Happy - As being God's instrument to vindicate his honour, and execute his just judgments.
The gods - Before kings and princes.
Temple - Where the ark was. He was not permitted to enter into it. Magnified - For thou hast glorified thy word or promise unto me more than any other of thy glorious perfections.
The kings - A prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles. Hear - The gospel preached among then.
The ways - His wonderful counsel and gracious providences.
Perfect - Will finish the great work of my deliverance. Forsake not - Or, do not give over, the work of my salvation, which is thus far advanced, not by any human help, but by thy power and providence.
Afar off - Thou knowest what my thoughts will be in such and such circumstances, long before I know it, yea from all eternity.
Compassest - Thou discernest every step I take. It is a metaphor from soldiers besieging their enemies, and setting watches round about them.
Beset me - With thy all - seeing providence. And laid - Thou keepest me, as it were with a strong hand, in thy sight and under thy power.
I cannot - Apprehend in what manner thou dost so presently know all things.
Hell - If I could hide myself in the lowest parts of the earth.
The wings - If I should flee from east to west: for the sea being the western border of Canaan, is often put for the west in scripture. And wings are poetically ascribed to the morning here, as they are elsewhere to the sun, and to the winds.
Imperfect - When I was first conceived. Book - In thy counsel and providence, by which thou didst contrive and effect this great work, according to that model which thou hadst appointed.
Thoughts - Thy counsels on my behalf. Thou didst not only form me at first, but ever since my conception and birth, thy thoughts have been employed for me.
Them - Thy wonderful counsels and works on my behalf come constantly into my mind.
Perfect hatred - See the difference between the Jewish and the Christian spirit!
Tongues - Using words as sharp and piercing as the sting of a serpent.
Mischief - The mischief which they design against me, shall fall upon themselves.
Coals - Divine vengeance, which is compared to coals of fire.
Dwell - Shall constantly enjoy thy gracious and powerful presence.
Incline not - Suffer it not to be inclined. Heart - Keep me not only from wicked speeches, but from all evil motions of my heart. Dainties - The pleasures or advantages which they gain by their wickedness.
Smite - By reproofs. Break - Not hurt, but heal and greatly refresh me. Calamities - In the calamities of those righteous persons who reproved him. When they came into such calamities as those wherein he was involved he would pity them and pray for them.
Judges - The chief of mine enemies. Overthrown - Or, cast down headlong by thine exemplary vengeance. Hear - Hearken unto my counsels and offers which now they despise.
Our bones - Our case is almost as hopeless as of those who are dead, and whose bones are scattered in several places.
Knowest - So as to direct me to it. My path - What paths I should chuse whereby I might escape.
Right - hand - The place where the patron or assistant used to stand.
Portion - Even in this life.
Prison - Set me at liberty. Compass - Shall flock to me from all parts, to rejoice and bless God with me and for me. CHAPT.CXLIII David complains and prays for pardon and help, ver. 1 - 12. A psalm of David.
Morning - Seasonably and speedily.
Subdued - Who hath disposed my peoples hearts to receive and obey me as their king.
Come - To help me. Smoke - As Sinai did at thy glorious appearance, Exod 19:18. This is a figurative and poetical description of God's coming to take vengeance upon his enemies.
Strange children - Either of the Heathen nations: or of the rebellious Israelites.
Vanity - Vain brags and threatenings which shall come to nothing. Falsehood - Deceiving themselves, by being unable to do what they designed; and others, by not giving them that help which they promised.
That - This mercy I beg not only for my own sake, but for the sake of thy people, that they may enjoy those blessings which thou hast promised them; and particularly, that our sons, who are the strength and hopes of a nation, may be like plants, flourishing and growing in height and strength, as plants do in their youth; for when they grow old, they wither and decay. Cornerstone - Strong and beautiful.
Breaking in - Of enemies invading the land, or assaulting our cities, and making breaches in their walls. Going out - Of our people, either out of the cities to fight with an invading enemy: or out of the land into captivity.
All - All that look up to him for help.
All - Of all living creatures. Wait - Expect their supplies wholly from thy bounty. Expectation is here figuratively ascribed to brute creatures.
Nigh - To answer their prayers. In truth - With an upright heart.
That day - As soon as ever he is dead. Thoughts - All his designs and endeavours either for himself or for others.
For ever - Both because he liveth for ever to fulfil his promises, and because he is eternally faithful.
Calleth them - He exactly knows them as we do those whom we can call by name.
Ravens - Which he mentions because they were most contemptible, especially to the Jews, to whom they were unclean: and because they are not only neglected by men, but also forsaken by their dams as soon as ever they can fly, and so are wholly left to the care of Divine providence.
Delighteth not - As if he needed either the one or the other for the accomplishment of his designs.
Thy gates - Thy strength consists not in thy walls, and gates, and bars, but in his protection.
Borders - In all thy land, even to its utmost borders.