With quick transition, corresponding to the swiftness of the answer to prayer, the closing pair of verses tells of the instantaneous change which that answer wrought. As in the earlier metaphor weeping was transformed into joy, here mourning is turned into dancing, and God's hand unties the cord which loosely bound the sackcloth robe, and arrays the mourner in festival attire. The same conception of the sweetness of grateful praise to the ear of God which was presented in the prayer recurs here, where the purpose of God's gifts is regarded as being man's praise. The thought may be construed so as to be repulsive, but its true force is to present God as desiring hearts' love and trust, and as "seeking such to worship Him," because therein they will find supreme and abiding bliss. "My glory," that wonderful personal being, which in its lowest debasement retains glimmering reflections caught from God, is never so truly glory as when it "sings praise to Thee," and never so blessed as when, through a longer "for ever" than the psalmist saw stretching before him, it "gives thanks unto Thee."
1 In Thee, Jehovah, have I taken refuge: let me never be ashamed; In Thy righteousness deliver me. 2 Bend down Thine ear to me: speedily extricate me; Be to me for a refuge-rock, for a fortress-house, to save me. 3 For my rock and my fortress art Thou, And for Thy name's sake wilt guide me and lead me. 4 Thou wilt bring me from the net which they have hidden for me, For Thou art my defence.
5 Into Thy hand I commend my spirit; Thou hast redeemed me, Jehovah, God of faithfulness. 6 I hate the worshippers of empty nothingnesses; And I--to Jehovah do I cling. 7 I will exult and be joyful in Thy loving-kindness, Who hast beheld my affliction, [And] hast taken note of the distresses of my soul, 8 And hast not enclosed me in the hand of the enemy; Thou hast set my feet at large.
9 Be merciful to me, Jehovah, for I am in straits; Wasted away in grief is my eye,--my soul and my body. 10 For my life is consumed with sorrow, And my years with sighing; My strength reels because of mine iniquity, And my bones are wasted. 11 Because of all my adversaries I am become a reproach And to my neighbours exceedingly, and a fear to my acquaintances; They who see me without flee from me. 12 I am forgotten, out of mind, like a dead man; I am like a broken vessel. 13 For I hear the whispering of many, Terror on every side; In their consulting together against me, To take away my life do they scheme. 14 And I--on Thee I trust, Jehovah; I say, My God art Thou. 15 In Thy hand are my times; Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my pursuers. 16 Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; Save me in Thy loving-kindness. 17 Jehovah, I shall not be shamed, for I cry to Thee; The wicked shall be shamed, shall be silent in Sheol. 18 Dumb shall the lying lips be made, That speak arrogance against the righteous, In pride and contempt.
19 How great is Thy goodness which Thou dost keep in secret for them who fear Thee, Dost work before the sons of men for them who take refuge in Thee. 20 Thou dost shelter them in the shelter of Thy face from the plots of men; Thou keepest them in secret in an arbour from the strife of tongues. 21 Blessed be Jehovah, For He has done marvels of loving-kindness for me in a strong city! 22 And I--I said in my agitation, I am cut off from before Thine eyes, But truly Thou didst hear the voice of my supplication in my crying aloud to Thee. 23 Love Jehovah, all His beloved; Jehovah keeps faithfulness, And repays overflowingly him that practises pride. 24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All ye that wait on Jehovah.