Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 6. They gather themselves together ] They form cabals; have secret meetings and consultations how they may most effectually destroy me, under the pretense of justice and safety to the state.
They hide themselves ] They do all secretly.
They mark my steps ] They are constantly at my heels.
They wait for my soul. ] They lie in wait for my life. Our translators have missed the meaning of pn nephesh and yuce, - which generally signify the animal life, not the immortal spirit, -more than any other words in the Old or New Testament.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - Be merciful unto me, Of God. This petition includes all the good for which we come to throne of grace. If we obtain mercy there, we need n more to make us happy. It implies likewise our best plea, not ou merit, but God's mercy, his free, rich mercy. We may flee to, and trus the mercy of God, when surrounded on all sides by difficulties an dangers. His enemies were too hard for him, if God did not help him. He resolves to make God's promises the matter of his praises, and so we have reason to make them. As we must not trust an arm of flesh when engaged for us, so we must not be afraid of an arm of flesh when stretched out against us. The sin of sinners will never be their security. Who knows the power of God's anger; how high it can reach how forcibly it can strike?
Original Hebrew יגורו1481 יצפינו6845 המה1992 עקבי6119 ישׁמרו8104 כאשׁר834 קוו6960 נפשׁי׃5315
