prayer in distress. (1-5) Thanksgiving for deliverance.
(6-9)
Verses 1-5: David is very earnest in prayer. Observe his faith in
prayer; God is my rock, on whom I build my hope. Believers
should not rest till they have received some token that their
prayers are heard. He prays that he may not be numbered with the
wicked. Save me from being entangled in the snares they have
laid for me. Save me from being infected with their sins, and
from doing as they do. Lord, never leave me to use such arts of
deceit and treachery for my safety, as they use for my ruin.
Believers dread the way of sinners; the best are sensible of the
danger they are in of being drawn aside: we should all pray
earnestly to God for his grace to keep us. Those who are careful
not to partake with sinners in their sins, have reason to hope
that they shall not receive their plagues. He speaks of the just
judgments of the Lord on the workers of iniquity, ver. (4). This
is not the language of passion or revenge. It is a prophecy that
there will certainly come a day, when God will punish every man
who persists in his evil deeds. Sinners shall be reckoned with,
not only for the mischief they have done, but for the mischief
they designed, and did what they could to effect. Disregard of
the works of the Lord, is the cause of the sin of sinners, and
becomes the cause of their ruin.
Verses 6-9: Has God heard our supplications? Let us then bless his
name. The Lord is my strength, to support me, and carry me on
through all my services and sufferings. The heart that truly
believes, shall in due time greatly rejoice: we are to expect
joy and peace in believing. God shall have the praise of it:
thus must we express our gratitude. The saints rejoice in
others' comfort as well as their own: we have the less benefit
from the light of the sun, nor from the light of God's
countenance, for others' sharing therein. The psalmist concludes
with a short, but comprehensive prayer. God's people are his
inheritance, and precious in his eyes. He prays that God would
save them; that he would bless them with all good, especially
the plenty of his ordinances, which are food to the soul. And
direct their actions and overrule their affairs for good. Also,
lift them up for ever; not only those of that age, but his
people in every age to come; lift them up as high as heaven.
There, and there only, will saints be lifted up for ever, never
more to sink, or be depressed. Save us, Lord Jesus, from our
sins; bless us, thou Son of Abraham, with the blessing of
righteousness; feed us, thou good Shepherd of the sheep, and
lift us up for ever from the dust, O thou, who art the
Resurrection and the Life.
prayer in distress. (1-5) Thanksgiving for deliverance.
(6-9)