1.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
1. early . . . seek thee—earnestly
(Isaiah 26:9). The figurative
terms—
dry and thirsty—literally,
"weary," denoting moral destitution, suited his outward
circumstances.
soul—and—flesh—the
whole man (Psalms 16:9; Psalms 16:10).
2.
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
2. The special object of desire
was God's perfections as displayed in his worship ().
3.
Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
3. Experiencing God's mercy,
which exceeds all the blessings of life, his lips will be opened for
his praise (Psalms 51:15).
4.
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
4. Thus—literally, "Truly."
will I bless—praise
Thee (Psalms 34:1).
lift up my hands—in
worship (compare Psalms 28:2).
in thy name—in praise
of Thy perfections.
5.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
5-8. Full spiritual blessings
satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.
6.
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
6. night—as well as day. Past
favors assure him of future, and hence he presses earnestly near to
God, whose power sustains him (Psalms 17:8;
Psalms 60:5).
7.
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
5-8. Full spiritual blessings
satisfy his desires, and acts of praise fill his thoughts and time.
8.
My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
9.
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
9, 10. those . . . to destroy it—or
literally, "to ruin," or, "for ruin"; that is,
such as seek to injure me (are) for ruin, appointed to it
(compare Psalms 35:8).
shall go . . . earth—into
the grave, or, to death; as their bodies are represented as a portion
for—
10.
They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
10. foxes—literally,
"jackals."
11.
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
11. the king—that is, David
himself, and all who reverence God, "shall share a glorious
part," while treacherous foes shall be for ever silenced ().