1 A Psalme of Dauid. Vnto thee, O Lord, doe I lift vp my soule.
2 O my God, I trust in thee, let me not be ashamed: let not mine enemies triumph ouer me.
3 Yea let none that waite on thee, be ashamed: let them bee ashamed which transgresse without cause.
4 Shewe mee thy wayes, O Lord: teach me thy pathes.
5 Lead me in thy trueth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my saluation, on thee doe I waite all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies, and thy louing kindnesses: for they haue beene euer of old.
7 Remember not the sinnes of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercie remember thou me, for thy goodnesse sake, O Lord.
8 Good and vpright is the Lord: therefore will hee teach sinners in the way.
9 The meeke will he guide in iudgement: and the meeke will he teach his way.
10 All the pathes of the Lord are mercy and truth: vnto such as keepe his couenant, and his testimonies.
11 For thy names sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquitie: for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall chuse.
13 His soule shall dwell at ease: and his seede shall inherite the earth.
14 The secret of the Lord is with them that feare him: and he will shew them his couenant.
15 Mine eyes are euer towards the Lord: for hee shall plucke my feete out of the net.
16 Turne thee vnto me, and haue mercy vpon me: for I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are inlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18 Looke vpon mine affliction, aud my paine, and forgiue all my sinnes.
19 Consider mine enemies: for they are many, and they hate me with cruell hatred.
20 O keepe my soule and deliuer me: let me not bee ashamed, for I put my trust in thee.
21 Let integritie and vprightnesse preserue me: for I wait on thee.
22 Redeeme Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Confidence in prayer. (1-7) Prayer for remission of sins. (8-14) For help in affliction. (15-22)
1-7 In worshipping God, we must lift up our souls to him. It is certain that none who, by a believing attendance, wait on God, and, by a believing hope, wait for him, shall be ashamed of it. The most advanced believer both needs and desires to be taught of God. If we sincerely desire to know our duty, with resolution to do it, we may be sure that God will direct us in it. The psalmist is earnest for the pardon of his sins. When God pardons sin, he is said to remember it no more, which denotes full remission. It is God's goodness, and not ours, his mercy, and not our merit, that must be our plea for the pardon of sin, and all the good we need. This plea we must rely upon, feeling our own unworthiness, and satisfied of the riches of God's mercy and grace. How boundless is that mercy which covers for ever the sins and follies of a youth spent without God and without hope! Blessed be the Lord, the blood of the great Sacrifice can wash away every stain.
8-14 We are all sinners; and Christ came into the world to save sinners, to teach sinners, to call sinners to repentance. We value a promise by the character of him that makes it; we therefore depend upon God's promises. All the paths of the Lord, that is, all his promises and all his providences, are mercy and truth. In all God's dealings his people may see his mercy displayed, and his word fulfilled, whatever afflictions they are now exercised with. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth; and so it will appear when they come to their journey's end. Those that are humble, that distrust themselves, and desire to be taught and to follow Divine guidance, these he will guide in judgment, that is, by the rule of the written word, to find rest for their souls in the Saviour. Even when the body is sick, and in pain, the soul may be at ease in God.
15-22 The psalmist concludes, as he began, with expressing dependence upon God, and desire toward him. It is good thus to hope, and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord. And if God turns to us, no matter who turns from us. He pleads his own integrity. Though guilty before God, yet, as to his enemies, he had the testimony of conscience that he had done them no wrong. God would, at length, give Israel rest from all their enemies round about. In heaven, God's Israel will be perfectly redeemed from all troubles. Blessed Saviour, thou hast graciously taught us that without thee we can do nothing. Do thou teach us how to pray, how to appear before thee in the way which thou shalt choose, and how to lift up our whole hearts and desires after thee, for thou art the Lord our righteousness.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.