1<A Song of praise. Of David.> Let me give glory to you, O God, my King; and blessing to your name for ever and ever. 2Every day will I give you blessing, praising your name for ever and ever. 3Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his power may never be searched out. 4One generation after another will give praise to your great acts, and make clear the operation of your strength. 5My thoughts will be of the honour and glory of your rule, and of the wonder of your works. 6Men will be talking of the power and fear of your acts; I will give word of your glory. 7Their sayings will be full of the memory of all your mercy, and they will make songs of your righteousness. 8The Lord is full of grace and pity; not quickly angry, but great in mercy. 9The Lord is good to all men; and his mercies are over all his works. 10All the works of your hands give praise to you, O Lord; and your saints give you blessing. 11Their words will be of the glory of your kingdom, and their talk of your strength; 12So that the sons of men may have knowledge of his acts of power, and of the great glory of his kingdom. 13Your kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and your rule is through all generations. 14The Lord is the support of all who are crushed, and the lifter up of all who are bent down. 15The eyes of all men are waiting for you; and you give them their food in its time. 16By the opening of your hand, every living thing has its desire in full measure. 17The Lord is upright in all his ways, and kind in all his works. 18The Lord is near all those who give honour to his name; even to all who give honour to him with true hearts. 19To his worshippers, he will give their desire; their cry comes to his ears, and he gives them salvation. 20The Lord will keep all his worshippers from danger; but he will send destruction on all sinners. 21My mouth will give praise to the Lord; let all flesh be blessing his holy name for ever and ever.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
David extols the power, goodness, and mercy of the Lord. (1-9) The glory of God's kingdom, and his care of those that love him. (10-21) 1-9 Those who, under troubles and temptations, abound in fervent prayer, shall in due season abound in grateful praise, which is the true language of holy joy. Especially we should speak of God's wondrous work of redemption, while we declare his greatness. For no deliverance of the Israelites, nor the punishment of sinners, so clearly proclaims the justice of God, as the cross of Christ exhibits it to the enlightened mind. It may be truly said of our Lord Jesus Christ, that his words are words of goodness and grace; his works are works of goodness and grace. He is full of compassion; hence he came into the world to save sinners. When on earth, he showed his compassion both to the bodies and souls of men, by healing the one, and making wise the other. He is of great mercy, a merciful High Priest, through whom God is merciful to sinners. 10-21 All God's works show forth his praises. He satisfies the desire of every living thing, except the unreasonable children of men, who are satisfied with nothing. He does good to all the children of men; his own people in a special manner. Many children of God, who have been ready to fall into sin, to fall into despair, have tasted his goodness in preventing their falls, or recovering them speedily by his graces and comforts. And with respect to all that are heavy laden under the burden of sin, if they come to Christ by faith, he will ease them, he will raise them. He is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people. He is present every where; but in a special way he is nigh to them, as he is not to others. He is in their hearts, and dwells there by faith, and they dwell in him. He is nigh to those that call upon him, to help them in all times of need. He will be nigh to them, that they may have what they ask, and find what they seek, if they call upon him in truth and sincerity. And having taught men to love his name and holy ways, he will save them from the destruction of the wicked. May we then love his name, and walk in his ways, while we desire that all flesh should bless his holy name for ever and ever.