24 " ' "The Lord bless you and keep you;
24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
24 God bless you and keep you,
24 "The Lord bless you and keep you;
24 'May the Lord bless you and protect you.
16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!
16 Warm me, your servant, with a smile; save me because you love me.
16 Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies' sake.
16 Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.
(Read Psalm 31:9-18)
David's troubles made him a man of sorrows. Herein he was a type of Christ, who was acquainted with grief. David acknowledged that his afflictions were merited by his own sins, but Christ suffered for ours. David's friends durst not give him any assistance. Let us not think it strange if thus deserted, but make sure of a Friend in heaven who will not fail. God will be sure to order and dispose all for the best, to all those who commit their spirits also into his hand. The time of life is in God's hands, to lengthen or shorten, make bitter or sweet, according to the counsel of his will. The way of man is not in himself, nor in our friend's hands, nor in our enemies' hands, but in God's. In this faith and confidence he prays that the Lord would save him for his mercies's sake, and not for any merit of his own. He prophesies the silencing of those that reproach and speak evil of the people of God. There is a day coming, when the Lord will execute judgment upon them. In the mean time, we should engage ourselves by well-doing, if possible, to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 6:24
Commentary on Numbers 6:22-27
(Read Numbers 6:22-27)
The priests were solemnly to bless the people in the name of the Lord. To be under the almighty protection of God our Saviour; to enjoy his favour as the smile of a loving Father, or as the cheering beams of the sun; while he mercifully forgives our sins, supplies our wants, consoles the heart, and prepares us by his grace for eternal glory; these things form the substance of this blessing, and the sum total of all blessings. In so rich a list of mercies worldly joys are not worthy to be mentioned. Here is a form of prayer. The name Jehovah is three times repeated. The Jews think there is some mystery; and we know what it is, the New Testament having explained it. There we are directed to expect the blessing from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, 2 Corinthians 13:14; each of which Persons is Jehovah, and yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord.