1 A Psalme of Dauid, when he changed his behauiour before Abimelech: who droue him away & he departed. I will blesse the Lord at all times: his prayse shall continually bee in my mouth.
2 My soule shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall heare thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnifie the Lord with me, and let vs exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and hee heard me; and deliuered mee from all my feares.
5 They looked vnto him, and were lightned: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poore man cried, and the Lord heard him; and saued him out of all his troubles.
7 The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that feare him, and deliuereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O feare the Lord yee his Saints: for there is no want to them that feare him.
10 The young lyons doe lacke, and suffer hunger: but they that seeke the Lord, shall not want any good thing.
11 Come yee children, hearken vnto me: I will teach you the feare of the Lord.
12 What man is hee that desireth life; and loueth many dayes, that he may see good?
13 Keepe thy tongue from euill, and thy lippes from speaking guile.
14 Depart from euill, and doe good: seeke peace and pursue it.
15 The eies of the Lord are vpon the righteous; and his eares are open vnto their crie.
16 The face of the Lord is against them that doe euill; to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous crie, and the Lord heareth; and deliuereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is nigh vnto them that are of a broken heart: and saueth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord deliuereth him out of them all.
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21 Euill shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shalbe desolate.
22 The Lord redeemech the soule of his seruants: and none of them that trust in him, shalbe desolate.
David praises God, and encourages to trust him. (1-10) He exhorts to fear. (11-22)
1-10 If we hope to spend eternity in praising God, it is fit that we should spend much of our time here in this work. He never said to any one, Seek ye me in vain. David's prayers helped to silence his fears; many besides him have looked unto the Lord by faith and prayer, and it has wonderfully revived and comforted them. When we look to the world, we are perplexed, and at a loss. But on looking to Christ depends our whole salvation, and all things needful thereunto do so also. This poor man, whom no man looked upon with any respect, or looked after with any concern, was yet welcome to the throne of grace; the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The holy angels minister to the saints, and stand for them against the powers of darkness. All the glory be to the Lord of the angels. By taste and sight we both make discoveries, and have enjoyment; Taste and see God's goodness; take notice of it, and take the comfort of it. He makes all truly blessed that trust in him. As to the things of the other world, they shall have grace sufficient for the support of spiritual life. And as to this life, they shall have what is necessary from the hand of God. Paul had all, and abounded, because he was content, #Php 4:11-18|. Those who trust to themselves, and think their own efforts sufficient for them, shall want; but they shall be fed who trust in the Lord. Those shall not want, who with quietness work, and mind their own business.
11-22 Let young persons set out in life with learning the fear of the Lord, if they desire true comfort here, and eternal happiness hereafter. Those will be most happy who begin the soonest to serve so good a Master. All aim to be happy. Surely this must look further than the present world; for man's life on earth consists but of few days, and those full of trouble. What man is he that would see the good of that where all bliss is perfect? Alas! few have this good in their thoughts. That religion promises best which creates watchfulness over the heart and over the tongue. It is not enough not to do hurt, we must study to be useful, and to live to some purpose; we must seek peace and pursue it; be willing to deny ourselves a great deal for peace' sake. It is the constant practice of real believers, when in distress, to cry unto God, and it is their constant comfort that he hears them. The righteous are humbled for sin, and are low in their own eyes. Nothing is more needful to true godliness than a contrite heart, broken off from every self-confidence. In this soil every grace will flourish, and nothing can encourage such a one but the free, rich grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The righteous are taken under the special protection of the Lord, yet they have their share of crosses in this world, and there are those that hate them. Both from the mercy of Heaven, and the malice of hell, the afflictions of the righteous must be many. But whatever troubles befal them, shall not hurt their souls, for God keeps them from sinning in troubles. No man is desolate, but he whom God has forsaken.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.