Verse "21. Do not I hate them] I hold their conduct m alK'imlniiiion.
Verse 33. With perfect hatred] Their conduet^ their fnotimsj their ftjyposition to Ihee^ the it perfidy and tdoiairous j^turpoBcSf I perfectly abhor. With them I have neither part, interest, nor alTectton,
Verse 23. Sefirth me^ O God] Investigate my conduct, examine my hearty put me to the teH^ and examine my thoughts.
Verse *24- If ihere be any itneM way} 33fj? ^n dereck oueh.- a tea^ of idolatry i or of cttw* Any thing false in religious principle,* any thing contrary to piety to thyself, and love and benevolence to man» And he needed to offet auch a prayer as this, while filled with 6Pfl
32 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them mine enemies.
23 y Search me, O Goclfand know my heart: try me, anfl know my thoughtj:
24 And see if there be uny * wicked way in me^ and * lead me in the way everlasling.
indignation a^inst the teays nf the' workers of iniquh ttes; for he who hates, utterly hates t the prajctjceis of any man, is n«it far from hating the man kma^if^ ft is veiy difficult
*^ To hate the sin with sJl the hearty ■ And yet the sinner love/^ Lead fn€ in the way everlastmg,] Xlhyp "jTl^ 6ede~ reeh ^jlam^ in thn old way ^-ihe "way in which our fa* thers walked, who w or shipped thee,, the inHnitely poie Spirit, in spirit and in truth. Lead me, guide me, as thou didat them. We have dSi;? HIK orach olmmf the old path. Job xxii. 15. "The two words yn derteh and n'^K orach^ differ /^ says Bishop Hordtyt " iii their figurative senses: dereck ia the ngki way, in which a man ought to go; orack is the way, nght or wrong, in which a man atUually goes by habit. ^^ The way that is right in a man^s own eyes is seldom the way to God.
Davidy having had aspersions laid upon him, csBs upon God in this Psalm to witness his Innocen^* Now, that this his appeal be not thought unreasonihle, he presents God in his two especial at tributes, oiniu- Bcienc^ and omnipresence; then he shows be loved goodness, and hated wicked uess.
This Psalm is divided into four parts: —
IIL David^s hatred to evjl and evil men, ver* 19-23-
IT. A protestation of his own innocehcy^ which he offet:s to the trial of God, ver. S3, 24.
I* He begins with God's omniscience ' ** 0 L^^rd^ thou hast searched me," &c. Examined me with scriTliny,
He searehi^ and knojvs our actiona*
And for (hia he gives this reason; God is our ^faker: ** Th<*rt hast beset me," &c. These two argumenis prove that God knows all things.
1. God knows aH the past an! future i ^ Beset behind and before."
2* He governs man: **Thou God madesi man^"^ Ae, The prophet concludes this Divine attribute, otnni* science, with an acclamation: *' Sucli knowledge," te*, It is beyond my reach and capacity.
H, Ftova God's omnipresence the prophet arfipuei
tiiai Hum cannot hide any thing ^om God, for he is ef ery whe/e present.
There is no place that is not before thee.
». "Kl make iny bed in hell," &c..8. ** If I tike tlM wings- ef the morning," &c,.'And among many iniBtances- that might be brought forward to prore 6od*s omniscience und oranipre'sence, we may simply instance the formation of a child in the woom. -^ "
I. ^ Thbu hast possessed my reins," &c. Tfaonhast undertaken -wholly to friame,.atfd cherish nie when formed... "*
Then the prophet 'breaks out in admiration of God^s woricB.. ^ '
S. *'I am fearfully," &c. His works. are enough to strike all men with reverential fear. ^ '. ^
' *3. "Marvellous are thy work^.'* * Then he proceeds with the formation of the in&nt ttnbryo.
. 9. " When I was made in secret," &c. In the sepket cell of my mother's womb.. -
3. " And curiously wrought," &o. The word in the Hebrew aignifies to interweave coloured threads. Man is a carious piece, and the variety of his Acuities shows him such. [See the notes.]
.4. **^ In the lowest parte of the earth," &c. In the womb, where it is as secret as if Ged wrought it in the lowest part of the earth.
Br.. ''Thine eyes did see my substance," &c. When ii^ embjryo,^ and without any distinct parts.
6. '^'And in thy book," &c. The idear of them was with theO) as the picture in the sye of the painter.
The prophet closes this part with an exclamation.
I. "^ How preciouralso are thy thoughts," &c. In this and other respecto.
3. And for this cause:' " When I awake," &o., thy wisdom and providence are ever before my mind, and my admiration' is foil of them. -
The prophet^ having ended his discourse on the oa^:nsscience ^d omnipresence Of God, Justifies himself at God's tribunal.
3. «" For they speak agidnft thee wickedly,*' &c* Blaspheme my Grod.
So far jfrom~ giving them the right hand of Mowship, he asks, — •
1. "Do not I hate them, O Ix>rd," &c. I h»te than as sinners, Sut feel' for and pity them as men.. 9. Xheid he letums this answer to himself, " Yea,'! hate them," &c. I count them my enemies, for they are thine. ^ * IV. Lastly, it would appear that.his heart was sincere and pure, or he'would not abide such a trial. ' 1. " Search me, O God:'' In the beginning of the Psalm he showed what God did; now he entreats him toiojt. ^
' 3. "Tryme,"&c. Examine my heart and my ways.
3. "Ajkd see if there be any wicked way," ic. Presumptuous sins.
4.' "And lead me in the way everlasting." This was the end proposed by his trial; that, if God saw any wickediiesi in^him that might seduce him, he would withdraw him from it; and lead him to think, and devise, and do those things which would bring him to life eternal.
The psalmist prays against his enemies^ 1-6; returns thanks for help, 7; iescribes his enemies, and profs farther ag&inst thejn, 8-11. His confidence in CM, 18, 13.
