Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

Continuing a chronological Bible study:

(Psalm 139:1) (To the Chief Musician, a Psalm of David) O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

David was now the established king of Israel in Jerusalem, and he had just defeated the Philistines.  It was generally believed that David wrote this psalm when he was made king of Israel.  He began by declaring that he knew the Lord had searched his heart and knew him.  

(2) You know my downsitting and my uprising, You understand my thought afar off.

The Lord knew him when he sat down and when he rose up, in all circumstances, in his actions throughout the day.  Even from far off in heaven, David understood the Lord knew his every thought.

(3) You compass my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.

That word "compass" or "zarah" in the original meant to turn over and over, in other words, winnow or sift.  God sifted out all the worthless chaff and saw the real David in everything he did.

(4) For not a word in my tongue, lo, O Lord, You know it altogether.

The Lord knew David's heart behind every word he spoke, even before he spoke it.

(5) You have beset me behind and before and laid Your hand upon me.

The Lord was on every side of David.  There was nothing he could think, say, or do, that the Lord didn't know.  The Lord's hand was on him to preserve, protect, and defend him.

(6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.

Such knowledge as the Lord had of him was beyond anything he could ever attain.  The Lord knew him better than he knew himself.

(7) Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence?

It was a rhetorical question as David knew there was nowhere he could go that would be out of the presence of the Lord and His Holy Spirit.

(8) If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

Whether David ascended to the farthest heights or descended into the farthest depths, the Lord would always be there.

(9) If I take the wings of the morning, dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, (10) Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

If David could fly as swiftly as the morning light to the east, to the extremity of it, or dwell in the deepest parts of the sea, even there the Lord would be there to lead, guide, and protect him.

(11) If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me," even the night shall be light about me.

Even if David entertained the thought that he could hide in darkness from the Lord, even the night would be as light all around him.  Although darkness might be a hinderance to man's sight, it served the Lord's sight as well as the light. 

(12) Yea, the darkness hides not from you, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.

The darkness could not hide from the Lord, and nothing done in the dark escaped His sight.  There was no difference between light and dark in the Lord's eyes.

(13) For you have possessed my reins; you have covered me in my mother's womb.

The Lord owned even David's most inward parts; it was He who created him and protected him in his mother's womb.

(14) I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and my soul knows it right well.

David would praise the Lord for His wonderful work in creating him while he simultaneously feared such awesome power.  The Lord's works were positively marvelous, and he knew that through and through, even in his soul.

(15) My substance was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

David's entire body was never hidden from the Lord.  When David was created and in his mother's womb, hidden from the eyes of man, he was never hidden from the Lord.

(16) Your eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, and in Your book all were written, in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

The Lord's eyes saw what David would be even while he was yet unformed.  All things pertaining to David throughout his life were known by God even before any of them came to fruition.

(17) How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! (18) If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.

The fact that the Lord had all those ongoing thoughts about him was a precious thing to David.  It was mind-boggling to him how much the Lord had thought about him from before he was born and would continue way past his death.  The Lord was with David when he closed his eyes to sleep at the end of the day with full confidence that He would be there when he awoke the next day.

(19) Surely You will slay the wicked, O God; depart from me therefore, you bloody men. (20) For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take your name in vain.

David had full confidence that the Lord would righteously judge the wicked.  He wanted no part of them because they spoke against his Lord wickedly and took His name in vain.

(21) Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And am I not grieved with those who rise up against You? (22) I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.

David could not help but hate those who hated the Lord.  The original word translated as "grieved" was "qut" and rather meant "cut off" or "detested."  David hated those who would rise up against his Lord.  He hated them with a pure and total hatred and counted them as enemies.  It's understandable that David would hate any enemies of his Lord, but Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for them.  We hate their actions, but as Jesus came to cover all the sins of any who would come to Him, we should pray that they turn from their wicked ways and become new creations in Christ.  To be cast into hell for eternity is a very horrible thing, and there but by the grace of God, go I.  Any of us could suffer the same fate if God's Holy Spirit had not called us to repent and follow Jesus, our only means of salvation.

