_I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications._ Ver. 1. _I love the Lord_] Heb. I love, because the Lord hath heard, &c., _Vex abrupta et ecliptica,_ an abrupt concise ecliptical expression, betokening an inexpressible, inconceivable passion, or rather pang of love, such a... [ Continue Reading ]
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live. _Ver 2. Because he hath inclined his ear_] As loth to lose any part of my prayer, though never so weakly uttered; therefore be shall have my custom; Psalms 65:2, "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shal... [ Continue Reading ]
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Ver. 3. _The sorrows of death compassed me_] See Psalms 18:4,5, _Pictura poetica ingentium periculorum._ Sorrows, or pangs, and those deadly ones, and these compassed me as a bird in a snare, or a... [ Continue Reading ]
Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Ver. 4. _Then called I upon the name of the Lord_] That strong tower, whereunto the righteous run and are safe, Proverbs 18:10. Others have other refuges, the witch of Endor, the god of Ekron, the arm of flesh, &c. _... [ Continue Reading ]
Gracious [is] the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God [is] merciful. Ver. 5. _Gracious is the Lord, &c._] Gracious God is said to be, and merciful, that we despair not; righteous also, that we presume not. Or, faithful in performing his promises, as 1 John 1:9, and this was David's comfort amidst his... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Ver. 6. _The Lord preserveth, the simple_] Heb. the persuasible (opposed to the scorner, Pro 19:25), the plain hearted (opposed to the guileful, 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2Co 11:3 Rom 16:19), the destitute of human help, that committeth... [ Continue Reading ]
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. Ver. 7. _Return unto thy rest, O my soul_] The psalmist had been at a great deal of unrest, and much off the hooks, as we say; now, having prayed (for prayer hath _vim pacativum,_ a pacifying property), he calleth his s... [ Continue Reading ]
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, [and] my feet from falling. Ver. 8. _For thou hast delivered my soul, &c._] The better to excite himself to true thankfulness he entereth into a particular enumeration of God's benefits. It is not enough that we acknowledge what God... [ Continue Reading ]
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. Ver. 9. _I will walk before the Lord_] _Indesinenter ambulabo._ I will not only take a turn or two with God, go three or four steps with him, &c., but walk constantly and in all duties before him, with him, after him. Hypocrites do not walk wit... [ Continue Reading ]
I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: Ver. 10. _I believed, therefore have I spoken_] _Fundamentum et fulcrum verae spei est fides viva._ Hope is the daughter of faith, but such as is a staff to her aged mother; and will produce a bold and wise profession of the truth before... [ Continue Reading ]
I said in my haste, All men [are] liars. Ver. 11. _I said in my haste_] In my heat, trepidation, concussion, outburst. Saints may have such, as being but men, subject to like passions; and as meeting with many molestations, Satanic and secular; and left sometimes to themselves by God, as was good H... [ Continue Reading ]
What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me? Ver. 12. _What shall I render unto the Lord_] This he speaketh as one in an ecstasy (_Amor Dei est ecstaticus_), or in a deep demur what to do best for so good a God. Such self-deliberations are very useful and acceptable, and ther... [ Continue Reading ]
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. Ver. 13. _I will take the cup of salvation_] _Calicem salutum, vel omnis salutis_ (Vatab. Trem.). As in the drink offerings, or as at the feast after the peace offerings. See 1 Chronicles 16:3. Wherein the feast maker was wont to... [ Continue Reading ]
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. Ver. 14. _I will pay my vows_] This word "pay" importeth that vows lawfully made are due debt; and debt, till paid, is a disquieting thing to an honest mind, Romans 13:8. The saints, in distress especially, used to make their p... [ Continue Reading ]
Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints. Ver. 15. _Precious in the sight of the Lord_] _Rara, chara,_ God doth not often suffer his saints to be slain, Psalms 37:32,33; or, if he do, he will make inquisition for every drop of that precious blood, Psalms 9:12. See Psalms 72:14... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD, truly I [am] thy servant; I [am] thy servant, [and] the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. Ver. 16. _O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant_] _Euge, O Iehovah, &c., _ by a real and a heavenly compliment; thus he insinuateth, and, therefore, promiseth praise to God,... [ Continue Reading ]
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. Ver. 17. _I will offer to thee, &c._] I will perform to thee not ceremonial service only, but moral and spiritual; such as thou shalt accept through Christ, Colossians 3:17 . _ And will call, &c._] See Psa... [ Continue Reading ]
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, Ver. 18. _I will pay_] See Psalms 116:14 . _ Now_] Vows were to be paid without either diminution or delays, Deuteronomy 23:21; Deuteronomy 23:23. And herein Jacob (who is by the Hebrews called _Votorum Pater,_ the father of v... [ Continue Reading ]
In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. Ver. 19. In the courts of the Lord's house] _In coetu sacro; _ in the great congregation, Psalms 22:25; Psalms 35:18, where there is a more powerful, lively, and effectual working of the Spirit, Psa 89:7 Hebre... [ Continue Reading ]