Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
-He condemns his past beastlike folly and expresses his assurance of God's presence and guidance, notwithstanding his folly.
Verse 21. Thus my heart was grieved - literally, 'was soured' or embittered.
And I was pricked in my reins - with self-inflicted pain, the result of too subtle reasonings of intellect; instead of only waiting for the end, and meanwhile simply believing that all must be just and good which comes from God.
Verse 22. So foolish was I - Hebrew, 'brutish;' i:e., stupid (Psalms 49:10; Psalms 49:12; Proverbs 30:2).
And ignorant - Hebrew-`and I knew not.'
I was as a beast before thee - "with thee," as in Psalms 73:23: Hebrew, plural, 'as beasts,' behemoth' (Job 40:15); as one having all that is beastlike and irrational in conduct. The Psalmist had complained and doubted 'before God,' in beautiful contrast to which stands God's grace (Psalms 73:23-26).
Verse 23. Nevertheless I am continually with thee. The same Hebrew 'immak, which, in Psalms 73:22 is, translated in the English version, "before thee." It is not the Psalmist who has been continually faithful to God, but God has continually been with him, notwithstanding his perverse doubts and murmurings. Though I acted as a beast with thee I have been treated by thee as one always with thee, instead of being given up to associate with the godless, to whom I for a time virtually joined myself in sentiments.
Thou hast holden me by my right hand - as Jesus upheld Peter when sinking (Matthew 14:31). Compare also as to Yahweh's holding Cyrus right hand (Isaiah 45:1); and especially Israel's (lsa. 41:13; 2:3).
Verse 24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel. The Psalmist, after experiencing God's gracious deliverance from his doubts, expresses here his confidence of Gods shepherd-like guidance. So He guided Israel with the cloud over the ark of the covenant (Numbers 10:33; Psalms 107:7). He guides His people even in temporal affair (Ezra 8:21; Psalms 32:8).
And, afterward receive me (to) glory - or '(with) glory,' Thou wilt at length bring me to glory; even as, on the contrary, those wicked men who now enjoy prosperity, thou wilt at length bring down to destruction.