1.
The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
Title, of David = by David.
the servant of the Lord. In the Hebrew text these two words are reversed, and the title stands thus: "Relating to Jehovah's servant, by David ". This is exactly what it is. His prayer and praise in view of Psalms 22 (see p. 721, and Isaiah 42:1 , &c), in death and resurrection. Psalms 18 is the only other Psalm so entitled.
transgression = rebellion. Hebrew pasha' . App-44 .
the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew rasha'. App-44 .
saith : declareth, as an oracle. Hebrew na'am. Compare Jeremiah 23:31 = declareth. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .
within my heart = within me; "my heart" being put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for the whole person: i.e. assureth or convinceth me that, &c. Not seeing the Figure of speech, or the force of the Hebrew na'am, many follow the hypothesis of the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, and read "his heart".
there is, &c. Quoted in Romans 3:18 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . His relation, as Creator, to His creatures. This lawless one knows not Jehovah; and fears not Elohim.
his eyes. Answering to "his heart" in preceding clause.
2.
For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
iniquity. Hebrew ' a vah.
3.
The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .
4.
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
mischief. Hebrew. 'aven, as in Psalms 36:3 , "iniquity".
setteth himself = taketh his stand.
evil. Hebrew. ra'a" . App-44 .
5.
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace (as in Psalms 36:7 ).
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . mountains: i.e. great and mighty.
Thy judgments = And Thy just decrees. The "And" was cancelled by the Massorites (see the Babylonian Talmud Nedarim, 37b-38a). Ginsburg Int. (pp. 307-8).
LORD = Jehovah, because of preservation, which is more than creation. See App-4 .
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
6.
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
7.
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
lovingkindness. Compare "mercy", Psalms 36:5 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. ( App-4 .), because of His creatures, the sons of men.
children = sons.
put their trust under = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 .
wings. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
8.
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
river = full stream. Hebrew. nahal. Refers to Paradise.
9.
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
10.
O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
continue = prolong.
11.
Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
12.
There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.