This purports to be “A Psalm of David,” and there is no reason to think that the inscription is not correct. But the occasion on which it was composed is wholly unknown. There is no intimation of this in the title, and there are no historical marks in the psalm which would enable us to determine thi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT - He is to me the source of light. That is, He guides and leads me. Darkness is the emblem of distress, trouble, perplexity, and sorrow; light is the emblem of the opposite of these. God furnished him such light that these troubles disappeared, and his way was bright and happy.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE WICKED, EVEN MINE ENEMIES AND MY FOES, CAME UPON ME - This refers, doubtless, to some particular period of his past life when he was in very great danger, and when God interposed to save him. The margin here is, “approached against me.” The literal rendering would be, “in the drawing near a... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH AN HOST - Though an “army;” that is, any army, or any number of men in battle array. The past interposition of God in similar times of trouble and danger was to him a sufficient security that he had nothing to fear. SHOULD ENCAMP AGAINST ME - In battle array, or prepared for battle. MY HEAR... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE THING HAVE I DESIRED OF THE LORD - One main object; one thing that I have especially desired; one thing which has been the object of my constant wish. This ruling desire of his heart the psalmist has more than once adverted to in the previous psalms (compare Psalms 23:6; Psalms 26:8); and he fre... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE - When I am surrounded by dangers, or when affliction comes upon me. HE SHALL HIDE ME - The word used here means to hide; to secrete; and then, to defend or protect. It would properly be applied to one who had fled from oppression, or from any impending evil, and who shou... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW SHALL MINE HEAD - Now shall I be exalted. So we say that in affliction a person bows down his head; in prosperity he lifts it up. This verse expresses the confident expectation that he would be enabled to triumph over all his foes, and a firm purpose on his part, as the result of this, to of... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR, O LORD, WHEN I CRY WITH MY VOICE - This earnest prayer seems to have been prompted by a returning sense of danger. He had had assurance of the divine favor. He had found God ready to help him. He did not doubt but that He would aid him; yet all this did not prevent his calling upon Him for the... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THOU SAIDST, SEEK YE MY FACE ... - Margin, “My heart said unto thee, Let my face seek thy face.” The literal translation would be: “To Thee hath said my heart, Seek ye my face; thy face, O Lord, will I seek.” DeWette thus expresses the idea, “Of thee my heart thinks (in regard to the command to... [ Continue Reading ]
HIDE NOT THY FACE FAR FROM ME - Compare the notes at Psalms 4:6. To “hide the face” is to turn it away with displeasure, as if we would not look on one who has offended us. The favor of God is often expressed by “lifting the light of his countenance” upon anyone - looking complacently or “pleasedly”... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER FORSAKE ME - If they should do it. The psalmist supposes it possible that this might occur. It does occur, though very rarely; but the psalmist means to say that the love of God is stronger and more certain than even that of a father or mother, since he will never forsak... [ Continue Reading ]
TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD - See the notes at Psalms 25:4. AND LEAD ME IN A PLAIN PATH - Margin, “a way of plainness.” That is, a straight or smooth path. In other words, he prayed that he might be enabled to act wisely and right; he desired that God would teach him what he should do. BECAUSE OF MINE... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVER ME NOT OVER UNTO THE WILL OF MINE ENEMIES - Let them not accomplish their desires in regard to me; let them not be able to carry out their purposes. The word here rendered “will” means properly “soul,” but it is used here evidently to denote “wish” or “desire.” Compare Psalms 35:25. FOR FAL... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAD FAINTED, UNLESS I HAD BELIEVED - The words “I had fainted” are supplied by the translators, but they undoubtedly express the true sense of the passage. The psalmist refers to the state of mind produced by the efforts of his enemies to destroy him, as mentioned in Psalms 27:12. So numerous, mig... [ Continue Reading ]
WAIT ON THE LORD - This is the sum of all the instruction in the psalm; the main lesson which the psalm is designed to convey. The object is to induce others, from the experience of the psalmist, to trust in the Lord; to rely upon Him; to come to Him in trouble and danger; to wait for His interposit... [ Continue Reading ]