6. The righteous also shall see, &c.] All good men shall remark the righteous judgment of God, and shall be confirmed in their fear of offending Him; they shall deride thy folly and disappointed ambition, and shall say; &c. Bp. Patrick, Travell. 8. But I am like &c. As for me, notwithstanding his crafty designs against me, I am, in comparison of him, in a flourishing condition; my unchangeable trust in the goodness of God shall make me grow and increase, like a fruitful olive tree in the courts of God's house. Travell. 9. — for it is good before thy saints.] That is, it is a goodly thing, it carries a good appearance, it looks well before the friends of God, to see me praising Him, and putting my trust in Him. Mudge. It very much concerns us to follow the wise man's counsel, and "to weigh our words in a balance, and make a door and bar for our mouth." Ecclus. xxviii. 25. If licentious and unbridled thoughts will, in spite of all our watches and guard, steal into our hearts, let us be sure that no unruly words break out of our mouth; and if, in the variety of our language and expressions, some inconsiderate, rash, and imprudent words escape from us, at least let them not be malicious and detracting words, to wound the credit and good name of our neighbours: let us inform and instruct the weak without insolence, and reprove and advise the wilful without bitterness; let us do all good offices towards advancing the reputation of those who desire to advance God's glory and the public peace, and all charitable offices towards those who are in misery and distress, by what means soever upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. 5. — for God hath scattered the bones] God hath destroyed him who thought to oppress thee, O my soul, and his bones lie scattered on the ground. See 2 Sam. xx. 6—22. Bp. Patrick. Psalm LIV. This Psalm was composed by David at a time of his great distress, and seasonable deliverance afforded him by God, when, hiding himself in the wilderness of Ziph, the Ziphites made discovery to Saul, and he went with forces to seek him, but gave over the pursuit, by reason of the Philistines invading his land. See 1 Sam. xxiii. 14, to the end. Dr. Hammond. The application to Christ and to Christians is plain and easy; for which reason our Church hath appointed this Psalm to be read on Good Friday. Bp. Horne. — Neginoth.] See the note upon the title to the fourth Psalm. E 2 Ver. 2, 3. Attend unto me, &c.] Attend unto me, and answer me, while in my complaint I weep and cry aloud, because of the insults of the enemy, and the oppression of the wicked: for they lay iniquity to my charge, and bear me a violent hatred. Green. 3. For strangers are risen up against me.] The Ziphites, though David's countrymen, acted the part of "strangers," or "aliens," in seeking to deliver him up to his unjust and cruel enemy. Bp. Horne. —they have not set God before them.] They have cast off all regard to his presence and authority, and all fear of his judgments. Poole. 4.—the terrors of death are fallen upon me.] That is, I am brought to the very brink of destruction. Bp. Wilson. 6. I will freely sacrifice unto thee.] I will sacrifice to Thee a voluntary oblation. Dr. Hammond. The prayers of great men in distress, and their thanks-givings after great deliverances, have always been matter of uncommon delight to curiosity, and men of serious and religious spirits. Nor does the glory of any great man ever shine out to their eyes in half the lustre, as when they behold him upon his knees, lifting up his eyes, or stretching out his hands to heaven, or, what is yet greater, prostrating himself before it, in humiliation and acknowledgment. Then is the hero seen in all his dignity! Dr. Delaney. The royal Prophet here teaches us by his example that prayer should always be our refuge in time of danger; that, even when men have conspired our ruin, if we call upon God with a pure heart, He will protect us; and that, when He has granted our prayers, we ought to bless Him with all our soul. Ostervald. Psalm LV. It is generally imagined that David composed this Psalm when he was forced to flee suddenly from Jerusalem, on the breaking out of Absalom's rebellion, and the treachery of his principal counsellor Ahithophel, of whom he complains bitterly in the fourteenth verse. Travell. 8. I would hasten my escape &c.] I would hasten away to shelter myself from this fierce persecution, which like a sudden storm threatens utterly to destroy me. Bp. Patrick. 9. Destroy, O Lord, &c.] In these words, David beseeches God to divide, confound, and bring to nought, the counsels of an iniquitous faction; for so in the history we find him saying, "O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." 2 Sam. xv. 31. Bp. Horne. 10. Day and night they go &c.] The "violence and strife," mentioned at the conclusion of the preceding verse, are here described as going their rounds, like an armed watch upon the walls, to guard rebellion, which had taken up its residence in the heart of the city, from the attacks of loyalty, right, and justice, driven with the king beyond Jordan. Bp. Horne. 12—14. For it was not &c.] The many aggravating circumstances of Ahithophel's treason against David, and that of Judas against Christ, are here strongly marked. The treachery of pretended friends is generally to the Church, as it was to her Lord, the beginning of sorrows. Ingratitude, malice, and falsehood, are ingredients that must always meet in the composition of a traitor. Bp. Horne. 4. In God I will praise his word.] By the assistance of God I shall be enabled to praise Him for the performance of his promises. Bp. Patrick.