NOTES for Psa 119:40-79

Whoever seeks the Lord's commandments will walk in freedom. This dialectic is difficult for many people to accept, both for opponents of biblical Revelation and for those of its supporters who would like to take refuge in religiosity from the difficulties of the daily freedom of choice, which entails responsibility for the results of one's choice. But adherence to clear principles is not at all the same as formal discipline that frees one from making decisions. Fidelity to principles provides criteria that exclude what leads away from the right path, and in the end fidelity prevents the “forces of everyday life” from enslaving us.

The psalmist has not memorized rules of conduct or merely taken note of them; he wants to delight in Your commandments, which he has loved. Fidelity is not only the result of a rational decision but encompasses every aspect of the person: emotional and volitional as well... It is entirely natural that God's word is called life-giving here. It truly gives the strength to stand firm even when proud enemies mock a person who remains faithful to God and weave lies against him. Nor can it be accidental that pride and falsehood are mentioned side by side: they have one source, a common instigator.