Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 119:112

Ver. 112-113. When David had an inclination in his heart to God's statutes, the immediate effect of it was to "hate vain thoughts." We read, "I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes"; and it follows, "I hate vain thoughts." The vanity of his heart was a burden to him. A new creature is as careful against wickedness in the head or heart, as in the life. A godly man would be purer in the sight of God than in the view of man. He knows none but God can see the wanderings of his heart or the thoughts of his head, yet he is as careful that sins should not rise up as that they should not break out. Stephen Charnock.

HINTS TO PREACHERS.

Heart leanings. Personality, pressure, inclination, performance, constancy, perpetuity.

Verse 112. The godly man's obedience.

1. Its reality

(a) "To perform"; not words or feelings merely; but deeds.

(b) "Thy statutes"; not human inventions, nor self conceits, nor conventional maxims.

2. Its cordiality: "inclined my heart."

(a) Heart inclination is requisite for pleasing a heart searching God.

(b) And to make obedience easy and even delightful.

(c) "I have, "he says; was it therefore his doing? Yes. Was it his work alone No. See Psalms 119:36.

(d) The proofs. (1) Universality: "statutes, "the whole of them. (2) Uniformity: "alway."

3. Its constancy: "even unto the end."

(a) Though a man should be cautious when planning for the future, yet this life long purpose is right, wise, and safe.

(b) Nor can he purpose less, if holy fervency fill the heart.

(c) It is no more than what God and consistency demand. J.F.

Psalms 119:113*