He made a pit, &c.— This is a proverbial mode of speech often used in Scripture: it is taken from pits which are digged and then covered with the leaves of trees, or some such unstable materials, either to make men fall into them, as in the time of war; or else wild beasts, who are hunted into them.
REFLECTIONS.—1. This Psalm opens with David's professed dependance upon God. O Lord, my God, in whom I have a sure interest, and who art bound to me in the tenderest relation, in thee do I put my trust, at all times, and under all difficulties. Note; They who continue thus to make God their refuge, can never be moved.
2. He cries to God to save him from the malice of his persecutors; strong and cruel as a lion, they threatened to tear him in pieces; and he was without help in himself, or a friend to protect him. Note; When we are weak, then are we strong; the farther all human dependance is removed, the more shall we be led to rely on God alone.
3. He appeals to God for the innocence that there was in him respecting the things laid to his charge. Note; (1.) It is an unspeakable comfort, under the world's malignant aspersions, to be conscious of our own innocence. (2.) However wicked men may strive to blacken us, we have a God to appeal to, the protector of the injured; and he will shortly make our righteousness appear as the light, and our just dealings as the noon-day.
4. Having lodged his appeal with God, he looks up to him as the righteous judge.
5. He prays, O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, either by their conversion, and forsaking their evil ways, or by the final coming of that blessed kingdom, where sin can never enter: but establish the just, or the righteous man, meaning himself, and including every believer who is justified by faith in Christ, and made righteous by the Spirit of grace. He begs that God would establish them in every divine and gracious disposition; that they may be strengthened with might in the inner man, and enabled to persevere unshaken: and in confidence of this he rests satisfied; for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins, discovers his enemies through every veil of hypocrisy, and knoweth them that are his, though compassed with infirmity, and is convinced of their simplicity and godly sincerity before him. Note; It is a blessed thing when we can with comfort regard the righteous God as the searcher of hearts.
6. Having committed his cause to God, he concludes,
(1.) His deliverance sure. My defence, says he, is of God, or, my shield is of God: he will cover me as safely as under a shield from the arrows of my enemies: which saveth the upright; they are sure of his protection; and God judgeth the righteous, is a righteous judge; and therefore they who approve themselves before him, may be assured that he will vindicate them from every accusation. Note; Out of God's favour there is no safety; in it, no danger.
(2.) His enemies' destruction is certain, unless they repent: for God is angry with the wicked every day, he marks their continual provocations, and especially that radical enmity of heart, which is ever working within, to bring forth fruit unto death. If he turn not, he will whet his sword: God delighteth not in the death of a sinner; however great his provocations, when he returns to God, God will turn from the fierceness of his wrath against him. How should such goodness lead us to repentance! But, if he persists, his ruin lies at his own door; he has rejected his own mercies, and must perish in his iniquity. God's glittering sword is whetting for judgment; the arrow of death is fitting to the string; and all his instruments of vengeance ready; and shall we despise the longsuffering of our God? Sinner, tremble at thy aggravated guilt, and seize the moment which mercy prolongs, lest slighted patience provoke implacable vengeance. Let the persecutors of God's people especially be warned; on them he will empty his quiver.
(3.) All the mischievous devices of the sinner are vain, and can end but in his own ruin: the conceptions of his devilish wisdom will prove abortive; into the pit that he digged for others, himself shall fall; and all the evils which he meditated against the innocent recoil upon his own head, and overwhelm him with misery insupportable.
(4.) David concludes with his grateful tribute of praise due for these righteous acts of the Lord. Every instance of such divine interposition shall minister to him constant matter for a song of thanksgiving to the Lord most High. Note; They who are kept ever trusting, will be ever praising.