Psalms 140:13

13 (139-14) But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.

Psalms 140:13 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 140:13

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name
The same with the poor and the afflicted; who, though traduced by men, and evil spoken of and ill used by them, are righteous in the sight of God; being justified by the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to them, and received by faith, in consequence of which they live soberly and righteously: these the psalmist knew and was assured they would give thanks to the Lord, and praise his holy name, for the righteousness by which they are made righteous, and for every other blessing of grace and mercy of life; for maintaining their cause and their right, and for the ruin and destruction of their enemies; see ( Revelation 18:20 ) ( Revelation 19:1 Revelation 19:2 ) ; the upright shall dwell in thy presence;
under his care and protection; in his gracious presence, enjoying the light of his countenance here; and in his glorious presence hereafter, where is fulness of joy: these upright ones are such who are upright in heart; whose hearts are right with God, sincere in his service and worship, and walk uprightly according to the rule of his word. These, as some render it, "shall sit before [him]" F20 or "in his presence": as children before a father, in whom he delights; or as disciples before a master, to be taught and instructed. The Targum is,

``shall return to pray before thee:''
and so Aben Ezra interprets it of their dwelling, or sitting before God, in the house of prayer; and Kimchi adds, by way of explanation,
``to seek thee, and know thy ways.''
Jerom reads it, "shall dwell with thy countenance or face" F21; and understands it of dwelling with Christ, the face of God, ( Hebrews 1:3 ) ; with whom they shall dwell for evermore.
FOOTNOTES:

F20 (wbvy) "considebunt", Junius & Tremellius; "sedebunt", Cocceius; so Ainsworth and Syriac version.
F21 So Sept. V. L. Arabic version, and Pagninus.

Psalms 140:13 In-Context

11 (139-12) A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.
12 (139-13) I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.
13 (139-14) But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.