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1 Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for euer: with my mouth will I make knowen thy faithfulnesse to all generations.
2 For I haue said, Mercie shall bee built vp for euer: thy faithfulnesse shalt thou establish in the very heauens.
3 I haue made a couenant with my chosen: I haue sworne vnto Dauid my seruant.
4 Thy seed will I stablish for euer: and build vp thy throne to all generations. Selah.
5 And the heauens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulnes also in the congregation of the Saints.
6 For who in the heauen can be compared vnto the Lord? who among the sonnes of the mightie can be likened vnto the Lord?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the Saints: and to bee had in reuerence of all them that are about him.
8 O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like vnto thee? or to thy faithfulnesse round about thee?
9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waues thereof arise; thou stillest them.
10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slaine: thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arme.
11 The heauens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulnes thereof, thou hast founded them.
12 The North and the South, thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall reioyce in thy Name.
13 Thou hast a mighty arme: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
14 Iustice and iudgement are the habitation of thy throne: mercie and trueth shall goe before thy face.
15 Blessed is the people that knowe the ioyfull sound: they shall walke O Lord in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they reioyce all the day: and in thy righteousnes shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy fauour our horne shall be exalted.
18 For the Lord is our defence: and the holy One of Israel is our king.
19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I haue laid helpe vpon one that is mightie: I haue exalted one chosen out of the people.
20 I haue found Dauid my seruant: with my holy oile haue I anointed him.
21 With whome my hand shall bee established: mine arme also shall strengthen him.
22 The enemie shall not exact vpon him: nor the sonne of wickednesse afflict him.
23 And I will beate downe his foes before his face: and plague them that hate him.
24 But my faithfulnesse and my mercy shalbe with him: and in my name shall his horne be exalted.
25 I will set his hand also in the sea: and his right hand in the riuers.
26 He shall crie vnto mee, Thou art my father: my God, and the rocke of my saluation.
27 Also I will make him my first borne: higher then the kings of the earth.
28 My mercy will I keepe for him for euermore: and my couenant shall stand fast with him.
29 His seed also will I make to indure for euer: and his throne as the dayes of heauen.
30 If his children forsake my lawe, and walke not in my iudgements;
31 If they breake my statutes, and keepe not my commandements:
32 Then will I visite their transgression with the rod, and their iniquitie with stripes.
33 Neuerthelesse, my louing kindnesse will I not vtterly take from him: nor suffer my faithfulnesse to faile.
34 My couenant will I not breake: nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lippes.
35 Once haue I sworne by my holinesse; that I will not lye vnto Dauid.
36 His seede shall endure for euer; and his throne as the sunne before me.
37 It shalbe established for euer as the Moone: and as a faithfull witnesse in heauen. Selah.
38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred: thou hast bene wroth with thine anointed.
39 Thou hast made voyd the couenant of thy seruant: thou hast profaned his crowne, by casting it to the ground.
40 Thou hast broken downe all his hedges: thou hast brought his strong holds to ruine.
41 All that passe by the way; spoile him: hee is a reproach to his neighbours.
42 Thou hast set vp the right hand of his aduersaries: thou hast made all his enemies to reioyce.
43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword: and hast not made him to stand in the battaile.
44 Thou hast made his glory to cease: and cast his throne downe to the ground.
45 The dayes of his youth hast thou shortned: thou hast couered him with shame. Selah.
46 How long, Lord, wilt thou hide thy selfe, for euer? shall thy wrath burne like fire?
47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vaine?
48 What man is he that liueth, and shall not see death? shall he deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue? Selah.
49 Lord, where are thy former louing kindnesses, which thou swarest vnto Dauid in thy trueth?
50 Remember (Lord) the reproach of thy seruants: how I doe beare in my bosome the reproache of all the mighty people.
51 Wherewith thine enemies haue reproached, O Lord: wherewith they haue reproached the foote-steppes of thine Annointed.
52 Blessed be the Lord for euermore, Amen, and Amen.
God's mercy and truth, and his covenant. (1-4) The glory and perfection of God. (5-14) The happiness of those in communion with him. (15-18) God's covenant with David, as a type of Christ. (19-37) A calamitous state lamented, Prayer for redress. (38-52)
1-4 Though our expectations may be disappointed, yet God's promises are established in the heavens, in his eternal counsels; they are out of the reach of opposers in hell and earth. And faith in the boundless mercy and everlasting truth of God, may bring comfort even in the deepest trials.
5-14 The more God's works are known, the more they are admired. And to praise the Lord, is to acknowledge him to be such a one that there is none like him. Surely then we should feel and express reverence when we worship God. But how little of this appears in our congregations, and how much cause have we to humble ourselves on this account! That almighty power which smote Egypt, will scatter the enemies of the church, while all who trust in God's mercy will rejoice in his name; for mercy and truth direct all he does. His counsels from eternity, and their consequences to eternity, are all justice and judgment.
15-18 Happy are those who so know the joyful sound of the gospel as to obey it; who experience its power upon their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives. Though believers are nothing in themselves, yet having all in Christ Jesus, they may rejoice in his name. May the Lord enable us to do so. The joy of the Lord is the strength of his people; whereas unbelief dispirits ourselves and discourages others. Though it steals upon us under a semblance of humility, yet it is the very essence of pride. Christ is the Holy One of Israel; and in him was that peculiar people more blessed than in any other blessing.
19-37 The Lord anointed David with the holy oil, not only as an emblem of the graces and gifts he received, but as a type of Christ, the King Priest, and Prophet, anointed with the Holy Ghost without measure. David after his anointing, was persecuted, but none could gain advantage against him. Yet all this was a faint shadow of the Redeemer's sufferings, deliverance, glory, and authority, in whom alone these predictions and promises are fully brought to pass. He is the mighty God. This is the Redeemer appointed for us, who alone is able to complete the work of our salvation. Let us seek an interest in these blessings, by the witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. As the Lord corrected the posterity of David for their transgressions, so his people shall be corrected for their sins. Yet it is but a rod, not a sword; it is to correct, not to destroy. It is a rod in the hand of God, who is wise, and knows what he does; gracious, and will do what is best. It is a rod which they shall never feel, but when there is need. As the sun and moon remain in heaven, whatever changes there seem to be in them, and again appear in due season; so the covenant of grace made in Christ, whatever alteration seems to come to it, should not be questioned.
38-52 Sometimes it is not easy to reconcile God's providences with his promises, yet we are sure that God's works fulfil his word. When the great Anointed One, Christ himself, was upon the cross, God seemed to have cast him off, yet did not make void his covenant, for that was established for ever. The honour of the house of David was lost. Thrones and crowns are often laid in the dust; but there is a crown of glory reserved for Christ's spiritual seed, which fadeth not away. From all this complaint learn what work sin makes with families, noble families, with families in which religion has appeared. They plead with God for mercy. God's unchangeableness and faithfulness assure us that He will not cast off those whom he has chosen and covenanted with. They were reproached for serving him. The scoffers of the latter days, in like manner, reproach the footsteps of the Messiah when they ask, Where is the promise of his coming? #2Pe 3:3,4|. The records of the Lord's dealings with the family of David, show us his dealings with his church, and with believers. Their afflictions and distresses may be grievous, but he will not finally cast them off. Self-deceivers abuse this doctrine, and others by a careless walk bring themselves into darkness and distress; yet let the true believer rely on it for encouragement in the path of duty, and in bearing the cross. The psalm ends with praise, even after this sad complaint. Those who give God thanks for what he has done, may give him thanks for what he will do. God will follow those with his mercies, who follow him with praises.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.