The materials of this Psalm are very simple. It does not depend on any peculiar circumstances, but it is the language of any soul forced by the violence of the wicked into the greatness and excellencies of God as its refuge. But especially it is the experience of the Remnant who will have to meet the violence of the evil one in the latter day.
This experience of the saints is very blessed. It proves that out of the eater comes meat, out of the strong one sweetness; that when they are weak, as the Apostle finds, then they are strong: for the violence of the wicked only makes us know still more the blessedness of the living God, and thus do we get spoil out of the strong one.
And let the strength of the enemy be as great as it may, yet the saints in spirit looking at God say, “They that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
It is a beautiful, comforting meditation. The Psalmist first looks at the greatness of the wickedness of the wicked, and then at the magnificence of the goodness and glory of God. Everything is great in the eye of this worshipper, and he feels that he can leave his cause with God, anticipating the full overthrow of all the mighty in their wickedness.
The worshipper here owns the cause of all this human wickedness, which he had been contemplating to lie in having cast off God’s fear; and perhaps he allows that the source, even the heart, was in himself as in any other man. (Rom. 7:17-1817Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:17‑18); Matt. 15:18-2018But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. (Matthew 15:18‑20).) Indeed this Psalm helps the Apostle with his divine inspired verdict against man, as an utterly corrupted creature. (See Psa. 37:11<<A Psalm of David.>> Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. (Psalm 37:1); Rom. 3:1818There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18).)