(23) Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts, (24) And see if any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

David ended his psalm by asking the Lord to continue to search him and his heart, to test him and his thoughts to see if there was any wickedness in them, as he wished for the Lord to continue to lead him in the way that led to everlasting life with Him.

Some of the old Biblical commentators I study suggested that as the verses starting with verse 19 took such an abrupt turn, they surely were part of a separate psalm.  However, I think they fit very well here.  Part of David's desire to have the Lord to search him was for his Lord to also know that he hated any enemies of Him.  He desired what the Lord desired, and he wanted the Lord to test his heart that that was true.  He then ended his psalm by continuing with the same thought with which he started it, for the Lord to continue to search him and his thoughts and to know him through and through.

David Defeats the Philistines

Continuing a chronological Bible study:

(1 Chronicles 12:8) And of the Gadites there separated themselves to David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, men of war fit for the battle, who could handle shield and buckler, whose faces the faces of lions and as swift as the roes on the mountains.

David had overtaken Jerusalem.  The Philistines heard that David had been made king over all of Israel and came looking for him.  This passage in 1 Chronicles 12 does not belong here chronologically.  I have been following a chronological study created by Skip Andrews and can't change now or I would surely miss something.  This passage refers to a time when David was still hiding out from Saul long before he was king and residing in Jerusalem.  It was obviously missed earlier and perhaps placed here to name the men who had previously joined David.  Men from the tribe of Gad on the other side of the Jordan River had joined with David.  They were valiant and courageous men of war, who were skilled in the instruments of war, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, bold, stern, and fierce.  Additionally, they were very swift.

(9) Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, (10) Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, (11) Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, (12) Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, (13) Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.

Those eleven warriors named above from the tribe of Gad joined with David.  

(14) These were the sons of Gad, captains of the host, one of the least over a hundred and the greatest over a thousand.

Those Gadites who joined David were captains of large numbers of men in their own tribe, or perhaps the meaning is that David made them captains.

(15) These are they who went over Jordan in the first month when it had overflowed all its banks, and they put to flight all in the valleys, toward the east and toward the west.

These men had come over to David at a time when the Jordan River had overflowed its banks, at a time when it was probably so deep they had to swim over it, another sign of their fearless boldness.  It seems this band of warriors had put to flight all in the valleys on their way over.

(2 Samuel 5:18) The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.  (1 Chronicles 14:9) And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

Meanwhile, back to David and the Philistines at Jerusalem, the Philistines came and spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim, which this map borrowed from Precept Austin shows to be just west of Jerusalem.

(2 Samuel 23:13) And three of the thirty chief went down and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam, and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

Three of David's chief men went to him in the cave of Adullam where he had apparently gone when the Philistines came and pitched in the Valley of Rephaim.

(14) And David was then in a hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

This map borrowed from BibleWalks shows in more detail the Valley of Rephaim in the upper right quadrant of the map with Jerusalem in the far right and Bethlehem about six miles south which is where the Philistines were then while David was in the cave of Adullam in the lower left quadrant of the map:

(15) And David longed, and said, "Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate."

David longingly said he wished he could have a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem which is said to be about three-quarters of a mile to the north of Bethlehem, subsequently called David's well.

(16) And the three mighty men broke through the host of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink of it but poured it out to the Lord.

The three mighty men took it upon themselves to break through the army of the Philistines to go to the well of Bethlehem and bring water back to David.  However, David did not drink it but poured it out before the Lord.

(17) And he said, "Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

Evidently David had not expected anyone to actually go get him water from the well.  He had just meant to express that it would have been welcome at that time.  He felt he could not drink the water because it represented the blood of the men who had risked their lives just to bring him water.  This was one of the exploits of those three mighty men.  

(1 Chronicles 11:15) Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim. (16) And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem. (17) And David longed, and said, "Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!" (18) And the three broke through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David, but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD, (19) And said, "My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing. Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? For with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it." Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

1 Chronicles 11 told of the same incident, almost verbatim.

(2 Samuel 5:19) And David enquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I go up to the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?" And the Lord said to David, "Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand."

Then David asked the Lord if he should go out to the Philistines and if He would deliver them into his hands.  The Lord answered David that he should go forth for He would certainly deliver them into his hands.

