1 In thee, O Lord, doe I put my trust, let me neuer be put to confusion.
2 Deliuer mee in thy righteousnesse, and cause me to escape: incline thine eare vnto me, and saue me.
3 Bee thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast giuen commandement to saue mee, for thou art my rocke, and my fortresse.
4 Deliuer me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the vnrighteous, and cruel man.
5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
6 By thee haue I bene holden vp from the wombe: thou art hee that tooke mee out of my mothers vowels, my praise shalbe continually of thee.
7 I am as a wonder vnto many, but thou art my strong refuge.
8 Let my mouth bee filled with thy praise, and with thy honour all the day.
9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
10 For mine enemies speake against mee: and they that lay waite for my soule, take counsell together,
11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him, for there is none to deliuer him.
12 O God, be not farre from mee: O my God, make haste for my helpe.
13 Let them be confounded and consumed, that are aduersaries to my soule: let them bee couered with reproch and dishonour, that seeke my hurt.
14 But I wil hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
15 My mouth shall shew foorth thy righteousnesse, and thy saluation all the day: for I know not the numbers thereof.
16 I will goe in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousnesse, euen of thine onely.
17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto haue I declared thy wonderous workes.
18 Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not: vntill I haue shewed thy strength vnto this generation, and thy power to euery one that is to come.
19 Thy righteousnes also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like vnto thee?
20 Thou which hast shewed mee great, and sore troubles, shalt quicken mee againe, and shalt bring mee vp againe from the depthes of the earth.
21 Thou shalt increase my greatnesse, and comfort me on euery side.
22 I will also praise thee with the psalterie, euen thy trueth, O my God: vnto thee will I sing withthe harpe, O thou Holy one of Israel.
23 My lippes shall greatly reioyce when I sing vnto thee: and my soule, which thou hast redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talke of thy righteousnesse all the day long: for they are confounded, forthey are brought vnto shame, that seeke my hurt.
Prayers that God would deliver and save. (1-13) Believing praises. (14-24)
1-13 David prays that he might never be made ashamed of dependence upon God. With this petition every true believer may come boldly to the throne of grace. The gracious care of Divine providence in our birth and infancy, should engage us to early piety. He that was our Help from our birth, ought to be our Hope from our youth. Let none expect ease or comfort from the world. Those who love the Lord, often are hated and persecuted; men wondered at for their principles and conduct; but the Lord has been their strong refuge. The faithful servants of God may be assured that he will not cast them off in old age, nor forsake them when their strength fails.
14-24 The psalmist declares that the righteousness of Christ, and the great salvation obtained thereby, shall be the chosen subject of his discourse. Not on a sabbath only, but on every day of the week, of the year, of his life. Not merely at stated returns of solemn devotion, but on every occasion, all the day long. Why will he always dwell on this? Because he knew not the numbers thereof. It is impossible to measure the value or the fulness of these blessings. The righteousness is unspeakable, the salvation everlasting. God will not cast off his grey-headed servants when no longer capable of labouring as they have done. The Lord often strengthens his people in their souls, when nature is sinking into decay. And it is a debt which the old disciples of Christ owe to succeeding generations, to leave behind them a solemn testimony to the advantage of religion, and the truth of God's promises; and especially to the everlasting righteousness of the Redeemer. Assured of deliverance and victory, let us spend our days, while waiting the approach of death, in praising the Holy One of Israel with all our powers. And while speaking of his righteousness, and singing his praises, we shall rise above fears and infirmities, and have earnests of the joys of heaven. The work of redemption ought, above all God's works, to be spoken of by us in our praises. The Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to God, is worthy of all blessing and praise.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.