Verse 1

"To the chief Musician, Altaschith, a Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him." b Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

(a) Or, a certain tune.

(b) Though his enemies were even at hand to destroy him, yet he assures himself that God had ways to deliver him.

Verse 3

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not [for] my c transgression, nor [for] my sin, O LORD.

(c) For I am innocent toward them, and have not offended them.

Verse 5

Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not d merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

(d) Seeing it belongs to God's judgments to punish the wicked, he desires God to execute his vengeance on the reprobate, who maliciously persecutes his Church.

Verse 6

They return at evening: they make a noise like a e dog, and go round about the city.

(e) He compares their cruelty to hungry dogs showing that they are never weary in doing evil.

Verse 7

Behold, they f belch out with their mouth: swords [are] in their lips: for who, [say they], doth hear?

(f) They boast openly in their wicked devises, and every word is as a sword: for they neither fear God nor are ashamed of men.

Verse 9

g [Because of] his strength will I wait upon thee: for God [is] my defence.

(g) Though Saul has great power, yet I know that you bridle him: therefore I will patiently hope in you.

Verse 10

The God of my mercy shall h prevent me: God shall let me see [my desire] upon mine enemies.

(h) He will not fail to help me when need requires.

Verse 11

Slay them i not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

(i) Altogether, but little by little, that the people seeing your judgments often, may be mindful of you.

Verse 12

[For] the sin of their mouth [and] the words of their lips let them even be k taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying [which] they speak.

(k) That in their misery and shame they may be as glasses and examples of God's vengeance.

Verse 13

l Consume [them] in wrath, consume [them], that they [may] not [be]: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

(l) When your time will come, and when they have sufficiently served for an example of your vengeance to others.

Verse 14

And at evening let them m return; [and] let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

(m) He mocks their vain enterprises, being assured that they will not bring their purpose to pass.

Verse 16

But I will sing of thy n power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

(n) Who used the policy of a weak woman to confound the enemies strength, (1 Samuel 19:12).

Verse 17

Unto thee, O my o strength, will I sing: for God [is] my defence, [and] the God of my mercy.

(o) Confessing himself to be void of all virtue and strength, he attributes the whole to God.