1.
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
1. meditation—moanings of that
half-uttered form to which deep feeling gives rise—groanings, as in
Romans 8:26; Romans 8:27.
2.
Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
2. Hearken—incline the ear (; compare Psalms 61:2)
—give close attention.
my cry—that is, for
help (Psalms 61:2; Jeremiah 8:19).
my King—thus by
covenant relation interested in my cause.
3.
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
3. direct—literally, "set
in order," as the showbread was placed or set in order ().
4.
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
4. For, &c.—God only
regards sincere worshippers.
evil—or, "the evil
man."
dwell—lodge, remain
under protection.
5.
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
5. foolish—vainglorious and
insolent.
iniquity—especially
such as denotes a negation, or defect, that is, of moral principle.
6.
Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
6. leasing—a lie.
the bloody . . .
man—literally, "man of blood"—murderer.
7.
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
7. But—as in , literally, "and."
house— (), the tabernacle.
temple—literally,
"palace," applied to God's residence, the Holy of Holies
(1 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 22:7);
the inner part of the tabernacle.
toward—not in; the high
priest alone was allowed to enter.
8.
Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
8. enemies—literally,
"watchers" (Psalms 27:11),
hence special need of guidance.
in thy righteousness—an
attribute implying faithfulness in promises as well as threatenings.
make thy way straight—that
is, make the way of providence plain.
9.
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
9. The wicked are not reliable
because by nature they are full of wickedness, or literally,
"wickednesses," of every kind ().
sepulchre—a
dwelling-place of corruption, emitting moral putridness.
flatter—or, "make
smooth."
their tongue—speaks
deceitfully.
10.
Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
10. Destroy—or, "condemn"
them to destruction as guilty.
11.
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
11. defendest—(compare
Margin).
love thy name—Thy
manifested perfections (Psalms 9:10).
12.
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
12. with favour—or,
"acceptance," alluding to the favor shown to an acceptable
offering and worshipper (Leviticus 7:18;
Leviticus 19:7).
shield—(compare Leviticus 19:7).