Psalm 51:18 Do good in your good pleasure to Zion: build you the walls of Jerusalem. I. THE MATTER OF THE PRAYER. 1. The first petition hath an obvious reference to the tribes of Israel, considered in their spiritual state, as a religious community, or the true Church of God. 2. The other petition hath a reference to the civil state of the Jews as a commonwealth or kingdom, and is a prayer for their national safety and prosperity. II. THE ORDER IN WHICH THE PETITIONS ARE PLACED. He begins with praying for the good of Zion, and then offers his supplication in behalf of Jerusalem. Nor is this an accidental or arbitrary arrangement. The same subordination of temporal to spiritual blessings is uniformly observed through the whole of the sacred record, both in the promises of God, and in the accepted prayer of His people. III. THE TEMPER OF MIND with which they appear to have been accompanied. 1. David had a just impression of his absolute dependence on God, and did not trust in the arm of flesh, but looked for help from God alone. 2. The form of his address likewise discovers the deep conviction he had of his own unworthiness. (R. Walker.) Parallel Verses KJV: Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.WEB: Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem. |
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