1 To the chiefe musician, a Psalme of Dauid. Heare my voice, O God, in my praier; preserue my life from feare of the enemie.
2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked: from the insurrection of the workers of iniquitie:
3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bowes to shoote their arrowes, euen bitter words:
4 That they may shoote in secret at the perfect: suddenly doe they shoote at him, and feare not.
5 They incourage themselues in an euill matter: they commune of laying snares priuily; they say, Who shall see them?
6 They search out iniquities, they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of euery one of them, and the heart, is deepe.
7 But God shall shoote at them: with an arrowe, sodenly shall they be wounded.
8 So they shall make their owne tongue to fall vpon themselues: all that see them, shall flee away.
9 And all men shall feare, and shall declare the worke of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
10 The righteous shalbe glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the vpright in heart shall glory.
Prayer for deliverance. (1-6) The destruction of the wicked, encouragement to the righteous. (7-10)
1-6 The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. There is no guard against a false tongue. It is bad to do wrong, but worse to encourage ourselves and one another in it. It is a sign that the heart is hardened to the greatest degree, when it is thus fully set to do evil. A practical disbelief of God's knowledge of all things, is at the bottom of every wickedness. The benefit of a good cause and a good conscience, appears most when nothing can help a man against his enemies, save God alone, who is always a present help.
7-10 When God brings upon men the mischiefs they have desired on others, it is weight enough to sink a man to the lowest hell. Those who love cursing, it shall come upon them. Those who behold this shall understand, and observe God's hand in all; unless we do so, we are not likely to profit by the dispensations of Providence. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord; not glad of the misery and ruin of their fellow-creatures, but glad that God is glorified, and his word fulfilled, and the cause of injured innocence pleaded effectually. They rejoice not in men, nor in themselves, nor in any creature, or creature enjoyments, nor in their wisdom, strength, riches, or righteousness; but in Christ, in whom all the seed of Israel are justified and glory, and in what he is to them, and has done for them.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.