David is heard distinctly in this Psalm. The Spirit of Christ also, as in company with the Remnant, whose type David in his sorrows and repentance so strikingly is. David’s affliction from the hand of Absalom was the affliction of his “old age,” or when he was “gray-headed.” So the affliction of the Remnant will be in Israel’s old age mystically (Isa. 46:44And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. (Isaiah 46:4)).
But the most striking character in this Psalm is David’s desire to have God and His righteousness magnified in him. He had already been a wonder, but he desired to be more so. His history had been hitherto an exhibition of marvelous grace. Taken from the sheepfolds to be anointed king; defended from the cruel enmity of Saul; brought to honor, as he had before been strengthened for victory; these were the shining ways of grace towards him. But now, to be restored after sin and backsliding, this would make him still a greater wonder. He would indeed show that “grace triumphant reigns.”
On this the soul of David is here fixed. It is not the confession of sin, of which his suffering from Absalom was the fruit, but the glories in the thought of illustrating abounding grace. He looks only at being set for God’s praise “more and more”—of telling of God’s righteousness, and “of that only.” And truly blessed is such a rich experience as this; when a poor sinner, in the sense of divine grace, does not utter confession, but triumphs in the thought of illustrating in his own person the aboundings of God’s goodness. We see this in St. Paul. David can confess sin, and that heartily, on suited occasions, and bow his head under the punishment of it (see Psa. 51 and others); but here, it is not his sin that he confesses, but it is the grace of God abounding over it that he would have exalted forever, and to which end he seeks and anticipates deliverance from present trouble, and the increase of his greatness. Thus would his history more strikingly than ever show forth God’s righteousness and praise.
And we would add (though it has been hinted already) that Israel’s history is remarkably similar to David’s—Election of him, though the least in his father’s house—preservation from his persecutor—endowment and power—then, sin, and forfeiture of all, with captivity beyond Jordan—and final restoration and rest. These are the common ways of God with Israel as well as with David; and thus both of them can declare God’s wondrous works, and talk only of His righteousness, all the day long. The Remnant may, therefore, in their day, well encourage themselves in the history of their beloved king in days of old. For in this way, he is set forth as a pattern to them (like Saul of Tarsus) of all divine long-suffering. (See 1 Tim. 1:15-1615This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Timothy 1:15‑16).)