Verse 1

"a To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave." Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] a calamities be overpast.

(a) This was either the beginning of a certain song, or the words which David uttered when he stayed his affection.

(b) He compares the afflictions which God lays on his children, to a storm that comes and goes.

Verse 2

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that c performeth [all things] for me.

(c) Who does not leave his works begun imperfectly.

Verse 3

He shall send from d heaven, and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

(d) He would rather deliver me by a miracle, than that I should be overcome.

Verse 4

My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] e spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

(e) He means their slanderous and false reports.

Verse 5

f Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.

(f) Do not permit me to be destroyed to the contempt of your Name.

Verse 6

They have prepared a net for my steps; g my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen [themselves]. Selah.

(g) For fear, seeing the great dangers on all sides.

Verse 7

My heart is h fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: i I will sing and give praise.

(h) That is, wholly bent to give you praise for my deliverance.

(i) He shows that both his heart will praise God, and his tongue will confess him, and also he will use other means to provoke himself forward to the same.

Verse 10

For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the k clouds.

(k) Your mercies not only belong to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.