2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
2 but his delight is in the law
2 Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
21 Why do the heathen rage,
21 Why do the nations rage
21 Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, peoples?
21 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?
21 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
(Read Psalm 2:1-6)
We are here told who would appear as adversaries to Christ. As this world is the kingdom of Satan, unconverted men, of every rank, party, and character, are stirred up by him to oppose the cause of God. But the rulers of the earth generally have been most active. The truths and precepts of Christianity are against ambitious projects and worldly lusts. We are told what they aim at in this opposition. They would break asunder the bands of conscience, and the cords of God's commandments; they will not receive, but cast them away as far as they can. These enemies can show no good cause for opposing so just and holy a government, which, if received by all, would bring a heaven upon earth. They can hope for no success in so opposing so powerful a kingdom. The Lord Jesus has all power both in heaven and in earth, and is Head over all things to the church, notwithstanding the restless endeavours of his enemies. Christ's throne is set up in his church, that is, in the hearts of all believers.
28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.
28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.
28 I'll tell the world how great and good you are, I'll shout Hallelujah all day, every day.
28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long.
28 Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long.
(Read Psalm 35:17-28)
Though the people of God are, and study to be, quiet, yet it has been common for their enemies to devise deceitful matters against them. David prays, My soul is in danger, Lord, rescue it; it belongs to thee the Father of spirits, therefore claim thine own; it is thine, save it! Lord, be not far from me, as if I were a stranger. He who exalted the once suffering Redeemer, will appear for all his people: the roaring lion shall not destroy their souls, any more than he could that of Christ, their Surety. They trust their souls in his hands, they are one with him by faith, are precious in his sight, and shall be rescued from destruction, that they may give thanks in heaven.
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
30 Righteous chews on wisdom like a dog on a bone, rolls virtue around on his tongue.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.
30 The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.
(Read Psalm 37:21-33)
The Lord our God requires that we do justly, and render to all their due. It is a great sin for those that are able, to deny the payment of just debts; it is a great misery not to be able to pay them. He that is truly merciful, will be ever merciful. We must leave our sins; learn to do well, and cleave to it. This is true religion. The blessing of God is the spring, sweetness, and security of all earthly enjoyments. And if we are sure of this, we are sure not to want any thing good for us in this world. By his grace and Holy Spirit, he directs the thoughts, affections, and designs of good men. By his providence he overrules events, so as to make their way plain. He does not always show them his way for a distance, but leads them step by step, as children are led. God will keep them from being ruined by their falls, either into sin or into trouble, though such as fall into sin will be sorely hurt. Few, if any, have known the consistent believer, or his children, reduced to abject, friendless want. God forsakes not his saints in affliction; and in heaven only the righteous shall dwell for ever; that will be their everlasting habitation. A good man may fall into the hands of a messenger of Satan, and be sorely buffeted, but God will not leave him in his enemy's hands.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie.
12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
12 Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long.
12 My competitors blacken my name, devoutly they pray for my ruin.
12 Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, And plan deception all the day long.
12 Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me. Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me. All day long they plan their treachery.
(Read Psalm 38:12-22)
Wicked men hate goodness, even when they benefit by it. David, in the complaints he makes of his enemies, seems to refer to Christ. But our enemies do us real mischief only when they drive us from God and our duty. The true believer's trouble will be made useful; he will learn to wait for his God, and will not seek relief from the world or himself. The less we notice the unkindness and injuries that are done us, the more we consult the quiet of our own minds. David's troubles were the chastisement and the consequence of his transgressions, whilst Christ suffered for our sins and ours only. What right can a sinner have to yield to impatience or anger, when mercifully corrected for his sins? David was very sensible of the present workings of corruption in him. Good men, by setting their sorrow continually before them, have been ready to fall; but by setting God always before them, they have kept their standing. If we are truly penitent for sin, that will make us patient under affliction. Nothing goes nearer to the heart of a believer when in affliction, than to be under the apprehension of God's deserting him; nor does any thing come more feelingly from his heart than this prayer, "Be not far from me." The Lord will hasten to help those who trust in him as their salvation.
6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
6 If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
6 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.