J)ELIVER me, O Lord, from the eril man: * preserve me from the ^violent man; 2 Which imagine mischiefs fn
The Hebrew, and all the Versions, attribute this P^alm to David; ai\d it is supposed to contain Ms complaint, when persecuted by Saul. The. Syriac de« Isrminesit to the time when Saul endeavoured to transit David with his spear.
3 They have sharpened their
Verse 1. From the evil man\ Saul, wiio was full of
envy, jealousy, and cruelty against David, to whomboth himself and his kingdom were uud^r the hi^^est obligations, endeavoured by every means to dettwy
Verse 2. They gathered together] Ha and his courtiers form plots and cabals against my life.
5 V The proud have hid a snare for me, an4 cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have^jset gins for me.. Selah.
6 I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications,. 0 Lord.
7 O God the Lord, the. strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my bead in the day of battle. ' •
8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked • furflier not his wicked dfevice; \lest * they exalt themselves. Seijih.
employ their time in forging lies and calumnies against.me; and those. of the mdst Yirolent nature.
Verse 4. Pteiervt me from the violent man\ Saul again; who was as headstrong {tnd violent in «11 his measures, as he was cru^, and inflexibly bent on the' destmetion of David.
Verse 6. Have hid a snar^ for me\ They hwited David as they would a dangerous wild bei^: one while" striving to;?iefv^ him with the spear; another to entangle him in th^ snares, so as to take and saerifioe him before the people, on pretence of his being an enemy to the state, -
Verse 7. Thou ha^t covered my heai\ Not Only ^N^en I fought with the 'proud blaspheming Philistine; but in the various attempts made against my life by my 6 worn enemies.
Verse 8. Further not his wicked device] He knew his enemies still desired his death, and were plotting to accomplish it; and here he prayS that God may disappoint and confound them. The Chaldee undisr^tands this oi Doeg,'
Verse 10. Zjet burning coals] The C^i«0 considers this as spoken against Ahithophely who was head of a conspiracy agiinst David; and tnAslates this vetse thus: *' Let coals from heaven fall upon them, precipitate them into the fire of hell, and Into miry pit^, from which they shall not have a Resurrection to eternal life." This is a proof that thW Jews did believe Mn a resurrection of the body,' and an eternal life for that body, in the case.of the righteous.
Verse 11. Let not an evil speaker he established] ^whvfH ish lashon, "a naan of tongue." There is much force in the rendering of this cUose ip the'C^- dee '»n'Sn \ltrh "JfrncrDI *yiy gebar demishtai lishan telithai, "The man of detraction, er inflammation, with' the three-forked tongue. ^^ He whose tongue is set on fire from AsU; the tale-bearer, slanderer, and dealer in scandal: with the three-forked tongue; wounding thtee at once: his neighbour whom he slanders; the person 66a
10 ^ Let, burning coals fall upon them; kt them be. cast into the fire; into deep juts, that ihey rise no! up again.
1^ I know that the Lord will ® maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.:; •. '
who receives the slahder; and himself vtho deals in H." What a Just dejwription of a character which God, tngels, and good men must detek! Let jiot such a one be established in the land; let him be unmasked; let no person trust him; and let all join together to hoot him out of society. ** He shall be hunted by theaagtl of death, and thrust into hdl." — Chaldkc.
Verse 18. The cause of the afflicted] Every person who is persecuted fbr righteonsness' sake has cfod for his peculiar (lelp and refuge; and t|^ persecutor has the same God for his especial enemy,
The upright shall dweH in thy presence.] Shall be admitted to the most intimate intercourse with Goi.
The persecuted have ever been dear to God Almighty; and the martyrs were, in an especial mannet, his delight; and in proportion as he loved those, so must h9 hate and detest these,
David, being persecuted by Saul, Doegy and the men of Ziph, prays to.God against their evil tongues. But' the fathers apply it more largely to the Chnichy in iu persecution by wicked men and devils.
IV. A manifestation of his^ hope, that God will maintain his just cause, ver. 13, 13.
I. He first summarily proposes his petiUon.
1^. '^Preserve me," &c. From His violence and malice, and their efifects. 1. Evil counsels, and wicked stratagems: ** Which imagine mischief," &c. Q, From their ev4 words, which were consonant with their thonght^
Thfi^psalmist prays tJiafiis
<«11i97 hAYe shsrpei^ tkeir tpognea,'' &6.. With calnmiiies and firaud^.-
^ Like a.serpent," &c. Their bitter woids are aa ^gjapmaon of Ihe viper and adder, or the asp, whioh, ^HKmt pain, extinguishes Jife.
To move God, he ahows their intentions.
1. ** They hare purposied}*' &e.: To make me wialk alowlj, or not at all, in the ways of.Ged; td ium me iMck.... -
2. Th^ method they took to attain their purpose: ** The |)rond have laida snare," &c.:. zfi banters do for birds and beasts.. So the dj^vil shows the bait, bat hules the hook\ under 'pleasure he hides the'bittemess of its reward and* consequences.
. II..He implores aid from God against the eril ^nd dMBger. ^., ". '
^ 1. What esteem he had for'his God:./*Thoa art the strength," &c.^ My fortification against all my
9. What he had formerly done for fiim*: VThon liast covered my head," &c. " *, ' '.
m. The other part of his petition. consists' in praying against their'plots. ^^ - 1. ** Grant not, O Lord," &c. Let them not have Ibeir wishes.
"SI. " Farther not his wicked dericey" 4ke. Giye them BO prosperitjr in them.
dewtionM mi^'jbi aceq^ted.
8. *' Lest they exalt themselTes,** &o. Triamph in my being.eonquered by them.
After praying a^[ain8t them, he predicts their punishment: <* As for the liead'of those that compass me about," &c. •
9. Deal severely with th^^ " Let buming coals," &c. Let them sofier extreme punishment: ** Let them be cpst into the firCi'' Sic.
