The godly man praises the Lord for answering his cry in the midst of trouble.
(vv. 1-2) The psalmist praises the Lord, not only with lip profession, but, with his whole heart—an undistracted heart engrossed with its object. Moreover he publicly acknowledges the Lord by praising before the judges of the earth; here called gods, as representing God in their positions of authority (Psa. 82:1, 6-71<<A Psalm of Asaph.>> God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. (Psalm 82:1)
6I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 7But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. (Psalm 82:6‑7)).
Furthermore the psalmist worships towards Jehovah’s holy temple. This would indicate that the godly man is not yet established in the land. Like Daniel, though not in the temple, he prays towards it, in the faith of Solomon’s prayer. Solomon had asked that God would hear His people if, in their time of trouble, they prayed toward the city that God had chosen, and toward the house that was built for the glory of His Name (comp. 1 Kings 8:44, 4844If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the Lord toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name: (1 Kings 8:44)
48And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name: (1 Kings 8:48) and Dan. 6:10-1110Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. (Daniel 6:10‑11)).
The praise is called forth by God’s Name and God’s Word. God’s Name declares God’s character as marked by loving-kindness and truth. God’s Word declares His Name, and must ever be in accord with that Name. God is ever faithful to His Word, and, by fulfilling His Word, He magnifies it above all His Name. Men profess the Name of God, but set aside the Word of God. God, Himself, magnifies His Word above His Name.
(vv. 3-5) In his trouble the godly man had cried to the Lord, and had been answered. Thus the confidence of his soul is strengthened through the trouble.
The Lord’s answer to his prayer encourages him to look on to the time when all the kings of the earth will praise Jehovah, when at last they will listen to His words, walk in His ways, and behold His glory.
(vv. 6-8) Though the Lord is high and His glory great, yet He has respect unto the lowly (comp. Psa. 147:3-43He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 4He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. (Psalm 147:3‑4)). The proud He knows afar off. God regards them, but at a distance. He does not admit them into His favor or confidence.
In the end the Lord will perfect that which concerns the godly. The trouble will pass, the enemies will be judged, and the godly will be blessed, for the mercy of the Lord endures forever, and the Lord cannot forsake His own.