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Psalms 19:9 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

9 The fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 is clean, H2889 enduring H5975 for ever: H5703 the judgments H4941 of the LORD H3068 are true H571 and righteous H6663 altogether. H3162

Cross Reference

Psalms 119:142 STRONG

Thy righteousness H6666 is an everlasting H5769 righteousness, H6664 and thy law H8451 is the truth. H571

Psalms 119:1 STRONG

ALEPH. Blessed H835 are the undefiled H8549 in the way, H1870 who walk H1980 in the law H8451 of the LORD. H3068

Psalms 34:11-14 STRONG

Come, H3212 ye children, H1121 hearken H8085 unto me: I will teach H3925 you the fear H3374 of the LORD. H3068 What man H376 is he that desireth H2655 life, H2416 and loveth H157 many days, H3117 that he may see H7200 good? H2896 Keep H5341 thy tongue H3956 from evil, H7451 and thy lips H8193 from speaking H1696 guile. H4820 Depart H5493 from evil, H7451 and do H6213 good; H2896 seek H1245 peace, H7965 and pursue H7291 it.

1 Samuel 12:24 STRONG

Only fear H3372 the LORD, H3068 and serve H5647 him in truth H571 with all your heart: H3824 for consider H7200 how great things he hath done H1431 for you.

1 Kings 18:3-4 STRONG

And Ahab H256 called H7121 Obadiah, H5662 which was the governor of his house. H1004 (Now Obadiah H5662 feared H3373 the LORD H3068 greatly: H3966 For it was so, when Jezebel H348 cut off H3772 the prophets H5030 of the LORD, H3068 that Obadiah H5662 took H3947 an hundred H3967 prophets, H5030 and hid H2244 them by fifty H376 H2572 in a cave, H4631 and fed H3557 them with bread H3899 and water.) H4325

Deuteronomy 4:8 STRONG

And what nation H1471 is there so great, H1419 that hath statutes H2706 and judgments H4941 so righteous H6662 as all this law, H8451 which I set H5414 before H6440 you this day? H3117

1 Kings 18:12 STRONG

And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone H3212 from thee, that the Spirit H7307 of the LORD H3068 shall carry H5375 thee whither I know H3045 not; and so when I come H935 and tell H5046 Ahab, H256 and he cannot find H4672 thee, he shall slay H2026 me: but I thy servant H5650 fear H3372 the LORD H3068 from my youth. H5271

Nehemiah 5:15 STRONG

But the former H7223 governors H6346 that had been before H6440 me were chargeable H3513 unto the people, H5971 and had taken H3947 of them bread H3899 and wine, H3196 beside H310 forty H705 shekels H8255 of silver; H3701 yea, even H1571 their servants H5288 bare rule H7980 over the people: H5971 but so did H6213 not I, because H6440 of the fear H3374 of God. H430

Psalms 10:5 STRONG

His ways H1870 are always H6256 grievous; H2342 thy judgments H4941 are far above H4791 out of his sight: as for all his enemies, H6887 he puffeth H6315 at them.

Psalms 36:1 STRONG

[[To the chief Musician, H5329 A Psalm of David H1732 the servant H5650 of the LORD.]] H3068 The transgression H6588 of the wicked H7563 saith H5002 within H7130 my heart, H3820 that there is no fear H6343 of God H430 before his eyes. H5869

Psalms 36:6 STRONG

Thy righteousness H6666 is like the great H410 mountains; H2042 thy judgments H4941 are a great H7227 deep: H8415 O LORD, H3068 thou preservest H3467 man H120 and beast. H929

Psalms 72:1-2 STRONG

[[A Psalm for Solomon.]] H8010 Give H5414 the king H4428 thy judgments, H4941 O God, H430 and thy righteousness H6666 unto the king's H4428 son. H1121 He shall judge H1777 thy people H5971 with righteousness, H6664 and thy poor H6041 with judgment. H4941

Psalms 115:13 STRONG

He will bless H1288 them that fear H3373 the LORD, H3068 both small H6996 and great. H1419

Psalms 119:106 STRONG

I have sworn, H7650 and I will perform H6965 it, that I will keep H8104 thy righteous H6664 judgments. H4941

Psalms 119:137-138 STRONG

TZADDI. Righteous H6662 art thou, O LORD, H3068 and upright H3477 are thy judgments. H4941 Thy testimonies H5713 that thou hast commanded H6680 are righteous H6664 and very H3966 faithful. H530

Revelation 19:2 STRONG

For G3754 true G228 and G2532 righteous G1342 are his G846 judgments: G2920 for G3754 he hath judged G2919 the great G3173 whore, G4204 which G3748 did corrupt G5351 the earth G1093 with G1722 her G846 fornication, G4202 and G2532 hath avenged G1556 the blood G129 of his G846 servants G1401 at G1537 her G846 hand. G5495

Exodus 21:1 STRONG

Now these are the judgments H4941 which thou shalt set H7760 before H6440 them.

Genesis 42:18 STRONG

And Joseph H3130 said H559 unto them the third H7992 day, H3117 This do, H6213 and live; H2421 for I fear H3373 God: H430

Genesis 22:12 STRONG

And he said, H559 Lay H7971 not thine hand H3027 upon H413 the lad, H5288 neither do thou H6213 any thing H3972 unto him: for now H6258 I know H3045 that thou fearest H3373 God, H430 seeing thou hast not H3808 withheld H2820 thy son, H1121 thine only H3173 son from me.

Psalms 119:7 STRONG

I will praise H3034 thee with uprightness H3476 of heart, H3824 when I shall have learned H3925 thy righteous H6664 judgments. H4941

Revelation 16:7 STRONG

And G2532 I heard G191 another G243 out of G1537 the altar G2379 say, G3004 Even so, G3483 Lord G2962 God G2316 Almighty, G3841 true G228 and G2532 righteous G1342 are thy G4675 judgments. G2920

Revelation 15:3 STRONG

And G2532 they sing G103 the song G5603 of Moses G3475 the servant G1401 of God, G2316 and G2532 the song G5603 of the Lamb, G721 saying, G3004 Great G3173 and G2532 marvellous G2298 are thy G4675 works, G2041 Lord G2962 God G2316 Almighty; G3841 just G1342 and G2532 true G228 are thy G4675 ways, G3598 thou King G935 of saints. G40

Romans 11:22 STRONG

Behold G1492 therefore G3767 the goodness G5544 and G2532 severity G663 of God: G2316 on G1909 them which fell, G4098 G3303 severity; G663 but G1161 toward G1909 thee, G4571 goodness, G5544 if G1437 thou continue G1961 in his goodness: G5544 otherwise G1893 thou G4771 also G2532 shalt be cut off. G1581

Romans 3:10-18 STRONG

As G2531 it is written, G1125 G3754 There is G2076 none G3756 righteous, G1342 no, not G3761 one: G1520 There is G2076 none G3756 that understandeth, G4920 there is G2076 none G3756 that seeketh after G1567 God. G2316 They are G1578 all G3956 gone out of the way, G1578 they are G889 together G260 become unprofitable; G889 there is G2076 none G3756 that doeth G4160 good, G5544 no, not G3756 one. G2076 G2193 G1520 Their G846 throat G2995 is an open G455 sepulchre; G5028 with their G846 tongues G1100 they have used deceit; G1387 the poison G2447 of asps G785 is under G5259 their G846 lips: G5491 Whose G3739 mouth G4750 is full G1073 of cursing G685 and G2532 bitterness: G4088 Their G846 feet G4228 are swift G3691 to shed G1632 blood: G129 Destruction G4938 and G2532 misery G5004 are in G1722 their G846 ways: G3598 And G2532 the way G3598 of peace G1515 have G1097 they not G3756 known: G1097 There is G2076 no G3756 fear G5401 of God G2316 before G561 their G846 eyes. G3788

Romans 2:2 STRONG

But G1161 we are sure G1492 that G3754 the judgment G2917 of God G2316 is G2076 according G2596 to truth G225 against G1909 them which commit G4238 such things. G5108

Acts 10:22 STRONG

And G1161 they said, G2036 Cornelius G2883 the centurion, G1543 a just G1342 man, G435 and G2532 one that feareth G5399 God, G2316 and G5037 of good report G3140 among G5259 all G3650 the nation G1484 of the Jews, G2453 was warned from God G5537 by G5259 an holy G40 angel G32 to send G3343 for thee G4571 into G1519 his G846 house, G3624 and G2532 to hear G191 words G4487 of G3844 thee. G4675

Isaiah 26:8 STRONG

Yea, in the way H734 of thy judgments, H4941 O LORD, H3068 have we waited H6960 for thee; the desire H8378 of our soul H5315 is to thy name, H8034 and to the remembrance H2143 of thee.