(20) And David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there, and said, "The Lord has broken forth upon my enemies before me as the breach of waters." Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

It seems the Philistines, at least some of them, had moved to a place later called Baal Perazim which was said to be in between Bethlehem and Jerusalem.  David struck them there, and said that the Lord had broken forth on the Philistines as floods or rivers of waters overflow a land and overturn all that stands in their way.  He called the place Baal Perazim which literally meant "possessor of breaches" or "lord of the breaks."

(21) And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

The Philistines had left their images, their false gods, which they had no doubt brought with them to protect and defend them and give them victory over the Israelites.  David and his men burned all their images.

(1 Chronicles 14:10) And David enquired of God, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You deliver them into my hand?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand." (11) So they came up to Baal Perazim; and David struck them there. Then David said, "God has broken in on my enemies by my hand like the breaking forth of waters." Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. (12) And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.

1 Chronicles 14 told of the same incident with only a little added detail that David commanded the pagan gods to be burned which they then were.

(2 Samuel 5:22) And the Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

More Philistines came forth and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

(23) And when David enquired of the Lord, He said, "You shall not go up, but circle around behind them and come upon them over against the mulberry trees."

David wisely consulted his Lord before each of his advances, for the Lord told him this time not to go forth against the Philistines, but to encircle them from behind specifically in an area across from mulberry trees.

(24) "And let it be when you hear the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall stir yourself, for then shall the Lord go out before you to strike the host of the Philistines."

The Lord went on to instruct David that when he heard the rustling of the trees indicating the advancement of the Philistines, he was then to move toward the Philistines for the Lord would go out before him to strike them.  The Lord purposely used different methods to keep David dependent on Him.  If He struck His enemies the same way every time, David could become complacent and believe it was of himself that his enemies were overcome.

(25) And David did so as the Lord had commanded him and struck the Philistines from Gibeon until you come to Gezer.

David did as the Lord instructed and struck the Philistines all across the valley of Rephaim from Gibeon to Gezer, as seen on the first map above.

(1 Chronicles 14:13) And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. (14) Therefore David enquired again of God, and God said to him, "Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. (15) And it shall be, when you shall hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God is gone forth before you to strike the host of the Philistines." (16) David therefore did as God commanded him, and they struck the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.

1 Chronicles 14 told of the same incident.

(17) And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.

Because of his exploits, David became famous throughout the surrounding lands, and the Lord caused the nations to fear him.

(1 Chronicles 13:1) And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, with every leader.

Then David consulted with all the captains of his troops of varying numbers.

(2) And David said to all the congregation of Israel, "If it seems good to you and of the Lord our God, let us send abroad to our brethren everywhere left in all the land of Israel and with them to the priests and Levites in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us."

David spoke to the representatives of all the congregation of Israel and suggested that if it seemed good to them and was in accord with the will of God, they should send word to all their brethren left in Israel who had not yet come there and to all the priests and Levites, that they all might gather there to them.

(3) "And let us bring again the ark of our God to us for we did not enquire at it in the days of Saul.

David proposed that they should bring the ark of the Lord, that symbol of God's divine presence, to the royal city, for they had not enquired of it in the days of Saul, him being rather indifferent to it.

(4) And all the congregation said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

All the congregation of Israel agreed that was what they should do as it seemed right to all of them.  One of David's first concerns as king was to restore religion which had been corrupted and neglected in the days of Saul.

David's Family is Enlarged in Jerusalem

Continuing a chronological Bible study:

(2 Samuel 5:13) And David took more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem after he had come from Hebron, and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. 

David and his men had conquered the stronghold of Zion in the northern part of Jerusalem and built inward (2 Samuel 5:9).  It appears he had conquered all of Jerusalem by this time.  He took more wives and concubines out of Jerusalem and had more sons and daughters there.

(14) And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem, Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, (15) Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, (16) And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

It appears that eleven sons were born to David in Jerusalem, and they are named here.

(1 Chronicles 3:5) And these were born to him in Jerusalem, Shimeah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel;

1 Chronicles 3 also told of the sons born to David in Jerusalem with a little more detail.  Shammua is called Shimeah here, and David's first four sons born to him in Jerusalem were borne of Bathsheba, called Bathshua here, the daughter of Ammiel.

