1.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
1-3. God rewards kindness to the
poor (Proverbs 19:17). From Psalms 41:2;
Psalms 41:11 it may be inferred that
the Psalmist describes his own conduct.
poor—in person,
position, and possessions.
2.
The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
2. shall be blessed—literally,
"led aright," or "safely," prospered ().
upon the earth—or land
of promise (Psalms 25:13; Psalms 27:3-9,
&c.).
3. The figures of Psalms 27:3-19 are drawn from the acts of a kind nurse.
3.
The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
1-3. God rewards kindness to the
poor (Proverbs 19:17). From Psalms 41:2;
Psalms 41:11 it may be inferred that
the Psalmist describes his own conduct.
poor—in person,
position, and possessions.
4.
I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
4. I said—I asked the mercy I
show.
heal my soul—(Compare
Psalms 30:2). "Sin and
suffering are united," is one of the great teachings of the
Psalms.
5.
Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
5, 6. A graphic picture of the
conduct of a malignant enemy.
6.
And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
6. to see me—as if to spy out
my case.
he speaketh . . . itself—or,
"he speaketh vanity as to his heart"—that is, does not
speak candidly, "he gathereth iniquity to him," collects
elements for mischief, and then divulges the gains of his hypocrisy.
7.
All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
7, 8. So of others, all
act alike.
8.
An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
8. An evil disease—literally,
"a word of Belial," some slander.
cleaveth—literally,
"poured on him."
that he lieth—who
has now laid down, "he is utterly undone and our victory is
sure."
9.
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
9. mine . . . friend—literally,
"the man of my peace."
eat . . . bread—who
depended on me or was well treated by me.
hath lifted up heel—in
scornful violence. As David and his fortunes typified Christ and His
(compare ), so these
words expressed the treatment he received, and also that of his Son
and Lord; hence, though not distinctly prophetical, our Saviour () applies them to Judas, "that the Scripture may be
fulfilled." This last phrase has a wide use in the New
Testament, and is not restricted to denote special prophecies.
10.
But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
10. A lawful punishment of
criminals is not revenge, nor inconsistent with their final good
(compare Psalms 40:14; Psalms 40:15).
11.
By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
11-13. favourest—or tenderly
lovest me (Genesis 34:19), evinced
by relief from his enemies, and, farther, God recognizes his
innocence by upholding him.
12.
And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
12. settest . . . before thy
face—under thy watch and care, as God before man's face
(Psalms 16:8) is an object of trust
and love.
13.
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
13. Blessed—praised, usually
applied to God. The word usually applied to men denotes happiness
(Psalms 1:1; Psalms 32:1).
With this doxology the first book closes.