John Wesley

For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.

“For - This is added as a reason, why the Gentiles should be converted, because God is not only God and the Lord of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles, and of all nations.”

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him— even those unable to preserve their lives.

“Shall eat - Shall feed upon the bread of life, Christ and all his benefits. Worship - This is added to shew what kind of eating he spoke of. Go down - That is, all mankind, for none can escape death.”

They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn— all that He has done.

“They - The seed last mentioned. Come - From Judea and Jerusalem (from whence the gospel was first to go forth) to the Gentile world, to the several parts whereof the apostles went upon this errand.”

He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

“He bringeth it back; from its errors and wandering. For - Not for any worth in me, but for the glory of his justice, and faithfulness, and goodness.”

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place?

“Standing is the posture of ministers or servants. Who shall serve God, with God's acceptation. Holy place - In the place which he hath sanctified for his service.”

Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter!

“The king - The Messiah, the king of Israel, and of his church, called the King, or Lord of glory, 1 Cor.”

Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

“The Lord - He is no ordinary person, no other than Jehovah, who hath given so many proofs of his almightiness, who hath subdued all his enemies, and is now returned in triumph.”

Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter!

“Lift up - The same verse is repeated again, to awaken the dulness of mankind, who are so hardly brought to a serious preparation for such solemnities; and to signify the great importance of the matter, contained under these expressions.”

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way.

“Upright - Holy and true, in all his declarations and offers of mercy to sinners. Therefore - He will not be wanting to such poor sinners as I am, but will guide them into the way of life and peace.”

For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, for it is great.

“For - Or, though (as this particle is often rendered) it be great. Possibly he speaks of his sin against Uriah and Bathsheba. Great - Or, much or manifold.”

His soul will dwell in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.

“At ease - Hebrew. in Good; in the possession and enjoyment of the true good. The land - Canaan; which was given as an earnest of the whole Covenant of Grace, and all its promises.”

The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.

“The secret - His love and favour, which is called his secret, Job xxix, 4 Prov. iii, 32, because it is known to none but him that enjoyeth it.”

I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,

“Compass - Approach to thine altar with my sacrifices: which I could not do with any comfort, if I were conscious of those crimes, whereof mine enemies accuse me.”

O LORD, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides.

“House - Thy sanctuary and worship. honour - Thy glorious and gracious presence.”

My feet stand on level ground; in the congregations I will bless the LORD.

“Standeth - I stand upon a sure and solid foundation, being under the protection of God's promise, and his almighty and watchful providence. Congregations - I will not only privately, but in the assemblies of thy people celebrate thy praise.”

One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on…

“Dwell. &c. - Have opportunity of constant attendance upon God. To behold - That there I may delight myself, in the contemplation of thy amiable and glorious majesty, and of thy infinite wisdom, holiness, justice, truth, and mercy.”

Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

“The living - David was thus earnestly desirous of this mercy in this life, not because he placed his portion in these things; but because the truth and glory of God, were highly concerned in making good the promise of the kingdom to him.”

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters.

“The waters - Above in the clouds, which are called waters, Gen. i, 7 chap. xviii, 11. The Divine power displays itself in those high places, which are far above the reach of all earthly potentates.”

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

“Them - The cedars; which being broken by the thunder, the parts of them are suddenly and violently hurled hither and thither. Sirion - An high mountain beyond Jordan joining to Lebanon. Lebanon and Sirion are said to skip or leap, both here, and chap.”

O LORD, You favored me; You made my mountain stand strong. When You hid Your face, I was dismayed.

“Mountain - My kingdom: kingdoms are usually called mountains in prophetical writings.”

You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.

“As if they were in thy presence chamber, where thine own eye and hand girdeth them, from all the assaults of their enemies; called his secret, partly, because the greatest part of the world are strangers to God and his presence: and partly, because it…”

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.

“I will - This and the next verse seems to be the words of God, whom David brings in as returning this answer to his prayers. Mine eye - So Christ did St. Peter, when he turned and looked upon him.”

He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works.

“Fashioneth - Having said that God sees and observes all men, he now adds, that he rules and governs them; yea, even the hearts which are most unmanageable, he disposes and inclines according to the counsel of his will.”

Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.

“Together - Not in place, for David was now banished from the place of God's publick worship, but in affection: let our souls meet, and let our praises meet in the ears of the all-hearing God.”

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

“Do good - Be ready to perform all good offices to all men. Seek - Study by all means possible to live peaceable with all men.”