PSALM 31 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed either when David was in great distress, or afterwards, in remembrance thereof, and of God's singular goodness in delivering him out of it, whence it is mixed of prayer and praises, of hopes and fears. But what those particular troubles were which David... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVER ME SPEEDILY, because of the greatness and urgency of my danger, which is even ready to swallow me up.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THY NAME'S SAKE; for the glory of thy name, i.e. of thy power, and truth, and mercy to thy miserable servant. LEAD ME, AND GUIDE ME; two words expressing the same thing with more emphasis. Direct me clearly and continually in a right and safe path; for without thy conduct I can neither discern t... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THINE HAND, i.e. to thy care and custody, I COMMIT MY SPIRIT, i.e. my soul or life, called a man's spirit, as ECCLESIASTES 3:21, ECCLESIASTES 12:7, &c. Either, 1. To receive it; for my case is almost desperate, and I am ready to give up the ghost. Or, 2. To preserve it from the plots and mali... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE HATED THEM; their very persons, not simply, but for their wickedness. Compare PSALMS 139:21,22. THAT REGARD, Heb. _that observe_, to wit, with respect to them, dependence upon them, or expectation of any good from them. LYING VANITIES; or, _most vain vanities_; such as are foolish, and deceit... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST KNOWN, i.e. loved me, and cared for me; for words of knowledge commonly imply affection.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAST NOT SHUT ME UP INTO THE HAND OF THE ENEMY; whereof I was in great and imminent danger, if thou hadst not delivered me. See 1 SAMUEL 23:7. THOU HAST made way for me to escape, when I was encompassed by them, and set me at liberty.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH GRIEF; with continual weeping. SEE POOLE ON "PSALMS 6:7". MY SOUL; my sorrows are not counterfeit or slight, but inward and hearty; my mind is oppressed, my heart is ready to sink under my burden. MY BELLY, i.e. my bowels contained in my belly; which are the seat of the affections, and fountain... [ Continue Reading ]
MY LIFE, i.e. the time of my life, as the next clause explains it. BECAUSE OF MINE INIQUITY; either through my deep and just sense of my sins, which have provoked God to afflict me in this manner; or for the punishment of mine iniquity, as this word is frequently used. MY BONES, in which my chief st... [ Continue Reading ]
A reproach, i.e. the matter of their reproaches and scorns. This, said they, is David, anointed to be king of Israel, a goodly monarch indeed, forsaken by God and men, and in a perishing and desperate condition; he pretends great piety to God, and loyalty to Saul, but in truth he is a great impostor... [ Continue Reading ]
Whatsoever good service I have done to the king, or kingdom, or to any particular persons, neighbours, friends, or others, which sometimes they have acknowledged and highly commended, is now quite forgotten by all of them; or, at least, they carry themselves to me as if it were so. AS A DEAD MAN; wh... [ Continue Reading ]
I have heard, partly with my own ears, and partly by the information of others. THE SLANDER OF MANY, who reproach and defame me as a turbulent and seditious person, an enemy to the public peace, a conspirator against the king's life or dignity. FEAR, i.e. just cause of fear, even of the loss of my l... [ Continue Reading ]
Mine by paternal relation, and care, and affection, and by thy promise or covenant made with me.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY TIMES; either, 1. The time of my life, how long I shall live. Or, 2. My opportunities or fit seasons for working out my deliverance. Or rather, 3. _All the affairs and events of my life_; for time is oft put for things done or accidents happening in time, as 1 CHRONICLES 29:30 JOB 11:17 PSALMS 3... [ Continue Reading ]
Manifest thy love and favour to me, by answering my prayers, and saving me from all mine enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
I have called upon thee; and therefore thy honour will be eclipsed in my disappointment, as if thou didst not hear prayers, nor keep promise, nor make any difference between good and bad men. LET THE WICKED BE ASHAMED; frustrated in their wicked designs and carnal confidences. Seeing they are implac... [ Continue Reading ]
LYING LIPS; slanderous tongues. Be put to silence, either by thy vindication and discovery of my integrity; or by some eminent judgment, which may either convince them, or cut them off. GRIEVOUS THINGS, Heb. _hard words_, or _things_, the singular number being put for the plural. Of this expression,... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW GREAT IS THY GOODNESS! no words can express the greatness of thy love and blessings. Laid up, or hidden, to wit, with thyself, or in thy own breast. The word is very emphatical, and removes an objection of ungodly men, taken from the present calamities of good men. His favour, it is true, is not... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE SECRET OF THY PRESENCE; or as in the secret of thy presence either, 1. As if they were in thy presence-chamber, where thine own eye and hand guardeth them from all the assaults of their enemies; called his secret, partly because the greatest part of the world are strangers to God and his pre... [ Continue Reading ]
To wit, in Keilah; where God wonderfully preserved me; of which see 1 SAMUEL 23:7. Others, as IN A STRONG CITY. He hath kept me as safe in woods and caves, as if I had been in a fenced city.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN MY HASTE, i.e. in my hasty flight from Saul, when he and his men had almost encompassed me, 1 SAMUEL 23:26, which happened presently after his deliverance in and from the strong city of Keilah. Or, _in my fear_, or trembling, when my passion took away my consideration, and weakened my faith. CUT... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD PRESERVETH THE FAITHFUL; or, _keepeth faithfulness_, or _faithfulnesses_, i.e. is faithful in fulfilling his promises; or rather, the faithful, who is opposed to the proud doer in the next clause of the verse. PLENTIFULLY, Heb. _with_ (for so the Hebrew _al_ sometimes signifies) abundance.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE OF GOOD COURAGE; or, _be strong in the Lord_, and by confidence in his promises, which will not fail you; as I have found by experience.... [ Continue Reading ]