This psalm purports to be a psalm of David, and it bears all the internal marks of being his composition. The title suggests, doubtless with accuracy, the occasion on which it was composed, as well as the design for which it was intended. It is addressed or dedicated to the “chief Musician,” to be s... [ Continue Reading ]
SAVE ME, O GOD, BY THY NAME - The word “name” here may include the perfections or attributes properly implied in the name. It is a calling on God as God, or in view of all that is implied in his name, or that constitutes the idea of “God.” That name would imply all of power and benevolence that was... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR MY PRAYER, O GOD - My earnest cry for deliverance from the designs of those who would betray me. GIVE EAR TO THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH - Incline thine ear to me, as one does who wishes to hear. See the notes at Psalms 17:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR STRANGERS ARE RISEN UP AGAINST ME - That is, foreigners; those of another nation or land. Saul and his friends who sought the life of David were his own countrymen; these persons who sought go betray him were another people. They attempted to gain the favor of Saul, or to secure a reward from hi... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, GOD IS MINE HELPER - That is, God alone can aid me in these circumstances, and to him I confidently look. THE LORD IS WITH THEM THAT UPHOLD MY SOUL - My friends; those who have rallied around me to defend me; those who comfort me by their presence; those who sustain me in my cause, and who... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL REWARD EVIL UNTO MINE ENEMIES - Margin, “those that observe me.” The original word here means literally “to twist, to twist together;” then, to press together; then, to “oppress,” or to treat as an enemy. The reference here is to those who pressed upon him as enemies, or who endeavored to c... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL FREELY SACRIFICE UNTO THEE - The Hebrew words rendered “freely,” mean with “willingness, voluntariness, spontaneousness.” The idea is, that he would do it of a free or willing mind; without constraint or compulsion; voluntarily. The reference is to a free-will or voluntary offering, as distin... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE HATH DELIVERED ME OUT OF ALL TROUBLE - This is spoken either in confident expectation of what would be, or as the statement of a general truth that God did deliver him from all trouble. It was what he had experienced in his past life; it was what he confidently expected in all time to come. A... [ Continue Reading ]