Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. 1 will praise thee with my whole heart ] I have received the highest favours from thee, and my whole soul should acknowledge my obligation to thy mercy. The Versions and several MSS. add hwhy Yehovah, "I will praise thee, O LORD," &c.
Before the gods will I sing ] µyhla dgn neged Elohim, "in the presence of Elohim;" most probably meaning before the ark, where were the sacred symbols of the Supreme Being. The Chaldee has, before the judges. The Vulgate, before the angels. So the Septuagint, AEthiopic, Arabic, and Anglo- Saxon. The Syriac, Before kings will I sing unto thee. This place has been alleged by the Roman Catholics as a proof that the holy angels, who are present in the assemblies of God's people, take their prayers and praises, and present them before God. There is nothing like this in the text; for supposing, which is not granted, that the word elohim here signifies angels, the praises are not presented to them, nor are they requested to present them before God; it is simply said, Before elohim will I sing praise unto THEE. Nor could there be need of any intermediate agents, when it was well known that God himself was present in the sanctuary, sitting between the cherubim. Therefore this opinion is wholly without support from this place.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - When we can praise God with our whole heart, we need not be unwillin for the whole world to witness our gratitude and joy in him. Those wh rely on his loving-kindness and truth through Jesus Christ, will eve find him faithful to his word. If he spared not his own Son, how shal he not with him freely give us all things? If God gives us strength in our souls, to bear the burdens, resist the temptations, and to do the duties of an afflicted state, if he strengthens us to keep hold of himself by faith, and to wait with patience for the event, we are boun to be thankful.
Original Hebrew לדוד1732 אודך3034 בכל3605 לבי3820 נגד5048 אלהים430 אזמרך׃2167
