Psalms 53

Psalms 53:6

6. The righteous also shall see, &c.] All good men shall remark the righteous judgment of God, and shall be confirmed in their fear of offending Him; they shall deride thy folly and disappointed ambition, and shall say; &c. Bp. Patrick, Travell. 8. But I am like &c. As for me, notwithstanding his crafty designs against me, I am, in comparison of him, in a flourishing condition; my unchangeable trust in the goodness of God shall make me grow and increase, like a fruitful olive tree in the courts of God’s house. Travell.

Psalms 53:9

9. — for it is good before thy saints.] That is, it is a goodly thing, it carries a good appearance, it looks well before the friends of God, to see me praising Him, and putting my trust in Him. Mudge. It very much concerns us to follow the wise man’s counsel, and “to weigh our words in a balance, and make a door and bar for our mouth.” Ecclus. xxviii. 25. If licentious and unbridled thoughts will, in spite of all our watches and guard, steal into our hearts, let us be sure that no unruly words break out of our mouth; and if,

in the variety of our language and expressions, some inconsiderate, rash, and imprudent words escape from us,

at least let them not be malicious and detracting words, to wound the credit and good name of our neighbours: let us inform and instruct the weak without insolence, and reprove and advise the wilful without bitterness;

let us do all good offices towards advancing the reputation of those who desire to advance God’s glory and the

public peace, and all charitable offices towards those who are in misery and distress, by what means soever upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.