Proverbs 8:13 STRONG

The fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 is to hate H8130 evil: H7451 pride, H1344 and arrogancy, H1347 and the evil H7451 way, H1870 and the froward H8419 mouth, H6310 do I hate. H8130

Psalms 147:19 STRONG

He sheweth H5046 his word H1697 H1697 unto Jacob, H3290 his statutes H2706 and his judgments H4941 unto Israel. H3478

Psalms 119:75 STRONG

I know, H3045 O LORD, H3068 that thy judgments H4941 are right, H6664 and that thou in faithfulness H530 hast afflicted H6031 me.

Psalms 119:62 STRONG

At midnight H2676 H3915 I will rise H6965 to give thanks H3034 unto thee because of thy righteous H6664 judgments. H4941

Psalms 119:39 STRONG

Turn away H5674 my reproach H2781 which I fear: H3025 for thy judgments H4941 are good. H2896

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Psalms 19

Commentary on Psalms 19 Matthew Henry Commentary


Psalm 19

There are two excellent books which the great God has published for the instruction and edification of the children of men; this psalm treats of them both, and recommends them both to our diligent study.

  • I. The book of the creatures, in which we may easily read the power and godhead of the Creator (v. 1-6).
  • II. The book of the scriptures, which makes known to us the will of God concerning our duty. He shows the excellency and usefulness of that book (v. 7-11) and then teaches us how to improve it (v. 12-14).

To the chief musician. A psalm of David.

Psa 19:1-6

From the things that are seen every day by all the world the psalmist, in these verses, leads us to the consideration of the invisible things of God, whose being appears incontestably evident and whose glory shines transcendently bright in the visible heavens, the structure and beauty of them, and the order and influence of the heavenly bodies. This instance of the divine power serves not only to show the folly of atheists, who see there is a heaven and yet say, "There is no God,' who see the effect and yet say, "There is no cause,' but to show the folly of idolaters also, and the vanity of their imagination, who, though the heavens declare the glory of God, yet gave that glory to the lights of heaven which those very lights directed them to give to God only, the Father of lights. Now observe here,

