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I. THE PARTICULAR INCITEMENTS TO DAVID'S GRATITUDE HERE SPECIFIED. "Because of Thy righteous judgments." The reference appears to be to the afflictive dispensations of Providence.

1. They are judgments, as they are all deserved, in consequence of a violation of God's love.

2. They are judgments also, as they are types and representations of the final execution of the warrant of God's law against all those who remain enemies to God by wicked works.

3. These judgments are called righteous. Partly because they are the decisions and procedures of a wise and holy God, who is righteous in all His works; partly as they are perfectly consonant with the declared laws of His rectitude, and partly as they are to accomplish righteous purposes, in visiting the wicked according to their deserts, in chastening His people for their profit, that they may be made partakers of His holiness.

4. What is there in these judgments to create the gratitude of a pious mind? There are three aspects in which they may be viewed.

(1)  As vindications of the Divine government.

(2)  As they secure the most beneficial consequences and results.

(3)  As they afford a presumptive proof of the arrival of a crisis, when all the apparent inequalities shall be removed from his administration, and there will be a time of restitution of all things.

II. THE FERVOUR AND ARDENCY WITH WHICH DAVID EXPRESSES HIS THANKFULNESS. "At midnight," etc.

1. Our gratitude to God for mercies and for providential deliverances should be ardent and animated.

2. Gratitude should be often expressed in retirement.

3. All times and places are alike to God, at which we tender to Him the sacrifice of praise.

4. This conduct of David should serve to impress us with the value which he set, and we ought also to put upon time.

(Evangelical Preacher.)

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KJV: At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

WEB: At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.