This psalm is ascribed to David, and there is no reason to doubt the correctness of the superscription to that effect. The “occasion” on which it was composed, however, is not intimated, nor is there any way now of ascertaining it. That David refers to his own experience is manifest from the psalm... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED IS HE ... - On the meaning of the word “blessed,” see the notes at Psalms 1:1. See the passage explained in the notes at Romans 4:7. The word “blessed” here is equivalent to “happy.” “Happy is the man;” or “happy is the condition - the state of mind - happy are the prospects, of one whose si... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED IS THE MAN UNTO WHOM THE LORD IMPUTETH NOT INIQUITY - Whose sin is not “reckoned” to him, or “charged” on him. The reference here is “to his own sin.” The idea is not, that he is happy on whom God does not charge the guilt of other men, but that he is happy who is not charged “with his own g... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I KEPT SILENCE - The psalmist now proceeds to state his condition of mind before he himself found this peace, or before he had this evidence of pardon; the state in which he felt deeply that he was a sinner, yet was unwilling to confess his sin, and attempted to conceal it in his own heart. Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR DAY AND NIGHT - I found no relief even at night. The burden was constant, and was insupportable. THY HAND WAS HEAVY UPON ME - Thy hand seemed to press me down. It weighed upon me. See Job 13:21; Psalms 39:10. It was the remembrance of guilt that troubled him, but that seemed to him to be the ha... [ Continue Reading ]
I ACKNOWLEDGED MY SIN UNTO THEE - That is, then I confessed my guilt. I had borne the dreadful pressure as long as I could. I had endeavored to conceal and suppress my conviction, but I found no relief. The anguish became deeper and deeper; my strength was failing; I was crushed under the intolerabl... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS - With reference to this state of mind, or to this happy result; or, encouraged by my example and my success. The idea seems to be that others would find, and might find, encouragement from what had occurred to him. In other words, his case had furnished an illustration of the way in which... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART MY HIDING-PLACE - See Psalms 9:9, note; Psalms 27:5, note. The idea is that he would be safe under the protection of God. The general allusion is to concealment from an enemy, but the immediate reference is to sin, and the consequences of sin. By fleeing to God he would be secure against al... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL INSTRUCT THEE - Many interpreters have understood this to refer to God - as if he were now introduced as speaking, and as saying that he would be the guide of those who thus submitted to him, and who sought him by penitence and confession. But it is more natural to regard the psalmist as stil... [ Continue Reading ]
BE YE NOT AS THE HORSE - The horse as it is by nature - wild, ungoverned, unwilling to be caught and made obedient. The counsel referred to in the previous verse is here given; and it is, that one who wishes to obtain the favor of God should not be as the wild and unbroken horse, an animal that can... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY SORROWS SHALL BE TO THE WICKED - The meaning here is, probably, that those who will not submit themselves to God in the manner which the psalmist recommends; who are like the horse and the mule, needing to be restrained, and who are to be restrained only by force, will experience bitter sorrows... [ Continue Reading ]
BE GLAD IN THE LORD - Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice that there is a God; rejoice that he is such as he is; rejoice in his favor; find your joy - your supreme joy - in him. Compare Philippians 3:1, note; Philippians 4:4, note. YE RIGHTEOUS - You who are willing to go to him and confess your sins; you... [ Continue Reading ]