4. •« E^U shall hunt," &c. Give no rest, but pursue the.wicked man to his atterrnin; all those who persecute the Chuftih, who write their laws in her blood.
IV. To the infliction of punishment on ihe wicked, he subjoins, by an antithesis, the promise of God for the defence of the'rightec(us,',and.so concludes.
}. '* I knovtr," &c. Am^ certainly jiersuaded by my pwn experience j and the Example of my forefaUiers, whom thou hast delivered in theur trials'and temptations.
5. <* That t^e Loid wfll maintain,!? &c. He may defer his help and deliveraaoe; but he will not take it from them. *;
And this he confirms-and amplifies from the final cause, which is doable. ^ '.
i. That they pndse ^m: *<S&rely the righteooe shall give thanks," ^c. Being delivered, they attributto the honour, not to themselves, or their innocency or merit; but gjye the glory of his grac^ and love to God alone.
9. ThvA they remairf be/ore him in his Church mill, taht and. triumphant. That tl^ may <* dwell in thy presence,^' ^c. Walk before ms face here, dwell in hisjavour, and enjoy the beatific vision hereafter. *
The psalmist prays that his devotions may h^ accepted, U d- Thu he may he enabled so to watch that he do! not offend with his tongue; and that he may be presemed from wickedness, 3, 4. His willingness to receive reproof, 5. He complains of disasters, % 7. His trust in Ood, and prayer against his ene- 8-10. '.
2 Let ^ my prayer be "set
This Psalm is generally attributed 'to David, and considered to have been composed dnring his persecution by Saul. Some sdppose that he made it at the time that he formed the resolution to go to Achish, king of Galh; see 1 Sam. zxvi. It is generally thoogfat to.be an evening prayer, and has long-beeii used as such in the service of the Greek Church. It is in seyeral places very obscure.
Verse 1. Lord, I cry unto thee] Many of David's Psalms begin with complaints; but they ore not those of habitual plaint and peevishness,. He was in frequent troubles and difficulties^ and he always sought forth before thee ^€LS incense; and • the fifting up of my hands ns 'the evening sacrifice.
help in God. He ever appears in earnest; at no time is there an3f evidence that the devotion of David was formal.. He prayed, meditated, supplicated, groanedf cried, and even roared^ as he tells us,, for the disquietude of Ms soul. He hUd speedy -toswers; for he had. mnchybt/A, and wss always in eamesL,.
Verse 8. As incense\ -Incense, was efibred every momihg and evening before the Lord, -on the golden altar, before the veU of the sanctuary; Exod. xxiai. 39, and Num. xxviii. 4.
As the evening sacrifice.] This was a burnt-offering, accompanied^ with flour and sah. But it dees not appear that David laS&n \^ any sacrifice, for he uses.669
6 ^ Let * the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness^: ancl let iiim reprpye me; it shall be an excellent oil, which sh'alj. not brea(k my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.. \,
6 When their judges are overthrown in stpuy places^ they shall hear'tny ^tordsjfor they are sweet.
not n^T zehachy 'whick is.almost anirersaHy used for a slaughtered animal; (mt nilJO miachah, which is generally taken for a gratHude-offering or unbiood^ sacrifice. The literd translation pf the* passage is, <* Let my prayer be established for incense before thy faces; and the lifting up of my hands forjhe evening oblation.". The psalmist- i4>peaxs to have been at this time at a distance from the 'sancluaxy, and therefore could not perform the Divine worship in the way prescribed by the law. What could he do? Why,^^ he could not worship^ accorifling ttf the- letter of the law, he will worship God according to the spirit; then prayer is accepted in ihe'pla^e of tWenje/and.the lifting up of his hands f tn gratitude and self-dedication to God, is accepted in the plaice of the evening minchah or oblation. Who can deplore the necessity that obliged, the psalmist to worship God in this way 1
Verse 3. Set a toatch, O Lardy before my mouth] While there are so many spies on my actions and words, I ioYe need to be doubly. guarded, that my enemies may. have:no advantage against'me. Some think the prayer is against impatience; but if he were now going to Gath, it is more natural to.suppose that he was praying to be preserved from dishonouring the truth, and from making sinful concessions ip a heathen land; and at a court where, from his circymstances, it was natural to suppose he might be tempted to apostasy by the heathen party. The following vers^ seems to support this opinion.
Verse 4. Let me.eat not of their dainties.] This may refer either to eating things /47rM<2^ by the law; or to the partaking in banquets or feasts in Jkonour of %doU.
Verse 5. Let the righteous smite mi] This verse ^ is extremely difficult in the original. The following trandation, in which the Syriac, Vulgate, Sejkuaginty JEthiopic, and Atabic nearly agree, appears to me ^ •be the bestj ** Let the righteous chastise me in mercy, and instruct me r but fet, not the oil of the wicked anoint my head. It diall not adorn (^y yani, from niJ navah) my head; for still my prayer shall be against their wicked works."
The x)il of the wicked may here -mean his smooth flattering speeches; and the psalmist intimates that he Would rather suffer the tutting reproof of ihe righteous 670 '.
*9 Keep me.:&om '^ the • snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of miqui^. •... '.
10 "* Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withaL.P escape; ' •
than the oily talk of the flatterer. If this were tbs cas^ how few are there now-a-days of his miiictl' On referring to Bishop fforfley, I find his tranalaticm si something similar to -my own: —
Let the just one smite me, -let- the piovLB Kemp^^e me. ' ' liCt (lot the oin^eot of t)ie impious anoint my head. But still I wiU intrude in their calamities.
