Verse 1

"A Prayer a of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD." Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my b cry come unto thee.

(a) By which is signified, that even though we are in great misery, yet there is always room for prayer.

(b) He declares that in our prayer we must lively feel that which we desire, and steadfastly believe to obtain.

Verse 3

For my days are c consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

(c) These excessive kinds of speech show how much the affliction of the Church should wound the hearts of the godly.

Verse 4

My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget d to eat my bread.

(d) My sorrows were so great that I did not eat.

Verse 6

I am like a e pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.

(e) Always mourning in solitude and casting out fearful cries.

Verse 8

Mine enemies reproach me all the day; [and] they that are mad against me are f sworn against me.

(f) Have conspired my death.

Verse 9

For I have g eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

(g) I have not risen out of my mourning to take my refreshment.

Verse 10

Because of thine h indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

(h) He shows that not only the afflictions moved him, but chiefly the feeling of God's displeasure.

Verse 12

But thou, O LORD, shalt i endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

(i) Though we are frail, yet your promise is sure, and the remembrance of it will confirm us forever.

Verse 13

Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the k set time, is come.

(k) That is, the seventy years which by the prophet Jeremiah you appointed, (Jeremiah 29:12).

Verse 14

For thy servants take pleasure in her l stones, and favour the dust thereof.

(l) The more the Church is in misery and desolation, the more the faithful should love and pity it.

Verse 16

When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear m in his glory.

(m) That is, when he will have drawn his church out of the darkness of death.

Verse 18

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be n created shall praise the LORD.

(n) The deliverance of the Church is an excellent benefit, and therefore he compares it to a new creation for in their banishment the body of the Church seemed to have been dead, which by deliverance was as it were created anew.

Verse 20

To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are o appointed to death;

(o) Who now in their banishment could look for nothing but death.

Verse 22

When the people are gathered p together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

(p) He shows that Gad's name is never more praised, than when religion flourishes and the church increases: which is chiefly accomplished under the kingdom of Christ.

Verse 23

He q weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.

(q) The church lament that they see not the time of Christ, which was promised, but have but few years and short days.

Verse 26

r They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

(r) If heaven and earth perish, much more man will perish: but the Church by reason of God's promise endures forever.

Verse 28

The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall s be established before thee.

(s) Seeing you have chosen your Church out of the world, and joined it to you, it cannot but continue forever: for you are everlasting.