Bible Commentaries

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

Incline not — Suffer it not to be inclined.

Heart — Keep me not only from wicked speeches, but from all evil motions of my heart.

Dainties — The pleasures or advantages which they gain by their wickedness.

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

Smite — By reproofs.

Break — Not hurt, but heal and greatly refresh me.

Calamities — In the calamities of those righteous persons who reproved him. When they came into such calamities as those wherein he was involved he would pity them and pray for them.

When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.

Judges — The chief of mine enemies.

Overthrown — Or, cast down headlong by thine exemplary vengeance.

Hear — Hearken unto my counsels and offers which now they despise.

Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.

Our bones — Our case is almost as hopeless as of those who are dead, and whose bones are scattered in several places.