1.
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Title. A Psalm. App-65 . of David = by, or relating to David.
when. Compare 1 Samuel 21:10 , 1 Samuel 22:1 .
Abimelech. An appellative for the kings of Gath. This Abimelech was named Achish. This is an Acrostic Psalm (see App-63 .). It is divided into two parts, eleven letters to the first and eleven to the second.
the LORD. Hebrew 'eth Jehovah. App-4 . (Objective).
2.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
My soul = I myself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
humble = patient, oppressed.
3.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
heard = answered.
delivered = rescued.
5.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
They looked. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read Imperative, "Look. ! "
looked = looked expectantly. To this end Jehovah keeps us in salutary suspense.
unto Him. That is why they were radiant. To look within is to be miserable (see notes on 77). To look around is to be distracted (see notes on 73).
6.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
troubles = distresses.
7.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
The angel of the LORD. Occurs in Psalms only here and Psalms 35:5 . Here, in mercy; there, in judgment. Compare Acts 12 : delivering Peter (verses: Psalms 34:7-11 ), and smiting Herod ( Psa 34:23 ).
encampeth. Hebrew. hanah. Hence the name "Maha-naim" = two camps in Jacob's vision, afterward to be noted in David's history (2 Samuel 17:24 , 2 Samuel 17:27 ; 2 Samuel 19:32 ).
fear = revere.
8.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
taste, &c. Referred to in 1 Peter 2:3 .
Blessed = How happy. See App-63 .
man = strong man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 . Trusting not in his own strength, but in Jehovah.
trusteth in = fleeth for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah . App-69 .I.
9.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
saints = separated ones. See note on Exodus 3:5 .
10.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
11.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
children = sons.
12.
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
What . . . ? Referred to in 1 Peter 3:10-12 .
life. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , put for all that makes life worth living.
13.
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Keep, &c. Figure of speech Apostrophe.
14.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
ears. Figure of speech, Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
16.
The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
face. Figure of speech, Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
17.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
cry = have cried.
heareth = hath heard.
delivereth = hath rescued.
18.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
19.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
the righteous = a righteous one. Compare "him", next clause.
20.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
bones. True (by application) of the members of Christ's body. See note on Psalms 35:10 . Ephesians 5:30 . Hence John 19:31-33 .Exodus 12:46 . Heartbroken (Psalms 69:20 ), but not "bones".
21.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
desolate = held guilty.
22.
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
redeemeth = delivereth (by power). Hebrew. padah. See note on Exodus 13:13 ; and compare Exodus 6:6 .
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .