Neginoth; of which See Poole “Ps. 4:1”. Upon Sheminith; or, upon the eighth. It is thought to be the shrillest or loftiest note, as alamoth is the lowest; of which see 1 Chron. 15:20–21; and, as some add, Muth-labben, Ps. 9:0, the mean.

Rebuke me not, i.e. do not chasten or correct me, as the next clause explains it, and as this word is frequently used, as Job 22:4, Ps. 50:21, Isa. 37:4, Rev. 3:19. In thine anger; with rigour or severity, as my sins deserve, but with gentleness and moderation, Jer. 10:24, Jer.

Have mercy upon me; I plead not my merit, but thy free mercy. I am weak; or, I languish; my body pines away and my spirit fails through my excessive pains or troubles. Heal me, i.e. the distempers of my soul and body, of both which this word is used, Ps. 41:4, Ps. 107:18, Ps. 107:20.

My soul is also sore vexed; partly by sympathy with my body; and partly with the burden of my sins, and the sense of thine anger, and my own danger and misery.

Return unto me, from whom thou hast withdrawn thyself, and thy smiling countenance, and thy helping hand. Deliver my soul, i.e. save me or my life, as the soul oft signifies, as Gen. 9:5, Gen. 12:5, Job 36:4, Ps. 33:19.

In death; amongst the dead; or in the grave, as it follows. There is no remembrance of thee; to wit, by me David, consisting both of soul and body; and no such remembrance, to wit, in way of thankfulness and praise, as the next clause of the verse limits and explains it; which he might fear would…

All the night; he mentions this time, by way of aggravation of his misery, because that season, which is to others by God’s appointment a time of rest, was to him very sad and doleful, whether from his disease, which then came upon him more strongly, as it is usual; or from the opportunity which…

Consumed; or, grown dim or dull, through plenty of salt tears which I shed; or through the decay of my spirits. Because of grief, i.e. my grief arising from mine enemies, as the next clause interprets it, and from the consideration of their multitude, and rage, and falseness.

Depart from me; I advise you for your own sakes to cease from opposing or molesting me, or insulting over me, or approaching to me with design of deceiving and betraying me; for all your labour will be lost. All ye workers of iniquity; all you wicked enemies of mine. The Lord hath heard, i.e.

The Lord hath heard, and therefore will hear, as it follows. He draws an argument from his former experience.

Ashamed of their vain hopes and confidence of conquering and destroying me. Or, they shall be ashamed, because of their great and unexpected disappointment.