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1 Shiggaion of Dauid; which he sang vnto the Lord concerning the words of Cush the Beniamite. O Lord, my God, in thee doe I put my trust: saue me from all them that persecute me, and deliuer me.
2 Least hee teare my soule like a lyon, renting it in pieces, while there is none to deliuer.
3 O Lord my God, if I haue done this; if there be iniquitie in my hands:
4 If I haue rewarded euill vnto him that was at peace with me: (yea I haue deliuered him that without cause is mine enemie.)
5 Let the enemie persecute my soule, and take it, yea let him tread downe my life vpon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
6 Arise, O Lord, in thine anger, lift vp thy selfe, because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the iudgement that thou hast commanded.
7 So shall the congregation of the people compasse thee about: for their sakes therefore returne thou on high.
8 The Lord shal iudge the people: iudge me, O Lord, according to my righteousnesse, and according to mine integritie that is in me.
9 Oh let the wickednes of the wicked come to an end, but establish the iust: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reines.
10 My defence is of God, which saueth the vpright in heart.
11 God iudgeth the righteous, and God is angrie with the wicked euery-day.
12 If he turne not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bowe, and made it ready.
13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrowes against the persecutors.
14 Behold, he trauelleth with iniquitie, and hath conceiued mischiefe, and brought forth falshood.
15 He made a pit and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
16 His mischiefe shall returne vpon his owne head, and his violent dealing shall come downe vpon his owne pate.
17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousnesse: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.
The psalmist prays to God to plead his cause, and judge for him. (1-9) He expresses confidence in God, and will give him the glory of his deliverance. (10-17)
1-9 David flees to God for succour. But Christ alone could call on Heaven to attest his uprightness in all things. All His works were wrought in righteousness; and the prince of this world found nothing whereof justly to accuse him. Yet for our sakes, submitting to be charged as guilty, he suffered all evils, but, being innocent, he triumphed over them all. The plea is, "For the righteous God trieth the hearts and the reins." He knows the secret wickedness of the wicked, and how to bring it to an end; he is witness to the secret sincerity of the just, and has ways of establishing it. When a man has made peace with God about all his sins, upon the terms of grace and mercy, through the sacrifice of the Mediator, he may, in comparison with his enemies, appeal to God's justice to decide.
10-17 David is confident that he shall find God his powerful Saviour. The destruction of sinners may be prevented by their conversion; for it is threatened, If he turn not from his evil way, let him expect it will be his ruin. But amidst the threatenings of wrath, we have a gracious offer of mercy. God gives sinners warning of their danger, and space to repent, and prevent it. He is slow to punish, and long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish. The sinner is described, ver. #14-16|, as taking more pains to ruin his soul than, if directed aright, would save it. This is true, in a sense, of all sinners. Let us look to the Saviour under all our trials. Blessed Lord, give us grace to look to thee in the path of tribulation, going before thy church and people, and marking the way by thine own spotless example. Under all the persecutions which in our lesser trials mark our way, let the looking to Jesus animate our minds and comfort our hearts.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.