1 A Psalme of Dauid. The Lord is my light, and my saluation, whome shal I feare? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whō shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, euen mine enemies and my foes came vpon me to eat vp my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encampe against me, my heart shall not feare: though warre should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing haue I desired of the Lord, that will I seeke after: that I may dwel in the house of the Lord, all the dayes of my life, to behold the beautie of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pauilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me, hee shall set me vp vpon a rocke.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted vp aboue mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of ioy, I will sing, yea, I will sing praises vnto the Lord.
7 Heare, O Lord, when I crie with my voice: haue mercie also vpon mee, and answere me.
8 When thou saidst, Seeke ye my face, my heart said vnto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seeke.
9 Hide not thy face farre frō me, put not thy seruant away in anger: thou hast bin my helpe, leaue me not, neither forsake me, O God of my saluation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me vp.
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and leade me in a plaine path, because of mine enemies.
12 Deliuer me not ouer vnto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen vp against me, and such as breath out crueltie.
13 I had fainted, vnlesse I had beleeued to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the liuing.
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
The psalmist's faith. (1-6) His desire toward God, and expectation from him. (7-14)
1-6 The Lord, who is the believer's light, is the strength of his life; not only by whom, but in whom he lives and moves. In God let us strengthen ourselves. The gracious presence of God, his power, his promise, his readiness to hear prayer, the witness of his Spirit in the hearts of his people; these are the secret of his tabernacle, and in these the saints find cause for that holy security and peace of mind in which they dwell at ease. The psalmist prays for constant communion with God in holy ordinances. All God's children desire to dwell in their Father's house. Not to sojourn there as a wayfaring man, to tarry but for a night; or to dwell there for a time only, as the servant that abides not in the house for ever; but to dwell there all the days of their life, as children with a father. Do we hope that the praising of God will be the blessedness of our eternity? Surely then we ought to make it the business of our time. This he had at heart more than any thing. Whatever the Christian is as to this life, he considers the favour and service of God as the one thing needful. This he desires, prays for and seeks after, and in it he rejoices.
7-14 Wherever the believer is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer. God calls us by his Spirit, by his word, by his worship, and by special providences, merciful and afflicting. When we are foolishly making court to lying vanities, God is, in love to us, calling us to seek our own mercies in him. The call is general, "Seek ye my face;" but we must apply it to ourselves, "I will seek it." The word does us no good, when we do not ourselves accept the exhortation: a gracious heart readily answers to the call of a gracious God, being made willing in the day of his power. The psalmist requests the favour of the Lord; the continuance of his presence with him; the benefit of Divine guidance, and the benefit of Divine protection. God's time to help those that trust in him, is, when all other helpers fail. He is a surer and better Friend than earthly parents are, or can be. What was the belief which supported the psalmist? That he should see the goodness of the Lord. There is nothing like the believing hope of eternal life, the foresights of that glory, and foretastes of those pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all calamities. In the mean time he should be strengthened to bear up under his burdens. Let us look unto the suffering Saviour, and pray in faith, not to be delivered into the hands of our enemies. Let us encourage each other to wait on the Lord, with patient expectation, and fervent prayer.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.