Psalm 119:22

(This is an entry from a devotional commentary I am working on from Psalm 119 entitled God and His Word.  The introduction can be found here, successive entries have covered the 22 sections of the Psalm, and following entries verse by verse.)

 

"Take away reproach and contempt from me,

For I observe Your testimonies." 

 

The Psalmist asks for reproach (i.e. scorn) and contempt (i.e. disrespect) to be removed. Why?  Because he observes (obeys continually) Your testimonies.  As such, he invites neither man’s disrespect nor Your disapproval.  If he has the former, the latter will sustain him, and if he has the approval of men, he knows it is but fleeting and Your approval will be his foundation.  Still, the Psalmist dreads reproach and turns to Your word (Psalm 119:39).  He knows that the contempt of men comes only from those who are contemptible to You (Psalm 123:3-4).   He knows the security of his position and the doom that awaits those far from You (Psalm 141:8-10).

 

‘No one likes to be traduced, or even to be despised. He who says, “I care nothing for my reputation,” is not a wise man, for in Solomon's esteem “a good name is better than precious ointment.” [Ecclesiastes 7:1]…

     If through fear of reproach we forsake the divine testimony we shall deserve the coward's doom; our safety lies in sticking close to the true and to the right. God will keep those who keep his testimonies. A good conscience is the best security for a good name; reproach will not abide with those who abide with Christ, neither will contempt remain upon those who remain faithful to the ways of the Lord.

     This verse stands as a parallel both in sense and position to Psa 119:6, and it has the catchword of “testimonies,” by which it chimes with Psa 119:14.’[1]


[1] Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, Treasury of David, on Psalm 119:22, e-Sword edition

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