  • I. What that is which the creatures notify to us. They are in many ways useful and serviceable to us, but in nothing so much as in this, that they declare the glory of God, by showing his handy-works, v. 1. They plainly speak themselves to be God's handy-works; for they could not exist from eternity; all succession and motion must have had a beginning; they could not make themselves, that is a contradiction; they could not be produced by a casual hit of atoms, that is an absurdity, fit rather to be bantered than reasoned with: therefore they must have a Creator, who can be no other than an eternal mind, infinitely wise, powerful, and good. Thus it appears they are God's works, the works of his fingers (Ps. 8:3), and therefore they declare his glory. From the excellency of the work we may easily infer the infinite perfection of its great author. From the brightness of the heavens we may collect that the Creator is light; their vastness of extent bespeaks his immensity, their height his transcendency and sovereignty, their influence upon this earth his dominion, and providence, and universal beneficence: and all declare his almighty power, by which they were at first made, and continue to this day according to the ordinances that were then settled.
  • II. What are some of those things which notify this?
    • 1. The heavens and the firmament-the vast expanse of air and ether, and the spheres of the planets and fixed stars. Man has this advantage above the beasts, in the structure of his body, that whereas they are made to look downwards, as their spirits must go, he is made erect, to look upwards, because upwards his spirit must shortly go and his thoughts should now rise.
    • 2. The constant and regular succession of day and night (v. 2): Day unto day, and night unto night, speak the glory of that God who first divided between the light and the darkness, and has, from the beginning to this day, preserved that established order without variation, according to God's covenant with Noah (Gen. 8:22), that, while the earth remains, day and night shall not cease, to which covenant of providence the covenant of grace is compared for its stability, Jer. 33:20; 31:35. The counterchanging of day and night, in so exact a method, is a great instance of the power of God, and calls us to observe that, as in the kingdom of nature, so in that of providence, he forms the light and creates the darkness (Isa. 45:7), and sets the one over-against the other. It is likewise an instance of his goodness to man; for he makes the out-goings of the morning and evening to rejoice, Ps. 65:8. He not only glorifies himself, but gratifies us, by this constant revolution; for as the light of the morning befriends the business of the day, so the shadows of the evening befriend the repose of the night; every day and every night speak the goodness of God, and, when they have finished their testimony, leave it to the next day, to the next night, to stay the same.
    • 3. The light and influence of the sun do, in a special manner, declare the glory of God; for of all the heavenly bodies that is the most conspicuous in itself and most useful to this lower world, which would be all dungeon, and all desert, without it. It is not an improbable conjecture that David penned this psalm when he had the rising sun in view, and from the brightness of it took occasion to declare the glory of God. Concerning the sun observe here,
      • (1.) The place appointed him. In the heavens God has set a tabernacle for the sun. The heavenly bodies are called hosts of heaven, and therefore are fitly said to dwell in tents, as soldiers in their encampments. The sun is said to have a tabernacle set him, no only because he is in continual motion and never has a fixed residence, but because the mansion he has will, at the end of time, be taken down like a tent, when the heavens shall be rolled together like a scroll and the sun shall be turned to darkness.
      • (2.) The course assigned him. That glorious creature was not made to be idle, but his going forth (at least as it appears to our eye) is from one point of the heavens, and his circuit thence to the opposite point, and thence (to complete his diurnal revolution) to the same point again; and this with such steadiness and constancy that we can certainly foretel the hour and the minute at which the sun will rise at such a place, any day to come.
      • (3.) The brightness wherein he appears. He is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, richly dressed and adorned, as fine as hands can make him, looking pleasantly himself and making all about him pleasant; for the friend of the bridegroom rejoices greatly to hear the bridegroom's voice, Jn. 3:29.
      • (4.) The cheerfulness wherewith he makes this tour. Though it seems a vast round which he has to walk, and he has not a moment's rest, yet in obedience to the law of this creation, and for the service of man, he not only does it, but does it with a great deal of pleasure and rejoices as a strong man to run a race. With such satisfaction did Christ, the Sun of righteousness, finish the work that was given him to do.
      • (5.) His universal influence on this earth: There is nothing hidden from the heart thereof, no, not metals in the bowels of the earth, which the sun has an influence upon.
  • III. To whom this declaration is made of the glory of God. It is made to all parts of the world (v. 3, 4): There is no speech nor language (no nation, for the nations were divided after their tongues, Gen. 10:31, 32) where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone through all the earth (the equinoctial line, suppose) and with it their words to the end of the world, proclaiming the eternal power of God of nature, v. 4. The apostle uses this as a reason why the Jews should not be angry with him and others for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, because God had already made himself known to the Gentile world by the works of creation, and left not himself without witness among them (Rom. 10:18), so that they were without excuse if they were idolaters, Rom. 1:20, 21. And those were without blame, who, by preaching the gospel to them, endeavoured to turn them from their idolatry. If God used these means to prevent their apostasy, and they proved ineffectual, the apostles did well to use other means to recover them from it. They have no speech or language (so some read it) and yet their voice is heard. All people may hear these natural immortal preachers speak to them in their own tongue the wonderful works of God.

In singing these verses we must give God the glory of all the comfort and benefit we have by the lights of the heaven, still looking above and beyond them to the Sun of righteousness.

Psa 19:7-14

God's glory, (that is, his goodness to man) appears much in the works of creation, but much more in and by divine revelation. The holy scripture, as it is a rule both of our duty to God and of our expectation from him, is of much greater use and benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe in, or the light of the sun. The discoveries made of God by his works might have served if man had retained his integrity; but, to recover him out of his fallen state, another course must be taken; that must be done by the word of God. And here,

