I. PIETY PRAYING. The prayer has respect to —

1. The character of God (ver. 1).

2. The entreatability of God (ver. 2).

3. The necessity for God (ver. 3).

II. PIETY TRUSTING. He had confidence in God —

1. As a Deliverer from his enemies.

2. As the Chastiser of his enemies.

III. PIETY WORSHIPPING.

1. Worship is voluntary sacrifice. The offering of self is essential to give virtue and worth to all other offerings.

2. Worship is praise to God.

(1)On account of what He is in Himself.

(2)On account of what He is to us (Ver. 7).

(Homilist.)

I. WHEN GOD IS THE HELPER OF HIS PEOPLE.

1. In the great crisis of their conversion. He raiseth from the pit, delivers, saves, etc.

2. In the troubles and afflictions of life. These are many, varied, sometimes severe, etc. Job, the apostles (2 Corinthians 1:8-10).

3. In the perils and conflicts of their warfare (Psalm 37:14, 15; Psalm 60:11, 12; 166:5).

4. In their labours and toils in His kingdom (Psalm 121:1, 2).

5. In weakness, sickness and death (Psalm 23:4; Psalm 116:1-9).

II. WHAT KIND OF A HELPER IS GOD.

1. Always near at hand.

2. Always efficient and sufficient.

3. Perpetual and everlasting.

III. THE CONCLUSIONS TO WHICH THE SUBJECT SHOULD LEAD US.

1. Personal knowledge and reliance on God.

2. Unwavering faith and hope.

3. Constant prayer and supplication. He will be sought and inquired of.

4. Acknowledgment and praise. "Bless the Lord at all times," etc.

(J. Burns, D. D.)

The closing verses of this simple little psalm touch very familiar notes. The faith which has prayed has grown so sure of answer that is already begins to think of the thank-offerings. This is not like the superstitious vow, "I will give so-and-so if Jupiter" — or the Virgin — "will hear me." This praying man knows that he is heard, and is not so much vowing as joyfully anticipating his glad sacrifice. The same incipient personification of the name as in verse 1 is very prominent in the closing strains. Thank-offerings — not merely statutory and obligatory, but brought by free, uncommanded impulse — are to be offered to "Thy name," because that name is good. Verse 7 probably should be taken as going even further in the same direction of personification, for "Thy name" is probably to be taken as the subject of "hath delivered." The Senses of the verbs in verse 7 are perfects. They contemplate the deliverance as already accomplished. Faith sees the future as present. This psalmist, surrounded by strangers seeking his life, can quietly stretch out a hand of faith, and bring near to himself the to-morrow when he will look back on scattered enemies and present, glad sacrifices! That power of drawing a brighter future into a dark present belongs not to those who build anticipations on wishes, but to those who found their forecasts on God's known purposes and character. The name is a firm foundation for hope. There is no other.

(A. Maclaren, D. D.).