"A Psalm of Asaph." Truly (a) God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such
as are of a clean heart.
(a) As it were between hope and despair he bursts forth into this
affection, being assured that God would continue his favour toward
such as were godly indeed, and not hypocrites.... [ Continue Reading ]
For [there are] (b) no bands in their death: but their strength [is]
firm.
(b) The wicked in this life live at pleasure and are not drawn to
death like prisoners: that is, by sickness which is death's messenger.... [ Continue Reading ]
(c) Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence
covereth them [as] a garment.
(c) They glory in their pride as some do in their chains, and in
cruelty, as some do in apparel.... [ Continue Reading ]
They (d) set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh
through the earth.
(d) They blaspheme God, and do not fear his power and rail upon men,
because they esteem themselves above all others.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore his (e) people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are
wrung out to them.
(e) Not only the reprobate, but also the people of God often fall back
seeing the prosperous estate of the wicked, and are overwhelmed with
sorrows, thinking that God does not correctly consider the estate of... [ Continue Reading ]
And they (f) say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the
most High?
(f) Thus the flesh moves even the godly to dispute with God concerning
their poor estate, and the prosperity of the wicked.... [ Continue Reading ]
If I say, (g) I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the
generation of thy children.
(g) If I give place to this wicked thought, I offend against your
providence, seeing you do all things most wisely and preserve your
children in their greatest dangers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Until I went into the (h) sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their
end.
(h) Until I entered into your school and learned by your word and Holy
Spirit that you order all things most wisely and justly.... [ Continue Reading ]
How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are (i)
utterly consumed with terrors.
(i) By your fearful judgment.... [ Continue Reading ]
As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when (k) thou awakest,
thou shalt despise their image.
(k) When you open our eyes to consider your heavenly happiness, we
contemn all their vain pomp.... [ Continue Reading ]
So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a (l) beast before thee.
(l) For the more that man goes about by his own reason to seek out
God's judgments, the more he declares himself a beast.... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless I [am] continually (m) with thee: thou hast holden [me]
by my right hand.
(m) By faith I was assured that your providence always watched over me
to preserve me.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom have I in (n) heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth
[that] I desire beside thee.
(n) He sought neither help nor comfort of any save God only.... [ Continue Reading ]
My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my
heart, and my (o) portion for ever.
(o) He teaches us to deny ourselves, to have God our whole
sufficiency, and only contentment.... [ Continue Reading ]
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed
all them that (p) go a whoring from thee.
(p) That is, forsake you to seek others.... [ Continue Reading ]
But [it is] good for me (q) to draw near to God: I have put my trust
in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
(q) Though all the world shrinks from God, yet he promises to trust in
him and to magnify his works.... [ Continue Reading ]