Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times.

“The blessing is limited to those whose principles and acts are right. How "blessed" Israel would be now, if he had "observed God's statutes" (Ps 105:45).”

We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

“Da 9:5, where the same three verbs occur in the same order and connection, the original of the two later passages being the first one, the prayer of Solomon in dedicating the temple. sinned . . . fathers--like them, and so partaking of their guilt.”

They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.

“Literally, "lusted a lust" (quoted from Nu 11:4, Margin). Previously, there had been impatience as to necessaries of life; here it is lusting (Ps 78:18).”

In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it covered the assembly of Abiram.

“All the congregation took part with Dathan, Korah, &c., and their accomplices (Nu 16:41). Aaron the saint--literally, "the holy one," as consecrated priest; not a moral attribute, but one designating his office as holy to the Lord.”

At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped a molten image. They exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox.

“The idolatry was more sinful in view of their recent experience of God's power in Egypt and His wonders at Sinai (Ex 32:1-6).”

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains, because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most…

“Their sufferings were for their rebellion against (Ps 105:28) the words, or purposes, or promises, of God for their benefit.”

Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders.

“He maketh . . . calm--or, "to stand to stillness," or "in quiet." Instead of acts of temple-worship, those of the synagogue are here described, where the people with the assembly--or session of elders, convened for reading, singing, prayer, and teaching.”

He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground, and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.

“He punishes the wicked by destroying the sources of fertility, or, in mercy, gives fruitfulness to deserts, which become the homes of a busy and successful agricultural population. By a permitted misrule and tyranny, this scene of prosperity is changed to one of adversity.”

For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me; they speak against me with lying tongues.

“For the mouth . . . opened--or, "They have opened a wicked mouth" against me--literally, "with me," that is, Their intercourse is lying, or, they slander me to my face (Mt 26:59).”

May his days be few; may another take his position.

“The last clause is quoted as to Judas by Peter (Ac 1:20). office--literally, "charge," Septuagint, and Peter, "oversight" [1Pe 5:2].”

May this be the LORD’s reward to my accusers, to those who speak evil against me.

“Let this . . . reward--or, "wages," pay for labor, the fruit of the enemy's wickedness. from the Lord--as His judicial act. 21, 22. do . . . for me--that is, kindness. wounded--literally, "pierced" (Ps 69:16, 29).”

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

“The Lord said--literally, "A saying of the Lord," (compare Ps 36:1), a formula, used in prophetic or other solemn or express declarations.”

Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth.

“The Messiah, then, as leading His people, is represented as continually in the vigor of youth, refreshed and strengthened by the early dew of God's grace and Spirit.”

He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide.

“The Messiah's conquests are described, though His work and God's are the same. As after a battle, whose field is strewn with corpses, the conqueror ascends the seat of empire, so shall He "judge," or "rule," among many nations, and subdue the head--or (as used…”

Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

“Praise ye the Lord--or, Hallelujah (Ps 104:35). This seems to serve as a title to those of the later Psalms, which, like this, set forth God's gracious government and its blessed fruits. This praise claims the whole heart-- (Ps 86:12), and is rendered publicly.”

Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.

“True fear produces obedience and this happiness. Temporal blessings follow the service of God, exceptions occurring only as they are seen by God to be inconsistent with those spiritual blessings which are better.”

It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.

“Generosity, sound judgment in business, and confidence in God, form a character which preserves from fear of evil and ensures success against enemies. While a man thus truly pious is liberal, he increases in substance.”

He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!

“On this special case, compare 1Sa 2:21. Barrenness was regarded as a disgrace, and is a type of a deserted Church (Isa 54:1). the barren woman . . . house--literally, "the barren of the house," so that the supplied words may be omitted.”

O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper!

“Save now--Hebrew, "Hosanna" (compare Ps 115:2, &c., as to now) a form of prayer (Ps 20:9), since, in our use, of praise.”

Remember Your word to Your servant, upon which You have given me hope. This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.

“Resting on the promises consoles under affliction and the tauntings of the insolent. upon which--rather, "Remember Thy word unto Thy servant, because," &c. So the Hebrew requires [HENGSTENBERG].”

I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.

“So the prodigal son, when reduced to straits of misery (Lu 15:17, 18). This the more, if opposition of enemies, or love of ease is overcome in thus honoring God's law.”

At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments.

“At midnight--HENGSTENBERG supposes a reference to the time when the Lord went forth to slay the Egyptian first-born (Ex 11:4; 12:29; compare Job 34:20). But it rather refers to the Psalmist's own praises and prayers in the night time.”

You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.

“The crafty malice of the wicked, in slandering him, so far from turning him away, but binds him closer to God's Word, which they are too stupid in sin to appreciate.”

Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.

“In all changes God's Word remains firm (1Pe 1:25). Like the heavens, it continually attests God's unfailing power and unchanging care (Ps 89:2). is settled in--that is, stands as firmly as the heaven in which it dwells, and whence it emanated.”

Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You.

“They--the heaven (Ps 119:89) and the earth (Ps 119:90). HENGSTENBERG translates, "They stand for thy judgment," that is, ready, as obedient servants, to execute them.”