Psalms 28

A bad conscience makes men timid; the righteous are alone truly bold (Pr 14:26; Ps 27:1).

Anarchy producing contending rulers shortens the reign of each. but by a man ... prolonged--or, "by a man of understanding--that is, a good ruler--he who knows or regards the right, that is, a good citizen, shall prolong (his days)." Good rulers are a blessing to the people. Bad government as a punishment for evil is contrasted with good as blessing to the good.

A poor man, &c.--Such, in power, exact more severely, and so leave subjects bare.

They that forsake ... wicked--Wrongdoers encourage one another.

(Compare Joh 7:17). Ignorance of moral truth is due to unwillingness to know it.

(Compare Pr 10:6). Riches cannot compensate for sin, nor the want of them affect integrity.

(Compare Pr 17:25). riotous men--or, "gluttons" (Pr 23:20, 21).

usury ... unjust gain--(Compare Margin). The two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote excessive interest. God's providence directs the proper use of wealth.

(Compare Pr 15:8; 21:27). hearing--that is, obeying. God requires sincere worshippers (Ps 66:18; Joh 4:24).

(Compare Pr 26:27).

A poor but wise man can discover (and expose) the rich and self-conceited.

great glory--or, cause for it to a people, for the righteous rejoice in good, and righteousness exalts a nation (Pr 14:34). a man ... hidden--that is, the good retire, or all kinds try to escape a wicked rule.

(Compare Ps 32:3-5). Concealment of sin delivers none from God's wrath, but He shows mercy to the humble penitent (Ps 51:4).

feareth--that is, God, and so repents. hardeneth his heart--makes himself insensible to sin, and so will not repent (Pr 14:16; 29:1).

The rapacity and cruelty of such beasts well represent some wicked men (compare Ps 7:2; 17:12).

The prince ... understanding--that is, He does not perceive that oppression jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence the contrast.

doeth violence ... blood, &c.--or, that is oppressed by the blood of life (Ge 9:6), which he has taken. to the pit--the grave or destruction (Pr 1:12; Job 33:18-24; Ps 143:7). stay him--sustain or deliver him.

(Compare Pr 10:9; 17:20). Double dealing is eventually fatal.

(Compare Pr 10:4; 20:4). vain persons--idle, useless drones, implying that they are also wicked (Pr 12:11; Ps 26:4).

maketh haste ... rich--implying deceit or fraud (Pr 20:21), and so opposed to "faithful" or reliable.

respect of persons--(Pr 24:23). Such are led to evil by the slightest motive.

(Compare Pr 28:20). evil eye--in the general sense of Pr 23:6, here more specific for covetousness (compare Pr 22:9; Mt 20:15). poverty ... him--by God's providence.

(Compare Pr 9:8, 9; 27:5). Those benefited by reproof will love their monitors.

(Compare Mt 15:4-6). Such, though heirs, are virtually thieves, to be ranked with highwaymen.

of a proud heart--literally, "puffed up of soul"--that is, self-confident, and hence overbearing and litigious. made fat--or, "prosperous" (Pr 11:25; 16:20).

(Compare Pr 3:6-8). walketh wisely--that is, trusting in God (Pr 22:17-19).

(Compare Pr 11:24-26). hideth his eyes--as the face (Ps 27:9; 69:17), denotes inattention.

The elevation of the wicked to power drives men to seek refuge from tyranny (compare Pr 28:12; 11:10; Ps 12:8).

David is very earnest in prayer. Observe his faith in prayer; God is my rock, on whom I build my hope. Believers should not rest till they have received some token that their prayers are heard. He prays that he may not be numbered with the wicked. Save me from being entangled in the snares they have laid for me. Save me from being infected with their sins, and from doing as they do. Lord, never leave me to use such arts of deceit and treachery for my safety, as they use for my ruin. Believers dread the way of sinners; the best are sensible of the danger they are in of being drawn aside: we should all pray earnestly to God for his grace to keep us. Those who are careful not to partake with sinners in their sins, have reason to hope that they shall not receive their plagues. He speaks of the just judgments of the Lord on the workers of iniquity, ver. #(4). This is not the language of passion or revenge. It is a prophecy that there will certainly come a day, when God will punish every man who persists in his evil deeds. Sinners shall be reckoned with, not only for the mischief they have done, but for the mischief they designed, and did what they could to effect. Disregard of the works of the Lord, is the cause of the sin of sinners, and becomes the cause of their ruin.

Has God heard our supplications? Let us then bless his name. The Lord is my strength, to support me, and carry me on through all my services and sufferings. The heart that truly believes, shall in due time greatly rejoice: we are to expect joy and peace in believing. God shall have the praise of it: thus must we express our gratitude. The saints rejoice in others' comfort as well as their own: we have the less benefit from the light of the sun, nor from the light of God's countenance, for others' sharing therein. The psalmist concludes with a short, but comprehensive prayer. God's people are his inheritance, and precious in his eyes. He prays that God would save them; that he would bless them with all good, especially the plenty of his ordinances, which are food to the soul. And direct their actions and overrule their affairs for good. Also, lift them up for ever; not only those of that age, but his people in every age to come; lift them up as high as heaven. There, and there only, will saints be lifted up for ever, never more to sink, or be depressed. Save us, Lord Jesus, from our sins; bless us, thou Son of Abraham, with the blessing of righteousness; feed us, thou good Shepherd of the sheep, and lift us up for ever from the dust, O thou, who art the Resurrection and the Life.