Verse 6." When their jtidges aihe ouerthrownin stony places] ^ho "^T^ biyedey sela, "In thp hands of the rock.!' Does this rock signify a strong or fort^Sed place; and its- hands the garrison which have occupied it> by Whom. these judges were overthrown t If we knew the occasion on which this Psahn ^^aq made, we might be the better able to understand the aUusians ui the text.
They shall hear my words; for' they are 9weet\ Some think there iIb here ah allusion to David's generous treatifient of Saiil in the care of E^n-gedi, and afterwards, at the hill of Hachilah, in this Tcarse, whieh jnight be translated: "Their judges haVe -been dis- -missed in. the rocky -places; and have heard my winds, that they were sweet.'' Or perhaps there may be a reference to, the death of Saul and his sons, and the very disastrous defeat of the Israelites at Gilboa. If so, the seventh Verse, will lose its^hief difficulty, Our bones, are- scattered *at the gravels mouth; but if we take them a^ referring \jo\\». slaughter of the priests (tt Nob, then, instead of translating SlKBf ^fiS lepki shepl, at the gravels mouth, we may translate at the command,of Saul; and then the verse will point out the manner in which those servants of the Lord were massacred; Doeg cut them in pieces; hewed them down 9B one cleareth wood. ' Some understand all this of the cruel Usage of the captives in Babylon. I could add other conjectures; and contend- for' 'my own; but they are all too vague to form a Just gToaaS for decided opinion.
Verse 8. But mine eyes are unto thee] In all times, in all places, on all occasions, I will cleave unto the Lord, and put my whole confidence in him.
Verse 10. Let the wicked faU into their own nets] This is generally the case; those who lay sums fat others fiUl into them themselves. Harm watch,- harm catch, says the dd adage. How many cases have oeoaned where the {(nng gnus that hmTe'4)een set ig^ thieves have shot tome of the family! I haye Ahntii some diamal cases of this kind, where some Jftdii most ipAUe liVes have 'been sacrificed to this Wpillilid mi^chine.
^^WMUi: — I withal 9scape.] They alone are gnilty^ tbej alone spread the nets and gins; i am innocent, Irild GrM will cause me to escape.
The contents and som of the Psalm are the ibllolving: —
n. That God would restrain Ida. tonguej and oompoee his mind, that through angQr or impatience he effeBd.jiot, ¥er. 3, 4.
^ m.,He prayq that if he mast be.jq>1poTed, it be by the just, not the unjust man, irer. 5; whose judgment. Ul declares, Ter. 6, 6, and will net have any society with him.. • '
rV. He shows the midice of Che wicked to good ykeoi Ter. 6, 7.
Y. He puts his trust in God, and prays to oe dp- ^ered from snares, ver. 8-10. - I. 1. ** Lord, I cry unto thee,*^ ^o. Speedily hear my prayer, which is fervently and affecti9nately ^ dressed to thee: ' ^..
' -3. " Let my prayer be set forth before thee," &p. Which was offered with the sacrifice.* Why 4<^ David pray that his prayer might be accepted as the erening rather than the morning sacrifice! Eerhaps • the evening sacrifice might be more neble, as a figure of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, which was in the evening.
n. His second petition is, that God would- restrain lua tongue, that he might know when to speak and when to be silent. The metaphor is taken from the Watch and gate of a city, which, to be safely kept, no one must be suffered- to go in or out that tiught not. ' 'fhe gate will not be sufficient without flie watch; for it will be always shut, or ever open.
His third petition is for his heart, because it is
i. ** Incline not.my heart," iio. Suffer it not to be bent^ or set pn any eVil thing^
,d. ''^ Incline not my heart to practices," &e. To dp iqiquity, being inrited by their example.
In. His fourth petition is, that if reproved, it may be in the kindness of friendship^ n6i retenge or bitterness. ■.,
: d. '* It sh^ Be a kindness," &e. I shall account it an act of charity, and I will lore him for it.
.3. *' And let)iim leprore me,"-&c. An excellent oil, to heal my wounidsef sin.
- IV. His nex^ petition he preface* thus: ** Let my prayer," &c« ** Wl^en their Judges are overthrown," &c., refers tq the jbdicature: the chief seats, authorities, &c,, -are swallowed up, as men axe by the sea; as the ship is dashed against the rock, and broken to pieces.
4nd this sense the foik>wing yerse will justify: ^* Our bones are' scattered," &c. They beset me «iid my c«n^)any so closely, that we despair of life; and oar. bones must be scatter^ here and there in the wil^ demess, excepi thou, JD^Lord, succour us.
• Y. Therefore he presents' his last petition, which has. two parts. 1. ^ But mine eyes arenmto thee," i&c. 9. **' Leave not my soul destitute."
1. For his own.safety: ** Leave not my soul," &e. Let me jiot fall into their hands.
3. Which- prayer is grounded on his confidence in ^God': *^Mine eyes igre unto thee," &c.. I depend on and look to thee alone for deliverance. • 3.,'' Keep me from the snares," &c. From their frauds and ambushes.
Lastly, he imprecates con(Vision on &e heads of his enefiiies.
3. " Whilst that I withal through them unhmrt.
XXIX. DAY. KTlKme PBAT^...,J»|i&tchil>of David; A Pnyer c when he wo in the eave..
T ^ CRIED unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did' I make my supplication.
NOTES ON PSALM CXMI. "The title says, " An Instruction of David," or a Psalm of David giving instruction; <* A Prayer when he was in the cave."
rshowed before hitn my trouble. 3. / When my roirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knew^st my path. ' In the way-wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. > care of AduUam, when he fled from Achish,' king of (rath; 1 Sam. xni. 2. When he was in the caye of En-gedi, where he had taken refuge from the pursuit of Saul; add the latter, without knowing that David was in it, had gone into it on some necessary occasioiii
4^1^ looked ovL^ny right hand^ and beheld, but ^ there was no man that would, know n^e: refuge ^failed me; "'no man cared for my soul.,.
