1 Dauids Psalme of praise. I will extoll thee, my God, O King: and I will blesse thy name for euer and euer.
2 Euery day wil I blesse thee: and I will praise thy Name for euer and euer.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: and his greatnes is vnsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shal declare thy mightie actes.
5 I will speake of the glorious honour of thy maiestie: and of thy wonderous workes.
6 And men shall speake of the might of thy terrible acts: and I wil declare thy greatnesse.
7 They shall abundantly vtter the memory of thy great goodnesse: and shall sing of thy righteousnesse.
8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion: slow to anger, and of great mercy.
9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are ouer all his workes.
10 All thy workes shall praise thee, O Lord: and thy Saints shal blesse thee.
11 They shall speake of the glory of thy kingdome: and talke of thy power.
12 To make knowen to the sonnes of men his mightie actes: and the glorious Maiestie of his kingdome.
13 Thy kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome: and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
14 The Lord vpholdeth all that fall: and raiseth vp all those that bee bowed downe.
15 The eyes of all waite vpon thee: and thou giuest them their meat in due season.
16 Thou openest thine hand: and satisfiest the desire of euery liuing thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his wayes: and holy in all his works.
18 The Lord is nigh vnto all them that call vpon him: to all that call vpon him in trueth.
19 Hee will fulfill the desire of them that feare him: he also will heare their cry, and will saue them.
20 The Lord preserueth all them that loue him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
21 My mouth shall speake the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh blesse his holy Name for euer and euer.
David extols the power, goodness, and mercy of the Lord. (1-9) The glory of God's kingdom, and his care of those that love him. (10-21)
1-9 Those who, under troubles and temptations, abound in fervent prayer, shall in due season abound in grateful praise, which is the true language of holy joy. Especially we should speak of God's wondrous work of redemption, while we declare his greatness. For no deliverance of the Israelites, nor the punishment of sinners, so clearly proclaims the justice of God, as the cross of Christ exhibits it to the enlightened mind. It may be truly said of our Lord Jesus Christ, that his words are words of goodness and grace; his works are works of goodness and grace. He is full of compassion; hence he came into the world to save sinners. When on earth, he showed his compassion both to the bodies and souls of men, by healing the one, and making wise the other. He is of great mercy, a merciful High Priest, through whom God is merciful to sinners.
10-21 All God's works show forth his praises. He satisfies the desire of every living thing, except the unreasonable children of men, who are satisfied with nothing. He does good to all the children of men; his own people in a special manner. Many children of God, who have been ready to fall into sin, to fall into despair, have tasted his goodness in preventing their falls, or recovering them speedily by his graces and comforts. And with respect to all that are heavy laden under the burden of sin, if they come to Christ by faith, he will ease them, he will raise them. He is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people. He is present every where; but in a special way he is nigh to them, as he is not to others. He is in their hearts, and dwells there by faith, and they dwell in him. He is nigh to those that call upon him, to help them in all times of need. He will be nigh to them, that they may have what they ask, and find what they seek, if they call upon him in truth and sincerity. And having taught men to love his name and holy ways, he will save them from the destruction of the wicked. May we then love his name, and walk in his ways, while we desire that all flesh should bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.