21 But, O Lord God, give me your help, because of your name; take me out of danger, because your mercy is good. 22 For I am poor and in need, and my heart is wounded in me. 23 I am gone like the shade when it is stretched out: I am forced out of my place like a locust. 24 My knees are feeble for need of food; there is no fat on my bones. 25 As for me, they make sport of me; shaking their heads when they see me. 26 Give me help, O Lord my God; in your mercy be my saviour; 27 So that they may see that it is the work of your hand; that you, Lord, have done it. 28 They may give curses but you give blessing; when they come up against me, put them to shame; but let your servant be glad. 29 Let my haters be clothed with shame, covering themselves with shame as with a robe. 30 I will give the Lord great praise with my mouth; yes, I will give praise to him among all the people. 31 For he is ever at the right hand of the poor, to take him out of the hands of those who go after his soul.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 109:21-31
Commentary on Psalm 109:21-31
(Read Psalm 109:21-31)
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care who curses us; for how can they curse whom God has not cursed; nay, whom he has blessed? He pleads God's glory, and the honour of his name. Save me, not according to my merit, for I pretend to none, but according to thy-mercy. He concludes with the joy of faith, in assurance that his present conflicts would end in triumphs. Let all that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him. Jesus, unjustly put to death, and now risen again, is an Advocate and Intercessor for his people, ever ready to appear on their behalf against a corrupt world, and the great accuser.