1_I have loved, because Jehovah will hear the voice of my supplication. _At the very commencement of this psalm David avows that he was attracted with the sweetness of God’s goodness, to place his hope and confidence in him alone. This abrupt mode of speaking,_I have loved, _is the more emphatic, in... [ Continue Reading ]
5_Jehovah is gracious. _He comes now to point out the fruits of that love of which he spoke, setting before him God’s titles, in order that they might serve to preserve his faith in him. First, he denominates him _gracious, _because he is so ready graciously to render assistance. From this source sp... [ Continue Reading ]
7_Return, O my soul! unto thy rest. _He now exhorts himself to be of good courage; or rather, addressing his soul, tells it to be tranquil, because God was propitious towards him. By the term _rest, _some commentators understand God himself, but this is an unnatural interpretation. It is rather to b... [ Continue Reading ]
9_I will walk in the presence of Jehovah. To wall in the presence of God is, _in my opinion, equivalent to living under his charge. And thus David expects to enjoy his safety continually. For nothing is more desirable than that God should be upon the watch for us, that our life may be surrounded by... [ Continue Reading ]
10._I have believed _That his wonderful deliverance may appear the more conspicuous, he again relates the imminent danger in which he had been placed. He begins by declaring that he spake in the true sincerity of his heart, and that nothing proceeded from his lips but what was the fruit of long refl... [ Continue Reading ]
11._I said in my fear _Some take the word חפז, _chaphaz, _to denote haste or flight, and consider it as expressive of what David said when he fled in great haste from the face of Saul. But, as it figuratively signifies _fear, _I have no doubt that David here declares that he felt astonished and deje... [ Continue Reading ]
12._What shall I render unto Jehovah? _He now exclaims with devout admiration, that the multitude of God’s benefits was greater than he could find language to give expression to the grateful emotions of his heart. The question is emphatic, _What shall I render? _and imports, that it was not the desi... [ Continue Reading ]
13._The cup of salvation _He refers to a custom which was prevalent under the Law. For when they rendered solemn thanks to God, a feast was also appointed, at which, in token of their gladness, there was an holy libation. This being a symbol of their deliverance from Egyptian thraldom, is for that r... [ Continue Reading ]
14_I will pay my vows unto Jehovah _The steadfastness of his piety shines forth in this, that, in the midst of his dangers, he had vowed unto God. And now he proves that he by no means forgot these engagements, as most men do, who, when the hand of God lies heavy upon them, implore his help for a sh... [ Continue Reading ]
15._Precious in the eyes of Jehovah is the death of his meek ones. _He goes on now to the general doctrine of God’s providential care for the godly, in that he renders them assistance in time of need; their lives being precious in his sight. With this shield he desires to defend himself from the ter... [ Continue Reading ]
16_Come, O Jehovah! because I am thy servant. _As, in the former verse, he gloried that in him God had given an example of the paternal regard which he has for the faithful, so here he applies, in an especial manner, to himself the general doctrine, by declaring that his _fetters had been broken, _i... [ Continue Reading ]
17._I will sacrifice the sacrifices of praise to thee. _He once more repeats what he had said about gratitude, and that publicly; for we must manifest our piety, not only by our secret affection before God, but also by an open profession in the sight of men. David, along with the people, observed th... [ Continue Reading ]