The author and date of this psalm are unknown. It seems to be rather of a private than a public character, and there are expressions in it which must have been drawn from the personal experience of its writer. It is adapted to public use only because in all public assemblages there are those who wou... [ Continue Reading ]
I LOVE THE LORD - The Hebrew rather means, “I love, because the Lord hath heard,” etc. That is, the psalmist was conscious of love; he felt it glowing in his soul; his heart was full of that special joy, tenderness, kindness, peace, which love produces; and the source or reason of this, he says, was... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE HE HATH INCLINED HIS EAR UNTO ME - See the notes at Psalms 5:1. Because he has been gracious to me, and has heard my prayers. This is a pood reason for serving God, or for devoting ourselves to him, but it is not the only reason. We ought to worship and serve God whether he hears our prayers... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SORROWS OF DEATH - What an expression! We know of no intenser sorrows pertaining to this world than those which we associate with the dying struggle - whether our views in regard to the reality of such sorrows be correct or not. We may be - we probably are - mistaken in regard to the intensity o... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN CALLED I UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD - Upon the Lord. I had no other refuge. I felt that I must perish unless he should interpose, and I pleaded with him for deliverance and life. Compare the notes at Psalms 18:6. O LORD, I BESEECH THEE, DELIVER MY SOUL - My life. Save me from death. This was no... [ Continue Reading ]
GRACIOUS IS THE LORD - This fact was his encouragement when he called on God. He believed that God was a gracious Being, and he found him to be so. Compare the notes at Hebrews 11:6. AND RIGHTEOUS ... - Just; true; faithful. This, too, is a proper foundation of appeal to God: not that we are righteo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD PRESERVETH THE SIMPLE - The Septuagint renders this “babes” - νήπια _nēpia_. The Hebrew word has reference to simplicity or folly, as in Proverbs 1:22. It then refers to those who are the opposite of cautious or cunning; to those who are open to persuasion; to those who are easily enticed... [ Continue Reading ]
RETURN UNTO THY REST, O MY SOUL - Luther, “Be thou again joyful, O my soul.” The meaning seems to be, “Return to thy former tranquility and calmness; thy former freedom from fear and anxiety.” He had passed through a season of great danger. His soul had been agitated and terrified. That danger was n... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU HAST DELIVERED MY SOUL FROM DEATH - My life. Thou hast saved me from death. This is such language as would be used by one who had been dangerously ill, and who had been restored again to health. MINE EYES FROM TEARS - Tears which he had shed in his sickness, and in the apprehension of dyin... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL WALK BEFORE THE LORD ... - Compare Psalms 27:13, note; Isaiah 38:20, note. This expresses a full belief that he would live, and a purpose to live “before the Lord;” that is, as in his presence, in his service, and enjoying communion with him.... [ Continue Reading ]
I BELIEVED, THEREFORE HAVE I SPOKEN - This, in the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate, begins a new psalm, but without any good reason. This language is borrowed by the Apostle Paul to express his confidence in the truth of the gospel, and the effect which that confidence had on him in causing him to decl... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAID IN MY HASTE - The Hebrew word used here means to flee in haste; to be in alarm and trepidation; and the idea seems to be, that the assertion referred to was made under the influence of excitement - or that it was not the result of sober reflection, but of an agitated state of mind. It does no... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL I RENDER UNTO THE LORD FOR ALL HIS BENEFITS TOWARD ME? - All his “recompences,” - the same word which in Psalms 116:7 is rendered “hath dealt bountifully.” The question here has reference to that. What return can be equal to his bounties; what will be a proper acknowledgment of them; with... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL TAKE THE CUP OF SALVATION - Compare the notes at Psalms 11:6. The “cup of salvation” means the cup by which his sense of the greatness of the salvation might be expressed - the cup of thanksgiving. Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 10:16. The reference seems to be to a custom in festivals of... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PAY MY VOWS ... - I will perform or execute. The word vows here refers probably to the solemn promise which he had made in his sickness - the promise to devote himself to God, should he be restored to health. Compare the notes at Isaiah 38:15, notes at Isaiah 38:20. Such promises are commonly... [ Continue Reading ]
PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS - Of his people; his friends. Luther renders this, “The death of his saints is held to be of value” - (ist werth gehalten) - “before the Lord.” The word rendered “precious” - יקר _yâqâr_ - means costly, as precious stones, 1 Kings 10:2,... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD, TRULY I AM THY SERVANT - In view of thy mercy in delivering me from death, I feel the obligation to give myself to thee. I see in the fact that thou hast thus delivered me, evidence that I am thy servant - that I am so regarded by thee; and I recognize the obligation to live as becomes one w... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL OFFER TO THEE THE SACRIFICE OF THANKSGIVING - I will publicly thank and praise thee. See the notes at Psalms 107:22. AND WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD - Will worship and praise the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PAY MY VOWS ... - See Psalms 116:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE COURTS OF THE LORD’S HOUSE - See the notes at Psalms 65:4. Compare Psalms 84:2; Psalms 92:13; Psalms 96:8; Psalms 100:4; Psalms 135:2. IN THE MIDST OF THEE, O JERUSALEM - Where the tabernacle, and afterward the temple, was reared. PRAISE YE THE LORD - Hallelujah. A call on others to join in... [ Continue Reading ]