This psalm also is entitled “A Psalm of David.” There is, however, no intimation in the title as to the time or the occasion on which it was composed. In the Septuagint version, and the Latin Vulgate, it is said to have been written “when Absalom his son persecuted him.” There is nothing in the psal... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR MY PRAYER, O LORD, GIVE EAR ... - See Psalms 4:1, note; Psalms 5:1, note. IN THY FAITHFULNESS ANSWER ME - That is, Show thy faithfulness to thy promises. God had made gracious promises to David (compare Psalms 89:19), and he now pleads that he would remember those promises, and accomplish in h... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ENTER NOT INTO JUDGMENT WITH THY SERVANT - Do not deal with me on the ground of justice as toward “thee;” do not mark my own offences against thee, when I plead that justice may be done as between me and my fellow-men. While I plead that thou wouldst judge righteously between me and them, I am c... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE ENEMY HATH PERSECUTED MY SOUL - Has persecuted me; has sought my life. HE HATH SMITTEN MY LIFE DOWN TO THE GROUND - He has, as it were, trampled me down to the earth. The word rendered “smitten” means to break in pieces, to beat small, to crush. See Psalms 72:4; Psalms 89:10; Job 6:9. His v... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE IS MY SPIRIT OVERWHELMED WITHIN ME - See the notes at Psalms 77:3. Compare Psalms 42:5. His spirit was broken and crushed. He was in a state of despair as to any human help. MY HEART WITHIN ME IS DESOLATE - I have no comfort; no cheerfulness; no hope. My soul is like the waste desert wher... [ Continue Reading ]
I REMEMBER THE DAYS OF OLD - Former times. (1) as contrasted with my present condition. (2) as times when I called upon thee, and thou didst interpose. (3) as encouraging me now to come to thee, and spread out my case before thee. See Psalms 77:5, note; Psalms 42:4, note. I MEDITATE ON ALL THY WO... [ Continue Reading ]
I STRETCH FORTH MY HANDS UNTO THEE - In prayer. I have nowhere else to go. See Psalms 88:9. MY SOUL THIRSTETH AFTER THEE, AS A THIRSTY LAND - As land in a time of drought “seems” to thirst for rain. See the notes at Psalms 63:1. Compare Psalms 42:1. The word rendered “thirsty” here means properly “... [ Continue Reading ]
“Hear me speedily, O Lord.” Hasten to hear me; do not delay. Literally, “Hasten; answer me.” I am in imminent danger. Do not delay to come to my relief. MY SPIRIT FAILETH - My strength is declining. I can hold out no longer. I am ready to give up and die. HIDE NOT THY FACE FROM ME - Do not refuse... [ Continue Reading ]
CAUSE ME TO HEAR THY LOVINGKINDNESS - The voice of thy lovingkindness, or thy mercy and favor. Permit me to hear thee addressing me in the language of kindness, and with the assurances of mercy. IN THE MORNING - Early; speedily; with the first rays of the morning. Let it be, as it were, the first t... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVER ME, O LORD, FROM MINE ENEMIES - See the notes at Psalms 69:14. I FLEE UNTO THEE TO HIDE ME - Margin, “Hide me with thee.” The Hebrew is, I hide myself with thee; that is, I take refuge with thee; I put myself under thy protection; I make myself thus secure, as thou art secure. See the notes... [ Continue Reading ]
TEACH ME TO DO THY WILL ... - To do that which will be agreeable or pleasing to thee; which will meet with thy approbation. That is, Teach me in the present emergency to do that which thou wilt approve; which will be wise; which will be best adapted to secure my deliverance and my safety. THY SPIRIT... [ Continue Reading ]
QUICKEN ME, O LORD - Give me life. Compare the notes at Ephesians 2:1. Make me equal to my circumstances, for I am ready to sink and to yield. FOR THY NAME’S SAKE - For thine honor. Compare the notes at Daniel 9:17. It is in thy cause. Thou wilt thus show thy power, thy faithfulness, thy goodness.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OF THY MERCY ... - Thy mercy to me; thy mercy to the world. The destruction of the wicked is a favor to the universe; just as the arrest and punishment of a robber or a pirate is a mercy to society, to mankind; just as every prison is a display of “mercy” as well as of “justice” - mercy to socie... [ Continue Reading ]