Jonath-elem-reehokim is supposed to be the name of a song; but many render it, as the words signify, concerning the dumb dove afar off; all which agrees very well to David in his present circumstances. He calls himself a dove for his innocency, and folly (which is ascribed to the dove, Hos.

Man, i.e. men, weak and miserable men, as the word signifies, whom thou canst crush in an instant; Saul and his courtiers, who have driven me hither; and now Achish and the Philistines, who have oft sought my ruin, which now they have opportunity to effect.

Mine enemies, Heb. my observers, that narrowly look to all my paths, and watch for my haltings, and for an opportunity to destroy me. Many that fight against me: they trust to their great numbers, wherein they know themselves to be much superior to me.

When I have the greater cause of fear, I will rely upon thy providence and promise for my deliverance.

In God I will praise his word: the sense is, either, 1. I will praise or boast in the Lord’s word, or the Lord for his word. Or, 2. With or by the Lord (i.e. by his favour or help) I will praise his word. Or rather, 3.

They wrest my words; they misconstrue and pervert my most innocent expressions, and turn them into matter of calumny, wherewith they may incense Saul against me. Or, they perplex my affairs. All their thoughts are against me for evil; it is their whole study to do me mischief.

They gather themselves together; after they have severally employed their thoughts against me, they meet together to compare their thoughts, and to put them in execution.

Shall they escape by iniquity? shall they secure themselves by such injurious and malicious practices, whereby they do not only vex me, but provoke and despise thee? Shall they have success instead of the punishments which thou hast threatened, and they have deserved? God forbid.

My wanderings: here I have been hunted from place to place, and am now driven hither. Put my tears into thy bottle; regard, and remember, and pity them. Are they not in thy book? but why do I pray to God to do that which I am well assured he is of himself inclined to do, and hath already done?

When I have no other arms or force, which is my present case, my prayers shall be sufficient to overthrow mine enemies.

What I have already engaged to do, Ps. 56:4, that I do again and again promise to do, and I cannot sufficiently praise thy goodness in making promises, and thy faithfulness in keeping them.

As I have prayed to thee, and am assured that thou wilt deliver me; so in confidence thereof I have made vows to express my gratitude to thee, and I acknowledge myself obliged and do resolve to perform them.

From death; which my enemies designed, and my extreme dangers threatened. I am confident that thou wilt deliver, because of thy promises, and my former experience. That I may walk before God, i.e. that I may please, and serve, and glorify thee, as this phrase implies, Gen. 5:24, compared with Heb.