_A.M. 2987. B.C. 1017._ This Psalm, says Bishop Patrick, was composed by David when he was, or had lately been, in great distress. It is not easy to determine, whether it was when he was persecuted by Saul, before he was crowned, as the LXX. say, or when he was forced to flee from Absalom; or, as s... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord is my light_ My counsellor in my difficulties, and my comforter and deliverer in all my distresses. David's subjects called him _the light of Israel;_ but he owns he shone, as the moon doth, with a borrowed light: the light which God communicated to him reflected upon them. God is our ligh... [ Continue Reading ]
_When my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh_ Greedy to devour me: aiming at no less than my utter destruction, and confident they should effect it; _they stumbled and fell_ Not, I smote them and they fell, but _they stumbled_, namely, of their own accord, without my lifting a hand against them; _a... [ Continue Reading ]
_One thing have I desired of the Lord_ It greatly encouraged David's confidence in God, that he was conscious to himself of an entire affection to him and his ordinances, and that he was in his element when he was in the way of his duty, and in the way of increasing his acquaintance with God. If our... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the time of trouble he shall hide_, or, _hath hid me_ Justly do I prize the house and service of God so highly, both because I am under such vast obligations to him for his former protection and favours, and because all my confidence and hope of security depend upon him; _in the secret of his ta... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thou saidst_ Either by thy word commanding or inviting me so to do; or, by thy Spirit directing and inclining me; _Seek ye my face_ Seek my presence, and favour, and help, by fervent, faithful prayer; _my heart said unto thee_ My heart readily and thankfully complied with the motion; and upon... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hide not thy face far from me_ Which, in obedience to thy command, I am now seeking. Let me never want the reviving sense of thy favour; love me, and give me to know that thou lovest me. _Put not thy servant away in anger_ Namely, from thy face or presence, or from the place of thy worship. Two way... [ Continue Reading ]
_When my father and mother forsake me_ That is, the nearest and dearest friends I have in the world, from whom I may expect most relief, and with most reason; when they either die, or are at a distance from me, or are unable to help me in the time of need, or are unkind to me, or unmindful of me, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Teach me thy way_ What course I shall take to please thee, and to discharge my duty, and to save myself from ruin; _and lead me in a plain path_ Of which see the note on Psalms 26:12; where the Hebrew words are the same; _because of mine enemies_ That I may neither give them cause to open their mou... [ Continue Reading ]
_I had fainted_ These words are not in the original, but are added to complete the sense. For the speech is abrupt and imperfect, as is very usual, not only with the inspired penmen, but many other authors, in all vehement passions or commotions of mind, such as David was in at this time. Having dec... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wait on the Lord_ O my soul, to which some think he now turns his speech: or rather, O reader, whosoever thou art, wait on God by faith and prayer, and in an humble resignation to his will. Hebrew, יהוה קוה אל, _kavveh eel Jehovah, look to_, or _hope for_, or _expect, the Lord. Be of good courage_... [ Continue Reading ]