PSALM 17 David being now grievously persecuted and distressed by Saul and other enemies, and being also bespattered with many calumnies, he appeals to the heart-searching God, makes a solemn protestation of his integrity, earnestly begs of God protection and deliverances; and being made weary of thi... [ Continue Reading ]
MY SENTENCE, Heb. _my right_ or _judgment_, i.e. judgment in my cause, or on my behalf. FROM THY PRESENCE, i.e. from thee, and from thy tribunal, to which I bring my cause. Do not suspend or delay it, but speedily examine my cause and give sentence in it. THINGS THAT ARE EQUAL, or _right_. For thoug... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVED, or _searched_, or _tried it_, by many and sore temptations and afflictions, whereby the sincerity or hypocrisy of men's hearts are easily and commonly discovered, and especially by thy all-seeing eye. And that is my great comfort, that thou art witness of my innocency. THOU HAST VISITED ME;... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCERNING THE WORKS OF MEN: concerning my care and caution about my words, I have now spoken, PSALMS 17:3, now I may say the like concerning my works. As for the works which men generally practise. Or, _because of_ (as the prefix _lamed_ is oft used, as GENESIS 2:23 NUMBERS 16:34 JEREMIAH 4:31, JER... [ Continue Reading ]
As by thy word and grace thou hast hitherto kept me from the paths of evil men, and led me into thy paths; so, I pray thee, enable me by the same means to persevere in thy ways, and in mine abhorrency of wicked courses, that I may not fall into that sin of revenging myself upon Saul, to which I may... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE CALLED UPON THEE; it hath been, and still is, and shall be my constant course to apply myself to thee for assistance and for deliverance. FOR THOU WILT HEAR ME, O GOD; for though thou mayst delay for a season, I am well assured that thou wilt hear and answer me.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY MARVELLOUS LOVING-KINDNESS, to wit, in preserving and delivering me; which, if thou dost, I must ever acknowledge it to be an act of kindness, or free grace, or undeserved bounty, yea, and of marvellous kindness, because of my extreme and pressing dangers, out of which nothing but a wonder of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
THE APPLE OF THE EYE; which God hath marvellously fenced on every side, and men use their utmost care and diligence to keep. UNDER THE SHADOW OF THY WINGS; as a hen doth her chickens.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE WICKED; or, _because of the wicked. From my deadly enemies_; Heb. _from those who are mine enemies in_, or _for_, or _against my_ (which pronoun is easily supplied out of the foregoing word, where it is expressed) _soul_ or _life_, i.e. whom nothing but my blood and life will satisfy. WHO C... [ Continue Reading ]
They live in great splendour and prosperity, whilst I am exercised with many and sore troubles. The like phrase we have JOB 15:27 PSALMS 73:7. THEY SPEAK PROUDLY; not only against us, whom they scorn, but even against God himself, whom they despise, boasting of their own power, and what great things... [ Continue Reading ]
IN OUR STEPS, i. e. in all our ways. We go from place to place, to rocks, and caves, and woods; but wheresoever we go they are at hand, and ready to surround us; of which see an example, 1 SAMUEL 23:26. THEY HAVE SET THEIR EYES, to wit, upon or against us, i.e. they have discovered us, and keep thei... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE A LION THAT IS GREEDY OF HIS PREY; when he is hungry, and therefore cruel. See PSALMS 7:2, PSALMS 10:8-10.... [ Continue Reading ]
DISAPPOINT HIM, Heb. _prevent his face_, i.e. go forth against him, and meet and face him in battle, as enemies use to do. Or, prevent the execution of his mischievous designs against me; stop him in his attempt, and give him the first blow. WHICH IS THY SWORD; or, thy hand, as it follows, PSALMS 17... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH ARE THY HAND, wherewith thou dost correct me. MEN OF THE WORLD, i. e. who prosper in and set their hearts upon this vain and transitory world, and neither have, nor choose, or desire any other portion or felicity, as it follows. WHOSE BELLY, i.e. mind or appetite, as that word is used, JOB 20:... [ Continue Reading ]
I do not envy this their felicity, but my hopes and happiness are of another nature. I do not place my portion in earthly and temporal treasures, as they do, but in _beholding God's face_, i.e. in the enjoyment of God's presence and favour; which is indeed enjoyed in part in this life, but not fully... [ Continue Reading ]