Psalms 119:39

39 Turn away the reproach which I dread; for thy ordinances are good.

Psalms 119:39 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:39

Turn away my reproach which I fear
Either for the sake of religion, which was disagreeable to him; and he might be afraid it would be too heavy for him to bear, and be a temptation to him to forsake the good ways of God: or rather by reason of sin, which brings a reproach on good men; and causes the enemy to speak reproachfully, and is therefore dreaded by them who desire to be kept from sin, for that reason as well as others; see ( Psalms 39:8 ) . Jarchi and Kimchi think that David has some reference to his sins, in the case of Uriah and Bathsheba; lest they should be a perpetual reproach on his name and family, which he greatly feared;

for thy judgments [are] good;
the laws of God, and punishment of sin according to them; the Scriptures, and the doctrines contained in them; the ways of God, and true religion; which are evil spoken of, through the sins of the professors of them.

Psalms 119:39 In-Context

37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; and give me life in thy ways.

38 Confirm to thy servant thy promise, which is for those who fear thee.

39 Turn away the reproach which I dread; for thy ordinances are good.

40 Behold, I long for thy precepts; in thy righteousness give me life!

41 Let thy steadfast love come to me, O LORD, thy salvation according to thy promise;