---

The whole psalm is a song of praise to God, but some parts bear more distinctively this character. This verse is one of them.

I. THE TITLES HERE GIVEN TO GOD.

1. Rock. (See on ver. 32.) "My Rock." The Rock to which I have fled, and where I have found safety and repose. The Rock in which I still trust and will trust with full assurance of its stability and security, whatever be the confidences of others. It is a blessed thing, in speaking of God, to be able to use this word "my," as expressive of personal experience, choice, and confidence.

2. The God of the Rock of my salvation; equivalent to "the God who is the Rock of my salvation," "my mighty Saviour." David had experienced salvation from enemies and dangers many times and in many ways; and he ascribes all to God. By whatever means and instruments, it was God who had delivered him. He had been manifested in his history as the God of salvation; and in saving him had shown himself a Rock, the Rock in which alone safety was to be found. The higher and better salvation which is presented to us in the gospel is from God. With him it originated; by him in Christ it is wrought. Christians joyfully recognize God as the God of salvation, the Rock of salvation. It is for men one of the most glorious and encouraging names of God. God the Creator, God the Preserver, God the Ruler, are glorious names; but unless to them could be added God the Saviour, they would afford no hope or comfort. It is this which renders all other names of God attractive and inspiring. Specially gladdening is it to be able to say, "The God of my salvation," the Rock of ages in which I find refuge, the God who has saved me and is saving me, and in whom I trust that he will fully save me, from the guilt, power, and consequences of my sins, and all the assaults of the deadly enemies of my soul.

II. THE DECLARATION MADE RESPECTING HIM. "The Lord liveth." Which expresses:

1. His real existence. In contrast with idols, which are dead, helpless, and unable to help.

2. His continued existence. In contrast with men, who die and pass away.

3. His manifested existence. He lives and works in the world, in the Church, in each believer. By his operations for the good of his people, he shows himself the living God.

4. The satisfaction which his servants feel in him as ever living.

(1) Joy that such a Being is their God. That they know and worship the true and living God.

(2) Confidence that his life renders all their interests secure for this world and the next. And not only their interests as individuals, but those of the whole Church of God. Because he lives, his Church cannot perish.

(3) Comfort under the death of Christian friends. He lives; and therefore their death was his act. It did not befall them because he had ceased to be or to be able to deliver. He lives, to support and comfort those who survive. He lives, to supply the place of the departed in the family, the Church, the world. He lives, and therefore they live and will live forever. For through Christ their life was and is rooted in his. He is their abiding Dwelling place.

III. THE PRAISE RENDERED TO HIM. "Blessed" (equivalent to "praised"), "exalted"

1. Praise is the utterance of exalted thoughts and feelings respecting him. Without these the language of praise is of no value.

2. To publish his praise by speech or writing is to exalt him in view of others.

3. Praise in such words as are here employed expresses the desire that all should exalt him by accepting, loving, obeying, and extolling him.

4. The publication of his praise is adapted to produce this result.

5. The exaltation of God should ever be sought in our services of praise. Some such services tend rather to the exaltation of musical composers, organists, and choirs. - G.W.

---

---

KJV: The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

WEB: Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,