One Hundred and Ninety Sermons on Psalm 119

There are two Terms to be Explained: 1. What is meant by judgments. 2. By righteousness.

For the First. Righteousness is sometimes put alone for the Word, and so also Judgments, (as we shall find in this Psalm) but here both are put together to increase the signification. The precepts of the Word are called judgments for two Reasons: 1. Because they are the Judicial sentence of God concerning our state and actions. 2. Because of the suitable execution that is to follow.

First, They are the Judicial sentence of God concerning our state and actions. The judicial sentence, (that is) they are the Decrees of the Almighty Law-giver given forth with an authority uncontrollable. A man may appeal from the sentence of men, but this is judgment, this is as certain as if he were executed presently. There is injustice and oppression many times in the Courts of men, but there's a higher than the highest regards it, and there be higher than they, Eccles. 5. 8. There may be another Tribunal to which we may appeal from the unjust sentences of men; but there is no appeal from God, for there is no higher Judicature. Paschalis a Minister of the Albigenses when he was burnt at Rome, cited the Pope and his Cardinals before the Tribunal of the Lamb. When we are wronged and oppressed here, we may cite them before the Tribunal of God and Christ; but who can appeal from the Tribunal of Christ himself?

First, They are the Judicial sentence of God concerning our state and actions. The judicial sentence, (that is) they are the Decrees of the Almighty Law-giver given forth with an authority uncontroulable. A man may appeal from the sentence of men, but this is judgment, this is as certain as if he were executed presently. There is injustice and oppression many times in the Courts of men, but there's a higher than the highest regards it, and there be higher than they,