King James Version
Psalms 9
20 verses with commentary
I Will Praise You, O Lord
To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben , A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.</strong> This opening declaration establishes David's wholehearted commitment to praise. The psalm is an alphabetic acrostic (though incomplete), where successive verses begin with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet—a poetic device that suggests comprehensive, ordered praise covering the fu...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) The alphabetic arrangement is begun in its completest form. Every clause of the first stanza begins with *Aleph.*
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse expresses complete joy and devotion to God. 'Be glad' (Hebrew 'samach') and 'rejoice' (Hebrew 'gil') are near synonyms emphasizing wholehearted delight. 'In thee' shows the proper object of joy - not circumstances but God Himself. 'Sing praise to thy name' connects worship to God's revealed character (His name). 'Most High' (Hebrew 'Elyon') emphasizes God's sovereignty and supremacy. Th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. butter--**rather, "cream," literally, "thick milk." Wherever I turned my steps, the richest milk and oil flowed in to me abundantly. Image from pastoral life.
**When I washed my steps--**Literal washing of the feet in milk is not meant, as the second clause shows; Margin, "with me," that is, "near" my path, wherever I walked (De 32:13). Olives amidst rocks yield the best oil. Oil in the Eas...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
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KJV Study Commentary
The basis for praise is God's decisive action against enemies. 'Turned back' depicts military defeat and retreat. 'Fall and perish at thy presence' emphasizes that God's mere appearing is enough to defeat enemies - no elaborate military campaign needed. The Hebrew 'panim' (presence/face) suggests God's active attention and intervention. This teaches that battles belong to the Lord - His presence d...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **When.**—Literally, *in the turning of mine enemies back, *which may be either *when *they turned, or *because *they turned, or possibly with both ideas combined. The older versions have *when. *Psalm 9:2-3 form one sentence, “I will be glad and rejoice in thee **. . .** when mine enemies are turned back, (when) they fall and perish at thy presence.”
**Fall.**—Better, *stumble through weaknes...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7-10. The great influence Job had over young and old, and noblemen.
**through ... street!--**rather, When I went out of my house, in the country (see Job 1:1, prologue) to the gate (ascending), up to the city (which was on elevated ground), and when I prepared my (judicial) seat in the market place. The market place was the place of judgment, at the gate or propylæa of the city, such as is found...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. maintained: Heb. made my judgment judging right: Heb. judging in righteousness
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KJV Study Commentary
God's judicial role is central: He has 'maintained' (Hebrew 'asah' - made, executed) David's right and cause. The imagery of God seated on His throne judging righteously portrays the cosmic courtroom. 'Judging right' (Hebrew 'mishpat tsedeq') combines justice and righteousness. This teaches that all earthly justice derives from God's throne room. When human courts fail, God's court never does. Thi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Thou hast maintained my right.**—Literally, *thou hast made my judgment, *as the LXX. and Vulg. For this confidence in the supreme arbiter of events compare Shakespeare:—
“Is this your Christian counsel? Out upon you!
Heaven is above all yet. There sits a Judge
That no king can corrupt.”—*Henry VIII.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7-10. The great influence Job had over young and old, and noblemen.
**through ... street!--**rather, When I went out of my house, in the country (see Job 1:1, prologue) to the gate (ascending), up to the city (which was on elevated ground), and when I prepared my (judicial) seat in the market place. The market place was the place of judgment, at the gate or propylæa of the city, such as is found...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
God's judgment extends beyond David's personal enemies to 'the heathen' (Hebrew 'goyim' - nations) and 'the wicked.' The comprehensive judgment includes rebuke (verbal condemnation), destruction (complete defeat), and name blotting (removal from history and memory). 'For ever and ever' emphasizes eternal, irreversible judgment. This sobering truth reflects God's holy opposition to wickedness. Yet ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Put out.**—Better, *blotted out. *The family is extinct and its name erased from the civil register. (See Psalm 69:28; Psalm 109:13.) The *Daleth *stanza is wanting.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7-10. The great influence Job had over young and old, and noblemen.
