But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
Ver. 10. But thou, O Lord, be merciful unto me] As storms beat a ship into the harbour, so did men's misusages drive David to God; and as children, meeting with hard measure abroad, hie home to their parents, so here.
And raise me up] From off this bed of weakness, and from under their feet of insolence and cruelty.
That I may requite them] Not in a way of private revenge (for that was utterly unlawful, and would not bear a prayer), but of justice, as I am a king, and a lawful magistrate. The fear of this might haply make Ahithophel (foreseeing that all would be naught on Absalom's side) to save the hangman a labour.