Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for
therein do I delight. (Ps. 119:35)
The frequent repetition of this phraseology by the prophet
is not to be considered as redundant. Seeing that the end of man's existence
ought to consist in profiting in God's school, we nevertheless perceive how the
world distracts him by its allurements, and how he also forms for himself a
thousand avocations calculated to withdraw his thoughts from the main business
of his life. The next clause of the verse, in it I take pleasure, must be
carefully attended to. For it is an indication of rare excellence when a person
so arranges his sentiments and affections as to renounce all the enticements
pleasant to the flesh, and take delight in nothing so much as in the service of
God. The prophet had already attained to this virtue but he still perceives
that he is not yet perfect.
Therefore, that his desire may be fully accomplished, he
solicits fresh assistance from God, according to the saying of Paul, “It is God
that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasures” (Phil.
2:13). Let it be remembered, that he does not boast of the inherent working of
his nature, but sets forth the grace he has received, that God may complete the
work he has begun. (Commentaries)
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