**through ... street!--**rather, When I went out of my house, in the country (see Job 1:1, prologue) to the gate (ascending), up to the city (which was on elevated ground), and when I prepared my (judicial) seat in the market place. The market place was the place of judgment, at the gate or propylæa of the city, such as is found...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities ; their memorial is perished with them. O thou: or, The destructions of the enemy are come to a perpetual end: and their cities hast thou destroyed, etc
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The enemies' 'destructions are come to a perpetual end' - their power to destroy is finished. 'Thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished' emphasizes complete and permanent defeat. The irony is striking: those who sought to destroy are themselves destroyed beyond memory. This demonstrates God's absolute victory - not temporary setback but eternal triumph. In Christ, all forces of evil ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **O thou enemy . . .**—This vocative gives no intelligible meaning. Translate, *As for the enemy, they are made an utter wreck and perpetual ruin.*
**Destructions.**—Properly, *desolations, ruins, *from a word meaning “to be dried up.”
**Come to a perpetual end.**—Properly, *are completed for ever.*
**Thou hast destroyed.**—Some understand the relative: “the cities which thou hast destroyed.”
...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7-10. The great influence Job had over young and old, and noblemen.
**through ... street!--**rather, When I went out of my house, in the country (see Job 1:1, prologue) to the gate (ascending), up to the city (which was on elevated ground), and when I prepared my (judicial) seat in the market place. The market place was the place of judgment, at the gate or propylæa of the city, such as is found...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.</strong> After describing the destruction of Israel's enemies (verses 5-6), David now contrasts the permanence of God with the transience of human powers. While nations rage and enemies threaten, Yahweh remains eternally unchanged and unchangeable.<br><br>"The LORD shall endure for ever" (<em>vaYahweh le'olam yes...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **But the Lord shall endure.**—Better, *but Jehovah sits enthroned for ever, *being in close parallelism with the next clause, “For judgment has erected his throne.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. blessed--**extolled my virtues (Pr 31:28). Omit "me" after "heard"; whoever heard of me (in general, not in the market place, Job 29:7-10) praised me.
**gave witness--**to my honorable character. Image from a court of justice (Lu 4:22).
**the eye--**that is, "face to face"; antithesis to
**ear--**that is, report of me.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
In contrast to enemies' destruction, 'the LORD shall endure for ever.' The Hebrew 'yashab' (shall endure/sit) suggests permanent enthronement. God has 'prepared his throne for judgment' - His judicial authority is established and permanent. He judges with 'righteousness' and 'uprightness,' ensuring perfect justice. This verse provides comfort: human kingdoms rise and fall, but God's kingdom is ete...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **And he . . . .**—Better, *and he it is who. *The pronoun is emphatic.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12-17. The grounds on which Job was praised (Job 29:11), his helping the afflicted (Psa 72:12) who cried to him for help, as a judge, or as one possessed of means of charity. Translate: "The fatherless who had none to help him."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. a refuge: Heb. an high place
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.</strong> After establishing God's eternal throne of judgment (verse 7), David now reveals God's character toward the oppressed. Divine justice is not cold or distant but protective and accessible, especially to those who suffer wrongfully.<br><br>"The LORD also will be" (<em>vihi Yahweh</em>, וִיהִי יְהוָה) ind...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **The Lord also.**—Better, *but let Jehovah.*
**Refuge.**—Properly, *a stronghold: *a citadel into which the persecuted would retreat.
**Oppressed.**—Properly, *crushed.*
**Trouble.**—From root meaning “to cut off from.” Sc., “provisions,” “water,” and the like. Its cognate in Jeremiah 14:1; Jeremiah 17:8, means “drought.” The phrase “in times of trouble” recurs in Psalm 10:1**.**
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12-17. The grounds on which Job was praised (Job 29:11), his helping the afflicted (Psa 72:12) who cried to him for help, as a judge, or as one possessed of means of charity. Translate: "The fatherless who had none to help him."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.</strong> This verse reveals the relationship between knowing God and trusting God. David establishes a causal connection: those who know God's name will trust Him, because His track record demonstrates faithfulness to those who seek Him.<br><br>"They that know thy name" (<em>vey...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **They that know.**—They who know the name of Jehovah will trust Him, because they know it to be a watchword of strength and protection.
