Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

“All men's ways are under God's eye (Pr 5:21); the godly alone realize the fact, and live accordingly. The prayer for understanding of the truth precedes that for deliverance. The fulfilment of the first is the basis of the fulfilment of the second (Ps 90:11…”

“My tongue shall speak of thy word--literally, "answer Thy Word," that is, with praise, respond to Thy word. Every expression in which we praise God and His Word is a response, or acknowledgment, corresponding to the perfections of Him whom we praise.”

“Not only the sinner before conversion, but the believer after conversion, is unable to recover himself; but the latter, after temporary wandering, knows to whom to look for restoration.”

“A residence in these remote lands pictures his miserable condition. While those who surrounded him were maliciously hostile, he was disposed to peace. This Psalm may well begin such a series as this, as a contrast to the promised joys of God's worship.”

“Deference, submission, and trust, are all expressed by the figure. In the East, servants in attending on their masters are almost wholly directed by signs, which require the closest observance of the hands of the latter.”

“The epithet proud added to waters denotes insolent enemies. The figure is changed to that of a rapacious wild beast (Ps 3:7), and then of a fowler (Ps 91:3), and complete escape is denoted by breaking the net.”

“God may even try His people to the uttermost: when nothing is before our eyes but pure despair, then He delivers us and gives life in death, and makes us blessed in the curse (2Co 1:8, 9) [LUTHER]. the lot--the possession, literally, "Canaan," spiritually, …”

“Those who turn aside (under temptation) permanently show that they are hypocrites, and their lot or portion shall be with the wicked (Ps 28:3). crooked ways--(Compare De 9:16; Mal 2:8, 9). their--is emphatic; the "crooked ways" proceed from their own heart…”

“The point of comparison is joy at the reappearing of what has been so painfully missed. As in husbandry the sower may cast his seed in a dry and parched soil with desponding fears, so those shall reap abundant fruit who toil in tears with the prayer of faith.”

“He that goeth forth--literally, better, "He goes--he comes, he comes," &c. The repetition implies there is no end of weeping here, as there shall be no end of joy hereafter (Isa 35:10). precious seed--rather, seed to be drawn from the seed box for sowing; li…”

“14:16), implying a confession of the existence of sin. who shall stand-- (Ps 1:6). Standing is opposed to the guilty sinking down in fear and self-condemnation (Mal 3:2; The question implies a negative, which is thus more strongly stated.”

“This vow is not elsewhere recorded. It expresses, in strong language, David's intense desire to see the establishment of God's worship as well as of His kingdom. remember David--literally, "remember for David," that is, all his troubles and anxieties on the m…”

“These may be the "words of David" and his pious friends, who, at Ephratah--or Beth-lehem (Ge 48:7), where he once lived, may have heard of the ark, which he found for the first time in the fields of the wood--or, Jair, or Kirjath-jearim ("City of woods") …”

“The purpose of engaging in God's worship is avowed. The solemn entry of the ark, symbolical of God's presence and power, with the attending priests, into the sanctuary, is proclaimed in the words used by Solomon (2Ch 6:41).”

“For thy servant David's sake--that is, On account of the promise made to him. turn . . . anointed--Repulse not him who, as David's descendant, pleads the promise to perpetuate his royal line. After reciting the promise, substantially from 2Sa 7:12-16 (compa…”

“That choice is expressed in God's words, "I will sit" or "dwell," or sit enthroned. The joy of the people springs from the blessings of His grace, conferred through the medium of the priesthood.”

“Whether the request was in curiosity or derision, the answer intimates that a compliance was incongruous with their mournful feelings (Pr 25:20). For joyful songs would imply forgetfulness of their desolated homes and fallen Church. The solemn imprecations on…”

“I will praise thee with my whole heart--(Compare Ps 9:1). before the gods--whether angels (Ps 8:5); or princes (Ex 21:6; Ps 82:6); or idols (Ps 97:7); denotes a readiness to worship the true God alone, and a contempt of all other objects of worship.”

“(Compare Ps 5:7). thy word above all thy name--that is, God's promise (2Sa 7:12-16), sustained by His mercy and truth, exceeded all other manifestations of Himself as subject of praise.”

“(Compare Ps 25:17). that I may praise--literally, "for praising," or, "that Thy name may be praised," that is, by the righteous, who shall surround me with sympathizing joy (Ps 35:27).”

“Though applicable to the captive Israelites, this is a general and precious truth. wounds--(Compare Margin). God's power in nature (Isa 40:26-28, and often) is presented as a pledge of His power to help His people. telleth . . . stars--what no man can do …”

“His providence supplies bountifully the wild animals in their mountain homes. Lord--literally, "Answer the Lord," that is, in grateful praise to His goodness, thus declared in His acts.”

“God's Word, as a swift messenger, executes His purpose, for with Him to command is to perform (Ge 1:3; Ps 33:9), and He brings about the wonders of providence as easily as men cast crumbs.”

“The call on the earth, as opposed to heaven, includes seas or depths, whose inhabitants the dragon, as one of the largest (on leviathan, see on Ps 104:26), is selected to represent. The most destructive and ungovernable agents of inanimate nature are introdu…”

“Let them--all mentioned. excellent--or, exalted (Isa 12:4). his glory--majesty (Ps 45:3). above the earth and heaven--Their united splendors fail to match His.”