& I cried imto thee, O Lord: I said, ^ Thou dirt my refuge and ** my portion ' in the land of the living.
6 Atteiid unto my cry; for JVam « brou{^ very low: deliver me from my pecsecuton.; for tliey.are stronger than I. ^ ^ ^
7 Bring my soul out of prison, titat I mmf praise thy tiame: ' the righteous shall compass nle about; " for thou sbalt deal ' boimtiAiIIy with nje. *, •.
1 Sam. xxir. If the inscription «can be depended on, the cave of En-gedi is the most lljcely of the two, for the scene laid here. Bat were *there'doubt9 concerning the legitimacy of the title, I- should ref^r tike Psalm to* the state of the captives in Babylon,' to which a great part of the Psalms refer... Bishop Jfor«/^ calls it ** A Prayer of the Messiah taken and deserted.". It may be so: but where is the emdenoe^ ^cept-in tha ooHJectural system of Origen, /■
Verse 1. / cried ^rUo tie Lord]. See^on the first verse of the preceding Psalm.
Yerse 3. Then th4m knetoest my path,} When Saul and his army were about the cave in whicli I was hidden, thou knetoest my path — ^hat I had then no way of escape but by miracle: but thou didsC not permit them to know that I was wholly in tAeir power.
Verse 4. There wqjs'iko man thiu ioould know me] Thia has been applied to the time in which our Lord was deserted by his disciples. As to the case of Pa¥i4 in the oave of EuTgedi, he had no refuge: for what w^e the handful of men that were with him to Saul and his army t
Verse 6. Thau art my refuge\ Even in thpse^^most disastrous circumstances^ I will put my tnist iir thep.
Verse 6. lion brought very low] Never was I so near total ruin before. «^
Deliver me from my persecutors]. They are now in full possession of the only means of my escape. *'.
They are stronger than L] What am I and my men against this well-appointed anned multitude, with their king at their head.. -
Verse 7. Bring my soitt out of prison] Bring *iyflj naphshi, my life^ out of this cave in which it is nowimprisoned; Saul and his men being in possession of^ the entrance.
The righteous shall.compass me about] nrO"' yachtiru^ they shall crown me; perhaps meaning that the pious Jews, on the death of Saul, would cheerfully join together to make liim king, being convinced tlyit' God, by his bountiful dealings with him, intended that it should be so. Tlie> old Psalter^ which is imperfect from the tweMy-first vetBe of Psabn cxix. to the end of Psalm cxli., concbides this Psalm thus: "JLede
my saule oute of corrupcibn of my body; that corrupcion is bodely pyne, in w;hilk toy saille is anguyst; after that in- Codes hoase, sal al.be louyng (praising) ofthe.»'.
l^e substance of this Psalm is the earnest prayer of the psalmist that he might be. delivered from the danger he was in.
The parts are, ' t. An exordium; in which he
1. Showb what he did in his tropble; took hipself to prayer, ver. I", 9.
2.. Then his consternation and anxiety oC-'DUBd, ^ich arose from the malice and 6vaft of- his toemies, ^d want of iielp'iVom his' friends, ver. 3,' 4..
'Q. From his sincerity and confidenee in God.
The reason wa»: —. i, TTiis I did " when my spirit was overwhtthned,** ^o, There being no sufficiency in me, I betook mifp self to the all-sufficient Grod.
2. " For thou knowestmy path,** Ac. My aotkm and intentions. >..
2. " Have they privily laid," Ac. Saul gave him his daughter Michal to be a snare to him; and a dowry he must have of a hundred Jbreskins of the Philistines, that David might fall by their hands.
His destitution in. the time of trouble.
1. '** I looked on my right hand,'' &c. But no frieiid was near: " There was no man," Ac. The miaeraUe have few friends.
II. The psalmist, having no human help, caOs npon
Then he sdnds up his prayer, fortified by a dooUe argument.
1. From the lamentable condition he was bvoogkt into: ** I was brought fow/* Ac.
7Jk0 pNimisi prays /of
-^Mtcjf 4nwL pfoiecti09i»
9. From the malice tod power of Ida eMnpiea: « DeDvor me," Ac.
Again he renews his prayer, and preaaea h from the fipal cause: ** Bring my soul," &c.
Up<m which follow two efiecta:— »
1. Hia gratitudes ^'Tha^ I may piaMr thy
9. The reason for thia: •* For then sh^t deal teem' tifiilly with, me.'' Bestow byoma opon me, bsring" deliTore)} me from my former mi^onos; whioh meo aQMBUig, who aro eommovl^p the £rieiida of proepenty, will mlignify and-.ieapit <o me...'
1^ pseifnist jn-ays for mkrcy^ and dephecateg judgment^ 1, is. HU persecttiions, 8. Mis earnest prayer ^ far deliverancei 4-9. Prays far Ga^s gukkemng^Spkitj 10 f II, And for the tatd discan^fiture of his. adversariedj 1*3.
servant: for ^^'in thy sight shall no. man living
a -For the enemy hath perseeuted niy soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness af those 4faat have been long dead. 4 <* Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
The HebrevD and all the. Versions attribnte this Psalm to David; and the Vulgate, Septuagmt, JEthiapic, and Artdnc state that it was composed on the rdbeUion of his son Absalom: nor is there any thing in the Psalm that positively disagrees with this inscription. This is the last of the sev^ Paalms atyled penitential.
Verse 1. In thy faithfulness answer me] Thou h^st promised to support me in my diffieaJties, and, though my children should forsake me, never to withdraw thy loving^kindnesa froin me. See the present unnatural rebellion of my son: Lord, undertake for me!