**Seek.**—From root meaning “to tread” or “frequent a place,” possibly with allusion to frequenting the courts of the Temple.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12-17. The grounds on which Job was praised (Job 29:11), his helping the afflicted (Psa 72:12) who cried to him for help, as a judge, or as one possessed of means of charity. Translate: "The fatherless who had none to help him."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
David praises God for protecting his people.(1-10)
And for cause to praise him.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
If we would praise God acceptably, we must praise him in sincerity, with our whole heart. When we give thanks for some one particular mercy, we should remember former mercies. Our joy must not be in the gift, so much as in the Giver. The triumphs of the...
Read full commentary →Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
A call to worship: 'Sing praises' celebrates God while 'declare among the people his doings' emphasizes testimony and evangelism. 'Which dwelleth in Zion' connects God's transcendence with His covenant presence among His people. Zion represents where God meets humanity - ultimately fulfilled in Christ (John 1:14) and the church. The combination of praise and proclamation shows worship is both vert...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12-17. The grounds on which Job was praised (Job 29:11), his helping the afflicted (Psa 72:12) who cried to him for help, as a judge, or as one possessed of means of charity. Translate: "The fatherless who had none to help him."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
Read full commentary →When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble . humble: or, afflicted
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KJV Study Commentary
God makes 'inquisition for blood' - He investigates and avenges injustice and murder. The Hebrew 'darash damim' (seeks blood) emphasizes God's commitment to justice for the oppressed. He 'remembereth them' and 'forgetteth not the cry of the humble.' This assures victims that God sees, records, and will address all injustice. The 'humble' (Hebrew 'anaw' - afflicted, meek) have God's special attenti...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **When.**—Better, *for he maketh inquisition; *literally, *the seeker of bloods: i.e.*, “the avenger of blood.” The allusion is to the *goel, *the nearest relative of the murdered man, who must, according to Oriental custom, avenge him. The verbs are better in the past, “remembered,” “forgot not.”
**Them**—*i.e., *the sufferers to be mentioned now.
**Humble**.—This follows the Hebrew margin. ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12-17. The grounds on which Job was praised (Job 29:11), his helping the afflicted (Psa 72:12) who cried to him for help, as a judge, or as one possessed of means of charity. Translate: "The fatherless who had none to help him."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
Read full commentary →Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
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KJV Study Commentary
David pleads for mercy in the midst of trouble from 'them that hate me.' The title 'thou that liftest me up from the gates of death' acknowledges God as deliverer from mortal danger. 'Gates of death' (Hebrew 'sha'ar mavet') represents the entry point to death/Sheol. This combination of present suffering and confidence in divine deliverance shows biblical realism - trouble exists but God rescues. C...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13, 14) It is natural to take these verses as the cry for help just mentioned.
**Consider.**—Literally, *see my suffering from my haters.*
**My lifter up from the gates of death.**—For the gates of *sheol, *see Note to Psalm 6:5. (Comp. Psalm 107:18, and the Homeric phrase “the gates of Hades.”) We might perhaps paraphrase “from the verge of the grave,” if it were not for the evident antithesis t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12-17. The grounds on which Job was praised (Job 29:11), his helping the afflicted (Psa 72:12) who cried to him for help, as a judge, or as one possessed of means of charity. Translate: "The fatherless who had none to help him."
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
Read full commentary →That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
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KJV Study Commentary
David's plea for mercy connects deliverance with doxology, demonstrating that God's salvation has worship as its ultimate purpose. The 'gates of death' contrast with 'gates of Zion,' illustrating the biblical theme of two cities—the earthly versus the heavenly. This verse anticipates Christ's victory over death's gates (Matthew 16:18) and our participation in eternal praise.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. I said--**in my heart (Psa 30:6).
**in--**rather, "with my nest"; as the second clause refers to long life. Instead of my family dying before me, as now, I shall live so long as to die with them: proverbial for long life. Job did realize his hope (Job 42:16). However, in the bosom of my family, gives a good sense (Nu 24:21; Ob 4). Use "nest" for a secure dwelling.
