Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Thou tellest my wanderings- Thou seest how often I am obliged to shift the place of my retreat. I am hunted every where; but thou numberest all my hiding-places, and seest how often I am in danger of losing my life.
Put thou my tears into thy bottle ] Here is an allusion to a very ancient custom, which we know long obtained among the Greeks and Romans, of putting the tears which were shed for the death of any person into small phials, called lacrymatories or urns lacrymales and offering them on the tomb of the deceased. Some of these were of glass, some of pottery, and some of agate, sardonyx, &c. A small one in my own collection is of hard baked clay.
Are they not in thy book? ] Thou hast taken an exact account of all the tears I have shed in relation to this business; and thou wilt call my enemies to account for every tear.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-13 - The heavy and continued trials through which many of the Lord's people have passed, should teach us to be silent and patient under lighte crosses. Yet we are often tempted to repine and despond under smal sorrows. For this we should check ourselves. David comforts himself, in his distress and fear, that God noticed all his grievances and all his griefs. God has a bottle and a book for his people's tears, both the tears for their sins, and those for their afflictions. He observes the with tender concern. Every true believer may boldly say, The Lord is m helper, and then I will not fear what man shall do unto me; for man ha no power but what is given him from above. Thy vows are upon me, Lord; not as a burden, but as that by which I am known to be the servant; as a bridle that restrains me from what would be hurtful, an directs me in the way of my duty. And vows of thankfulness properl accompany prayers for mercy. If God deliver us from sin, either from doing it, or by his pardoning mercy, he has delivered our souls from death, which is the wages of sin. Where the Lord has begun a good wor he will carry it on and perfect it. David hopes that God would keep his even from the appearance of sin. We should aim in all our desires an expectations of deliverance, both from sin and trouble, that we may d the better service to the Lord; that we may serve him without fear. In his grace has delivered our souls from the death of sin, he will brin us to heaven, to walk before him for ever in light _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew נדי5112 ספרתה5608 אתה859 שׂימה7760 דמעתי1832 בנאדך4997 הלא3808 בספרתך׃5612
