All His judgments were before me, and I did not put away His statutes from me.
David keeps the word of God consciously before him. The phrase “were before me” shows that the Lord’s judgments and commandments were the standard for his life and decisions. He did not put them away from himself even when obeying them was difficult. This is an important mark of spiritual faithfulness. A person can easily accept the part of God’s word that agrees with his desires, but true obedience is seen especially when that word corrects, rebukes, or restrains him. The believer is called to keep Scripture not only in memory, but also at the center of his choices and course. David’s words here are not about perfect faultlessness, but about a readiness to submit continually to God’s word. And when a person stumbles, that same word reveals his error and leads him to repentance. Keeping God’s commandments before one’s eyes guards against self-deception and helps one continue in His way.