To do for you— Instead of for you, the LXX, Vulgate, and Arabic read, for them, which is certainly right. See Houbigant, Hallet, &c. By referring to 1 Chronicles 17:21 the embarrassment of this verse may be removed, and the whole rendered thus: For what one nation upon earth is there like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, that he might make to himself a name; might do in their favour great and terrible things, and might drive the nations, and their gods, before his people, whom he delivered from Egypt.
REFLECTIONS.—Overcome with Nathan's gracious message from the Lord, though his purposes were prevented, the great and precious promises declared to him by the prophet, awaken the liveliest returns of thankfulness. He immediately repairs to the tabernacle, and there pours forth his prayers and praises before his Covenant-God.
1. Abased in the dust, he confesses his own vileness and unworthiness of these distinguished favours; speaking with deep humility of himself, though so distinguished in gifts and graces. Note; They whom God honours, will have the lowliest opinion of themselves.
2. He acknowledges with thankfulness and admiration what God had done for him. It was to him alone that he was indebted for all that advancement at which he was arrived, and God had now added the promise of many days to come. He is overwhelmed with such goodness! Yet thus has God done, exceeding even his utmost wishes, and leaving David nothing more to ask. Note; (1.) God bestows on his people not only more than they deserve, but more than they can desire. (2.) Men are niggards of their gifts, especially to those who have offended them: but God blesses them that were his enemies; first reconciles them to himself, then covers them with mercies and loving-kindness, and more than all, gives them still greater blessings in promise, even than those they at present enjoy. (3.) God's covenant of grace contains all that a sinner needs: when we plead that before God, and lay hold by faith on Jesus, in whom alone this covenant standeth fast, then all things are ours.
3. He ascribes the whole to God's unmerited and boundless grace; who, for his word's sake, according to his promise by Samuel, or for the sake of his incarnate Son, the Word made flesh, thus graciously respected him, and had also made him know these mercies yet in store, Note; To know and be assured of our interest in the blessings of the New Covenant, is an unspeakable mercy.
4. He extols the glorious God whose mercy was so great towards him. There is none like unto him, no God beside him; none that can do as he doth, in works of power and grace towards his people.
5. The people of God, from their relation to him, appear also great and distinguished in his eyes. God, or, as the original is, Gods went to redeem them, not Moses and Aaron, (though they as magistrates may be called Elohim,) but the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; to save them from the nations, and their gods, to be a peculiar people to Jehovah, their Covenant-God. Note; More glorious is our spiritual redemption from idolatrous affections and servitude to sin, more peculiar our consecration to him through the blood of Jesus, than theirs by the blood of bulls and goats.
6. He concludes with his humble supplications for the fulfilment of the promises wherein God had caused him to put his trust. Since it had pleased him to reveal his great goodness to his servant, David can ask nothing greater, nothing better. Let the word be established; and this he confidently expects from the truth and faithfulness of God, and is thence encouraged in his heart to pray, because God has promised. Let God therefore be magnified, his great and glorious name be exalted in mercy, and, according as he hath said, Let David's house be built and blessed, and his throne continue for ever. Note; (1.) We may boldly ask, when we have God's promises to encourage us. (2) Let us not stagger at the greatness of the promise, but pray in faith, nothing doubting. (3.) Whenever we find in our heart to pray, God will not fail to hear and answer us. (4.) It is the constant desire of the faithful soul, that God may be glorified; and as this is especially the case when the kingdom of his dear Son is enlarged, therefore he prays, thy kingdom come. (5.) All repetition of our prayers is not vain repetition, but rather is often the liveliest expression of faith and importunity.