Verse 4

How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

Utter — Or pour forth freely, constantly, abundantly, as a fountain doth waters (so this Hebrew word signifies.) Hard things - Insolent, and intolerable words against thee and thy people.

Verse 7

Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

Of Jacob — He who takes that name to himself, but has no regard to his people.

Verse 9

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?

Planted — The word is emphatical, signifying the excellent structure of the ear, or the several organs belonging to the sense of hearing.

Formed — By which word he intimates the accurate and curious workmanship of the eye.

Verse 10

He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?

Know — Mens thoughts and words and actions.

Verse 11

The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

Thoughts — Yes, he knoweth all things, even the most secret things, as the thoughts of men; and in particular your thoughts; much more your practices.

Verse 12

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Blessed — Those afflictions which are accompanied with Divine instructions are great and true blessings.

Verse 15

But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.

But — God will declare himself to be a righteous judge, and will again establish justice in the earth.

Follow — They will all approve of it, and imitate this justice of God in all their actions.

Verse 16

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

Rise — To defend and help me. I looked hither and thither, but none appeared; God alone helped me.

Verse 17

Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

Dwelt — In the place of silence, the grave.

Verse 19

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Thoughts — While my heart was filled with various and perplexing thoughts, as this Hebrew word signifies.

Comforts — Thy promises, and the remembrance of my former experience of thy care and kindness.

Verse 20

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

Shall — Wilt thou take part with the unrighteous powers of the world who oppress thy people.

A law — By virtue of those unrighteous decrees which they have made.