How– Thus, David falls down in prophetic wonder, as he perceives the redemptive purpose of the Lord, in sending a Savior. How is a word that will help to designate the degree or extent of something.
excellent– it is that which is of greatest cost, priceless, precious, weighty, prized, valuable, costly, splendid, glorious, rare, treasured, honored, and when placed in comparison with anything else is the best. So, David is demarcating that the degree and extent of something–yet to be revealed–is of highest value. How excellent could also be said, beyond comparison, of inestimable value, surpassing worth….
is– hurry up and get to the point….we know that is is a state of being, so just tell us what this thing of surpassing worth IS
thy lovingkindness– it is mercy, favor, ardor, enthusiasm, delight, affection, benevolence, and kindheartedness. Further, the Hebrew of this word paints the picture that just as a King may delight in whosoever he desires, so to, the LORD is entirely unrestrained in joyfully giving this bountiful and generous favor. Just as earthly kings and rulers allowed favored individuals free access to their presence, we are being shown that God, who could consume us in a moment has an unending treasure of love! We are enabled to enjoy the privilege of free access to the Almighty King’s presence.
o God– this most valuable treasure of lovingkindness, is once again a bright and glorious attribute of the Holy King of kings. The One called elohim (which means the ruler, judge, the God of any people group, a Divine one, one superior by reason of its station, position or nature), has lovingkindness as an attribute of His nature. Surely, this is good news! For if it be true that He has passionate and zealous mercy to be given, an infinite capacity of faithfulness and therefore will never fail us, a mountain range of perfect and flawless righteousness, an ocean depth of all-wise councils, decrees and judgments, and He rescues us and upholds us daily from the certain destruction that our wicked rebellion would precipitate, then it should be a trumpet blast of joy to our souls to hear that He has lovingkindness that is beyond all description of beauty, glory, splendor, magnificence, loveliness, awe, wonder, and surpasses all estimation of worth, value, grandeur, majesty, opulence, honor, abundance, riches, splendor, dignity, reputation, reverence, heaviness, weightiness, gravity, renown, fame, prestige, distinction, eminence, magnificence, resplendence, greatness, nobility, elegance, acclaim, and the deserved praise, recognition, worship, adoration, veneration, exaltation, homage, thanksgiving.
therefore– does your heart not burn with a passion to know what David is about to intimate as a conclusion to such a glorious revelation of God’s character? therefore insinuates a conclusion of thought and hence, a response. We ought to be crying out, “show me what I must do in light of such a wondrous God!!â€
the children of men– very simply, every man, woman, boy, girl or baby.
put their trust– these humans that deserve wrath, yet are upheld by God’s merciful, saving hand, bestow their confidence and place their faith in a specific location. Where?
under– Why under? We are going to bury it under the earth? Hide it under a mattress? And if you’ve studied the NT you’ll know that we ought to place our trust “IN,†not “under†right? Oh, just buckle your seatbelts….
the shadow of thy wings– David, after meditating upon God has shown us the wonder of a God, Who has every right to pour out death and judgement upon this rebellious planet. Yet He is a God Whose every attribute works with flawless immutability: judgement, mercy, righteousness, faithfulness, salvation and lovingkindness are interwoven into the fabric of the Great Monarch of Heaven. He is not His attributes, but He is the source of all love, mercy, salvation, justice, and righteousness. And yes it is as high as the heavens, and towers like mighty mountains, and thunders like the ocean’s waves! But, David, by divinely inspired sight, that the response to such a God is to place one’s full trust under the shadow of God’s wings? God has wings? Oh, yes! What should the phrase “shadow of thy wings†call to mind? The most holy place of God! Where blood was sprinkled to stand as a faithful testimony of the Great Sacrifice to come! We are under His wings, and what else is there, under His wings? The blood which atones!