**sand--**(Ge 22:17; Ha...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
Read full commentary →The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse illustrates the principle of divine retribution—the wicked fall into their own traps. The Hebrew concept of 'mishpat' (judgment) here reveals God's providential ordering where sin contains its own punishment. This anticipates Paul's teaching that God 'gives them over' to their sin's consequences (Romans 1:24-28).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) Comp. Psalm 7:16.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19. Literally, "opened to the waters." Opposed to Job 18:16. Vigorous health.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
Read full commentary →The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. Higgaion: that is, Meditation
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KJV Study Commentary
The 'Higgaion' and 'Selah' are liturgical notations indicating a pause for meditation on God's revealed justice. The wicked being snared by 'the work of his own hands' demonstrates the Reformed doctrine of God's sovereignty even over human rebellion—He uses the wicked's own devices for their judgment. This verse calls for thoughtful reflection on divine justice.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **The Lord.**—Better, *Jehovah hath made himself known. He hath executed judgment, snaring the wicked in the work of his own hands.*
**Higgaion. Selah.**—*Higgaion *occurs three times in the Psalms—here. Psalm 19:14, and Psalm 92:4 (Heb.). In the two latter places it is translated; in Psalm 19:14, “meditation;” in Psalm 92:4, “solemn sound.” Both meanings are etymologically possible, but the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
20. My renown, like my bodily health, was continually fresh.
**bow--**Metaphor from war, for, my strength, which gains me "renown," was ever renewed (Jr 49:35).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
Read full commentary →The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.</strong> This sobering declaration announces divine judgment on the wicked. After celebrating God's justice and protection of the oppressed, David now states clearly that those who persist in wickedness and forgetfulness of God face eternal consequences.<br><br>"The wicked shall be turned into hell" (<em>yashuvu res...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **The wicked.**—This is a most unfortunate rendering. The true translation is, *the wicked shall return, *as in LXX. and Vulg. (not “be turned”) *to the grave, i.e.*, *to dust, *according to the doom in Genesis 3:19, or *to the unseen world, *as in Job 30:23; Psalm 90:1-3; or the verbs may be imperative, as in LXX. and Vulg., *let them return. *The verse is closely connected with the previous...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
21. Job reverts with peculiar pleasure to his former dignity in assemblies (Job 29:7-10).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
Read full commentary →For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.</strong> Immediately after declaring judgment on the wicked (verse 17), David balances divine justice with divine mercy. God's judgment on the oppressor ensures that the oppressed will not be permanently forgotten. This verse provides eschatological hope for those who suffer.<br><br>"The need...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **Not alway**.—In the original the negative comes emphatically at the commencement, ruling both clauses, as in Psalm 35:19.
**The expectation of the poor.**—The sufferer’s hope will at some time be realised: the hope of being righted. In this confidence the psalmist goes on to call on Jehovah to appear as judge.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22. not again--**did not contradict me.
**dropped--**affected their minds, as the genial rain does the soil on which it gently drops (Am 7:16; De 32:2; So 4:11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
Read full commentary →Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
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KJV Study Commentary
The Hebrew 'enosh' (mortal man) emphasizes human frailty in contrast to God's sovereignty. David's prayer reflects the Reformed understanding that human autonomy is rebellion—man must not 'prevail' in his own strength. This anticipates Christ's teaching that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Let not man prevail.**—Better, *let not mere man be defiant.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23. Image of Job 29:22 continued. They waited for my salutary counsel, as the dry soil does for the refreshing rain.
**opened ... mouth--**panted for; Oriental image (Psa 119:131). The "early rain" is in autumn and onwards, while the seed is being sown. The "latter rain" is in March, and brings forward the harvest, which ripens in May or June. Between the early and latter rains, some rain falls,...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
Read full commentary →Put them in fear , O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
David prays for the nations to remember their creatureliness. The Hebrew 'morah' (fear/terror) indicates holy reverence, not mere anxiety. This Reformed perspective affirms that acknowledging our humanity before God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and necessary for salvation—we must know we are not God.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Put them in fear.**—There is a difficulty about the reading. The LXX., Vulg., and Syriac read “place a lawgiver or master over them.” So Syriac, “law.” Hitzig conjectures, “set a guard upon them.” With the present reading apparently the rendering should be, *put a terror upon them: i.e.*, “give such a proof of power as to trouble and subdue them.”
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
24. When I relaxed from my wonted gravity (a virtue much esteemed in the East) and smiled, they could hardly credit it; and yet, notwithstanding my condescension, they did not cast aside reverence for my gravity. But the parallelism is better in Umbreit's translation, "I smiled kindly on those who trusted not," that is, in times of danger I cheered those in despondency. And they could not cast dow...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has...
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