Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
Ver. 8. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness] That is, in thy faithfulness, and according to thy promise in that behalf made unto me, to be my God and guide even unto death, to lead me in the way everlasting, to direct my footsteps in thy fear, &c. Deduc me ut non titubem, saith R. David, Lead me, that I stumble not; or if I do, yet that I fall not; for he that stumbleth and falleth not gets ground.
Because of mine enemies] Or, because of mine observers, who narrowly watch for my halting, that they might blaspheme thee, and thy religion through my default, 1 Samuel 18:9. Saul fixed his eyes upon David, but for no good to him. So 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:2, wicked men spy, and pry accurately (as the word εποπτευσαντες signifieth) into the courses of God's people, to see what evil they can find out and fasten on. We should, therefore, walk exactly, Ephesians 5:15, and pray earnestly, as here.
Make thy way straight before my face] Remove all rubs and remoras, and lay all plain and level, that I may walk and not be weary, run and not faint, Isaiah 40:31 .