Verse 4

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

Incline not — Suffer it not to be inclined.

Heart — Keep me not only from wicked speeches, but from all evil motions of my heart.

Dainties — The pleasures or advantages which they gain by their wickedness.

Verse 5

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

Smite — By reproofs.

Break — Not hurt, but heal and greatly refresh me.

Calamities — In the calamities of those righteous persons who reproved him. When they came into such calamities as those wherein he was involved he would pity them and pray for them.

Verse 6

When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.

Judges — The chief of mine enemies.

Overthrown — Or, cast down headlong by thine exemplary vengeance.

Hear — Hearken unto my counsels and offers which now they despise.

Verse 7

Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.

Our bones — Our case is almost as hopeless as of those who are dead, and whose bones are scattered in several places.