| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 A Psalm of David. Jehovah, I have called upon thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I call unto thee. |
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| 2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening oblation. |
As incense – The incense of old, which typified the prayers of saints, was composed of a rare mixture which only the priests were allowed to make. R5692:5
The prayers of God's people rise up before him as a sweet perfume. R5692:5
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| 3 Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. |
Keep – If the prayer be sincere, the petitioner will do all in his power in this direction while seeking divine aid. R3739:6
The door of my lips – Whatever difficulty we have through our lips needs correction at our hearts. R3739:6
Help me to be secretive at the proper time. R3971:5
What a fearful responsibility attaches to the tongue that wags in an evil, or even in a flippant, way, which is also dishonoring to God. R1938:2
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| 4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise deeds of wickedness with men that are workers of iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties. |
To any evil thing – Assist me in my determination of opposition to all these things (dainties of this world). R5692:6
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| 5 Let the righteous smite me, it is kindness; and let him reprove me, it is an excellent oil which my head shall not refuse: for yet my prayer also is for them in their calamities. |
Let the righteous – Primarily the Lord Jesus; also right-intentioned, right-willed persons, manifesting in their conduct the spirit of righteousness. R4977:2
Smite me – Those in fellowship with God will take no offense if reproved by the righteous. R5692:6
A kindness – We should be glad to be set right if we are wrong, and receive it as of the Lord. R4977:2
Let him – A proper reproof should not be injurious, but uplifting and refreshing. R4977:2
Reprove me – Administering reproof to another should be done only after careful consideration and prayer. R4977:3
An excellent oil – Such as a guest received from his host in ancient time. R5692:6
Shall not break – Neither our heads nor our hearts are broken by Scriptural reproofs. R5693:1
"Let not my head refuse it." (American Revision) R5693:1
Reproof should not be disastrous, not crushing. R4977:3
In their calamities – Rendered "evil" in "I create evil." (Isa. 45:7) A125
"Even in their wickedness shall my prayer continue. " (American Revision) R5693:1
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| 6 When their judges are thrown down from the rocks, they shall hear my words, for they are sweet. |
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| 7 Our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth. |
At the grave's – Sheol, oblivion. E366
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| 8 For unto thee, Jehovah, Lord, are mine eyes; in thee do I trust: leave not my soul destitute. |
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| 9 Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity. |
From the snares – But the world will be ensnared in the great time of trouble. R5693:5
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| 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that *I* withal pass over. |
Let the wicked fall – Satan and his servants will be overwhelmed in the great time of trouble approaching, in a manner not expected. R5693:5
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