(6) Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, (7) And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, (8) And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.  

Nine more sons were added to the list of sons of David, to the four born to Bathsheba, bringing the total to thirteen, whereas 2 Samuel 5 named only eleven.  Elishama and Eliphelet are named twice here.  It is possible that they died young and subsequently had brothers named after them.  However, one of the Elishamas might actually be Elishua from the list in 2 Samuel 5, as Elishua is not listed here.  Nogah is also listed here and not in 2 Samuel 5.  Again, he may have died young.

(9) These were all the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.

These apparently were the sons of David born to his wives only, and do not include sons born to his concubines.  Here is added the name of a daughter, Tamar.

(1 Chronicles 14:3) And David took more wives at Jerusalem, and David begat more sons and daughters.

1 Chronicles 14 also tells of David's additional wives and children in Jerusalem.

(4) Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem, Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, (5) And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet, (6) And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, (7) And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

This list of thirteen sons agrees with the list in 1 Chronicles 3 with a little variance in spelling.  Although this reference purports to list the names of his "children" not just his sons, Tamar is not listed here.

(2 Samuel 5:17) But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David, and David heard and went down to the hold.

It might be that the Philistines had lain low while Israel was in the midst of a civil war, but now that they heard that that had been resolved and David was now king of all Israel, they went seeking David.  David heard about it and went down to a stronghold, surely to strategize.

(1 Chronicles 14:8) And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard and went out against them.

David then went out against the Philistines.

I'm going to end this short post here as the next passage takes me to a place I don't quite understand.  I am following a chronological Bible study created by Skip Andrews.  For now, we know that David had become king of all Israel, and his house grew as he married more wives and had many more sons.  When the Philistines heard that he was king, they came looking for him, and he went after them, more details to follow, I am sure.

David Vows to Be a Godly King

Continuing a chronological Bible study:

(2 Samuel 5:11) And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons, and they built David a house.

David had become king over all Israel and had taken the castle Zion within the northern city limits of Jerusalem.  Hiram, king of Tyre, then sent messengers to David.  This map borrowed from Reading the Bible - 2021 shows the location of Tyre in relation to Israel.  Tyre was geographically part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher according to the Biblical division of Canaan but was never conquered or taken by Israel when they entered the Promised Land.  Hiram, the king of Tyre, was friendly with Israel, and he sent messengers to David, probably offering congratulations, and he also sent cedar logs, carpenters, and masons, who built a house for David.

(12) And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel's sake.

David realized that the Lord Himself had established him as king of Israel as he saw how the Lord was blessing and enlarging him.  He perceived that it was for the Lord's people Israel's sake more than for his own benefit.

(1 Chronicles 14:1) Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and a timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house. (2) And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel for his kingdom was lifted up on high because of His people Israel.

1 Chronicles 14:1-2 also told of how the king of Tyre sent materials and men to build David a house.  David understood these blessings to be confirmation from God that it was He who lifted up David's kingdom for the benefit of His people Israel.

(Psalm 101:1) (A Psalm of David) I will sing of mercy and judgment, unto You, O Lord, I will sing.

Although there is no Biblical proof that David wrote this psalm at this particular time, it fits here nicely, as he seems to consider what kind of king he will be.  He would be merciful and just for His Lord.

(2) I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

David determined to behave himself wisely in a perfect way.  Although no man is perfect, and we know that David would not always act perfectly, he would strive to walk in the Lord's way.  By asking when the Lord would come to him suggests that he would aim to walk within his house with a perfect heart until God called him to a particular objective.  It might mean that he called on God to walk with him as without God, he could not behave wisely in a perfect way.  However, more than likely, this psalm was actually written at a time before David was finally made king over all Israel.  He was ready to be king and contemplated what sort of king he would be whenever the Lord finally fulfilled His promise to him.

(3) I will set no wicked thing before my eyes; I hate the work of them who turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

As king, David would not allow wickedness in his sight for what fascinates the eye is very apt to gain admission into the heart, just as the fruit first pleased Eve's sight, and then prevailed over her mind and then her actions.  David hated the work of those who turned aside from God's law, and he would not allow their wickedness to cling to him.  He would have nothing to do with wickedness or the workers of it.

