Psalms 21

rivers--irrigating channels (Ps 1:3), whose course was easily turned (compare De 11:10). God disposes even kings as He pleases (Pr 16:9; Ps 33:15).

(Compare Pr 14:2; 16:2-25).

(Compare Ps 50:7-15; Isa 1:11, 17).

high look--(Compare Margin; Ps 131:1). proud heart--or, "heart of breadth," one that is swollen (compare Ps 101:5). ploughing--better "lamp," a frequent figure for prosperity (Pr 20:20); hence joy or delight.

The contrast is between steady industry and rashness (compare Pr 19:2).

The getting--or, "what is obtained" (compare Job 7:2; Jer 22:13, Hebrew). vanity ... to and fro--as fleeting as chaff or stubble in the wind (compare Pr 20:17-21; Ps 62:10). Such gettings are unsatisfactory. them ... death--act as if they did (Pr 8:36; 17:19).

robbery--or, "destruction," especially oppression, of which they are authors. shall destroy--literally, "cut with a saw" (1Ki 7:9), that is, utterly ruin them. Their sins shall be visited on them in kind. to do judgment--what is just and right.

of man--any one; his way is opposed to truth, and also estranged from it. The pure proves himself such by his right conduct.

corner--a turret or arbor on the roof. brawling--or contentious. wide house--literally, "house of fellowship," large enough for several families.

So strongly does he desire to do evil (Ps 10:3; Ec 8:11), that he will not even spare his friend if in his way.

(Compare Pr 19:25). That which the simple learn by the terrors of punishment, the wise learn by teaching.

(Compare Ps 37:35-38; 73:17, 20). house--family or interests. overthroweth--either supply "God" (compare Pr 10:24), or the word is used impersonally.

The principles of retribution, often taught (compare Ps 18:26; Mt 7:1-12).

The effect of bribery (Pr 17:23) is enhanced by secrecy, as the bribed person does not wish his motives made known.

But the just love right and need no bribes. The wicked at last meet destruction, though for a time happy in concealing corruption.

the way of understanding--(Compare Pr 12:26; 14:22). remain--that is, rest as at a journey's end; death will be his unchanging home.

Costly luxuries impoverish.

(Compare Pr 11:8). By suffering what they had devised for the righteous, or brought on them, the wicked became their ransom, in the usual sense of substitutes (compare Jos 7:26; Es 7:9).

(Compare Pr 21:9). wilderness--pasture, though uninhabitable ground (Ps 65:12).

The wise, by diligence and care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools spend--literally, "swallow it up," greedily.

He who tries to act justly and kindly (Ps 34:14) will prosper and obtain justice and honor.

"Wisdom is better than strength" (Ec 7:19; 9:15). strength ... thereof--that in which they confide.

(Compare Pr 13:2, 3; Jas 3:6-10).

The reproachful name is deserved by those who treat others with anger and contempt.

desire--that is, of ease and idleness brings him to starvation.

The sin of covetousness marks the sluggard, as the virtue of benevolence the righteous.

God regards the heart, and hypocrisy is more odious than open inconsistency. wicked mind--or, "design" (Pr 1:4).

(Compare Pr 19:5). that heareth--or heeds instruction, and so grows wise. speaketh constantly--or sincerely (compare Hab 1:5), and hence is believed (Pr 12:19; Jas 1:19).

hardeneth his face--is obstinate. directeth ... way--considers it, and acts advisedly.

Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (Pr 19:21; Ps 20:7; 33:17).

Happy the people whose king makes God's strength his confidence, and God's salvation his joy; who is pleased with all the advancements of God kingdom, and trusts God to support him in all he does for the service of it. All our blessings are blessings of goodness, and are owing, not to any merit of ours, but only to God's goodness. But when God's blessings come sooner, and prove richer than we imagine; when they are given before we prayed for them, before we were ready for them, nay, when we feared the contrary; then it may be truly said that he prevented, or went before us, with them. Nothing indeed prevented, or went before Christ, but to mankind never was any favour more preventing than our redemption by Christ. Thou hast made him to be a universal, everlasting blessing to the world, in whom the families of the earth are, and shall be blessed; and so thou hast made him exceeding glad with the countenance thou hast given to his undertaking, and to him in the prosecution of it. The Spirit of prophecy rises from what related to the king, to that which is peculiar to Christ; none other is blessed for ever, much less a blessing for ever.

The psalmist teaches to look forward with faith, and hope, and prayer upon what God would further do. The success with which God blessed David, was a type of the total overthrow of all Christ's enemies. Those who might have had Christ to rule and save them, but rejected him and fought against him, shall find the remembrance of it a worm that dies not. God makes sinners willing by his grace, receives them to his favour, and delivers them from the wrath to come. May he exalt himself, by his all-powerful grace, in our hearts, destroying all the strong-holds of sin and Satan. How great should be our joy and praise to behold our Brother and Friend upon the throne, and for all the blessings we may expect from him! yet he delights in his exalted state, as enabling him to confer happiness and glory on poor sinners, who are taught to love and trust in him.