Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

My wounds are foul and festering because of my sinful folly. I am bent and brought low; all day long I go about mourning.

“The loathsomeness, corruption, and wasting torture of severe physical disease set forth his mental anguish [Ps 38:6]. It is possible some bodily disease was connected. The loins are the seat of strength.”

I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are…

“I said--or, "resolved." will take heed--watch. ways--conduct, of which the use of the tongue is a part (Jas 1:26). bridle--literally, "muzzle for my mouth" (compare De 25:4). while . . . before me--in beholding their prosperity (Ps 37:10, 36).”

“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.

“But, addressing God, they are softened and subdued. make me to know mine end--experimentally appreciate. how frail I am--literally, "when I shall cease." 5, 6.”

You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah

“From his own case, he argues to that of all, that the destruction of man's enjoyments is ascribable to sin.”

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us— none can compare to You— if I proclaim and declare them, they…

“This is but one instance of many. The use of the plural accords with the union of Christ and His people. In suffering and triumph, they are one with Him.”

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll:

“In either case, the Pentateuch, or law of Moses, is meant, and while it contains much respecting Christ directly, as Ge 3:15; De 18:15, and, indirectly, in the Levitical ritual, there is nowhere any allusion to David. I have preached--literally, "announced good tidings."”

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; hurry, O LORD, to help me.

“The language is not necessarily imprecatory, but rather a confident expectation (Ps 5:11), though the former sense is not inconsistent with Christ's prayer for the forgiveness of His murderers, inasmuch as their confusion and shame might be the very means to prepare them for humbly…”

But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and deliverer; O my God, do not delay.

“A summary of his condition and hopes. thinketh upon--or provides for me. "He was heard," "when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears, unto Him that was able to save him from death" [Heb 5:7].”

I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.”

“I said--I asked the mercy I show. heal my soul--(Compare Ps 30:2). "Sin and suffering are united," is one of the great teachings of the Psalms. A graphic picture of the conduct of a malignant enemy.”

“A vile disease has been poured into him; he will never get up from where he lies!”

“An evil disease--literally, "a word of Belial," some slander. cleaveth--literally, "poured on him." that he lieth--who has now laid down, "he is utterly undone and our victory is sure."”

Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

“As David and his fortunes typified Christ and His (compare Introduction), so these words expressed the treatment he received, and also that of his Son and Lord; hence, though not distinctly prophetical, our Saviour (Joh 13:18) applies them to Judas, "that the Scripture may be…”

These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and…

“The verbs are properly rendered as futures, "I will remember," &c.,--that is, the recollection of this season of distress will give greater zest to the privileges of God's worship, when obtained.”

The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life.

“Still he relies on as constant a flow of divine mercy which will elicit his praise and encourage his prayer to God. 9, 10.”

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

“This brings on a renewed self-chiding, and excites hopes of relief. health--or help. of my countenance--(compare Ps 42:5) who cheers me, driving away clouds of sorrow from my face. my God--It is He of whose existence and favor my foes would have me doubt.”

For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?

“God of my strength--by covenant relation my stronghold (Ps 18:1). cast me off--in scorn. because--or, "in," that is, in such circumstances of oppression.”

You are my King, O God, who ordains victories for Jacob.

“Thou art my King--literally, "he who is my King," sustaining the same covenant relation as to the "fathers."”

But You have rejected and humbled us; You no longer go forth with our armies.

“But--contrasting, cast off as abhorrent (Ps 43:2). goest not forth--literally, "will not go" (2Sa 5:23). In several consecutive verses the leading verb is future, and the following one past (in Hebrew), thus denoting the causes and effects.”

You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips, since God has blessed you forever.

“To rich personal attractions is added grace of the lips, captivating powers of speech. This is given, and becomes a source of power and proves a blessing. Christ is a prophet (Lu 4:22).”

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy.

“As in Ps 45:6 the divine nature is made prominent, here the moral qualities of the human are alleged as the reason or ground of the mediatorial exultation.”

All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.

“The king thus inaugurated is now presented as a bridegroom, who appears in garments richly perfumed, brought out from ivory palaces--His royal residence; by which, as indications of the happy bridal occasion, He has been gladdened.”

The daughters of kings are among your honored women; the queen stands at your right hand, adorned with the gold of Ophir.

“The relation of subjection to her spouse at once accords with the law of marriage, as given in Ge 3:16; 1Pe 3:5, 6, and the relation of the Church to Christ (Eph 5:24).”

Your sons will succeed your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land.

“As earthly monarchs govern widely extended empires by viceroys, this glorious king is represented as supplying all the principalities of earth with princes of his own numerous progeny.”

I will commemorate your name through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you forever and ever.

“Thus the union of Christ and the Church triumphant is set forth. On the other hand, in regard to its component parts, the relation of Christ as head, as husband, &c., already exists, and as these parts form an institution in this world, it is…”

For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together. They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror. Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor.

“For--The reason is given. Though the kings (perhaps of Moab and Ammon, compare Ps 83:3-5) combined, a conviction of God's presence with His people, evinced by the unusual courage with which the prophets (compare 2Ch 20:12-20) had inspired them, seized on their minds, and smitten…”

Your name, O God, like Your praise, reaches to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.

“According . . . praise--that is, As Thy perfections manifested (compare Ps 8:1; 20:1-7), demand praise, it shall be given, everywhere. thy right hand, &c.--Thy righteous government is displayed by Thy power.”