(4) A froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.

David might mean he would not allow himself to have a perverted heart and therefore would not know wickedness, or perhaps he meant he would not allow men with perverted hearts to be in his court.  He would not allow wickedness to be around him.

(5) Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off; he who has a high look and a proud heart, I will not suffer.

David vowed to cut off from him anyone who privately slandered another who had no opportunity to defend himself, in other words, a gossiper.  This was not someone who had a valid complaint against his neighbor that he expressed publicly looking for justice.  David would not tolerate prideful arrogant men around him.

(6) My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

David would seek out and engage the services of only faithful upright followers of God.  Only those who walked in the way of the Lord would serve David in his court.

(7) He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not tarry in my sight.

Dishonest and deceitful men would not be allowed to dwell with David.  Anyone who told lies would not be permitted to stay in his court.

(8) I will early destroy all the wicked of the land that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.

One of David's first actions as king would be to destroy all the wicked of the land so that there would remain no wickedness in the city of the Lord, where holiness only should dwell.  David had now been well established as king of all Israel, and he resolved to be a good and wise king.

Charles Spurgeon, in his Treasury of David, wrote that the 101st psalm was called "The Householder's Psalm," an ideal model for the head of every family.  It was also called "The Mirror for Magistrates" as a model for rulers and judges.  Indeed, if all followed the ideals set forth in this psalm, our world would be a much better place!

Thanksgiving for the Lord's Salvation

Continuing a chronological Bible study:

(Psalm 118:1) O give thanks to the Lord for He is good; because His mercy is forever.

David had just been made king over all Israel and dwelt in the City of David, formerly Zion.  His days of hiding out from Saul and his enemies had come to an end.  He had much for which to be thankful, so it is plausible he could have written a psalm of thanksgiving at this time.  He began his psalm by encouraging people to give thanks to the Lord for He was good and His mercy was forever.  It's not only when we have been given the thing we desired that we should be thankful.  We are thankful because our God is all good and just; He can be nothing but that, so we can have faith that the right thing will happen in the end, even if we don't see the big picture at the time.  All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  We are thankful that the Lord is ever merciful, and in His loving mercy, we do not have to suffer just punishment for our sins but can turn to Jesus to cover them.

(2) Let Israel now say that His mercy is forever.

Israel was now one again under King David, and David called on all Israel to acknowledge that the Lord's mercy was forever as He had brought His people to this moment.

(3) Let the house of Aaron now say that His mercy is forever. (4) Let them who fear the Lord now say that His mercy is forever.

David called on the priests and their ministers to acknowledge that the Lord's mercy was forever.  He called on all who feared the Lord to acknowledge that His mercy endured forever.  David exhorted the people three times to say that the Lord's mercy was forever.  We are not only to believe but to proclaim the goodness of God.  Romans 10:9 tells us to believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus.

(5) I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a large place.

David had called upon the Lord when he was distressed, and the Lord had answered him.  He set him in a large place with space and freedom on every side.

(6) The Lord is on my side, I will not fear; what can man do to me?

As long as the Lord is with us, we have nothing to fear because He is all-good and merciful, and He works things together for good.  What can mere man really do to us?  He may take our lives, but he cannot take our souls, and actually, he cannot even take our lives if it is not within God's will.  And we can trust that if a man does take our lives, God will use it for good because He is all-good and merciful and can be nothing but; it's His very nature.

(7) The Lord takes my part with them who help me; therefore shall I see upon them who hate me.

The Lord helped both David and his men, and He sent men to help David.  Because the Lord was with him, David would look upon his enemies, look them straight in the face, and have no fear.

(8) Better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (9) Better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

David declared it was better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in men or even princes.  Mere men will always disappoint, but the Lord is faithful.

(10) All nations compassed me about, but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. (11) They compassed me about, yea, they compassed me about, but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

David was surrounded by all the pagan nations round about the promised land, and some still within the promised land, but he had confidence that in the name of the Lord, and as it was God's will that these nations be destroyed, he would destroy them.  So confident was he that he repeated it two more times.

