Psalms 71

Psalms 71:1

Deviseth - Freely, from his own inclination, when none are present to provoke him to it.

Psalms 71:2

Thy mercy - Mine enemies are cruel and perfidious, but thou art infinite in mercy, and faithfulness. Heavens - Is infinite and incomprehensible. Faithfulness - The truth both of thy threatenings against thine enemies, and of thy promises made to good men. The clouds - Is far above our reach, greater and higher than we can apprehend.

Psalms 71:3

Mountains - Stedfast and unmoveable: eminent and conspicuous to all men. Judgments - The executions of thy counsels. Deep - Unsearchable, as the ocean. Man - The worst of men; yea, the brute - beasts have experience of thy care and kindness.

Psalms 71:4

Loving - kindness - Though all thine attributes be excellent, yet, above all, thy mercy is most excellent, or precious and amiable.

Psalms 71:5

Satisfied - Who trust in thee, as he now said. Fatness - With those delightful provisions, which thou hast prepared for them in heaven. The river - Which denotes both their plenty, and their perpetuity.

Psalms 71:6

Life - It is in God as in a fountain, and from him is derived to us. But - Of that glorious and blessed, and endless life, which alone is worthy of the name. Light - In the light of thy glorious presence, which shall be fully manifested, when we see thee face to face. Light - Joy and comfort, and happiness: the word light is elegantly repeated in another signification; in the former clause it is light discovering, in this light, discovered or enjoyed.

Psalms 71:8

The foot - Of my proud and insolent enemies. Come - So as to overthrow me.

Psalms 71:9

There - He seems as it were to point at the place, as if it were already done.

Psalms 71:11

Fret not - Because they prosper in their wicked enterprizes.

Psalms 71:15

Commit - All thy cares and business, and necessities, commend to God by fervent prayer.

Psalms 71:16

Judgment - It shall be as visible to men, as the light of the sun, at noon - day.

Psalms 71:17

Rest - Do not repine at his dealings, but quietly submit to his will, and wait for his help.

Psalms 71:18

Fret not - Either against the sinner for his success; or against God. Do evil - If grief arise in thee, take care that it do not transport thee to sin.

Psalms 71:19

The earth - This for the most part was literally fulfilled in that state of the church.

Psalms 71:20

Not be - He shall be dead and gone. Diligently - Industriously seeking him. His place - His place and estate, and glory.

Psalms 71:21

But - Those who patiently bear God’s afflicting hand, and meekly pass by injuries. Peace - Partly of outward peace and prosperity, which God in his due time will give them: but principally of inward peace, in the sense of God’s favour and the assurance of endless happiness.

Psalms 71:23

His day - The day appointed by God for his punishment or destruction.