  • I. The psalmist gives an account of the excellent properties and uses of the word of God, in six sentences (v. 7-9), in each of which the name Jehovah is repeated, and no vain repetition, for the law has its authority and all its excellency from the law-maker. Here are six several titles of the word of God, to take in the whole of divine revelation, precepts and promises, and especially the gospel. Here are several good properties of it, which proves its divine original, which recommend it to our affection, and which extol it above all other laws whatsoever. Here are several good effects of the law upon the minds of men, which show what it is designed for, what use we are to make of it, and how wonderful the efficacy of divine grace is, going along with it, and working by it.
    • 1. The law of the Lord is perfect. It is perfectly free from all corruption, perfectly filled with all good, and perfectly fitted for the end for which it is designed; and it will make the man of God perfect, 2 Tim. 3:17. Nothing is to be added to it nor taken from it. It is of use to convert the soul, to bring us back to ourselves, to our God, to our duty; for it shows us our sinfulness and misery in our departures from God and the indispensable necessity of our return to him.
    • 2. The testimony of the Lord (which witnesses for him to us) is sure, incontestably and inviolably sure, what we may give credit to, may rely upon, and may be confident it will not deceive us. It is a sure discovery of the divine truth, a sure direction in the way of duty. It is a sure foundation of living comforts and a sure foundation of lasting hopes. It is of use to make us wise, wise to salvation, 2 Tim. 3:15. It will give us an insight into things divine and a foresight of things to come. It will employ us in the best work and secure to us our true interests. It will make even the simple (poor contrivers as they may be for the present world) wise for their souls and eternity. Those that are humbly simple, sensible of their own folly and willing to be taught, shall be made wise by the word of God, Ps. 25:9.
    • 3. The statutes of the Lord (enacted by his authority, and binding on all wherever they come) are right, exactly agreeing with the eternal rules and principles of good and evil, that is, with the right reason of man and the right counsels of God. All God's precepts, concerning all things, are right (Ps. 119:128), just as they should be; and they will set us to rights if we receive them and submit to them; and, because they are right, they rejoice the heart. The law, as we see it in the hands of Christ, gives cause for joy; and, when it is written in our hearts, it lays a foundation for everlasting joy, by restoring us to our right mind.
    • 4. The commandment of the Lord is pure; it is clear, without darkness; it is clean, without dross and defilement. It is itself purified from all alloy, and is purifying to those that receive and embrace it. It is the ordinary means which the Spirit uses in enlightening the eyes; it brings us to a sight and sense of our sin and misery, and directs us in the way of duty.
    • 5. The fear of the Lord (true religion and godliness prescribed in the word, reigning in the heart, and practised in the life) is clean, clean itself, and will make us clean (Jn. 15:3); it will cleanse our way, Ps. 119:9. And it endureth for ever; it is of perpetual obligation and can never be repealed. The ceremonial law is long since done away, but the law concerning the fear of God is ever the same. Time will not alter the nature of moral good and evil.
    • 6. The judgments of the Lord (all his precepts, which are framed in infinite wisdom) are true; they are grounded upon the most sacred and unquestionable truths; they are righteous, all consonant to natural equity; and they are so altogether: there is no unrighteousness in any of them, but they are all of a piece.
  • II. He expresses the great value he had for the word of God, and the great advantage he had, and hoped to have, from it, v. 10, 11.
    • 1. See how highly he prized the commandments of God. It is the character of all good people that they prefer their religion and the word of God,
      • (1.) Far before all the wealth of the world. It is more desirable than gold, than fine gold, than much fine gold. Gold is of the earth, earthly; but grace is the image of the heavenly. Gold is only for the body and the concerns of time; but grace is for the soul and the concerns of eternity.
      • (2.) Far before all pleasures and delights of sense. The word of God, received by faith, is sweet to the soul, sweeter than honey and the honey comb. The pleasures of sense are the delight of brutes, and therefore debase the great soul of man; the pleasures of religion are the delight of angels, and exalt the soul. The pleasures of sense are deceitful, will soon surfeit, and yet never satisfy; but those of religion are substantial and satisfying, and there is no danger of exceeding in them.
    • 2. See what use he made of the precepts of God's word: By them is thy servant warned. The word of God is a word of warning to the children of men; it warns us of the duty we are to do, the dangers we are to avoid, and the deluge we are to prepare for, Eze. 3:17; 33:7. It warns the wicked not to go on in his wicked way, and warns the righteous not to turn from his good way. All that are indeed God's servants take this warning.
    • 3. See what advantage he promised himself by his obedience to God's precepts: In keeping them there is great reward. Those who make conscience of their duty will not only be no losers by it, but unspeakable gainers. There is a reward, not only after keeping, but in keeping, God's commandments, a present great reward of obedience. Religion is health and honour; it is peace and pleasure; it will make our comforts sweet and our crosses easy, life truly valuable and death itself truly desirable.
