_A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023._ This Psalm, which is entitled a prayer of David, was probably composed by him during his afflictions under Saul. It was afterward, as the Jews inform us, made use of by Hezekiah, when the Assyrians made an attempt upon Jerusalem. The first words of it are the same with Hezek... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bow down thine ear, O Lord_ When God hears our prayers he is fifty said to _bow down his ear_ to them, for it is great condescension in him even to take notice of such mean creatures as we are, and much more to hear our defective and unworthy prayers. _For I am poor and needy_ Forsaken and persecut... [ Continue Reading ]
_Preserve my soul, for I am holy_ Sanctified in some measure by thy grace, and sincerely devoted to thy service. Hebrew, אני חסיד, _ani chasid, I am good, merciful_, or _pious._ Show that mercy to me which I am willing and ready to show to others. This David mentions, not in a way of vain ostentatio... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoice the soul of thy servant_ It is God only that can put gladness into the heart, and make the soul rejoice; and it is the privilege of his servants to have _joy_, as well as _peace, in believing:_ and they may pray in faith, not only that God would _preserve_ their souls, but that he would _re... [ Continue Reading ]
_Give ear, O Lord_, &c. He repeats and multiplies his requests, both to ease his own troubled mind, and prevail with God, who is well pleased with his people's importunity in prayer, Luke 18:1, &c. _For thou wilt answer me_ Whereof I have assurance, both from the benignity of thy nature, and from th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Among the gods_ The false gods, whom the heathen worship; _there is none like unto thee_ None so wise, so mighty, so good; none so able and willing to hear and answer prayer. I am not now calling on a deaf and impotent idol, for then my prayers, however fervent and importunate, would be in vain, (a... [ Continue Reading ]
_All nations whom thou hast made_ For, as thou hast made them, thou canst easily convince and convert them to thyself; _shall come and worship before thee_ Shall forsake their impotent idols, and shall worship thee alone: being enlightened by thy word and Spirit to see, and induced to own, that ther... [ Continue Reading ]
_Teach me thy way_ Wherein thou wouldst have me to walk. As thou hast taught me by thy word, so also teach me by thy Spirit, that I may clearly discern thy will and my duty, in all conditions and circumstances. _I will walk in thy truth_ In the way of thy testimonies and precepts, which are true and... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will praise thee, O Lord_, &c. Not only as _the Lord_, but as _my God._ And I will do it _with all my heart_ That is, with readiness, cheerfulness, and fervency, and with a sincere regard to thy honour; for _I will glorify thy name_ And that not for a time merely, but _for evermore _ I will glori... [ Continue Reading ]
_O God, the proud are risen against me_ Behold, O God, a new opportunity to glorify that mercy, for ambitious men have risen up against me in open rebellion, and have not only plotted against me, but endeavoured to put their plots in execution, and both to depose and destroy me. _The assemblies of v... [ Continue Reading ]
_O turn unto me_ As to one thou lovest, and hast a kind and tender concern for. _And have mercy upon me_ Pity and graciously pardon me, though I have highly offended thee. _Give thy strength unto thy servant_ To assist, support, and deliver me; _and save the son of thy handmaid_ Me, who, by thy grac... [ Continue Reading ]