A. G. Clarke points out that this is the only psalm in Book III (73 to 89) ascribed to David, and suggests that it may belong either to the time of David’s exile among the Philistines or to the period of Absalom’s rebellion.
Among the various appeals and requests scattered throughout the psalm, there are three statements concerning the attributes of God: “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee”, v. 5; “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone”, v. 10; “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth”, v. 15.
- The Lord is good, v. 5. This takes us straight to the person of Christ. Nathanael asked Philip, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”, John 1. 46; and he later became a follower of the good Shepherd, 10. 11. Peter told Cornelius and his friends how “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth … who went about doing good”, Acts 10. 38. The Lord’s goodness was unique in that it never varied. He never deviated from His own standards, for He was goodness personified. His goodness was absolute, not progressive; perfect, not partial.
- The Lord is great, v. 10. The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the highest”, Luke 1. 31, 32. He did great things, Mark 3. 8; 5. 20; He wrought a great salvation, Heb. 2. 3; He was raised as the great Shepherd, 13. 20; and is now our great High Priest, 4. 14.
- The Lord is gracious, v. 15. This is obviously linked with the other attributes referred to in our verses. He is “ready to forgive”, v. 5, not reluctant; “plenteous in mercy”, v. 5, not meagre; “full of compassion”, v. 15, not half-hearted; “long- suffering”, v. 15, not impatient. All these things were eminently true of the Lord Jesus, who was full of grace and truth, John 1. 17, and at whose gracious words men wondered, Luke 4. 22.
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him”, Col. 2. 9, 10.
