I. PERIL MOVING TO PRAYER. (Vers. 1-3.) Danger may arise from various causes. Soul-danger is the worst. Then when sore pressed and in trouble, the instinct of the heart is to cry to God, "Save me!" Prayer is "the mighty utterance of a mighty need" (Trench).

II. PRAYER INSPIRING CONFIDENCE. (Ver. 4.) Prayer brings the soul into the very presence of God. The thought of what he is (" thy Name") and of what he has done ("God is mine Helper"), furnish ample pleas for entreaty, and sure ground for hope. Experience gives us courage to cleave to the word of promise. "If God be with us, who can be against us?"

III. CONFIDENCE ANTICIPATING DELIVERANCE. (Ver. 5.) The nearer we get to God, the more truly we are in sympathy with him, so as to make his will our will, the more certain do we become of deliverance. We rise to the vision of victory. God is ever on the side of right. There may still be clouds, but we see the bright light shining above the clouds. There may still be struggles and pains, but we press on with renewed ardour and assurance, for we know whom we have believed, and that he is able to keep that which we have committed to him, and to bring forth judgment unto victory.

IV. DELIVERANCE. AWAKING PRAISE. (Ver. 6.) Some forget their obligations to God when the danger is past; but it will not be so with the righteous. Like the Samaritan leper, they return to give glory to God - with sacrifices of thanksgiving and songs of praise. - W.F.

I. A PRAYER TO BE DELIVERED FROM IMPENDING DANGER. (Vers. 1-3.) The prayer is grounded:

1. Upon the Divine nature. "By thy Name, by thy strength." It is God's nature to save; he uses his omnipotence on behalf of those who call upon him.

2. Upon the righteousness of his cause. "Judge my cause [or, 'avenge me'] by thy strength." We can pray when we are pleading for a good cause.

3. Upon the character of those who threatened his safety. (Ver. 3.) They were not men who acted as if they were seen of God; did not set God before them.

II. THE TRIUMPHANT ASSURANCE OF THE PSALMIST'S FAITH. (Vers. 4-7.)

1. He is assured of the general truth that God was his Helper. (Ver. 4.) He knew that God stood to him in that relation usually, and for ever. He would therefore trust.

2. His assurance is so great that he regards his deliverance as already accomplished. (Vers. 5-7.) He is therefore at rest and in peace, delivered from danger.

3. He will sacrifice and praise as one already saved. Faith - real faith - is always joined to works. - S.