Thomas Manton: Psalm 119

Thomas Manton’s twelfth sermon on Psalm 119 shows the duty of hiding God’s word in the heart so that we might not sin against Him.

In this sermon on verse 11, Manton teaches that the word is to be treasured in the heart—not merely known in the mind—as a means of keeping from sin. True hiding of the word involves knowledge, assent, meditation, and a constant respect to it as both rule and treasure.

Thomas Manton’s eleventh sermon on Psalm 119 shows the connection between seeking God with the whole heart and the prayer not to wander from His commandments.

In this sermon on verse 10, Manton teaches that it is the duty and practice of God’s children to seek Him with undivided sincerity. This whole-hearted seeking becomes the ground of their plea for divine keeping: only God can preserve them from wandering. Sincerity and dependence go hand in hand.

Thomas Manton’s tenth sermon on Psalm 119 shows how a young man may cleanse his way—by taking heed according to God’s word.

In this sermon on verse 9, Manton teaches that we are polluted with sin from birth and must early seek a remedy. The only sufficient means is the word of God, which both discovers sin and serves as the instrument by which God cleanses the heart. True holiness is found by ordering the whole course of life according to Scripture.

Thomas Manton’s ninth sermon on Psalm 119 joins a resolution to keep God’s statutes with a prayer against utter desertion.

In this sermon on verse 8, Manton shows the value of coming to a settled resolution in the ways of God, and the necessity of flying to God for strength to fulfill it. Even when God seems to withdraw in part, we are to pray that the desertion not be total. All our confidences must rest in God’s help, not in our own resolutions.

Thomas Manton’s eighth sermon on Psalm 119 shows the connection between learning God’s righteous judgments and praising Him with uprightness of heart.

In this sermon on verse 7, Manton teaches that God’s precepts are righteous judgments, and that true learning of them is not mere knowledge but a heart conformed to the word. The fruit of this learning is sincere praise—praise that arises from an upright heart that has been taught by God Himself.

Thomas Manton’s seventh sermon on Psalm 119 shows that sincere obedience means having respect unto all of God’s commandments, and that this frees the soul from shame.

In this sermon on verse 6, Manton teaches that a true heart aims at universal obedience—small and great commandments alike. Partial obedience, picking and choosing among God’s laws, is no true respect to the lawgiver. The fruit of this whole-hearted respect is that we shall not be ashamed before God or man.

Thomas Manton’s sixth sermon on Psalm 119 shows the duty of turning precepts into prayers and the earnest desire for grace to keep God’s statutes.

In this sermon on verse 5, Manton teaches that it is the practice of God’s people to ask for the grace God commands. “Oh that my ways were directed” expresses a resolute, whole-hearted desire for the strength to obey—not a weak or conditional wish, but a sincere longing that God would work in us what He requires of us.

Thomas Manton’s fifth sermon on Psalm 119 presses the authority of God and the call to keep His precepts diligently.

In this sermon on verse 4, Manton shows that the fundamental ground of obedience is God’s command, and that God will not be put off with partial or careless service. He requires diligence and exactness—not only that we keep His precepts, but that we keep them with the greatest care and seriousness.

Thomas Manton’s fourth sermon on Psalm 119 describes the blessed man as one who does no iniquity and walks in God’s ways.

In this sermon on verse 3, Manton shows that true holiness consists in both eschewing sin and studying to please God. “They do no iniquity” does not mean absolute perfection, but that sin is not their trade, their way, or their work. The positive counterpart is a constant walking in the ways of the Lord.

Thomas Manton’s third sermon on Psalm 119 presses the call to seek God with the whole heart.

In this continuation on verse 2, Manton shows why we must seek the Lord Himself—not merely His gifts—and what it means to seek Him with an undivided heart. He sets forth the motives for seeking God, the difference between legal and gospel seeking, and the marks of a heart truly engaged with the Lord as its all-sufficient portion.

Thomas Manton’s second sermon on Psalm 119 sets forth the blessedness of those who keep God’s testimonies and seek Him with the whole heart.

In this sermon Manton shows that the blessed man is marked by the frame of his heart. God’s testimonies are the full declaration of His will; keeping them (laying them up and observing them) and seeking the Lord Himself with undivided affection is the internal principle of a truly blessed life. External obedience without this sincerity is insufficient.

Thomas Manton’s first sermon on Psalm 119 sets forth the true nature of blessedness: it belongs to those who are undefiled in the way and walk in the law of the Lord with gospel sincerity and constancy.

In this opening sermon of his classic exposition, Manton shows that God’s law is the only safe and satisfying rule, and presses both the present and eternal rewards of holy walking. “O how miserable should we be if our lust were our law, if the bent of our hearts were our rule!” This is the first episode in a free, complete...