Verse 2. Enter not into judgment] man Sk fl/ taba. Bil not come into coart, either as tf Witness against me, or as a Judge, else I am ruined; for thou hast seen all my ways that they are evil, and thy justice requires thee to punish me. N6r can any sOdl that 1ms ever lived be justified in the sight of thy justice and righteousness. Had I my desert from Uiee,*! should -have worse than even my unnatural son intends ne. O what a relief is Jesus crucified to a soul in such oireumstances!
Verse 3. He hath made me to dwell in darkness] Jiitera!ly,'»>i dark places. This may be understood of Dayid's taking lefbge in caves vnddens of the earth,
8 Cause me to hearthy loving-kindness ^ in the morning; for in thee do I trust: ^ cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for ■ I lift up my soul unto thee. -
to escape {rom his persecuting son; yea, even to take refuge in the tombs, or repositories ef the dea<L
Verse 4. Therefore is my spirit] I am deeply depressed in spirit, and greatly aiSUcted in body.
My heart within me is desolate.] It has no companion- of its sorrows, no sympathetic friend. I am utterly destitute of comfort.
• Verse 5. I remember the days of old] Thou hast often helped me, ofUn delivered me. I will thd^ fore thiat in thee, for thy meroy is not clean gone' from me.
Verse 6. / stretch forth wy hands] This is a natural action. All in distreaa, or under the in^ence oX. eager desire, naturally extend their hands and arms, aa if to catch at help^and obtain succour.
As a thirsty land.] Parehed and bpmed by the son, longs for hun, so does my thirsty soul for the living God.
Verse 7. "Hear me speedily] TtO maher, make haste to answer me. * A few hours,.and' my state may be irretrieTable\ In a short time my unnatural aon may pot an etfd to^my life. ■ ^
"Verae 8. Cause me ft» hear, thy loving-kindnefs in the morning] This petition was probably ofifered in the night':fledson. David had despatched his messengers' in all directions; and ppa3r8 to God that he might byvhs morning get some good neii^« will; for thou art my God: p ihy Spirit is good; lead me into 'the f^d of uprightness. • ' * '
Cause mf to' Imato the way wherein I shimlfi walk] Absalom and. his partisans are in {tosisessioii of all th^ ceuntry. I know not in iwhat direction to go, that 1 may not fall in with them^ point out by thj. especial providence the path I should take. *, ■ -
Verse 9. IJlee urUo thee to hide me,] Thatl may jDOt be found by nfy enemies, who seek my life' to destroy it.
Verse 10. Tea$hme to do thyvnll] ']^^^ retsoneeha, thy pleasure. To be found doiog the will of Ood is the only safe state for mao* - ' ' Thy Spirit is good} The Author of every ^ood'de- - sire and holy purpose, ''.. Lead me] Let it lead me by its continued inspirations'and counsels.
Into the land of uprightness,] " Into a right land," Chaldee! Into the pl^e where I shall be safe! The
old Psalter has, (Z\i\ gojBtte gube;gral lebe me into rpgt lanhe»
Verse 1 1. Qtticken me] I am as atlead man, and my hopes are almost dead within pe.. ■
CtU off mine enemies]- Who, if they succeed^ will destroy the very form of godliness. Xhe steps he Has already taken show that even morality shall hard no countenance, if AbsaloOK reign.
For a full explanation of this Psalm,' as appliefid to penitents, see the analysis.
David, being driven from Jerusalem by his s6n Ahsalom, wisely calls, to mind his sin, as being the*:cause t)f it..
This Psalm has/oiir parts:-=—
II. A narration of the sad stateVof his affairs, ver.
I. He prays for audience: **Hear my prayer,.0 Lord,." &c. He does npt plainly express the matter he prayed for; but it may be gathered firom the context that it was for remission of sin.
1. " In thy faithfulness," &c. Thou ar^ a faithful God, and hast promised to pardon the penitent. 1 am a penitent;* have diercy on me.
12 And of thy mercy •cut off mine toipmies, and destroy air them that afflict my soul: for * I tzm thy.servant.
' This sense appears more plainly from the nexinrerse.
I.. " And ehternot info judgment," &c. Cafl me
nbt to a strict account at the bar of.thy justice. - This
he deprecates; so tht^ jusiitia in tiie former Tetse
could not be ^taken fpr tiiat justice. ^
9. " For in thy sight," Ac. Not I, npr. an j othb man i pardon me, then, for the sake of thy mercy jmd promise, not' my merits.
n. And now be enters upon the narration of his sad cohdition.,...
■ 1. " For the enfeniy hath persecuted,'* &c. My son Absalom seeks my life: but it was Satan who enticed me to a^hltery and homicide.
2. ** He halh smitten^" dec.. Humbled me; made me a lover of earth, vile in thy -eight.
3. **-He* hiath' made me to dwell," &c. After' Satin had entangled me with earthly pleasures, I was ia spiritual darkness, and saw not the way of life, aoy more. than those who have been long dead.
The effect this darkness produced was, fear and consternation'.
i. ** Therefore is my spirit," &c, I suffered a kind of swoibn in my soul; I was ready ta faint when 1 considered thy. holiness and my impurity.
5. «* My heart within me," &c. Far from comfort, in heavy trouble. *"
^ III. In this sadness of heart and mind, — -■.1. **I remember the days of old," &c. Thy past kindness to me and to others.
.2. "I meditate/' &c. I did not aHghtly run them over, but pondered on them.
2. ^ My soul thirsteth," &c. After ^y righteousness, as the dry Isind wanting water. For as the eaith without rain has no consistence, but is pulverised; so the soul not moistened with the grace of God ftJls on the right and left hand into tenpptation, and brilgB forth no fruit to God's glory. -
IV. The sad case.in which David was, upon a sense of God's indignation, makes him seek out a remedy.
1. '* Hear me speedily," &c. And his reason for this is the sad condition in which he was till God was pacified for his sin.
Hiaf next petition resembles the former in substance.
The psalmist prcgises God
ovt of thy woid;. it is thy Spirit wfiich moat work With it to save me.
