Open - O ye porters, appointed by God for this work. The gates - Of the Lord's tabernacle: where the rule of righteousness was kept and taught, and the sacrifices of righteousness were offered.
The righteous - As David was a type of Christ and the temple of heaven, so this place hath a farther prospect than David, and relates to Christ's ascending into heaven, and opening the gates of that blessed temple, both for himself and for all believers.
The builders - The commonwealth of Israel and the church of God are here and elsewhere compared to a building, wherein, as the people are the stones, so the princes and rulers are the builders. And as these master - builders rejected David, so their successors rejected Christ. Head stone - The chief stone in the whole building, by which the several parts of the building are upheld and firmly united together. Thus David united all the tribes and families of Israel: and thus Christ united Jews and Gentiles together. And therefore this place is justly expounded of Christ, Mark 12:10 Acts 4:11 Rom 9:32 Eph 2:20. And to him the words agree more properly than to David.
Made - Or sanctified as a season never to be forgotten.
We - These seem to be the words of the Levites, to whom he spake ver.19.
Blessed - We pray that God would bless his person and government. Cometh - To the throne; or from his Father into the world: who is known by the name of him that cometh or was to come, and of whom this very word is used, Gen 49:10 Isa 35:4. Name - By commission from him. We - We who are the Lord's ministers attending upon him in his house, and appointed to bless in his name, Numb 6:23 Deut 10:8. So these are the words of the priests.
The Lord - Or, The mighty God, as this name of God signifies, and as he shewed himself to be by this, his wonderful work. Who - Who hath scattered our dark clouds, and put us into a state of peace, and safety, and happiness. The horns - These are supposed to he made for this very use, that the beasts should be bound and killed there. These three last verses are David's words.
Respect - A due respect, which implies hearty affection, diligent study, and constant practice. To all - So as not to allow myself in any known sin, or in the neglect of any known duty.
When - When by thy good spirit I shall he more fitly instructed in the meaning of thy word.
Forsake me not - For then I shall fall into the foulest sins.
A young man - Or, any man. But he names the young man, because such are commonly void of wisdom and experience, and exposed to many and great temptations. Cleanse - Purge himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.
Hid - I have laid it up in my mind like a choice treasure, to be ready upon all occasions to counsel, quicken or caution me.
Live - Safely and comfortably.
Open - Enlighten my mind by the light of thy Holy Spirit, and dispel all ignorance and error. Behold - Those great and marvellous depths of Divine wisdom and goodness, and those profound mysteries of Christ, and God's grace to mankind, and of that everlasting state, which are not to be known but by Divine illumination.
A stranger - I am not here as in my home, but as a pilgrim travelling homeward in a strange land. Commandments - Which are my chief support and guide in my pilgrimage.
Breaketh - Faints, as it frequently does, when a thing vehemently desired is delayed. Judgments - To a more sound knowledge and serious practice of them.
The proud - Obstinate and presumptuous sinners, who sin with an high hand. Err - Or, wander, knowingly or wilfully.
The dust - I am in danger of present death: I am like one laid in the grave. Quicken - Preserve my life, or raise me out of the dust. Word - According to thy promise.
My ways - My sins; and all my cares, and fears, and troubles.
Understand - More throughly.
Melteth - Like wax before the fire.
Grant me - Vouchsafe me an accurate knowledge of thy word, and let me govern myself by it in all things.
Laid - Or, set before me as a mark to aim at; as a rule to direct me.
Run - I will obey thy precepts with all readiness, fervency, and diligence. Enlarge - When thou shalt replenish my heart with wisdom, and love to thee and thy law.
Covetousness - He mentions this in particular, because it is most opposite to God's testimonies, and does most commonly hinder men from receiving his word, and from profiting by it: and because it is most pernicious, as being the root of all evil.
Vanity - The vain things of this present world, such as riches, honours, pleasures: from beholding them, with desire or affection. Quicken - Make me lively, vigorous and fervent in thy service.
Stablish - Confirm and perform thy promises.
I fear - For my instability in thy ways; which in respect to my own weakness, I have great cause to fear.
Longed - After a more solid knowledge and constant performance of them. In - According to thy faithfulness.
Take not - Do not deal so with me, that I shall be ashamed to mention thy word. Judgments - In thy word.
At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways.
Lift up - To receive and embrace thy precepts and promises.
Thy word - Thy promises.
Judgments - Thy ancient dispensations to the children of men in punishing the ungodly.
Horror - A mixed passion, made up of abhorrence of their sins, and dread and sorrow at the consideration of the judgments of God coming upon them.
The house - In this world, wherein I am a stranger and pilgrim, as all my fathers were.
Thy name - Thy holy nature and attributes, thy blessed word, and thy wonderful works. In the night - When darkness causes fear in others, I took pleasure in remembering thee; and when others gave themselves up to sleep, my thoughts and affections were working towards thee.
This - This comfortable remembrance.
Said - I have professed and owned it.
Thought - I seriously considered both my former courses, and my duty in all my future actions.
Robbed - Done me many injuries, for my respect to thy law.
Judgment - Whereby I may rightly discern between truth and falsehood. Knowledge - A spiritual experimental knowledge.
Fat - They are stupid and insensible.
Glad - For the encouragement they have by my example to trust in God. See me - Alive and in safety. Word - In thy promise, and have not been disappointed of my hope.
Judgments - Thy corrections. Of faithfulness - In pursuance of thy promises, and in order to my good.