For the Chief Musician, with the flutes. A Psalm by David.
1 Give ear to my words, LORD. Consider my meditation. 2 Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God; for to you do I pray. 3 LORD, in the morning you shall hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly. 4 For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you. 5 The arrogant shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. 6 You will destroy those who speak lies. The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. 7 But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow towards your holy temple in reverence of you. 8 Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face. 9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue. 10 Hold them guilty, God. Let them fall by their own counsels; thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you. 11 But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice, let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you. 12 For you will bless the righteous. LORD, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, 1706
Verses 1–6
God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. The most encouraging principle of prayer, and the most powerful plea in prayer, is, to look upon him as our King and our God. David also prays to a sin-hating God. sin is folly, and sinners are the greatest of all fools; fools of their own making. Wicked people hate God; justly are they hated of him, and this will be their endless misery and ruin. Let us learn the importance of truth and sincerity, in all the affairs of life. Liars and murderers resemble the devil, and are his children, therefore it may well be expected that God should abhor them. These were the characters of David’s enemies; and such as these are still the enemies of Christ and his people.
Verses 7–12
David prayed often alone, yet was very constant in attendance on public worship. The mercy of God should ever be the foundation both of our hope and of our joy, in every thing wherein we have to do with him. Let us learn to pray, not for ourselves only, but for others; grace be with all that love Christ in sincerity. The Divine blessing comes down upon us through Jesus Christ, the righteous or just One, as of old it did upon Israel through David, whom God protected, and placed upon the throne. Thou, O Christ, art the righteous Saviour, thou art the King of Israel, thou art the Fountain of blessing to all believers; thy favour is the defence and protection of thy church.