| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. |
|
| |
|
| 1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; |
|
| 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. |
|
| 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall 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
|
| 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. |
|
| 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: |
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
|
| 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. |
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
|
| 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. |
|
| 8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. |
|
| 9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. |
|
| 10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. |
|
| 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. |
|