1.
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
1-4. Even in distress, which
excites supplication, there is always matter for praising and
thanking God (compare Ephesians 5:20;
Philippians 4:6).
2.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
2. make her boast—"glory"
(Psalms 105:3; compare Psalms 105:3).
humble—"the
pious," as in Psalms 9:12;
Psalms 25:9.
3.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
3. magnify the Lord—ascribe
greatness to Him, an act of praise.
together—"alike"
(Psalms 33:15), or, equally,
without exception.
4.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
4. delivered . . . fears—as
well as actual evil (Psalms 64:1).
5.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
5-7. God's favor to the pious
generally, and to himself specially, is celebrated.
looked—with desire for
help.
lightened—or,
"brightened," expressing joy, opposed to the downcast
features of those who are ashamed or disappointed (Psalms 25:2;
Psalms 25:3).
6.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
6. This poor man—literally,
"humble," himself as a specimen of such.
7.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
7. angel—of the covenant (), of whom as a leader of God's host (Joshua 5:14;
1 Kings 22:19), the phrase—
encampeth, c.—is
appropriate or, "angel" used collectively for angels (1 Kings 22:19).
8.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
8. taste and see—try and
experience.
9.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
9. that fear him—who are
pious—fear and love (Proverbs 1:7;
Proverbs 9:10).
saints—consecrated to
His service (Isaiah 40:31).
10.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
10. not want any good—"good"
is emphatic; they may be afflicted (compare ); but this may be a good (2 Corinthians 4:17;
2 Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 12:10;
Hebrews 12:11).
11.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
11. children—subjects of
instruction (Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 1:10).
12.
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
12. What man—Whoever desires
the blessings of piety, let him attend.
13.
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
13, 14. Sins of thought included
in those of speech (Luke 6:45),
avoiding evil and doing good in our relations to men are based on a
right relation to God.
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.
15. eyes of the Lord are upon—
(Psalms 32:8; Psalms 33:18).
16.
The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
16. face . . . against—opposed
to them (Leviticus 17:10; Leviticus 20:3).
cut off the
remembrance—utterly destroy (Leviticus 20:3).
17.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
17, 18. Humble penitents are
objects of God's special tender regard (Psalms 51:19;
Isaiah 57:15).
18.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
20.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
20. bones—framework of the
body.
21.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
21, 22. Contrast in the destiny
of righteous and wicked; the former shall be delivered and never come
into condemnation (John 5:24;
Romans 8:1); the latter are left
under condemnation and desolate.
22.
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.