is like the highest mountains
The imagery of "the highest mountains" (Hebrew: "כְּהַרְרֵי־אֵל" - keharrei-el) evokes a sense of majesty, permanence, and unshakeable strength. Mountains in biblical times were often seen as symbols of stability and endurance. By comparing God's righteousness to the highest mountains, the psalmist underscores its immovable and eternal nature. This metaphor would have resonated deeply with ancient audiences who viewed mountains as the most formidable and enduring features of the natural world, much like God's righteousness is unchanging and eternal.

Your judgments
The term "judgments" (Hebrew: "מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ" - mishpatecha) refers to God's decisions, decrees, and the execution of His justice. It highlights God's role as the ultimate judge who governs the world with fairness and equity. In the biblical context, God's judgments are not arbitrary but are rooted in His righteous character. They serve as a guide for human conduct and a standard for justice. The historical context of Israel, with its legal system based on divine law, would have reinforced the understanding of God's judgments as both authoritative and benevolent.

like the great deep
The "great deep" (Hebrew: "תְּהוֹם רַבָּה" - tehom rabbah) refers to the vast and mysterious depths of the ocean. This phrase conveys the idea of unfathomable wisdom and inscrutability. Just as the depths of the sea are beyond human comprehension, so are the judgments of God. They are profound, encompassing, and beyond full human understanding. In ancient Near Eastern thought, the sea often symbolized chaos and mystery, yet here it is used to illustrate the depth and richness of God's wisdom and justice, which are beyond human grasp but perfectly ordered and purposeful.

O LORD
The use of "O LORD" (Hebrew: "יְהוָה" - Yahweh) is significant as it invokes the personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with His people. This name is a reminder of God's eternal presence, faithfulness, and unchanging nature. It is a name that conveys intimacy and assurance, reminding believers of God's promises and His active role in their lives. The invocation of Yahweh in this verse serves to personalize the attributes of righteousness and justice, making them not just abstract qualities but characteristics of a God who is personally involved with His creation.

You preserve man and beast
The phrase "You preserve man and beast" (Hebrew: "תּוֹשִׁיעַ אָדָם וּבְהֵמָה" - toshia adam uvehema) highlights God's providential care over all creation. The word "preserve" suggests protection, sustenance, and ongoing care. This reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty and His role as the sustainer of life. By including both "man and beast," the psalmist emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's care, extending His grace and provision to all living creatures. This reflects the Genesis account of creation, where God is depicted as the creator and sustainer of all life, underscoring His benevolent and nurturing character.

A great deep.--The reference, as usual, with the words deep, depth, is to the great abyss of waters, of which the seas were regarded as the surface.

The twofold comparison in this verse recalls Wordsworth's lines--

"Two voices are there: one is of the sea.

One of the mountains--each a mighty voice."

but while to the modern poet the voice is Liberty, to the ancient Hebrew it is Righteousness. The majesty of the hills has often suggested the supremacy of right over wrong--

"Thou hast a voice, great mountain, to repeal

Large codes of fraud and woe."

The calm of the infinite sea has often soothed agitated souls. Hebrew poetry connected both immediately with God. the uplifted strength of the hills became an emblem of His eternal truth; the depth and expanse of the infinite sea of His outspread goodness and inexhaustible justice.