Bible Commentaries

A Confident Prayer for Divine Aid.

To the chief musician upon Neginah, with the accompaniment upon stringed instruments, a psalm of David.

v. 1. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer, the plea being all the more urgent since David at that time, probably on account of the rebellion of Absalom, was cut off from his usual privileges, particularly that of attending worship with the congregation.

v. 2. From the end of the earth, places remote from the Sanctuary, to which he was now banished, will I cry unto Thee when my heart is overwhelmed, literally, "in the covering of my heart," while his heart was enveloped, or clouded, with anxiety and care. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, one inaccessible to him by his own strength, and therefore also to the enemies, where he would be secure under God's protection.

v. 3. For Thou hast been a Shelter for me, a Refuge in the midst of dangers, and a strong Tower from the enemy, affording that absolute safety which only God's power can grant.

v. 4. I will abide in Thy Tabernacle, satisfied with the privilege of a guest in the tent of God's worship, forever; I will trust in the covert of Thy wings, the fine figure of absolute protection and safety again being used, Psa 91:1; Deu 33:27. Selah.

v. 5. For Thou, O God, hast heard my vows, those connected with his prayer; Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear Thy name, a part in the spiritual blessings of Israel.

v. 6. Thou wilt prolong the king's life, adding to the days of his own life, and his years as many generations, or, "May his years be as generation and generation! "For David sees in spirit the royal line ending in Christ and thus enduring throughout eternity.

v. 7. He shall abide before God forever, the king enthroned before God's face, enjoying the light of His favor: O prepare mercy and truth, Psa 40:11; Psa 57:3, which may preserve him, the grace of God, in accordance with His faithful promise, guarding him from his enemies and rebellious subjects.

v. 8. So will I sing praise unto Thy name forever, extolling the essence of God and all His divine attributes and making them known by the proclamation of His Word, that I may daily perform my vows, the measure of his thanksgiving being the same as that of his prayers to the Lord. We Christians know how this prayer of David was heard, namely, that God preserved the throne of David through the darkness of many centuries, until the true light and salvation came in the person of Jesus Christ.