_A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023._ The title of this Psalm informs us that it was composed by David, but when, or upon what occasion, is not certainly known. The matter of it, however, makes it probable that it was in some time of distress, similar to that wherein he wrote the foregoing Psalm. He begins with... [ Continue Reading ]
_O God of my righteousness_ Or, my righteous God, the witness and defender of my righteous cause, and the person from whom I expect that righteous judgment and decision of it which I cannot obtain from mine enemies, who load me with manifold injuries and calumnies. Or the expression may mean, The fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye sons of men_ David is considered here by many commentators as addressing not mankind in general, but only _princes, potentates_, and _persons of high degree._ And perhaps, the phrase, _sons of men_, may often bear that sense in the Old Testament. But it must be observed, the Hebrew here, בני איש... [ Continue Reading ]
_Know that the Lord_ Hebrew, Jehovah, the supreme, the everlasting God, whose favour is an infinite blessing, and whose wrath is a boundless evil; _hath set apart_ Hath chosen; _to himself_ And taken under his peculiar care and protection; _him that is godly_ The man that truly fears, loves, and ser... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stand in awe_ Hebrew, רגזו, _rigzu, Tremble_, therefore, and be afraid, if not of me, yet, at least, of God, who hath engaged himself in my cause, and will be an adversary to my adversaries. So said David, and so says the Messiah. Or, _Be angry_, as the word is here rendered by all the ancient, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Offer_ Unto God, that he may be reconciled to you; _the sacrifice of righteousness_ Righteous sacrifices; which requires that the persons offering them be righteous and do righteous things, and offer them with an honest mind, with faith and true repentance. Without which he intimates that all their... [ Continue Reading ]
_There be many that say_, &c. _There be many_ (the multitude, the generality of men in almost every station) _that say, Who will show us any good?_ That is, “Who will heap honours upon us? Who will point out the way to wealth and luxury? Who will present new scenes of pleasure, that we may indulge o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast put gladness in my heart_ Whatsoever thou shalt do with me for the future, as to my outward distresses and concerns, I have, at present, unspeakable pleasure and full satisfaction in the manifestations and testimonies of thy love to and in my soul. Hereby thou hast, many a time, put gladn... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will lay me down in peace_ In tranquillity of mind, resting securely upon God's promises, and the conduct of his wise and gracious providence. _For thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety_ I owe not my safety to my own valour or wisdom, nor to the courage of my followers, but to thee only.... [ Continue Reading ]