When wilt thou come unto me? ] I can neither walk in this way, nor grow wise unto salvation, unless thou come unto me by thy grace and Spirit; for without thee I can do nothing.

I will walk within my house ] It is easier for most men to walk with a perfect heart in the Church, or even in the world, than in their own families. How many are as meek as lambs among others, when at home they are wasps or tigers! The man who, in the midst of family provocations, maintains a Christian character, being meek, gentle, and long-suffering to his wife, his children, and his servants, has got a perfect heart, and adorns the doctrine of God his saviour in all things.

The original is very emphatic; ûlhta ethhallech, "I will set myself to walk," I will make it a determined point thus to walk. I will bear and forbear with children, servants, &c., not speaking rashly, nor giving way to bad tempers. Through various motives a man will behave with propriety and decorum among others; but none of these motives operate in his own house where he feels himself master, and consequently under no restraint.

Matthew Henry Commentary

--In this psalm we have David declaring how he intended to regulate his household, and to govern his kingdom, that he might stop wickedness and encourage godliness. It is also applicable to private families, an is the householder's psalm. It teaches all that have any power, whethe more or less, to use it so as to be a terror to evil-doers, and praise to them that do well. The chosen subject of the psalm is God' mercy and judgment. The Lord's providences concerning his people ar commonly mixed; mercy and judgment. God has set the one over agains the other, both to do good, like showers and sunshine. When, in his providence, he exercises us with the mixture of mercy and judgment, we must make suitable acknowledgments to him for both. Family mercies an family afflictions are both calls to family religion. Those who are i public stations are not thereby excused from care in governing their families; they are the more concerned to set a good example of rulin their own houses well. Whenever a man has a house of his own, let his seek to have God to dwell with him; and those may expect his presence who walk with a perfect heart, in a perfect way. David resolves to practise no evil himself. He further resolves not to keep bad servants nor to employ those about him that are wicked. He will not admit the into his family, lest they spread the infection of sin. A frowar heart, one that delights to be cross and perverse, is not fit for society, the bond of which is Christian love. Nor will he countenanc slanderers, those who take pleasure in wounding their neighbour' reputation. Also, God resists the proud, and false, deceitful people who scruple not to tell lies, or commit frauds. Let every one be zealous and diligent to reform his own heart and ways, and to do thi early; ever mindful of that future, most awful morning, when the Kin of righteousness shall cut off all wicked doers from the heavenl Jerusalem __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew