1_I will sing of mercy and of judgment _What David here says concerning singing must be understood by the reader as intimating that this psalm contains the substance of his meditations with himself, as to what kind of king he would be whenever he should be put in possession of the sovereign power wh... [ Continue Reading ]
2_I will behave myself prudently in a perfect way _David here shows that he carefully considered how weighty a charge was laid upon him when he was made king. We know, and it is a truth taught us by experience, that almost all kings are intoxicated with the splendors of royalty; and the proverb was... [ Continue Reading ]
3_I will not set a wicked thing before my eyes _After having protested, that in leading a private life, he would practice virtue and righteousness, even as it becomes good princes to begin with this, he now adds, that in executing the office of prince, he will be the enemy of all injustice and wicke... [ Continue Reading ]
4_The perverse heart shall depart from me _Some by _perverse heart _understand perfidious men; but this I reject as a sense too forced, and it is moreover inconsistent with the context. As David has added in the second clause by way of exposition, _I will not know evil, _he doubtless in the first pr... [ Continue Reading ]
5_Whoso slandereth his neighbor _(130) _in secret, him will I destroy. _In this verse he speaks more distinctly of the duty of a king who is armed with the sword, for the purpose of restraining evil-doers. Detraction, pride, and vices of every description, are justly offensive to all good men; but a... [ Continue Reading ]
6_My eyes are towards the faithful of the land _David here lays down another virtue of a wise prince, when he affirms that it will be his care to make all _the faithful of the land _his intimate friends, — that he will avail himself of their good offices, and have as domestic servants such only as a... [ Continue Reading ]
7_He who worketh deceit shall not dwell in the midst of my house _This verse may be explained of all magistrates to whose charge the exercise of public judgments is committed, as well as of household servants. But as David has just now spoken in general of all officers, he seems now to speak properl... [ Continue Reading ]
8_Early will I destroy all the wicked of the land _The Psalmist at length concludes by asserting, that he will endeavor to the utmost of his power to purge the land from infamous and wicked persons. He affirms that he will do this _early; _for if princes are supine and slothful, they will never seas... [ Continue Reading ]