Matthew Henry on Psalm 119:115

The following is adapted from Matthew Henry's commentary.

Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Psalm 119:115

Here is:

  1. David's firm and fixed resolution to live a holy life: I will keep the commandments of my God. Bravely resolved! Like a saint, like a soldier; for true courage consists in a steady resolution against all sin and for all duty. Those who would keep God's commandments must be often renewing their resolutions to do so: "I will keep them. Whatever others do, this I will do; though I be singular, though all about me be evildoers, and desert me; whatever I have done hitherto, I will for the future walk closely with God. They are the commandments of God, of my God, and therefore I will keep them. He is God and may command me, my God and will command me nothing but what is for my good."

  2. His farewell to bad company, pursuant to this resolution: Depart from me, you evildoers. Though David, as a good magistrate, was a terror to evildoers, yet there were many such, even about court, intruding near his person; these he here abdicates, and resolves to have no conversation with them. Those who resolve to keep the commandments of God must have no society with evildoers; for bad company is a great hindrance to a holy life. We must not choose wicked people for our companions, nor be intimate with them; we must not do as they do nor do as they would have us do (Ps. 1:1; Eph. 5:11).