1. “Author of the psalm.” This psalm, according to the title, was composed by David; and there is nothing in it that is contrary to this supposition. Indeed, there were many circumstances in the life of David which would suggest the thoughts in this psalm; and the sentiments expressed are such as ar... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD MY GOD, IN THEE DO I PUT MY TRUST - The psalm opens with an expression of strong confidence in God. The psalmist addresses Yahweh as his God, and says that in him he trusts or confides. The word rendered trust - חסה _châsâh_ - means “to flee;” to flee to a place; to take shelter; and is app... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST HE - Lest “Cush” should do this. See the title, and the introduction to the psalm, Section 2. TEAR MY SOUL LIKE A LION - Tear or rend my “life” - that is, “me” - like a lion. The word rendered “soul” here - נפשׁ _nephesh_ - refers, as it properly does elsewhere, to the “life,” and not to the s... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD MY GOD - A solemn appeal to God as to the sincerity and truth of what he was about to say. IF I HAVE DONE THIS - This thing charged upon me, for it is evident that “Cush,” whoever he was, had accused him of some wrong thing - some wicked action. What that was can only be learned from what fol... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I HAVE REWARDED EVIL UNTO HIM THAT WAS AT PEACE WITH ME - If I have done evil; or if I have requited him that was friendly by some unjust and evil conduct. If I have come upon him wantonly and unprovoked, and have done him wrong. This seems to have been the substance of the accusation; and, as re... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE ENEMY PERSECUTE MY SOUL - Persecute my “life,” for so the word rendered “soul,” נפשׁ _nephesh_, is evidently used here. He was willing, if he had been guilty of the thing charged upon him, that the enemy here referred to should “pursue” or persecute him until he should destroy his life. Comp... [ Continue Reading ]
ARISE, O LORD, IN THINE ANGER - That is, to punish him who thus unjustly persecutes me. See the notes at Psalms 3:7. LIFT UP THYSELF - As if he had been lying in repose and inaction. The idea is derived from a warrior who is called on to go forth and meet an enemy. BECAUSE OF THE RAGE OF MINE ENEM... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE PEOPLE COMPASS THEE ABOUT - That is, as the result of thy gracious interposition in defending the righteous, and in bringing just judgment on the wicked. The meaning is, that such an act would inspire confidence in him as a just and holy God, and that, as the result,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SHALL JUDGE THE PEOPLE - Expressing his confident belief that God would interpose, and that his judgment would not much longer be delayed. The proposition is a general one - that God would see that justice would be done to all people; and on this ground the psalmist pleads that He would now... [ Continue Reading ]
OH LET THE WICKEDNESS OF THE WICKED COME TO AND END - Of all the wicked; wickedness not in this particular case only, but wickedness of all forms, and in all lands. The prayer here is a natural one; when a man becomes impressed with a sense of the evil of sin in one form, he wishes that the world ma... [ Continue Reading ]
MY DEFENSE IS OF GOD - The meaning here is, that God was his protector, and that in his troubles he confided in him. The original word here, as in Psalms 3:3, note; Psalms 5:12, note; is “shield.” See the notes at thoses verses. WHICH SAVETH THE UPRIGHT IN HEART - whom he that searches the heart Ps... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD JUDGETH THE RIGHTEOUS - That is, he pronounces a just judgment on their behalf; he vindicates their character. It is true, in a general sense, that God judges all according to their character; but the particular idea here is, that God will do justice to the righteous; he will interpose to vindic... [ Continue Reading ]
IF HE TURN NOT - If the wicked person does not repent. in the previous verse the psalmist had said that God is angry with the wicked every day; he here states what must be the consequence to the wicked if they persevere in the course which they are pursuing; that is, if they do not repent. God, he s... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH ALSO PREPARED FOR HIM - The instruments of punishment are already prepared, and God can use them when he pleases. They are not to be made ready, and, therefore, there is no necessity for delay when he shall have occasion to use them. The idea is, that arrangements are made for the destructio... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, HE TRAVAILETH WITH INIQUITY - The wicked man does. The allusion here is to the pains and throes of child-birth; and the idea is, that the wicked man labors or struggles, even with great pain, to accomplish his purposes of iniquity. All his efforts, purposes, plans, are for the promotion of e... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MADE A PIT - The allusion here is undoubtedly to a method of hunting wild beasts which was common in ancient times. It consists in digging a pit-fall, and covering it over with brush and grass so as to deceive the animals, and then enclosing them and driving them into it. See the notes at Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS MISCHIEF - The mischief which he had designed for others. SHALL RETURN UPON HIS OWN HEAD - Shall come upon himself. The blow which he aimed at others shall recoil on himself. This is but stating in another form the sentiment which had been expressed in the two previous verses. The language used... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL PRAISE THE LORD ACCORDING TO HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS - That is, particularly as manifested in the treatment of the righteous and the wicked, protecting the one, and bringing deeserved punishment upon the other. The purpose of the psalm is to show this. In the course of the psalm the author had decl... [ Continue Reading ]