EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS (3)

Verse 13.—“From falling,” or, as more literally translated, from a thrust, or a push, by which one is caused to fall.—O. Prescott Hiller.

Verse 13 (last clause).—To walk in the presence of God is partly under his eyes, his guidance and care, partly in particular, where God is wont to be present, where he is worshipped by his people, and scatters his blessings, opposed to his present state by which he was removed from the place of his worship and presence. Conf. 1 Sam. xxvi. 19, etc. Lastly, to walk in the light of the living denotes in general to live amongst those who live in the light, or who enjoy the light, as it is said elsewhere, in the land of the living—Psalm xxvii. 13; Isaiah xxxviii. 11; liii. 8; Ezekiel xxxii. 32; Psalm cxlii. 6—opposed to the dead or the region of the dead, who dwell in darkness. But in particular it signifies to live in a safe and prosperous state, whose well-known emblem is light.—Hermann Venema.

Verse 13 (last clause).—We cannot restrict this phrase to the light of mortal life; David’s vows bound him to walk in the light of spiritual life, and also in the light of eternal life, of which by faith he was a partaker. And most commentators have applied this verse to the light of glory in the world to come, as the real and final object of the believer’s conversation here on earth.—W. Wilson, D.D.