I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Ver. 25. I have been young, &c.] Here he recordeth an experiment of his (such as whereof Psa 119:1-176 is mostly made up), and if other men's experiences agree not altogether with his, it is no wonder; kings use not to mind beggars. Or he might only mean vagrants; according to that, "Let their children be vagabonds, and beg their bread." Good men may be compelled to crave their bread, as David himself did of Ahimelech, the high priest; as Elijah did of the widow of Sarepta; as those pauperes de Lugduno, and many others have lived upon alms. But seldom or never have good people needed to crave relief of the ungodly.
Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken] Left he may be for a time, as the lion leaveth his whelps till they are almost famished, and have well-nigh killed themselves with roaring, to make them more hardy and valiant, but never forsaken, no, though he beg his bread; because God hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." The righteous is never forsaken, nor his seed too, said Mr Perkins. God may cast godly parents into want, but their godly children shall surely he blessed. Others understand by righteous here, merciful men, who give alms for the love of God, and therefore come not to poverty, Psalms 112:5; Psalms 112:9 Pro 11:24-25 Psalms 41:1. See Mr Bradford's sweet letter to Mr John Hall and his wife, prisoners for the gospel (Acts and Mon. 1495).