(Read Psalm 63:3-6)
Even in affliction we need not want matter for praise. When this is the regular frame of a believer's mind, he values the loving-kindness of God more than life. God's loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life. We must praise God with joyful lips; we must address ourselves to the duties of religion with cheerfulness, and speak forth the praises of God from a principle of holy joy. Praising lips must be joyful lips. David was in continual danger; care and fear held his eyes waking, and gave him wearisome nights; but he comforted himself with thoughts of God. The mercies of God, when called to mind in the night watches, support the soul, making darkness cheerful. How happy will be that last morning, when the believer, awaking up after the Divine likeness, shall be satisfied with all the fulness of God, and praise him with joyful lips, where there is no night, and where sorrow and sighing flee away!
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.
24 All day long I'm chanting about you and your righteous ways, While those who tried to do me in slink off looking ashamed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; For they are confounded, For they are brought to shame Who seek my hurt.
24 I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.
(Read Psalm 71:14-24)
The psalmist declares that the righteousness of Christ, and the great salvation obtained thereby, shall be the chosen subject of his discourse. Not on a sabbath only, but on every day of the week, of the year, of his life. Not merely at stated returns of solemn devotion, but on every occasion, all the day long. Why will he always dwell on this? Because he knew not the numbers thereof. It is impossible to measure the value or the fulness of these blessings. The righteousness is unspeakable, the salvation everlasting. God will not cast off his grey-headed servants when no longer capable of labouring as they have done. The Lord often strengthens his people in their souls, when nature is sinking into decay. And it is a debt which the old disciples of Christ owe to succeeding generations, to leave behind them a solemn testimony to the advantage of religion, and the truth of God's promises; and especially to the everlasting righteousness of the Redeemer. Assured of deliverance and victory, let us spend our days, while waiting the approach of death, in praising the Holy One of Israel with all our powers. And while speaking of his righteousness, and singing his praises, we shall rise above fears and infirmities, and have earnests of the joys of heaven. The work of redemption ought, above all God's works, to be spoken of by us in our praises. The Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to God, is worthy of all blessing and praise.
12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds."
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
12 I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts.
12 I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.
12 They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
(Read Psalm 77:11-20)
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typical of the great redemption to be wrought out in the fulness of time, both by price and power. If we have harboured doubtful thoughts, we should, without delay, turn our minds to meditate on that God, who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, that with him, he might freely give us all things.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.
7 Hands that can't grasp, feet that can't walk or run, throats that never utter a sound.
7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.
7 They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound.
(Read Psalm 115:1-8)
Let no opinion of our own merits have any place in our prayers or in our praises. All the good we do, is done by the power of his grace; and all the good we have, is the gift of his mere mercy, and he must have all the praise. Are we in pursuit of any mercy, and wrestling with God for it, we must take encouragement in prayer from God only. Lord, do so for us; not that we may have the credit and comfort of it, but that they mercy and truth may have the glory of it. The heathen gods are senseless things. They are the works of men's hands: the painter, the carver, the statuary, can put no life into them, therefore no sense. The psalmist hence shows the folly of the worshippers of idols.
5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
5 I remembered the old days, went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked,
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.
5 I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.
(Read Psalm 143:1-6)
We have no righteousness of our own to plead, therefore must plead God's righteousness, and the word of promise which he has freely given us, and caused us to hope in. David, before he prays for the removal of his trouble, prays for the pardon of his sin, and depends upon mercy alone for it. He bemoans the weight upon his mind from outward troubles. But he looks back, and remembers God's former appearance for his afflicted people, and for him in particular. He looks round, and notices the works of God. The more we consider the power of God, the less we shall fear the face or force of man. He looks up with earnest desires towards God and his favour. This is the best course we can take, when our spirits are overwhelmed. The believer will not forget, that in his best actions he is a sinner. Meditation and prayer will recover us from distresses; and then the mourning soul strives to return to the Lord as the infant stretches out its hands to the indulgent mother, and thirsts for his consolations as the parched ground for refreshing rain.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 1:2
Commentary on Psalm 1:1-3
(Read Psalm 1:1-3)
To meditate in God's word, is to discourse with ourselves concerning the great things contained in it, with close application of mind and fixedness of thought. We must have constant regard to the word of God, as the rule of our actions, and the spring of our comforts; and have it in our thoughts night and day. For this purpose no time is amiss.