David had said he would keep God's word (v. 57), and it was well said;
now here he tells us how and in what method he pursued that resolution.
1. He thought on his ways. He thought beforehand what he should do,
pondering the path of his feet (Prov. iv. 26), that he might walk
surely, and not at all adventures. He thought after what he had done,
reflected upon his life past, and recollected the paths he had walked
in and the steps he had taken. The word signifies a fixed abiding
thought. Some make it an allusion to those who work embroidery, who are
very exact and careful to cover the least flaw, or to those who cast up
their accounts, who reckon with themselves, What do I owe? What am I
worth? "I thought not on my wealth (as the covetous man, Ps. xlix. 11)
but on my ways, not on what I have, but what I do:" for what we do will
follow us into another world when what we have must be left behind.
Many are critical enough in their remarks upon other people's ways who
never think of their own: but let every man prove his own work. 2. He
turned his feet to God's testimonies. He determined to make the word of
God his rule, and to walk by that rule. He turned from the by-paths to
which he had turned aside, and returned to God's testimonies. He turned
not only his eye to them, but his feet, his affections to the love of
God's word and his conversation to the practice of it. The bent and
inclinations of his soul were towards God's testimonies and his
conversation was governed by them Penitent reflections must produce
pious resolutions. 3. He did this immediately and without demur (v.
60): I made haste and delayed not. When we are under convictions of sin
we must strike while the iron is hot, and not think to defer the
prosecution of them, as Felix did, to a more convenient season. When we
are called to duty we must lose no time, but set about it to-day, while
it is called to-day. Now this account which David here gives of himself
may refer either to his constant practice every day (he reflected on
his ways at night, directed his feet to God's testimonies in the
morning, and what his hand found to do that was good he did it without
delay), or it may refer to his first acquaintance with God and
religion, when he began to throw off the vanity of childhood and youth,
and to remember his Creator; that blessed change was, by the grace of
God, thus wrought. Note, (1.) Conversion begins in serious
consideration, Ezek. xviii. 28; Luke xv. 17. (2.) Consideration must
end in a sound conversion. To what purpose have we thought on our ways
if we do not turn our feet with all speed to God's testimonies?