Psalm 119 (159 of 190 notes)

146. I cried unto thee. Again he mentions that his prayer was to God alone. He prayed vehemently, and very often; it had become one of the greatest facts of his life that he cried unto God. Save me. This was his prayer: very short, but very full. He needed saving, none but the Lord could save him, to him he cried, “Save me” from the dangers which surround me, from the enemies that pursue me, from the temptations which beset me, from the sins which accuse me. He did not multiply words, and people never do when they are in downright earnest. He did not multiply objects, and people seldom do when they are intent upon the one thing needful: “save me” was his one and only prayer. And I shall keep thy testimonies. This was his great object in desiring salvation, that he might be able to continue in a blameless life of obedience to God, that he might be able to believe the witness of God, and also to become himself a witness for God. It is a great thing when people seek salvation for so high an end. He did not ask to be delivered that he might sin with impunity; his cry was to be delivered from sin itself. He had vowed to keep the statutes or laws; here he resolves to keep the testimonies or doctrines, and so to be sound of head as well as clean of hand. Salvation brings all these good things in its train. David had no idea of a salvation which would allow him to live in sin, or abide in error: he knew right well that there is no saving a man while he abides in disobedience and ignorance.