Psalms 141:1 «A Psalm of David. » LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Ver. 1. _Lord, I cry unto thee_] No distress or danger, how great soever, shall stifle my faith or stop my mouth; but make me more earnest, and my prayers, like strong streams... [ Continue Reading ]
Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice. Ver. 2. _Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense_] Faithful prayer is αναβασις του νου (saith Darnasen), the ascension of the heart to God. In this incense how many sweet spic... [ Continue Reading ]
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Ver. 3. _Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth_] _Orat pro patientia,_ saith one, here he prayeth for patience; lest by giving himself leave to overlash, he make the matter much worse. The best patience, long tried and hard put to it, m... [ Continue Reading ]
Incline not my heart to [any] evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. Ver. 4. _Incline not my heart_] Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. For the better ordering of his words, therefore, he prayeth, not to be delivere... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the righteous smite me; [it shall be] a kindness: and let him reprove me; [it shall be] an excellent oil, [which] shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also [shall be] in their calamities. Ver. 5. _Let the righteous smite me, &c._] In case I do offend in word or deed, let me never want a f... [ Continue Reading ]
When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet. Ver. 6. _When their judges are overthrown_] As I like just reprehensions, so I suffer unjust persecutions from the grandees of the nation, who shall shortly be dejected from their dignity, and dashed, as... [ Continue Reading ]
Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth [wood] upon the earth. Ver. 7. Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth] _i.e._ I and my company are in a dying condition, free among the dead; yea, if taken we should be put to most cruel deaths, hewn in pieces, or... [ Continue Reading ]
_But mine eyes [are] unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute._ Ver. 8. _But mine eyes are unto thee_] Afflictions to the saints are _tanquam scalae et alae,_ to mount them to God. _ Leave not my soul destitute_] _Ne exinanias,_ make not bare my soul, viz. of thy... [ Continue Reading ]
Keep me from the snares [which] they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. Ver. 9. _Keep me from the snare, &c._] See Psalms 145:5 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape. Ver. 10. _Let the wicked fall_] _Metaphora a piscibus,_ saith Tremellius, as fishes in casting nets, Isaiah 19:8 . _ Whilst that I withal escape_] The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead, Pr... [ Continue Reading ]