1<A Psalm. Of David.> Praise be to the God of my strength, teaching my hands the use of the sword, and my fingers the art of fighting: 2He is my strength, and my Rock; my high tower, and my saviour; my keeper and my hope: he gives me authority over my people. 3Lord, what is man, that you keep him in mind? or the son of man that you take him into account? 4Man is like a breath: his life is like a shade which is quickly gone. 5Come down, O Lord, from your heavens: at your touch let the mountains give out smoke. 6With your storm-flames send them in flight: send out your arrows for their destruction. 7Put out your hand from on high; make me free, take me safely out of the great waters, and out of the hands of strange men; 8In whose mouths are false words, and whose right hand is a right hand of deceit. 9I will make a new song to you, O God; I will make melody to you on an instrument of ten cords. 10It is God who gives salvation to kings; and who kept his servant David from the wounding sword. 11Make me free, and take me out of the hands of strange men, in whose mouths are false words, and whose right hand is a right hand of deceit. 12Our sons are like tall young plants; and our daughters like the shining stones of a king's house; 13Our store-houses are full of all good things; and our sheep give birth to thousands and ten thousands in our fields. 14Our oxen are well weighted down; our cows give birth safely; there is no going out, and there is no cry of sorrow in our open places. 15Happy is the nation whose ways are so ordered: yes, happy is the nation whose God is the Lord.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
David acknowledges the great goodness of God, and prays for help. (1-8) He prays for the prosperity of his kingdom. (9-15) 1-8 When men become eminent for things as to which they have had few advantages, they should be more deeply sensible that God has been their Teacher. Happy those to whom the Lord gives that noblest victory, conquest and dominion over their own spirits. A prayer for further mercy is fitly begun with a thanksgiving for former mercy. There was a special power of God, inclining the people of Israel to be subject to David; it was typical of the bringing souls into subjection to the Lord Jesus. Man's days have little substance, considering how many thoughts and cares of a never-dying soul are employed about a poor dying body. Man's life is as a shadow that passes away. In their highest earthly exaltation, believers will recollect how mean, sinful, and vile they are in themselves; thus they will be preserved from self-importance and presumption. God's time to help his people is, when they are sinking, and all other helps fail. 9-15 Fresh favours call for fresh returns of thanks; we must praise God for the mercies we hope for by his promise, as well as those we have received by his providence. To be saved from the hurtful sword, or from wasting sickness, without deliverance from the dominion of sin and the wrath to come, is but a small advantage. The public prosperity David desired for his people, is stated. It adds much to the comfort and happiness of parents in this world, to see their children likely to do well. To see them as plants, not as weeds, not as thorns; to see them as plants growing, not withered and blasted; to see them likely to bring forth fruit unto God in their day; to see them in their youth growing strong in the Spirit. Plenty is to be desired, that we may be thankful to God, generous to our friends, and charitable to the poor; otherwise, what profit is it to have our garners full? Also, uninterrupted peace. War brings abundance of mischiefs, whether it be to attack others or to defend ourselves. And in proportion as we do not adhere to the worship and service of God, we cease to be a happy people. The subjects of the Saviour, the Son of David, share the blessings of his authority and victories, and are happy because they have the Lord for their God.