21 But You, O GOD , the Lord , deal kindly with me for Your name's sake ; Because Your lovingkindness is good , deliver me; 22 For I am afflicted and needy , And my heart is wounded within me. 23 I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens ; I am shaken off like the locust . 24 My knees are weak from fasting , And my flesh has grown lean , without fatness . 25 I also have become a reproach to them; When they see me, they wag their head . 26 Help me, O Lord my God ; Save me according to Your lovingkindness . 27 And let them know that this is Your hand ; You, Lord , have done it. 28 Let them curse , but You bless ; When they arise , they shall be ashamed , But Your servant shall be glad . 29 Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor , And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe . 30 With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord ; And in the midst of many I will praise Him. 31 For He stands at the right hand of the needy , To save him from those who judge 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.