I. PERIL MOVING TO PRAYER. (Vers. 1-3.) Danger may arise from various causes. Soul-danger is the worst. Then when sore pressed and in trouble, the instinct of the heart is to cry to God, "Save me!" Prayer is "the mighty utterance of a mighty need" (Trench).

II. PRAYER INSPIRING CONFIDENCE. (Ver. 4.) Prayer brings the soul into the very presence of God. The thought of what he is (" thy Name") and of what he has done ("God is mine Helper"), furnish ample pleas for entreaty, and sure ground for hope. Experience gives us courage to cleave to the word of promise. "If God be with us, who can be against us?"

III. CONFIDENCE ANTICIPATING DELIVERANCE. (Ver. 5.) The nearer we get to God, the more truly we are in sympathy with him, so as to make his will our will, the more certain do we become of deliverance. We rise to the vision of victory. God is ever on the side of right. There may still be clouds, but we see the bright light shining above the clouds. There may still be struggles and pains, but we press on with renewed ardour and assurance, for we know whom we have believed, and that he is able to keep that which we have committed to him, and to bring forth judgment unto victory.

IV. DELIVERANCE. AWAKING PRAISE. (Ver. 6.) Some forget their obligations to God when the danger is past; but it will not be so with the righteous. Like the Samaritan leper, they return to give glory to God - with sacrifices of thanksgiving and songs of praise. - W.F.

1. Utter and irreversible.

2. Effected by God.

3. Overtaking them when they regarded themselves as quite secure.

4. Inflicted because of their hostility to the people of God.(1) He is in covenant relation with His people, and is pledged to help them.(2) He is profoundly and tenderly interested in His people (Isaiah 49:14-16; Matthew 18:5, 6; Matthew 25:40, 45; Acts 9:4). An inspiring and strengthening consideration for the people of God. Motive and encouragement to those who would aid them. Warning to those who would injure them.

II. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED IN FORMER TIMES AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE GOOD TO EXPECT SALVATION FROM PRESENT DANGERS. This we take to be the connecting link between verses 5 and 6.

1. The poetic view of salvation. It is here represented as deliverance from captivity.

2. The grand source of salvation. "Out of Zion."

3. The earnest desire of salvation.

4. The encouragement to expect salvation. God is unchangeable. What He has done in the past He is able to do in the present. He is faithful. What He has promised that will He perform.

(W. Jones.).