Verses 1–9
David flees to God for succour. But Christ alone could call on Heaven to attest his uprightness
in all things. All His works were wrought in righteousness; and the prince of this world found
nothing whereof justly to accuse him. Yet for our sakes, submitting to be charged as guilty, he
suffered all evils, but, being innocent, he triumphed over them all. The plea is, “For the righteous
God trieth the hearts and the reins.” He knows the secret wickedness of the wicked, and how to
bring it to an end; he is witness to the secret sincerity of the just, and has ways of establishing it.
When a man has made peace with God about all his sins, upon the terms of grace and mercy, through
the sacrifice of the Mediator, he may, in comparison with his enemies, appeal to God's justice to
decide.
Verses 10–17
David is confident that he shall find God his powerful Saviour. The destruction of sinners may
be prevented by their conversion; for it is threatened, If he turn not from his evil way, let him expect
it will be his ruin. But amidst the threatenings of wrath, we have a gracious offer of mercy. God
gives sinners warning of their danger, and space to repent, and prevent it. He is slow to punish, and
long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish. The sinner is described, ver. #(14–16),
as taking more pains to ruin his soul than, if directed aright, would save it. This is true, in a sense,
of all sinners. Let us look to the Saviour under all our trials. Blessed Lord, give us grace to look to
thee in the path of tribulation, going before thy church and people, and marking the way by thine
own spotless example. Under all the persecutions which in our lesser trials mark our way, let the
looking to Jesus animate our minds and comfort our hearts.
Chapter 8
Chapter Outline
God is to be glorified, for making known (1, 2)
himself to us.
And for making even the heavenly bodies (3–9)
useful to man, thereby placing him but little
lower than the angels.Verses 1, 2
The psalmist seeks to give unto God the glory due to his name. How bright this glory shines
even in this lower world! He is ours, for he made us, protects us, and takes special care of us. The
birth, life, preaching, miracles, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus are known
through the world. No name is so universal, no power and influence so generally felt, as those of