Bible Commentaries

Title, of David = by David.

the servant of the Lord. In the Hebrew text these two words are reversed, and the title stands thus: "Relating to Jehovah's servant, by David ". This is exactly what it is. His prayer and praise in view of Psalm 22 (see p. 721, and Isaiah 42:1, &c), in death and resurrection. Psalm 18 is the only other Psalm so entitled.

transgression = rebellion. Hebrew pasha". App-44.

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew rasha". App-44.

saith : declareth, as an oracle. Hebrew na"am. Compare Jeremiah 23:31 = declareth. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6.

within my heart = within me; "my heart" being put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, for the whole person: i.e. assureth or convinceth me that, &c. Not seeing the Figure of speech, or the force of the Hebrew na"am, many follow the hypothesis of the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, and read "his heart".

there is, &c. Quoted in Romans 3:18.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4. His relation, as Creator, to His creatures. This lawless one knows not Jehovah; and fears not Elohim.

his eyes. Answering to "his heart" in preceding clause.

iniquity. Hebrew "avah.

iniquity. Hebrew. "aven. App-44.

mischief. Hebrew. "aven, as in Psalms 36:3, "iniquity".

setteth himself = taketh his stand.

evil. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace (as in Psalms 36:7).

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. mountains: i.e. great and mighty.

Thy judgments = And Thy just decrees. The "And" was cancelled by the Massorites (see the Babylonian Talmud Nedarim, 37b-38a). Ginsburg Int. (pp. 307-8).

LORD = Jehovah, because of preservation, which is more than creation. See App-4.

man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

lovingkindness. Compare "mercy", Psalms 36:5.

God. Hebrew. Elohim.(App-4.), because of His creatures, the sons of men.

children = sons.

put their trust under = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.

wings. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

river = full stream. Hebrew. nahal. Refers to Paradise.

continue = prolong.