3. His teason: " For. in thee do I trust," &c. I did not let go niy hold even in my extremity;• but still iioped against hope.
His third petition is —
' ^ -His filth petition resembles his third.
* 1. ** Teach me to do thy wiUi" Ac. Both by an •active and passive obediedce tnsy I know tby will perfectly; in adversity, to submit to 'it; ilk proq>ehty, to do it without pri4e or presumption.
far his goodness.
9. His reason: " For thoa art my God." Who hail^ promised me thy help; and from whom all my good phlceeds, being and well-being. ^ His sixth' petition: **Thy Spirit is good." Not mide. ' Let then thy good Spirit instruct and lead me in.th« right way. * His a^venth jpetition is—
9. ''For thy name*s sake.^ Not my merits, but thy lAercy, and the glolry that wiH aecnie to thy nantie.in pardoning a penitent soill. ^ -
3. He goes onrr "For thj righteousness^ sake," 4^: Freedom he desires; but still at the hands of God's infiifite mercy.
'His: last petition is for the deatructioa of Satan's kingdom.
9. His reason: ** For I am thy servant," &c! A follower; one under thy patronage and protection; one of thy family honoured with "the dignity of being thy serrant,* and well <:ontented and pleased to per form my Uuty and service.
The psalmist praises God for his gondnesst 1, 9. Exdamations relative to the vanity of human life, 3,* 4. He prays against his. enemies, 5-^; and extols Qdd*s mercy for the temporal* blessings enjoyed by his people, 9-16* - • '.. ^ '.
2 * My • goodness, and my fortress; my higli tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and
NOTES ON PSALM CXLIV.. The Hebrew, and all the Visions, attribute this fsalm to David. The Vulgate, Septuagint, Ethiopia, vid Arabic, term -it, A Psalm of David against Chh liath. The Syriac says, ** A Psalm of Darid wheo he slew Asaph, the brother of Goliath." Calmet thinks, and with much probability, that it was cqmposed by David af^er the death of Absalom, and the restoration of the kingdom to peace an^ tranquillity^ From a collation of this with Psa. xviii., of which it appears to be an abridgment, preserving the same ideas, an^ the same forms of expression, the^e can be no doubt of both having proceeded from the same pen, and that I)avid was the author. There^is searcdy an expression here of peculiar importance that is not foandln the prototype; and for explanation I most refer gene^ Tally to' the above Psalm.
- Verse 1. Teacheth my hands to war] To use sword, battle-axe, or spear.
or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
4 » Mart is like to vanity: ^ his days are as a shadow that passeth away«
Verse 3. Who suhdutth my people] Who has once more' seduced the nation to a state of loyal obedience. This may refer to. the pe^e after the rebellion. of Absalom.
Verse 3. Lord, what, is mftn] See the notes uto Psa. viii. 4, 5. What ts Adam, that thou approvest of him f Can he do any t\a6g worthy of thy notice i Or the son of feeble perishing man, that thou shouldtst hold him in reputed ^-What care, love, and attention, dost thou lavish apon him!.
Verse 4. Man is likt to vanity] HDi SsnS CHK Adam lahebel ifdfmoA, literally, Adam is like to Abel, exposed to ihe'same miseries, accidents, and murderers; for in millions of cases the hands of brothers are lifted up to shed.the blood of brothers. What are wars hot fratricide in the great human family 1 j5 ^ Cast forth lightning, and scattor them: shoot x>ut thine arrows, and destroy them.
7 " Send thine " hand 'from, abo^e; *^rid ihe, and deliver me oiltt)! great waters, from the hand of ^ strange children;
9 I will ' sing a new song unto thee, 0 GU)d: upon a psalteiy and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises imto ihee.
io • It is Ac that giveth *s8[lvation unto kings: who deliverefth David his servant frtun the hurtful sword:. ' •.
ri ^ Rid me, and deliver me from the haud promissory of much blessedness; but it affbrdod merely the shadow of happiness. He was, pure and holy, beloved of his parents, and belqved of God ^ bat,l>ecom* ing the object of.hls brother^a envy, his life became a sacrilicjB to his piety.
Verse 9. / wM sing a new sdhg] A soiig of pe'cuhar excellence. I will pour forth all my gratitude^, and all my skUly on its composition^ See on Psa. xxxiii. 2, 3. *
Verse 10. He that giveth salvation- unto kings] Moharchi/f in the pr^ciple, iei from God: it is that form of government which, in the course of the -Divine providence, has principally prevailed; and that which, on the whole, has been most beneficial to mankind. God, therefore, has it uqder 'his peculiar protection. It is1>y him that kings reign; and by his special providence they are protected>
Verse 12. That our sons mtLj he as. plants] God 1^ promised to his people, being faithful, thrh descriptions of.BLBSsmos, Deut. xzyiii. 4. 1. The fruit of the ^(N^y— sons and daughters. 9. The fruits of th^ ground — gr^ and com in sufficient plenty.- 3. Fruit of the cattle—;^^ ihe increase of kii\e, and iflocks • of sheep.*' These are the blessings to which the psalmist refers her^, as those in which he might at present exult and triumph: blessings actually enjoyed by his people «t large; proofs of his jnild and paternal government, and of the especial blessing of the Almighty. The people who were in: such a state^ and revolted, had no excuse: ihey were doubly guilty, as aagrateihl both to 'God and man,
12 That our son's may &e ^ as plants grown up in their yod^h; that our. daughters mayJbe a^^ comer stones, "^polished after the similitude of a palace: ['
13 That our garherd-m^y be full, affording.'all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in oof -streets:.
14 Thcit our oxen maybe ^ strong to labour; that there be no breaking ip, nor going out;, that there be no complaining in pur streets.
bear burdetUf OT loaden with flesh. *0eut. xzziii. 29; Fta.
