1David complaineth of God's delay to help him: 3he prayeth God to support him, that his enemies may not insult over him: 5he trusteth in the divine mercy.
0To the 1chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 See the first annotation at Psalm 4 in the title.
1HOW long wilt thou 2forget me, O LORD? 3for ever? how long wilt thou 4hide thy face from me?
2 Compare Gen. 8:1; Gen. 19 on verse 29.
3 Or, steadfastly, continually, always, eternally, completely, entirely. The Hebrew word signifies strength, victory, and further everlasting, long duration, because the same continue, break through all obstacles, are still advancing, and (to speak in this manner) do overcome all at length. Compare the first annotation in Psalm 4.
4 Compare Deut. 31 on verse 17; Job 13 on verse 24.
2How long shall I take 5counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart 6daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
5 Considering how I may escape the hands of my persecutors. Hebr. set.
6 When the light (of day) and the turmoil of the people and all occurring matters are used to break or to dispel the apprehension and affliction, nevertheless I remain in anxiety and concern to be taken by surprise and be caught by Saul and his (people).
3Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: 7lighten mine eyes, lest I 8sleep the sleep of death;
7 That is, revive me by Thy help. Compare 1 Sam. 14:27; Ezra 9:8; Prov. 15:30. The manner of speaking is likewise used of enlightening the understanding, Psalm 19:8; Eph. 1:18, etc.
8 Or, that I fall not asleep in the death, that is, that my life is not taken from me at one time or another and die. See Deut. 31 on verse 16, and compare Jer. 51:39, together with the annotation there.
4Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and thosea that trouble me rejoice when I am 9moved.
a Psalm 25:2
9 That is, be slain and fall. Compare Psalm 10 on verse 6.
5But I have trusted in thy 10mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
10 Or, favour, benevolence.
6I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt 11bountifully with me.
11 Thus the Hebrew word (which sometimes signifies to requite or to recompense, see 2 Chron. 20 on verse 11) is used of God’s gracious dealing to His own Psalm 103:2, 10, compared with each other; Psalm 116:7; 119:17; 142:7. Other, when he shall have dealt well with me.