Psalm 119:6


"Then I shall not be ashamed

When I look upon all Your commandments."

 

‘Then’ - when my ways are established to keep Your word, then I shall not be ashamed when I look upon them!  What a safeguard against the fear of man (Proverbs 29:25), men of the flesh who stand against You (Philippians 3:18-19).  What confidence and boldness for the challenges of life (Proverbs 28:1) and for the anticipation of the return of Jesus (Matthew 24:45-46, 1 John 2:28).  In our weakness we await You, our hope is in You and not in ourselves (Philippians 3:20).  What joyous fellowship and freedom Adam and Eve had with You in the garden, and what tragic shame after they disobeyed.  To ‘look upon’ is the Hebrew נָבַט, naḇaṭ: A verb meaning to look, to watch, to regard. It has the sense of looking somewhat intensely in a focused way at something; to gaze: to gaze at the heavens (Gen 15:5); at Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:17, Gen 19:26); at the sea (1Ki 18:43). It is used in a figurative sense of looking at, considering the commands of the Lord to follow them (Psa 74:20; Psa 119:6, Psa 119:15, Psa 119:18).  It is used elsewhere in Psalm 119 in Psalm 119:15 as ‘regard’ and Psalm 119:18 as ‘behold’.  As expected, this word is used of the focus encouraged in Proverbs 4:25.  May I be captivated by Your word and undistracted from it.

 

‘He has respect to all the commandments, one as well as another, because they are all backed with the same authority (Jas 2:10, Jas 2:11) and all levelled at the same end, the glorifying of God in our happiness.’[1]

 

‘He had known shame, and here he rejoices in the prospect of being freed from it. Sin brings shame, and when sin is gone, the reason for being ashamed is banished… Whenever we err we prepare ourselves for confusion of face and sinking of heart: if no one else is ashamed of me I shall be ashamed of myself if I do iniquity… An abiding sense of duty will make us bold, we shall be afraid to be afraid. No shame in the presence of man will hinder us when the fear of God has taken full possession of our minds… There is nothing to be ashamed of in a holy life; a man may be ashamed of his pride, ashamed of his wealth, ashamed of his own children, but he will never be ashamed of having in all things regarded the will of the Lord his God… A man may have a thousand virtues, and yet a single failing may cover him with shame.’[2]


[1] Henry, Matthew, Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalm 119:6, e-Sword edition

[2] Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, Treasury of David, on Psalm 119:6, e-Sword edition

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