O Lord, by these [things men] live, and in all these [things is] the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
Ver. 16. O Lord, by these things men live.] By thy promises so performed "the just do live by faith," and live long in a little while; for life consisteth in action, and some live more in a day than others do in a year. An elephant liveth two hundred years, saith Aristotle; three hundred and fifty, saith Philostratus; and yet man, though of much shorter a continuance, is not inferior to an elephant. For this is not the best thing in nature, saith Scaliger, to live longest, but to live to best purpose. Now, man's life is a way to life eternal. Other creatures have what they live for: not so man, while here.
And in all these things is the life of my spirit.] The godly esteem of life by that stirring they find in their souls; else they lament as over a dead soul.
So wilt thou recover me.] Or, Hast thou recovered me?