1David's complaint in his sickness. 8By faith he triumpheth over his enemies.
0To the chief 1Musician on Neginoth upon 2Sheminith, A Psalm of David.
1 See the first annotation at Psalm 4 in the title.
2 That is, the eighth. Some take it for an eight stringed instrument, others for a certain tone of music or the eighth string, called by the musicians an octave. See also 1 Chron. 15 on verse 21.
1O LORD, rebukea me not in thine anger, neither 3chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
a Psalm 38:1.
3 Compare Jer. 10 on verse 24. The Hebrew word signifies not only to punish, reprove, instruct by words, but likewise frequently with blows and stripes. See Prov. 9 on verse 7.
2Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am 4weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
4 Or, grown feeble, fainting.
3My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, 5how long?
5 Understand: shalt Thou delay or defer Thine help? How long shalt Thou leave me in this misery?
46Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
6 Thou Who seemeth to have forsaken me, or have turned Thy back unto me because Thou hast not yet delivered me.
5For in death there is 7no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
7 The meaning is: The dead cannot magnify on earth God’s Name in His congregation, in which God nevertheless takes a singular pleasure and which David was resolved to perform publicly, after his custom, for the glory of God and the edification of His church, if he were recovered once of his sickness. Compare Psalm 30:9; 88:10; 115:17; 118:17; Isa. 38:18, 19, and see further Job 7 on verse 8.
6I am weary with my groaning; 8all the night make I my bed to 9swim; I water my couch with my tears.
8 That is, over the entire nights, or, all night.
9 These are figurative speeches, serving to express and set forth the greatness of his pain and suffering, together with his much and continual weeping.
7Mine eye is 10consumed because of grief; it 11waxeth old because of all mine 12enemies.
10 Or, gnawed through, as Psalm 31:9. Compare Job 17:7 and the annotation there.
11 That is, worn out, decayed, wasted.
12 Who take pleasure and delight in this my suffering, and desire my death.
813Departb from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
13 Here and in the sequel David manifests his faith and confidence in God’s gracious and assured fulfillment.
bMat. 7:23; 25:41; Luke 13:27.
9The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
10Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed 14suddenly.
14 That is, quickly, unawares.