1.
Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
1, 2. would swallow—literally,
"pants as a raging beast" ().
2.
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
2. enemies—watchers ().
most High—As it is not
elsewhere used absolutely for God, some render the word here,
arrogantly, or proudly, as qualifying "those who fight,"
&c.
3.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
3. in—or literally, "unto."
thee—to whom he turns
in trouble.
4.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
4. in God . . . his word—By
His grace or aid (Psalms 60:12;
Psalms 108:13), or, "I will
boast in God as to His word"; in either case His word is the
special matter and cause of praise.
flesh—for mankind
(Psalms 65:2; Isaiah 31:3),
intimating frailty.
5.
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
5, 6. A vivid picture of the
conduct of malicious enemies.
6.
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
7.
Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
7. Shall they escape? &c.—or
better, "Their escape is by iniquity."
cast . . . people—humble
those who so proudly oppose Thy servant.
8.
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
8. God is mindful of his exile
and remembers his tears. The custom of bottling the tears of
mourners as a memorial, which has existed in some Eastern nations,
may explain the figure.
9.
When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
9. God is for me—or, "on
my side" (Psalms 118:6; Psalms 124:1;
Psalms 124:2); hence he is sure of
the repulse of his foes.
10.
In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
11.
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12.
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
12. I will render praises—will
pay what I have vowed.
13.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
13. The question implies an
affirmative answer, drawn from past experience.
falling—as from a
precipice.
before God—in His favor
during life.