| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 A Psalm of David, in his being in the wilderness of Judah. |
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| O God, Thou [art] my God, earnestly do I seek Thee, Thirsted for Thee hath my soul, Longed for Thee hath my flesh, In a land dry and weary, without waters. |
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| 2 So in the sanctuary I have seen Thee, To behold Thy strength and Thine honour. |
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| 3 Because better [is] Thy kindness than life, My lips do praise Thee. |
Because – And not for money or reputation. R2853:4
Thy lovingkindness – Divine favor. R2850:3, R5435:3, R5475:3
In a sense to all creatures, but especially to those who have lovable qualities of heart. R5440:3
Seen through the divine plan of the ages--the salvation planned from before the foundation of the world. R5441:3; CR480:4
Here the Psalmist represents The Christ. R5436:1, R5441:1,3
The more a reality to us, the more we lay down our lives in his service. R5441:1,4,5
Not merely favor as respects future prospects and hopes, but it extends down to the present life. R2852:2, R5441:4
But God does not love the wilful sinner. R5440:3
Is better than life – In view of God's provisions for the future, we count what remains of the present life as a trifling thing and are glad to lay down our human lives in doing the things that are pleasing to God. CR481:2; R5436:1, R2852:1
"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." (Phil. 3:8) R2851:6
None but those who walk and talk with God can say this. R5441:3, R2850:3
Jesus, in appreciation of God's lovingkindness, laid down his life. It is the same with those who walk in his footsteps. CR481:2; CR489:4
More esteemed by us than all of earthly life and its good things. R2853:4
David would rather die than live without divine favor. The same is true, prophetically, of The Christ. R5436:1, R5475:3
My lips – The Church's lips. CR481:1; R5436:1, R5441:3, R2850:3
Shall praise thee – Not from a sense of duty or love of money or worldly position, but because the message is too good to keep. R2852:4
"He hath put a new song in my mouth, even the lovingkindness of our God." (Psa. 40:3) R2852:4
Showing forth the glorious character and loving kindness of our God. R5436:4, R5476:1, R5440:6; CR481:3
Costing trouble, money, misunderstandings, persecution, and perhaps breaking of home ties. R5441:2
By telling the wonders of the divine plan. R5436:4, R5476:4
Not only as a witness to the world. The witnessing also has a good effect on us. R5436:4, R5476:1
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| 4 So I bless Thee in my life, in Thy name I lift up my hands. |
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| 5 As [with] milk and fatness is my soul satisfied, And [with] singing lips doth my mouth praise. |
Shall be satisfied – David referred to God's favor, raising him from shepherd boy to king. R5785:2
The Ancient Worthies will not envy the Church, but will be satisfied when they awake with God's likeness as Adam had it. R613:2
Shall praise thee – The Psalms contain many beautiful expressions of praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty. R5785:2
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| 6 If I have remembered Thee on my couch, In the watches I meditate on Thee. |
When I remember thee – The spirit of praise is cultivated by calling to mind and recounting what the Lord has done. R2031:3
So must the Christian continually call to mind the works of the Lord, especially in his own individual experiences. R2031:3
Meditate on thee – Not thinking foolish thoughts, nor planning foolish things. R5785:2
In the night watches – If there is a prophetic thought here, it is that all through the Dark Ages, all through the nighttime of this age, God's faithful people have been praising him. R5785:5
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| 7 For Thou hast been a help to me, And in the shadow of Thy wings I sing. |
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| 8 Cleaved hath my soul after Thee, On me hath Thy right hand taken hold. |
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| 9 And they who for desolation seek my soul, Go in to the lower parts of the earth. |
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| 10 They cause him to run on the edge of the sword, A portion for foxes they are. |
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| 11 And the king doth rejoice in God, Boast himself doth every one swearing by Him, But stopped is the mouth of those speaking lies! |
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