Psalms 119:17-24

Psalms 119:17-24

[17] GIMEL. Deal bountifully  with thy servant,  that I may live,  and keep  thy word.  [18] Open  thou mine eyes,  that I may behold  wondrous things  out of thy law.  [19] I am a stranger  in the earth:  hide  not thy commandments  [20] My soul  breaketh  for the longing  that it hath unto thy judgments  at all times.  [21] Thou hast rebuked  the proud  that are cursed,  which do err  from thy commandments.  [22] Remove  from me reproach  and contempt;  for I have kept  thy testimonies.  [23] Princes  also did sit  and speak  against me: but thy servant  did meditate  in thy statutes.  [24] Thy testimonies  also are my delight  and my counsellors. 

What does Psalms 119:17-24 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The psalmist"s prayer for God to illuminate his understanding concerning His Word is one that all God"s people need to pray ( Psalm 119:17-18). Psalm 119:19-20 reflect the writer"s great appetite for the Word. In contrast to the wicked, whom the psalmist asked God to remove, he delighted in God"s Word ( Psalm 119:21-24). The wicked who oppress those who love the Scriptures come into view quite often in this psalm ( Psalm 119:23; Psalm 119:53; Psalm 119:61; Psalm 119:69-70; Psalm 119:78; Psalm 119:85-87; Psalm 119:95; Psalm 119:110; Psalm 119:115; Psalm 119:119; Psalm 119:122; Psalm 119:134; Psalm 119:155; Psalm 119:157-158; Psalm 119:161).
One of the writer"s favorite titles for himself in this psalm was God"s "servant" ( Psalm 119:17; Psalm 119:23; Psalm 119:38; Psalm 119:49; Psalm 119:65; Psalm 119:76; Psalm 119:84; Psalm 119:124-125; Psalm 119:135; Psalm 119:140; Psalm 119:176).