This psalm, ascribed to David, has, in its general design and spirit, a strong resemblance to Psalms 38. The occasion on which it was composed is not certainly known; but, like that, it seems to have been when the author was suffering under bodily sickness, not improbably brought on him by mental so... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED IS HE - See the notes at Psalms 1:1. Literally, “Oh the blessings of him that considers the poor.” The object is to describe the advantages of doing what is here said; or the excellence of the spirit which would be manifested in such a case, and the effect which this would have on his own ha... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD WILL PRESERVE HIM, AND KEEP HIM ALIVE - This is a farther statement of the same principle, and it refers to a general, not a universal rule in the divine administration, that acts of piety will be partially rewarded on the earth; or that the divine favor will be shown to those who deal kind... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD WILL STRENGTHEN HIM UPON THE BED OF LANGUISHING - The word rendered strengthen here means to support; to uphold; to sustain. The idea here is, that God would enable him to bear his sickness, or would impart strength - inward strength - when his body failed, or when but for this aid he must... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAID, LORD - I said in my sickness, or in the trial referred to in the psalm. I called on God to be merciful to me when others had no mercy; to be near to me when others turned away; to save me when pressed down with disease on account of my sins. All that follows relates, like this passage, to wh... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE ENEMIES SPEAK EVIL OF ME - They take occasion to speak evil of me in my weak and feeble state, thus adding to my sorrows. The word “evil” here refers to their calumnies or reproaches. They spoke of him as a bad man; as if it were desirable that he should die; that his influence in the world sho... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF HE COME TO SEE ME - If he condescends to visit me in my sickness. The word me is not in the original; and perhaps the idea is not that he came to see the sufferer, but that he came to see “for himself,” though under pretence of paying a visit of kindness. His real motive was to make observati... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THAT HATE ME WHISPER TOGETHER AGAINST ME - They talk the matter over where they suppose that no one can hear; they endeavonr to collect and arrange all that can be said against me; they place all that they can say or think as individuals, all that they have separately known or suspected, into “c... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EVIL DISEASE - Margin, “a thing of Belial.” The Hebrew is literally “a word of Belial.” This has been very variously understood and interpreted. The Septuagint renders it: λόγον παράνομον _logon_ _paranomon_ - wicked word; “a wicked determination” (Thompson); that is, they formed a wicked purpo... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, MINE OWN FAMILIAR FRIEND - Margin, as in Hebrew: “the man of my peace.” The man with whom I was at peace; who had no cause of alienation from me; with whom I was associated in the most peaceful and friendly relations. IN WHOM I TRUSTED - He whom I made my confidential friend, and on whom I sup... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOU, O LORD, BE MERCIFUL UNTO ME - That is, give me strength; restore me from my sickness and weakness. AND RAISE ME UP - From my bed of languishing. THAT I MAY REQUITE THEM - That I may repay them; or may recompense them. The word used here - שׁלם _shālam_ - means properly, to be whole, soun... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THIS I KNOW - Compare the notes at Psalms 20:6. This indicates a confident assurance that his prayer would be answered, and that he would be restored to health. How he had this assurance we are not informed, but it seems most probable that it was by an intimation conveyed to his mind by God himse... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS FOR ME - literally, “and I;” as if there were some verb understood. The reference is turned on himself; on all that was suggested by this train of remark as bearing on himself. The result of the whole was a firm assurance that God would sustain him, and that he would be established before God... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL - That is, Let the Lord God of Israel be praised, honored, adored. The language is an expression of desire that all honor, all happiness, might be His. It is a recognition of God as the source of the mercies referred to, and an expression of the feeling that he is e... [ Continue Reading ]