(12) They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns, for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

Although his enemies had swarmed him like bees, they were quenched as the fire of thorns that burns a hot blaze but quickly leaves only a pile of ashes.  A fourth time David stated that in the name of the Lord he would destroy them.

(13) You have thrust sore at me that I might fall, but the Lord helped me.

Although his enemies had pushed violently against him trying to take him down, the Lord had helped him.

(14) The Lord is my strength and song and has become my salvation.

The Lord was David's strength, and it was a song of praise to only Him that he wrote and sang.  The Lord was his salvation, having saved him and brought him to his position as king of Israel.

(15) The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. (16) The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.

The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the dwelling of the righteous.  We are only considered righteous because of God's love and mercy in sending us Jesus to atone for our sins.  That is the reason for our joy, and it is because of Him only that we are saved.  The right hand of the Lord acts powerfully; it is exalted above all and acts nobly and excellently.

(17) I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

David did not die in his affliction, but lived, and he would declare the works of the Lord.  Because of Jesus, we may never die, and we should proclaim those works of the Lord who gives us that everlasting life.

(18) The Lord has chastened me sore, but He has not given me over to death.

David admitted that the Lord had allowed many afflictions to torment him, but we need to remember that even in those times, the Lord uses it for good.  He may allow those afflictions to teach us patience, to open our eyes to truth, and to have us look to Him, our only means to salvation.  Although the Lord had chastened David, refining him to be a good king, He had not given him over to death, and for that David was grateful.

(19) Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them; I will praise the Lord, (20) This gate of the Lord into which the righteous shall enter.

Many of the commentators that I study thought David meant for porters to open the gates of the temple for him.  David used much symbolic language in his psalms, so I rather think this was a plea to be allowed to enter the Lord's presence, which he would eagerly do, where he would praise Him.  David desired this special access to the Lord that only the righteous could have.

(21) I will praise You, for You have heard me and have become my salvation.

David praised his Lord for hearing him and being his salvation, saving him from his troubles, yes, but more importantly, saving his eternal soul.

(22) The stone the builders refused has become the head of the corner. (23) This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

David spoke prophetically about the stone the builders refused.  In a way, it applied to himself, as Saul and even all the tribes except Judah had rejected him, but he had become king of Israel, and that had been the Lord's doing from the beginning.  It was a wondrous thing to see how God raised up a shepherd boy to be His chosen king.  Of course, these were the very words of and about Jesus.  In Matthew 21:42, Jesus referred to this very scripture when He asked if the chief priests and elders had read it.  In Acts 4:11, Peter told the priests and elders that Jesus was the stone that had been rejected by the builders, and He had become the cornerstone.

(24) This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This was the day that the Lord had brought fulfillment.  David was king, and the people would rejoice and be glad.  I can't help but think that this could be our prayer for each and every day.  Every day is a day the Lord has made.  No matter what is going on in our lives, He has allowed us to see another day which offers a new beginning, a day of endless possibilities.  It's exciting to see what He will do!  We will rejoice and be glad for our Lord has made this day.

(25) Save now, I beseech You, O Lord; O Lord, I beseech You, send now prosperity.

God save the king!  David prayed that the Lord make him prosper as a king and send prosperity to their land.

(26) Blessed He who comes in the name of the Lord; we have blessed You out of the house of the Lord.

While these could be words said by the people about David, they are most assuredly prophetic words spoken by David about the coming Messiah.  The people said these very words at Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem when they adorned His way and cried, "Hosanna!"  They were also the words of Jesus Himself speaking about Himself in Matthew 23:29.

(27) God is the Lord who has showed us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

I believe the sense of this verse is that because the Lord had restored His people from darkness to light, they would willingly offer sacrifices to Him. 

(28) You are my God, and I will praise You; my God, I will exalt You.

David acknowledged that the Lord was his God, and he would raise Him up with his words and in his heart and praise Him.

(29) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy is forever.

David ended his psalm as he began it, with an exhortation for thanks to the Lord because He was forever good and merciful.  Thus ends a very beautiful psalm.  Personally, I feel like this psalm reads more like an actual song than do some of David's other psalms, because of the repetitions, sort of like a chorus.  Actually, this psalm is part of the great Hallel, a song of praise, sung on great occasions such as some of the Jewish festivals.