1 To the chiefe musician on Neginoth vpon Sheminith, A Psalme of Dauid. O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2 Haue mercy vpon me, O Lord, for I am weake: O Lord heale mee, for my bones are vexed.
3 My soule is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long?
4 Returne, O Lord, deliuer my soule: oh saue mee, for thy mercies sake.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the graue who shall giue thee thankes?
6 I am weary with my groning, all the night make I my bed to swim: I water my couch with my teares.
7 Mine eie is consumed because of griefe; it waxeth olde because of all mine enemies.
8 Depart from me, all yee workers of iniquitie: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receiue my prayer.
10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them returne and be ashamed suddainly.
The psalmist deprecates God's wrath, and begs for the return of his favour. (1-7) He assures himself of an answer of peace. (8-10)
1-7 These verses speak the language of a heart truly humbled, of a broken and contrite spirit under great afflictions, sent to awaken conscience and mortify corruption. Sickness brought sin to his remembrance, and he looked upon it as a token of God's displeasure against him. The affliction of his body will be tolerable, if he has comfort in his soul. Christ's sorest complaint, in his sufferings, was of the trouble of his soul, and the want of his Father's smiles. Every page of Scripture proclaims the fact, that salvation is only of the Lord. Man is a sinner, his case can only be reached by mercy; and never is mercy more illustrious than in restoring backsliders. With good reason we may pray, that if it be the will of God, and he has any further work for us or our friends to do in this world, he will yet spare us or them to serve him. To depart and be with Christ is happiest for the saints; but for them to abide in the flesh is more profitable for the church.
8-10 What a sudden change is here! Having made his request known to God, the psalmist is confident that his sorrow will be turned into joy. By the workings of God's grace upon his heart, he knew his prayer was accepted, and did not doubt but it would, in due time, be answered. His prayers will be accepted, coming up out of the hands of Christ the Mediator. The word signifies prayer made to God, the righteous Judge, as the God of his righteousness, who would plead his cause, and right his wrongs. A believer, through the blood and righteousness of Christ, can go to God as a righteous God, and plead with him for pardon and cleansing, who is just and faithful to grant both. He prays for the conversion of his enemies, or foretells their ruin.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.