8. Make me to hear &c.] Renew the joy of my heart, in the comfortable assurance of thy forgiveness; that so my soul, which is now dejected and justly grieved for my sin, may find cause of rejoicing in Thee. Bp. Hall. 11. Cast me not away &c.] The soul that is truly penitent dreads nothing but the thought of being rejected from the "presence" and deserted by the "Spirit" of God. This is the most deplorable effect of sin; but it is one that in general, perhaps, is the least considered and regarded of all others. Bp. Horne. 12. — and uphold me with thy free spirit. He prays to be preserved and continued in a state of salvation by the Spirit of God, which might enable him to act as became a Prophet and a king, free from base desires and enslaving lusts. Bp. Horne. 14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness.] Deliver me from the punishment due to this crying sin, the murder of a trusty servant, and of several of my servants, 2 Sam. xi. 17. Bp. Patrick. 16. — thou desirest not sacrifice;] This is not to be understood absolutely and universally, as appears from ver. 19, but comparatively. See the note on Psalm xi. 6. Poole. 18. — build thou the walls of Jerusalem.] Be favourable to Jerusalem, and let its walls, which I have begun to build, 2 Sam. v. 9, be perfectly finished, 1 Kings in. 1. Bp. Patrick.