Laid up - His favour is not always manifested, to them, but it is laid up for them in his treasure, whence it shall be drawn forth when they need it, and he sees it fit. Before - Publickly and in the view of the world.
The secret - Or, as in the secret of thy presence: either, As if they were in thy presence chamber, where thine own eye and hand girdeth them, from all the assaults of their enemies; called his secret, partly, because the greatest part of the world are strangers to God and his presence: and partly, because it is a safe and secure place, such as secret and unknown places are. Or, As if they were in the secret of God's tabernacle, as it is called, Psal 27:5, the place of God's special presence, where none might enter save the high - priest. With thy secret favour and providence, which saves them by hidden and unknown methods. From - From their vain - glorious boasting and threats, and from their bad and insolent attempts. Pavilion - Or, tabernacle. Strife - From contentious and slandering tongues.
City - In Keilah: where God wonderfully preserved me.
Haste - When my passion took away my consideration, and weakened my faith. Cut off - Cast out of thy sight, and out of the care of thy gracious providence.
Imputeth - Whom God doth not charge with the guilt of his sins, but graciously pardons and accepts him in Christ. No guile - Who freely confesses all his sins, and turns from sin to God with all his heart.
Silence - From a full and open confession of my sins. Old - My spirit failed, and the strength of my body decayed. Roaring - Because of the continual horrors of my conscience, and sense of God's wrath.
Hand - Thy afflicting hand. My moisture - Was dried up.
The iniquity - The guilt of my sin.
For this - Upon the encouragement of my example. Found - In an acceptable and seasonable time, while God continues to offer grace and mercy. Waters - In the time of great calamities. Not come - So as to overwhelm him.
I will - This and the next verse seems to be the words of God, whom David brings in as returning this answer to his prayers. Mine eye - So Christ did St. Peter, when he turned and looked upon him.
Will not - Unless they be forced to it by a bit or bridle. And so all the ancient translators understand it.
Sorrows - This is an argument to enforce the foregoing admonition.
Harp, &c. - These instruments were used in the publick worship of God in the tabernacle.
A new song - Renewed or continued from day to day.
The word - All God's counsels and commands are wise, and just, and good. His works - All his works of providence agree with his word, and are the accomplishment of his promises or threatenings.
Goodness - He not only doth no man wrong, but he is kind and merciful to all men.
The word - God made this admirable structure of the heavens, and all its glorious stars; not with great pains and time, but with one single word. Host - The angels: or the stars.
Store - houses - Either in the clouds, or in the bowels of the earth.
The Lord - Thus he passes from the work of creation, to the works of providence, and from the instances of his power, in senseless and irrational creatures, to his power in over - ruling the thoughts and wills, and actions of men, whether single or united.
The Counsel - All his purposes and designs are always successful.
All men - Although he hath a relation to Israel, yet he hath a general care over all mankind, all whose hearts and ways he observes.
Fashioneth - Having said that God sees and observes all men, he now adds, that he rules and governs them; yea, even the hearts which are most unmanageable, he disposes and inclines according to the counsel of his will. Alike - Or, equally, one as well as another: whether they be Jews or Gentiles, princes or peasants; all are alike subject to his jurisdiction. Their works - Both outward and inward, all the workings of their minds and actions, and all their endeavours and actions.
No king - He instances in these, as the most uncontrollable persons in the world, and most confident of themselves. By which he strongly proves his general proposition, of God's powerful providence over all men. By an host - But only by God's providence, who disposes of victory and success, as he pleases, and that frequently to the weakest side.
An horse - Though he be strong and fit for battle, or for flight, if need requires. And so this is put for all warlike provisions. Vain things - Heb. a lie; because it promises that help and safety which it cannot give.
The eye - Whosoever therefore would have safety, must expect it only from the watchful eye, and almighty hand of God. That fear - These are the chief objects of his care and favour. Hope - That place their hope and trust, and happiness, not in any creature, but only in God, and in his mercy and blessings.
Shall boast - Shall glory in this, that I have so powerful and so gracious a master. The humble - The righteous.
Together - Not in place, for David was now banished from the place of God's publick worship, but in affection: let our souls meet, and let our praises meet in the ears of the all - hearing God.
Lightened - Comforted and encouraged. Ashamed - They were not disappointed of their hope.
This man - David.
The angel - The angels, the singular number being put for the plural.
O taste - Make trial, of it by your own experience of it. Good - Merciful and gracious.
Fear - Reverence, serve, and trust him: for fear is commonly put for all the parts of God's worship.
Life - A long and happy life, begun in this world and continued for ever in the next. Good - In which he may enjoy good, prosperity or happiness.
Evil - From all manner of evil speaking, from all injurious, false and deceitful speeches.
Depart - From all sin. Do good - Be ready to perform all good offices to all men. Seek - Study by all means possible to live peaceable with all men. Pursue it - Do not only embrace it gladly when it is offered, but follow hard after it, when it seems to flee away from thee.
The face - His anger, which discovers itself in the face.
Nigh - Ready to hear and succour them. To - Those whose spirits are truly humbled under the hand of God, and the sense of their sins, whose hearts are subdued, and made obedient to God's will and submissive to his providence.
Bones - All the parts and members of their bodies.
Say - By thy spirit assuring me of it: and by thy providence effecting it.
Their way - By which they flee, being chased.
For - Out of mere malice.
My bones - My whole body, as well as my soul.
Returned - Although my fastings and prayers did them no good.
Gathered - They were so full of joy, that they could not contain it in their own breasts, but sought to communicate it to others. Abjects - Or, vile persons, either for the meanness of their condition, or for their wickedness. Knew not - While I had no suspicion of them. Tear me - My good name with calumnies, and reproaches and curses.
Mockers - They made themselves buffoons and jesters, and accustomed themselves to mock and deride David, that thereby they might gain admittance to the tables of great men, which was all they sought for.