David rejoices in the deliverances God (1–19)
wrought for him.
He takes the comfort of his integrity, which (20–28)
God had cleared up.
He gives to God the glory of all his mighty (29–50)
deeds.Verses 1–19
The first words, “I will love thee, O Lord, my strength,” are the scope and contents of the psalm.
Those that truly love God, may triumph in him as their Rock and Refuge, and may with confidence
call upon him. It is good for us to observe all the circumstances of a mercy which magnify the
power of God and his goodness to us in it. David was a praying man, and God was found a
prayer-hearing God. If we pray as he did, we shall speed as he did. God's manifestation of his
presence is very fully described, ver. #(7–15). Little appeared of man, but much of God, in these
deliverances. It is not possible to apply to the history of the son of Jesse those awful, majestic, and
stupendous words which are used through this description of the Divine manifestation. Every part
of so solemn a scene of terrors tells us, a greater than David is here. God will not only deliver his
people out of their troubles in due time, but he will bear them up under their troubles in the mean
time. Can we meditate on ver. 18, without directing one thought to Gethsemane and Calvary? Can
we forget that it was in the hour of Christ's deepest calamity, when Judas betrayed, when his friends
forsook, when the multitude derided him, and the smiles of his Father's love were withheld, that
the powers of darkness prevented him? The sorrows of death surrounded him, in his distress he
prayed, Heb 5:7. God made the earth to shake and tremble, and the rocks to cleave, and brought
him out, in his resurrection, because he delighted in him and in his undertaking.
Verses 20–28
Those that forsake the ways of the Lord, depart from their God. But though conscious to
ourselves of many a false step, let there not be a wicked departure from our God. David kept his
eye upon the rule of God's commands. Constant care to keep from that sin, whatever it be, which
most easily besets us, proves that we are upright before God. Those who show mercy to others,
even they need mercy. Those who are faithful to God, shall find him all that to them which he has
promised to be. The words of the Lord are pure words, very sure to be depended on, and very sweet
to be delighted in. Those who resist God, and walk contrary to him, shall find that he will walk
contrary to them, Le 26:21–24. The gracious recompence of which David spoke, may generally be
expected by those who act from right motives. Hence he speaks comfort to the humble, and terror
to the proud; “Thou wilt bring down high looks.” And he speaks encouragement to himself; “Thou
wilt light my candle:” thou wilt revive and comfort my sorrowful spirit; thou wilt guide my way,
that I may avoid the snares laid for me. Thou wilt light my candle to work by, and give me an
opportunity of serving thee. Let those that walk in darkness, and labour under discouragements,
take courage; God himself will be a Light to them.