1 Reioyce in the Lord, O yee righteous: for prayse is comely for the vpright.
2 Praise the Lord with harp: sing vnto him with the Psalterie, and an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing vnto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4 For the word of the Lord is right: and all his workes are done in trueth.
5 Hee loueth righteousnesse and iudgement: the earth is ful of the goodnesse of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heauens made: and all the host of them, by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as an heape: he layeth vp the depth in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth feare the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spake, and it was done: he commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The Lord bringeth the counsell of the heathen to nought: he maketh the deuices of the people, of none effect.
11 The counsaile of the Lord standeth for euer, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation, whose God is the Lord: and the people, whom he hath chosen for his owne inheritance.
13 The Lord looketh from heauen: he beholdeth all the sonnes of men.
14 From the place of his habitation, he looketh vpon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike: he considereth all their workes.
16 There is no king saued by the multitude of an hoste: a mightie man is not deliuered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vaine thing for safetie: neither shall he deliuer any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is vpon them that feare him: vpon them that hope in his mercy:
19 To deliuer their soule from death, and to keepe them aliue in famine.
20 Our soule waiteth for the Lord: he is our helpe, and our shield.
21 For our heart shall reioyce in him: because we haue trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy (O Lord) be vpon vs: according as we hope in thee.
God to be praised. (1-11) His people encouraged by his power. (12-22)
1-11 Holy joy is the heart and soul of praise, and that is here pressed upon the righteous. Thankful praise is the breath and language of holy joy. Religious songs are proper expressions of thankful praise. Every endowment we possess, should be employed with all our skill and earnestness in God's service. His promises are all wise and good. His word is right, and therefore we are only in the right when we agree with it. His works are all done in truth. He is the righteous Lord, therefore loveth righteousness. What a pity it is that this earth, which is so full of the proofs and instances of God's goodness, should be so empty of his praises; and that of the multitudes who live upon his bounty, there are so few who live to his glory! What the Lord does, he does to purpose; it stands fast. He overrules all the counsels of men, and makes them serve his counsels; even that is fulfilled, which to us is most surprising, the eternal counsel of God, nor can any thing prevent its coming to pass.
12-22 All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we need not fear whatever is against us. We are to give to him the glory of his special grace. All human devices for the salvation of our souls are vain; but the Lord's watchful eye is over those whose conscientious fear of his name proceeds from a believing hope in his mercy. In difficulties they shall be helped; in dangers they shall not receive any real damage. Those that fear God and his wrath, must hope in God and his mercy; for there is no flying from him, but by flying to him. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us; let us always have the comfort and benefit, not according to our merits, but according to the promise which thou hast in thy word given to us, and according to the faith thou hast by thy Spirit and grace wrought in us.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.