Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Verses 43—44

Here is, 1. David’s humble petition for the tongue of the learned, that he might know how to speak a word in season for the glory of God: Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth. He means, “Lord, let the word of truth be always in my mouth; let me have the wisdom and courage which are necessary to enable me both to use my knowledge for the instruction of others, and, like the good householder, to bring out of my treasury things new and old, and to make profession of my faith whenever I am called to it.” We have need to pray to God that we may never be afraid or ashamed to own his truths and ways, nor deny him before men. David found that he was sometimes at a loss, that the word of truth was not so ready to him as it should have been, but he prays, “Lord, let it not be taken utterly from me; let my always have so much of it at hand as will be necessary to the due discharge of my duty.” 2. His humble profession of the heart of the upright, without which the tongue of the learned, however it may be serviceable to others, will stand us in no stead. (1.) David professes his confidence in God: “Lord, make me ready and mighty in the scriptures, for I have hoped in those judgments of thy mouth, and, if they be not at hand, my support and defence have departed from me.” (2.) He professes his resolution to adhere to his duty in the strength of God’s grace: “So shall I keep thy law continually. If I have thy word not only in my heart, but in my mouth, I shall do all I should do, stand complete in thy whole will.” Thus shall the man of God be perfect, thoroughly furnished for every good word and work, 2 Timothy 3:17, 3:16. Observe how he resolves to keep God’s law, [1.] Continually, without trifling. God must be served in a constant course of obedience every day, and all the day long. [2.] For ever and ever, without backsliding. We must never be weary of well-doing. If we serve him to the end of our time on earth, we shall be serving him in heaven to the endless ages of eternity; so shall we keep his law for ever and ever. Or thus: “Lord, let me have the word of truth in my mouth, that I may commit that sacred deposit to the rising generation (2 Timothy 2:2) and by them it may be transmitted to succeeding ages; so shall thy law be kept for ever and ever,” that is, from one generation to another, according to that promise (Isaiah 59:21), My word in thy mouth shall not depart out of the mouth of thy seed, nor thy seed’s seed. MHBCC 598.42