1David's faith in the power of God as his continual safeguard: 4his love for the service of God: 7he prayeth for future grace and assistance.
0A Psalm of David.
1THEa LORD is my 1light and my salvation; whomb shall I fear? the LORD is the 2strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
a Isa. 10:17; 60:19, 20. Micah 7:8; Luke 1:79; John 1:4; 8:12; Rev. 21:23.
1 That is, the Author of my prosperity, of my comfort, of my joy, and of my preservation. See of such a signification of the word light Job 18 on verses 5, 6, as on the contrary, by darkness there is understood all manner of adversity. See Gen. 15 on verse 12.
b Psalm 118:6.
2 He Who keeps and preserves me alive through His Divine power or strength. Compare also Deut. 30:20; Psalm 21:4.
2When the wicked, 3even mine enemies and my foes, 4came upon me to eat up my 5flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 This insert even serves to express the utmost enmity of his enemies; as on the contrary it has another emphasis in 2 Sam. 22:2, where David states: God is me, or for me, my Deliverer.
4 To fight against and overthrow me.
5 To tear and to devour me as cruel, wild beasts. Compare Deut. 31 on verse 17.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, 6in this will I be confident.
6 Upon what he had said in verse 1.
47One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I 8seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the 9beauty of the LORD, and 10to enquire in his 11temple.
7 Or, One desire have I desired. Compare Judges 8:24; 1 Sam. 2:20; especially 1 Kings 2:20. It would seem that David wrote this psalm in his banishment when he was indeed encumbered with many difficulties, but by none so heavily pressed and grieved that he could not enjoy the pure worship of God and the Divine testimonials of saving grace, together with the people of God; which also made him to represent the same chiefly and continually unto God in his prayers during that time.
8 That is, pray for and endeavor after it without ceasing.
9 The lovely and pleasant worship of God, whereby the Messiah is represented with all His benefits, and God daily blessed and praised.
10 The Lord’s blessed will and works of grace out of His Word. Compare 1 Peter 1:10, 11, 12.
11 Or, palace; understand the tabernacle, or tent of the congregation. The temple, properly so called, was not built till afterwards by Solomon, though David intended to build the same himself, before he understood God’s will by Nathan.
5For in the time of 12trouble he shall hide me in his 13pavilion: in the secret of his 14tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a 15rock.
12 That is, in the time of adversity and trouble.
13 As a shepherd would hide his sheep, so the Lord did me.
14 As in time of need and danger, one may conceal somebody in the hidden places or parts of the tent. Compare Psalm 31:20.
15 Where I may rest secure and safe. See 2 Sam. 22 on verse 3.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of 16joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
16 Namely, these burnt offerings and thank offerings, which were to be accompanied with the sounding of the two silver trumpets, according to the law, Num. 10:10.
717Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and 18answer me.
17 Other, Hear, O LORD, my voice, when I cry, etc.
18 That is, declare and manifest Thy hearing with actual help.
8When thou saidst, 19Seek ye my face; my heart said 20unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
19 See Psalm 24:6 and the annotation.
20 Or, of Thee, in Thy behalf, as concerning Thee says my heart, etc. As if he would say: I do hear Thee in my heart speaking to us, or, my heart presents these Thy words unto me: Seek ye my face, and now, Lord, I do seek it, doing what Thou commandest us; thus hide not Thy face from me, etc., as follows.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast 21been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
21 Namely, always, previously. Compare Psalm 10:14.
10When my 22father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will 23take me up.
22 His meaning is, that he was in a desolate condition, as an orphan (as he often speaks elsewhere) is destitute of the help of those who were nearest to him and most obliged thereto, but either could not or would or dared not to help him. Compare Psalm 69:8. Other, Although my father, and my mother should forsake me, yet the Lord, etc. We read indeed of his parents and brethren, 1 Sam. 22:1, 3, that they came unto him in the cave of Adullam; but that they would have forsaken him, is nowhere mentioned in the Scripture; unless it might be understood of them not being able to help him, and that he was rather put to it to take care for them, that they might be brought to some place of safety, as we have it related, 1 Sam. 22; or else, it may be they might be dead by this time.
23 Hebr. gather me. See Psalm 26 on verse 9.
11Teachc me thy way, O LORD, and lead me 24in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
c Psalm 25:4; 86:11; 119 throughout.
24 Hebr. in a path of rightness or evenness. Compare Psalm 26:12; that they may not entrap me, those who lurk and watch me to find out something in my conduct for which they might slander me, or likewise, that they may not find me somewhere uncovered and destitute to overtake and surprise me suddenly.
12Deliver me not over unto the 25will of mine enemies: for false witnesses 26are risen up against me, and such as 27breathe out cruelty.
25 Hebr. soul, which word is sometimes taken for will, desire, pleasure, purpose. See Gen. 23 on verse 8. Likewise Psalm 41:2, will; Psalm 78:18, lust; Eccl. 6:7, 9, appetite, desire; Jer. 15:1, mind; Ezek. 16:27, will.
26 Of which one was Doeg, 1 Sam. 22:9, 10. See also Psalm 35:11.
27 Understand every one of those, or a certain one who was the principal. Breathe out, that is, who boasts and puffs of nothing but force and violence. Compare this kind of speaking with Psalm 10:5; Acts 9:1.
13I had fainted, 28unless I had believed to 29see the 30goodness of the LORD in the 31land of the living.
28 This is an incomplete and abrupt speech of the prophet, proceeding from his contemplation upon all the fearful dangers and difficulties, that were come upon him, being such that he had often been ready to faint if his faith in God’s promises had not supported him, yea, and so strengthened his weakness, that he was able yet to teach others likewise to wait for the good issue with unwearied patience and confidence; as he does here expressly in the sequel, and also Psalm 31:23.
29 That is, cheerfully enjoy; as Psalm 4:6.
30 That is, deliverance, together with the promised kingdom and God’s blessing upon it.
31 That is, having thus far lived to see and enjoy it here on earth. The land of the living is also understood elsewhere as: this present existence and life on earth. See Job 28 on verse 13; Psalm 52:5; 116:9; Jer. 11:19.
14Waitd on the LORD: be of good courage, and 32he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
d Isa. 25:9; 33:2; Hab. 2:3.
32 The reason is that thus far thou art much too weak and experienceth this often as such within thyself, therefore be of good cheer, the Lord shall furnish thee with power in order that thou shalt wait for Him with patience and steadfastness. Other, thy heart strengthen itself.