This is another psalm which purports to be a psalm of David. The propriety of ascribing it to him cannot be called in question. It is addressed to “the chief Musician” (see the notes to Introduction of Psalms 4:1). Though relating to an individual case, and to the particular trials of an individual,... [ Continue Reading ]
BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME, O GOD - The same beginning as the former psalm - a cry for mercy; an overwhelming sense of trouble and danger leading him to come at once to the throne of God for help. See the notes at Psalms 56:1. FOR MY SOUL TRUSTETH IN THEE - See the notes at Psalms 56:3. He had nowhere els... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL CRY UNTO GOD MOST HIGH - The idea is - God is exalted above all creatures; all events are “under” him, and he can control them. The appeal was not to man, however exalted; not to an angel, however far he may be above man; it was an appeal made at once to the Supreme Being, the God to whom all... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL SEND FROM HEAVEN - That is, from himself; or, he will interpose to save me. The psalmist does not say “how” he expected this interposition - whether by an angel, by a miracle, by tempest or storm, but he felt that help was to come from God alone, and he was sure that it would come. AND SAVE... [ Continue Reading ]
MY SOUL IS AMONG LIONS - That is, among people who resemble lions; men, fierce, savage, ferocious. AND I LIE EVEN AMONG THEM THAT ARE SET ON FIRE - We have a term of similar import in common use now, when we say that one is “inflamed” with passion, referring to one who is infuriated and enraged. So... [ Continue Reading ]
BE THOU EXALTED, O GOD, ABOVE THE HEAVENS - Compare Psalms 8:1. The language here is that of a man who in trouble lifts his thoughts to God; who feels that God reigns; who is assured in his own soul that all things are under his hand; and who is desirous that God should be magnified whatever may bec... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE PREPARED A NET FOR MY STEPS - A net for my goings; or, into which I may fall. See the notes at Psalms 9:15. MY SOUL IS BOWED DOWN - The Septuagint, the Vulgate, and Luther render this in the plural, and in the active form: “They have bowed down my soul;” that is, they have caused my soul... [ Continue Reading ]
MY HEART IS FIXED, O GOD - Margin, as in Hebrew, “prepared.” Compare the notes at Psalms 51:10. The word “suited” or “prepared” accurately expresses the sense of the Hebrew, and it is so rendered in the Septuagint, (ἑτοίμη _hetoimē_); in the Vulgate, _“paratum;”_ and by Luther, “bereit.” The word... [ Continue Reading ]
AWAKE UP, MY GLORY - By the word “glory” here some understand the tongue; others understand the soul itself, as the glory of man. The “word” properly refers to that which is weighty, or important; then, anything valuable, splendid, magnificent. Here it seems to refer to all that David regarded as gl... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PRAISE THEE, O LORD, AMONG THE PEOPLE - So great a deliverance as he here hoped for, would make it proper that he should celebrate the praise of God in the most public manner; that he should make his goodness known as far as possible among the nations. See the notes at Psalms 18:49.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THY MERCY IS GREAT UNTO THE HEAVENS ... - See this explained in the notes at Psalms 36:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE THOU EXALTED, O GOD, ABOVE THE HEAVENS - See the notes at Psalms 57:5. The sentiment here is repeated as being that on which the mind of the psalmist was intensely fixed; that which he most earnestly desired; that which was the crowning aim and desire of his life.... [ Continue Reading ]