(29) Let it please thee.--These words may be taken either in the optative, as in our Version, or better in the future, constituting a prophecy based upon the promise, "It will please thee." Compare a similar possibility in the translation of the last clause of the Te Deum, "Let me never," or "I shall never be confounded."
Several of the Psalms have been referred by various writers to this point in David's life; but while many of them take their key-note from the promise now made, and which was ever fresh in David's thought, none of them have notes of time definitely determining them to the present occasion, unless it be Ps. ex., which seems like an inspired interpretation of the promise of the perpetuity of his kingdom, and at the same time might have taken its "local colouring" from his recent successful wars.
Verse 29. - Let it please thee to bless; or, begin and bless. Literally, the verb signifies to make up the mind and set about the doing of the thing purposed. Thus David prays that the blessing may now at once begin to take effect. It is often rendered "please" in our version, because the verb is one used only of a determination resolved upon of the free will of the purposer. Its force is well seen in Job 6:9, where what Job prays for is that God would deliberate no longer, but decide the matter and set about destroying him. The Authorized Version was led, by the use of this verse "please," to adopt the optative form. Really, it is the language of firm faith, and should be rendered, And now [there is no "therefore"] begin of thy own good will, and bless the house of thy servant.
7:18-29 David's prayer is full of the breathings of devout affection toward God. He had low thoughts of his own merits. All we have, must be looked upon as Divine gifts. He speaks very highly and honourably of the Lord's favours to him. Considering what the character and condition of man is, we may be amazed that God should deal with him as he does. The promise of Christ includes all; if the Lord God be ours, what more can we ask, or think of? Eph 3:20. He knows us better than we know ourselves; therefore let us be satisfied with what he has done for us. What can we say more for ourselves in our prayers, than God has said for us in his promises? David ascribes all to the free grace of God. Both the great things He had done for him, and the great things He had made known to him. All was for his word's sake, that is, for the sake of Christ the eternal Word. Many, when they go to pray, have their hearts to seek, but David's heart was found, that is, it was fixed; gathered in from its wanderings, entirely engaged to the duty, and employed in it. That prayer which is from the tongue only, will not please God; it must be found in the heart; that must be lifted up and poured out before God. He builds his faith, and hopes to speed, upon the sureness of God's promise. David prays for the performance of the promise. With God, saying and doing are not two things, as they often are with men; God will do as he hath said. The promises of God are not made to us by name, as to David, but they belong to all who believe in Jesus Christ, and plead them in his name.
Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant,.... Not according to the merits of him or his family, but according to the sovereign will and pleasure of God; the Targum is, begin and bless; let the promised blessings begin to descend, that there may be some appearance of the performance of the promise, which may give encouragement that the whole will be fulfilled:
that it may continue for ever before thee; under his care and protection:
for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it; whose words never fall to the ground, but have a sure accomplishment:
and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever; even both with temporal and spiritual blessedness.
Several of the Psalms have been referred by various writers to this point in David's life; but while many of them take their key-note from the promise now made, and which was ever fresh in David's thought, none of them have notes of time definitely determining them to the present occasion, unless it be Ps. ex., which seems like an inspired interpretation of the promise of the perpetuity of his kingdom, and at the same time might have taken its "local colouring" from his recent successful wars.
that it may continue for ever before thee; under his care and protection:
for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it; whose words never fall to the ground, but have a sure accomplishment:
and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever; even both with temporal and spiritual blessedness.