1.
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
1. The abrupt announcement of
the theme indicates that it is the conclusion of a perplexing mental
conflict, which is then detailed (compare ).
Truly—or, "Surely
it is so."
clean heart— () describes the true Israel.
2.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
2. The figures express his
wavering faith, by terms denoting tottering and weakness (compare
Psalms 22:5; Psalms 62:3).
3.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
3-9. The prosperous wicked are
insolently proud (compare Psalms 5:5).
They die, as well as live, free from perplexities: pride adorns them,
and violence is their clothing; indeed they are inflated with
unexpected success. With all this—
4.
For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5.
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6.
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8.
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
8. They are corrupt—or,
literally, "they deride," they speak maliciously and
arrogantly and invade even heaven with blasphemy (), and cover earth with slanders ().
9.
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
3-9. The prosperous wicked are
insolently proud (compare Psalms 5:5).
They die, as well as live, free from perplexities: pride adorns them,
and violence is their clothing; indeed they are inflated with
unexpected success. With all this—
10.
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
10-12. Hence God's people are
confounded, turned hither (or back) and thither, perplexed with
doubts of God's knowledge and care, and filled with sorrow.
11.
And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12.
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
12. prosper in the word—literally,
"secure for ever."
13.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
13, 14. The Psalmist, partaking
of these troubles, is especially disturbed in view of his own case,
that with all his diligent efforts for a holy life, he is still
sorely tried.
14.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
15. Freed from idiomatic
phrases, this verse expresses a supposition, as, "Had I thus
spoken, I should," &c., intimating that he had kept his
troubles to himself.
generation of thy
children—Thy people (1 John 3:1).
offend—literally,
"deceive, mislead."
16.
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
16, 17. Still he—
thought—literally,
"studied," or, "pondered this riddle"; but in
vain; it remained a toil (compare Margin), till he—
17.
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
17. went into the sanctuary—to
enquire (compare Exodus 25:22;
Psalms 5:7; Psalms 27:4).
18.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
18-20. their end—future
(Psalms 37:37; Psalms 37:38),
which is dismal and terribly sudden (Proverbs 1:27;
Proverbs 29:1), aggravated and
hastened by terror. As one despises an unsubstantial dream, so God,
waking up to judgment (Psalms 7:6;
Psalms 44:23), despises their vain
shadow of happiness (Psalms 39:6;
Isaiah 29:7). They are thrown into
ruins as a building falling to pieces (Isaiah 29:7).
19.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20.
As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21.
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
21, 22. He confesses how—
foolish—literally,
"stupid," and
ignorant—literally,
"not discerning," had been his course of thought.
22.
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
22. before thee—literally,
"with Thee," in conduct respecting Thee.
23.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
23. Still he was with God,
as a dependent beneficiary, and so kept from falling ().
24.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
24. All doubts are silenced in
confidence of divine guidance and future glory.
receive me to
glory—literally, "take for (me) glory" (compare
Psalms 68:18; Ephesians 4:8).
25.
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
25, 26. God is his only
satisfying good.
26.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
26. strength—literally, "rock"
(Psalms 18:2).
portion— (Psalms 16:5;
Lamentations 3:24).
27.
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
27, 28. The lot of apostates,
described by a figure of frequent use (Jeremiah 3:1;
Jeremiah 3:3; Ezekiel 23:35),
is contrasted with his, who finds happiness in nearness to God (Ezekiel 23:35), and his delightful work the declaration of His praise.
28.
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.