |
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
law--all of God's word then written, especially the books of Moses (compare Psa 119:1, Psa 119:55, Psa 119:97, &c.). |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But his delight - His pleasure; his happiness. Instead of finding his happiness in the society and the occupations of the wicked, he finds it in the truth of God. The law or truth of God is not distasteful to him, but he so delights in it as to desire to become more and more acquainted with it, and to have its truths impressed more and more on his heart.
In the law of the Lord - The law of Yahweh - the small capitals in the translation indicating here as elsewhere that the original word is Yahweh. The word law in the Scriptures is used in a considerable variety of significations. The Hebrew word תורה tôrâh, properly means instruction, precept; and then, an injunction, command, law, in the usual sense of the word. It was applied particularly to the Pentateuch, or law of Moses (compare the notes at Luk 24:44), as containing the first written and recorded laws of God; and then the word came, in a more general sense, to be applied to all the books of the Old Testament, as being an exposition and application of the law. Here the word undoubtedly refers to the written revelation of the will of God as far as it was then made known. On the same principle, however, the declaration here made would apply to any part of a divine revelation; and hence, the sentiment is, that a truly pious man finds his highest delight in the revealed truths of God. This is often referred to as characteristic of true piety. Compare Psa 19:10; Psa 119:97, Psa 119:99.
And in his law - On his law, or his truth. "He doth meditate." The word used here, הגה hâgâh, means properly to complain, to mutter; then, to speak; then, to utter in a low complaining voice, as is often done by a person in deep meditation; hence, in the usual sense, to meditate on anything; to think of it. So Jos 1:8 : "Thou shalt meditate therein (the law) day and night." Psa 77:12 : "I meditate on all thy work." Pro 15:28 : "the heart of the righteous meditateth what to answer." The meaning here is, he thinks of it; he endeavors to understand its meaning; he has pleasure in reflecting on it. It is not a subject which he puts away from him, or in respect to which he is indifferent, but he keeps it before his mind, and has satisfaction in doing it.
Day and night - That is, continually - as day and night constitute the whole of time. The meaning is:
(a) he does this habitually, or he intentionally forms the habit of meditating on divine truth, by disciplining his mind in order that he may do it;
(b) he takes time to do it - designedly setting apart suitable portions of each day, that, withdrawn from the cares of life, he may refresh his spirit by contemplating divine truth, or may become better acquainted with God, and with his duty to him, and may bring to bear upon his own soul more directly the truths pertaining to eternal realities;
(c) he does this in the intervals of business, the moments of leisure which he may have during the day - having thus an unfailing subject of reflection to which his mind readily reverts, and in which, amid the cares and toils of life, he finds relaxation and comfort; and
(d) he does it in the wakeful hours of night, when sick and tossed upon his bed, or when, for any other reason, his "eyes are held waking." Psa 63:5-6 : "my soul shall be upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night-watches." Psa 119:54 : "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." Compare Psa 119:23, Psa 119:43; Psa 143:5. It is probable that the psalmist had the injunction in his mind which is contained in Jos 1:8. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Day and night - Not seldom and slightly, but diligently, and constantly. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
But his delight is in the law of the Lord - חפצו chephtso, his will, desire, affection, every motive in his heart, and every moving principle in his soul, are on the side of God and his truth. He takes up the law of the Lord as the rule of his life; he brings all his actions and affections to this holy standard. He looketh into the perfect law of liberty; and is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word; and is therefore blessed in his deed. He not only reads to gain knowledge from the Divine oracles, but he meditates on what he has read, feeds on it; and thus receiving the sincere milk of the word, he grows thereby unto eternal life. This is not an occasional study to him; it is his work day and night. As his heart is in it, the employment must be frequent, and the disposition to it perpetual. |
97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.