  • III. He draws some good inferences from this pious meditation upon the excellency of the word of God. Such thoughts as these should excite in us devout affections, and they are to good purpose.
    • 1. He takes occasion hence to make a penitent reflection upon his sins; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. "Is the commandment thus holy, just, and good? Then who can understand his errors? I cannot, whoever can.' From the rectitude of the divine law he learns to call his sins his errors. If the commandment be true and righteous, every transgression of the commandment is an error, as grounded upon a mistake; every wicked practice takes rise from some corrupt principle; it is a deviation from the rule we are to work by, the way we are to walk in. From the extent, the strictness, and spiritual nature, of the divine law he learns that his sins are so many that he cannot understand the number of them, and so exceedingly sinful that he cannot understand the heinousness and malignity of them. We are guilty of many sins which, through our carelessness and partiality to ourselves, we are not aware of; many we have been guilty of which we have forgotten; so that, when we have been ever so particular in the confession of sin, we must conclude with an et cetera-and such like; for God knows a great deal more evil of us than we do of ourselves. In many things we all offend, and who can tell how often he offends? It is well that we are under grace, and not under the law, else we were undone.
    • 2. He takes occasion hence to pray against sin. All the discoveries of sin made to us by the law should drive us to the throne of grace, there to pray, as David does here,
      • (1.) For mercy to pardon. Finding himself unable to specify all the particulars of his transgressions, he cries out, Lord, cleanse me from my secret faults; not secret to God, so none are, nor only such as were secret to the world, but such as were hidden from his own observation of himself. The best of men have reason to suspect themselves guilty of many secret faults, and to pray to God to cleanse them from that guilt and not to lay it to their charge; for even our sins of infirmity and inadvertency, and our secret sins, would be our ruin if God should deal with us according to the desert of them. Even secret faults are defiling, and render us unfit for communion with God; but, when they are pardoned, we are cleansed from them, 1 Jn. 1:7.
      • (2.) For grace to help in time of need. Having prayed that his sins of infirmity might be pardoned, he prays that presumptuous sins might be prevented, v. 13. All that truly repent of their sins, and have them pardoned, are in care not to relapse into sin, nor to return again to folly, as appears by their prayers, which concur with David's here, where observe,
        • [1.] His petition: "Keep me from ever being guilty of a wilful presumptuous sin.' We ought to pray that we may be kept from sins of infirmity, but especially from presumptuous sins, which most offend God and wound conscience, which wither our comforts and shock our hopes. "However, let none such have dominion over me, let me not be at the command of any such sin, nor be enslaved by it.'
        • [2.] His plea: "So shall I be upright; I shall appear upright; I shall preserve the evidence and comfort of my uprightness; and I shall be innocent from the great transgression;' so he calls a presumptuous sin, because no sacrifice was accepted for it, Num. 15:28-30. Note,
          • First, Presumptuous sins are very heinous and dangerous. those that sin against the habitual convictions and actual admonitions of their consciences, in contempt and defiance of the law and its sanctions, that sin with a high hand, sin presumptuously, and it is a great transgression.
          • Secondly, Even good men ought to be jealous of themselves, and afraid of sinning presumptuously, yea, though through the grace of God they have hitherto been kept from them. Let none be high-minded, but fear.
          • Thirdly, Being so much exposed, we have great need to pray to God, when we are pushing forward towards a presumptuous sin, to keep us back from it, either by his providence preventing the temptation or by his grace giving us victory over it.
    • 3. He takes occasion humbly to beg the divine acceptance of those his pious thoughts and affections, v. 14. Observe the connexion of this with what goes before. He prays to God to keep him from sin, and then begs he would accept his performances; for, if we favour our sins, we cannot expect God should favour us or our services, Ps. 66:18. Observe,
      • (1.) What his services were-the words of his mouth and the meditations of his heart, his holy affections offered up to God. The pious meditations of the heart must not be smothered, but expressed in the words of our mouth, for God's glory and the edification of others; and the words of our mouth in prayer and praise must not be formal, but arising from the meditation of the heart, Ps. 45:1.
      • (2.) What was his care concerning these services-that they might be acceptable with God; for, if our services be not acceptable to God, what do they avail us? Gracious souls must have all they aim at if they be accepted of God, for that is their bliss.
      • (3.) What encouragement he had to hope for this, because God was his strength and his redeemer. If we seek assistance from God as our strength in our religious duties, we may hope to find acceptance with God in the discharge of our duties; for by his strength we have power with him.

In singing this we should get our hearts much affected with the excellency of the word of God and delivered into it, we should be much affected with the evil of sin, the danger we are in of it and the danger we are in by it, and we should fetch in help from heaven against it.