The “title” to this psalm is, “To the chief Musician, A “Psalm” of David the servant of the Lord.” On the meaning of the phrase “To the chief Musician.” see the notes at the title to Psalms 4:1. The words “A Psalm” are supplied by the translators. The original is simply “of,” or “by David,” as in Ps... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE WICKED - There is considerable difficulty in respect to the grammatical construction of the Hebrew in this verse, though the general sense is plain. The main idea undoubtedly is, that the fair explanation of the conduct of the wicked, or the fair inference to be derived from... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE FLATTERETH HIMSELF IN HIS OWN EYES - He puts such an exalted estimate on himself; he so overrates himself and his own ability in judging of what is right and proper, that he is allowed to pursue a course which ultimately makes his conduct odious to all people: the result is so apparent, and s... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF HIS MOUTH ARE INIQUITY AND DECEIT - Are false and wicked. See the notes at Psalms 12:2. It is words do not fairly represent or express what is in his heart. HE HATH LEFT OFF TO BE WISE - To act wisely; to do right. AND TO DO GOOD - To act benevolently and kindly. This would seem to imp... [ Continue Reading ]
HE DEVISETH MISCHIEF UPON HIS BED - Margin, as in Hebrew: “vanity.” That is, when he lies down; when he is wakeful at night; he plots some scheme of iniquity - some vain, wicked enterprise. So in Proverbs 4:16, “For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unles... [ Continue Reading ]
THY MERCY, O LORD, IS IN THE HEAVENS - This commences the second part of the psalm - the description of the character of God in contrast with the character of the wicked man. The meaning here is, evidently, that the mercy of God is very exalted; to the very heavens, as high as the highest object of... [ Continue Reading ]
THY RIGHTEOUSNESS - Thy justice; that is, the justice of God considered as residing in his own nature; his justice in his laws; his justice in his providential dealings; his justice in his plan of delivering man from sin; his justice to the universe in administering the rewards and penalties of the... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW EXCELLENT - Margin, as in Hebrew: “precious.” The word used here is one that would be applicable to precious stones 1 Kings 10:2, 1 Kings 10:10; or to the more costly kind of stones employed in building, as marble 2 Chronicles 3:6; and then, anything that is “costly” or “valuable.” The meaning i... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL BE ABUNDANTLY SATISFIED - Margin, “watered.” That is, all who thus put their trust in the mercy of God. The Hebrew word - רוה _râvâh_ - means to drink to the full; to be satisfied, or sated with drink; or to be satisfied or filled with water, as the earth or fields after an abundant rai... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WITH THEE IS THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE - The fountain or source from which all life flows. All living beings derive their origin from thee, as streams flow from fountains; all that is properly “called” life proceeds from thee; everything which makes life real life - which makes it desirable or happy... [ Continue Reading ]
O CONTINUE - Margin, as in Hebrew: “draw out at length.” The Hebrew word means “to draw;” hence, “to draw out,” in the sense of “continuing” or “prolonging.” Compare Psalms 85:5; Psalms 109:12; Jeremiah 31:3. The desire of the psalmist here is, that God would make the manifestation of his loving-kin... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NOT THE FOOT OF PRIDE COME AGAINST ME - The foot of the proud man. The word rendered “come against me” more properly means, “come not upon me;” and the meaning is, Let me not be “trampled down” as they who are vanquished in battle are “trodden down” by their conquerors. Compare the notes at Psal... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE ARE THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY FALLEN - The meaning of this seems to be, that the psalmist saw his prayer answered already. He speaks as if that which he desired and had prayed for was already done, and as if he himself saw it. He was so certain that it would be done, he had such an assurance tha... [ Continue Reading ]