1<To the chief music-maker. Of the sons of Korah Maschil.> It has come to our ears, O God, our fathers have given us the story, of the works which you did in their days, in the old times, 2Uprooting the nations with your hand, and planting our fathers in their place; cutting down the nations, but increasing the growth of your people. 3For they did not make the land theirs by their swords, and it was not their arms which kept them safe; but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your face, because you had pleasure in them. 4You are my King and my God; ordering salvation for Jacob. 5Through you will we overcome our haters; by your name will they be crushed under our feet who are violent against us. 6I will not put faith in my bow, my sword will not be my salvation. 7But it is you who have been our saviour from those who were against us, and have put to shame those who had hate for us. 8Our pride is in God at all times, to his name we give praise for ever. (Selah.) 9But now you have sent us away from you, and put us to shame; you do not go out with our armies. 10Because of this we are turned back by the attacker: those who have hate for us take our goods for themselves. 11You have made us like sheep which are taken for meat; we are put to flight among the nations. 12You let your people go for nothing; your wealth is not increased by their price. 13You have made us to be looked down on by our neighbours, we are laughed at and shamed by those who are round about us. 14Our name is a word of shame among the nations, a sign for the shaking of heads among the peoples. 15My downfall is ever before me, and I am covered with the shame of my face; 16Because of the voice of him who says sharp and bitter words; because of the hater and him who is the instrument of punishment. 17All this has come on us, but still we have kept you in our memory; and we have not been false to your word. 18Our hearts have not gone back, and our steps have not been turned out of your way; 19Though you have let us be crushed in the place of jackals, though we are covered with darkest shade. 20If the name of our God has gone out of our minds, or if our hands have been stretched out to a strange god, 21Will not God make search for it? for he sees the secrets of the heart. 22Truly, because of you we are put to death every day; we are numbered like sheep for destruction. 23Why are you sleeping, O Lord? awake! and come to our help, do not give us up for ever. 24Why is your face covered, and why do you give no thought to our trouble and our cruel fate? 25For our souls are crushed down to the dust: our bodies are stretched out on the earth. 26Up! and come to our help, and give us salvation because of your mercy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
A petition for succour and relief. 1-8 Former experiences of God's power and goodness are strong supports to faith, and powerful pleas in prayer under present calamities. The many victories Israel obtained, were not by their own strength or merit, but by God's favour and free grace. The less praise this allows us, the more comfort it affords, that we may see all as coming from the favour of God. He fought for Israel, else they had fought in vain. This is applicable to the planting of the Christian church in the world, which was not by any human policy or power. Christ, by his Spirit, went forth conquering and to conquer; and he that planted a church for himself in the world, will support it by the same power and goodness. They trusted and triumphed in and through him. Let him that glories, glory in the Lord. But if they have the comfort of his name, let them give unto him the glory due unto it. 9-16 The believer must have times of temptation, affliction, and discouragement; the church must have seasons of persecution. At such times the people of God will be ready to fear that he has cast them off, and that his name and truth will be dishonoured. But they should look above the instruments of their trouble, to God, well knowing that their worst enemies have no power against them, but what is permitted from above. 17-26 In afflictions, we must not seek relief by any sinful compliance; but should continually meditate on the truth, purity, and knowledge of our heart-searching God. Hearts sins and secret sins are known to God, and must be reckoned for. He knows the secret of the heart, therefore judges of the words and actions. While our troubles do not drive us from our duty to God, we should not suffer them to drive us from our comfort in God. Let us take care that prosperity and ease do not render us careless and lukewarm. The church of God cannot be prevailed on by persecution to forget God; the believer's heart does not turn back from God. The Spirit of prophecy had reference to those who suffered unto death, for the testimony of Christ. Observe the pleas used, ver. #25,26|. Not their own merit and righteousness, but the poor sinner's pleas. None that belong to Christ shall be cast off, but every one of them shall be saved, and that for ever. The mercy of God, purchased, promised, and constantly flowing forth, and offered to believers, does away every doubt arising from our sins; while we pray in faith, Redeem us for thy mercies' sake.