Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

“Whether, as most likely, the language of David (compare Ps 51:13), or that of God, this is a promise of divine guidance. I will . . . mine eye--or, My eye shall be on thee, watching and directing thy way.”

“Reasons for praise: first, God's truth, faithfulness, and mercy, generally; then, His creative power which all must honor.”

“On the war horse (compare Job 39:19-25). a vain thing--a lie, which deceives us. Contrasted is God's guidance and power to save from the greatest earthly evil and its most painful precursor, and hence from all.”

“Our faith measures mercy (Mt 9:29); and if of grace, it is no more of debt (Ro 11:6).”

“God's favor to the pious generally, and to himself specially, is celebrated. looked--with desire for help. lightened--or, "brightened," expressing joy, opposed to the downcast features of those who are ashamed or disappointed (Ps 25:2, 3).”

“What man--Whoever desires the blessings of piety, let him attend. Sins of thought included in those of speech (Lu 6:45), avoiding evil and doing good in our relations to men are based on a right relation to God.”

“7, 8. net in a pit--or, "pit of their net"--or, "net-pit," as "holy hill" for "hill of holiness" (Ps 2:6); a figure from hunting (Ps 7:15). Their imprecations on impenitent rebels against God need no vindication; His justice and wrath are for such;”

“Though they rendered evil for good, he showed a tender sympathy in their affliction. spoiling--literally, "bereavement." The usual modes of showing grief are made, as figures, to express his sorrow.”

“On the gesture compare Ps 22:7; and on the expressions of malicious triumph, compare Ps 10:13; God's righteous government is the hope of the pious and terror of the wicked.”

“The general sense of this difficult verse is, "that the wicked have no fear of God." The first clause may be rendered, "Saith transgression in my heart, in respect to the wicked, there is no fear," &c., that is, such is my reflection on men's transgressions.”

“The climax is that he deliberately adopts and patronizes evil. The negative forms affirm more emphatically their contraries. 5, 6. mercy . . . and . . . faithfulness--as mercy and truth (Ps 25:10).”

“Trust--sure of safety. shalt thou dwell--or, "dwell thou"; repose quietly. verily . . . fed--or, "feed on truth," God's promise (Ps 36:5; compare Ho 12:1).”

“Two reasons: The prosperity of the wicked is short; and the pious, by humble trust, will secure all covenant blessing, denoted here by "inherit the earth" (compare Ps 25:13). 10, 11. shall not be--literally, "is not"--is not to be found.”

“Even the members of the body needed to hold weapons are destroyed. God, who knows His people's changes, provides against evil and supplies all their need.”

“While the wicked, however mighty, are destroyed, and that utterly, as smoke which vanishes and leaves no trace. 21, 22. payeth not--not able; having grown poor (compare De 15:7).”

“The exhortation is sustained by the assurance of God's essential rectitude in that providential government which provides perpetual blessings for the good, and perpetual misery for the wicked. The righteous described as to the elements of character, thought, w…”

“On the contrary, the good are not only blessed, but made to see the ruin of their foes. 35, 36. of which a picture is given, under the figure of a flourishing tree (compare Margin), which soon withers.”

“By "the end" is meant reward (Pr 23:18; 24:14), or expectation of success, as in Ps 37:38, which describes the end of the wicked in contrast, and that is cut off (compare Ps 73:17).”

“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.”

“Consciousness of sin makes suffering pungent, and suffering, rightly received, leads to confession. Still, while humbled before God, he is the victim of deadly enemies, full of malice and treachery. enemies are lively--literally, "of life," who would take my …”

“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).”

“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. His prayer is answered in his obtaining an impressive view of the vanity of the life of all men, …”

“From his own case, he argues to that of all, that the destruction of man's enjoyments is ascribable to sin. Consonant with the tenor of the Psalm, he prays for God's compassionate regard to him as a stranger here; and that, as such was the condition of his fat…”

“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.”

“50:5 (though by a different word in Hebrew) denotes obedience by the common figure of hearing for obeying, it is evident that the clause is designed to express a devotion to God's will as avowed more fully in Ps 40:8, and already explained.”