Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. The waters are come in unto my soul. ] I am in the deepest distress. The waters have broken their dikes, and are just ready to sweep me away! Save me, Lord! In such circumstances I can have no other help.
In the first, second, third, fourteenth, and fifteenth verses, the psalmist, speaking in the person of the captives in Babylon, compares their captivity to an abyss of waters, breaking all bounds, and ready to swallow them up; to a deep mire, in which there was no solid bottom, and no standing; and to a pot. in which they were about to be inclosed for ever.
This is strongly figurative, and very expressive.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - We should frequently consider the person of the Sufferer here spoke of, and ask why, as well as what he suffered, that, meditating thereon we may be more humbled for sin, and more convinced of our danger, s that we may feel more gratitude and love, constraining us to live to His glory who died for our salvation. Hence we learn, when in affliction, to commit the keeping of our souls to God, that we may no be soured with discontent, or sink into despair. David was hate wrongfully, but the words far more fully apply to Christ. In a worl where unrighteousness reigns so much, we must not wonder if we mee with those that are our enemies wrongfully. Let us take care that we never do wrong; then if we receive wrong, we may the better bear it. By the satisfaction Christ made to God for our sin by his blood, he restored that which he took not away, he paid our debt, suffered for our offences. Even when we can plead Not guilty, as to men's unjus accusations, yet before God we must acknowledge ourselves to deserv all that is brought upon us. All our sins take rise from ou foolishness. They are all done in God's sight. David complains of the unkindness of friends and relations. This was fulfilled in Christ whose brethren did not believe on him, and who was forsaken by his disciples. Christ made satisfaction for us, not only by putting off the honours due to God, but by submitting to the greatest dishonours tha could be done to any man. We need not be discouraged if our zeal for the truths, precepts, and worship of God, should provoke some, an cause others to mock our godly sorrow and deadness to the world.
Original Hebrew למנצח5329 על5921 שׁושׁנים7799 לדוד׃1732 הושׁיעני3467 אלהים430 כי3588 באו935 מים4325 עד5704 נפשׁ׃5315
