Sing And Praise The Lord

Commentary

It sounds like this Psalm may have been written after the return of the Jews from Babylon (v. 2). There seems to be two themes running throughout the Psalm. One is a praise of God for His goodness to his creatures and the other a praise of God for his goodness to His people. He uses the heavens to water the hills which produces the grass that feeds the animals which helps to feed man.
At the same time, he takes care of the broken hearts and has pleasure in those who fear Him and put their trust in Him. The stars are so many that no one on this earth can count them; they lie so far in the depth of space (v. 4). No man would be right to suppose he has seen most of them, even with the aid of the most powerful telescopes. A Holy fear of God will keep our hope from becoming self-sufficient, and at the same time our hope in God will overcome any fear in our life that may lead to discouragement. Balance is the key. 
God is not interested in the physical and material strength of nations. “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him. In those that hope in His mercy” (v. 11). God is not impressed by the nations who build up mighty arsenals of weapons and yet, do not fear God or find their hope in His mercy. What an indictment this is on the military superpowers of the world who have forgotten God in their quest for superiority. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear (have an awesome reverence for) Him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Application

Notice that it is not the strength (legs) of man that impresses God (v. 10) but the quality of fearing God (v. 11) that gives him pleasure. Today, fear most often means being afraid of something or someone. However, the Bible often uses the word “fear“ to describe the sense of respect or awe that people should have for God because of his greatness and His love. It is my desire to place my complete confidence in God’s grace and unfailing love today and not in anything I possess.