Verse 131 That our gamers, 4*.]. Our gamers are full: These ve not prayers put up by Dvridfor.sueh. blessings f but assertions, that such bleaaiogs were 'actually in possession. All these expressions should be understood in the '/>ref^n/ ^eiwe.
Tenihousands in ourstreets.] ' wnwa bechutsoth- ^itu should be translated in our pens or sheep-walks; for sheep bringing forth in the streets'nf ^ties or towns is absurd.^
Verse 14..Our oxen may be strong to labourj We have not' only an abundatice of cattle; but they are of -the most strong and vigorous breed.
No breaking in] So well ordered is the. police of the, kingdom, that ther^ are no depredations, no robbers; house-breakersy or marauding parties, in the land; no sudden incursions of neighbouring^ tribes or banditti breaking into fields or houses, canning away property, and taking with them the people to sell tbem into captivity: there is no such breaking in, and no such going out, in the nation.'* J^y enemies Kre either become friends, and sre united with me in pohtical interests; or are, through fear, obliged to stand aloof
Verse 15. Happy is that people] ■ '^^O how happy are. the people!" Such were his' people; and they had not only all this secular happiness, but they had Jehovah for their God; and.^i him had a ceaseless fountain of strength, protection, earthly hiesaings, and eternal mercies! A people in such a case to mM, must have the curse of God and man..
A;fALTSi8 or the HiniDRXD and FoRTT-routTB
ni. A discussion on happiness, and in what it sobsists, ver. 12, to the end.
Cod is prm^ for his
I. The prophet gives thanks^ and praises God.
1-. '' Blessed be the Lord:" &c. Who has taught me in a general.way the art ef war, in a particnlar wmy the use of the sling; giving me skiD, &c. '
3. *< He is my strength," 6lc. The strength I have ifi finom him. '
6.." And my Deliverer." Therefore will I trust ill Urn.
From,the consideration of so many benefits, the psalmist exclaims, *^ Lord, wltat is 'man," &c.
To which question he replies, — ^^
1. *< Man is like to.vanity." IT God be not his fiilnsss ^nd strength..
- tl. He prays for God's assistance: ^ Bow thy heavens,'' &c. " Cast forth lightning," &p. If men wiU not acknowledge thy mercy, let them see thy judgments. This first part of his petition again^^ his enemies being ended, he prays,— ^
Upon whom he- ^ets these two characters.
2. " At their right hand t" Ac. thdy nse their power to oppress and deceive.
9. And then he repeats, and concludes his petition as before ': " Rid me," Ac. '.
III. His petition being" ended, he '^iiscourses on the nature pf happiness^ which is of two kinds, temporal and spiritual. The addition of temporal blessings is pleasant; and promised to the obedient: but godliness is the only safety la this, ahd especially In the life ^to come: " For godliness," Ac • God created temporal gpads notjnerely for die wicked; they are often (he revirardjB of pifty.* The psalmisr therefore prays, —
. 1. ^^ That our sonier,", Ac They ai^e the pilars of a bouse; let them be flourishing.
•.9. " That our daughters," A9. Stones that join the building, beautiful as well as useful.
* 3. '* That our gamers may befall," Ac. - That we may have abundance.
7. ^i^That there be no complaining," Ac No want of bread, or any can^e of tumult. Daf id prays that, during his reignj the people, may be happy,.«nd enjoy ihe fruits of peace. '
Then he concludes the Psalm with this aeclamap tion:— ^'./ ^ '
9. " Yea,happy," Ac That have the true God for their GoJ; who know God to be th^ir Father, and that he takes caro of them, providing for thj^ir temporal necessities, and supplying all their spiritual wants. Others understand tiiese words, not as prayersV but as a description of the jtaJte David and his people were then in..See the. notes. '. *
God is praised for his ttnsearchable gjreatness, 1,9; for his majesty find ternUe atis^ 3-6; for his gdodness and tender mercies to ally 7-9; for his powef and kingdom, 10-13; for his kindntss to thfi dis-
He hears -and answers prayer^' 18-90. ' AH should praise
T WILL extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
NOTES ON PSALM CXLV. This Psalm is attributed to David by the Hebrew and all the Versions. It is the last of the acrostic Psalms; and should- contain twenty-two. rerses, as answering to the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabiet; but the rerse between jthe thirteenth and fourteenth, beginning witb the letter J nun, is tost out of the present Hebrew copies; but a tcanslation of it is found in the Syriac, Septuagint^ Vtdgate, JEthiopic, ArdbiCi and Anglo-Saxon, See below. It is -an incomparable Psalm of praise; and the fabbins have it ia such high estimation, that they assert, if ^ man
2 Every day wiD I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for -ever and ever.
3 ^ Great is the Lord^ and greatly to be with sincerity of heart repeat it three times a-dayr he shall uifafliby enjoy the blessing of the world to come. It does not appear on what particular occasion it ^as composed'; otj indeed, whether there was any occasion but gratitude to God for his inefiablofaTonrs to mankind.
I will tiess thy nanie] *ljn oSlJ^b Uolam vaed^for ever and onward, in. thiiB and the coming world, "jniis soft of expressions, which are very difficult to be transliUed, axe on the whole well expressed by those. words, ia a. hymn ofMr. Addison:-^
4 * One generjitioh shall praise ihy worksto anotlieir, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
5 I will speak of the glorious honoui: of tkj maJQsty, and of thy..wondrous 'works.
.6 And men shall speal^ of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will « declare thy greatness.
7 They shall abundantly utter' the memory of thy great goodness, ctnd shall sing of thy righteousness. • • *
8 ^ The Loiq). is gracious, and full of con\-
Through all -eternity to theo • ' A joyful song 111 raise;
This contains a strong hyperbole; but allowable in SQch cases.
Verse 3. His greatness is unsearchaNe.] Literally,' To his 'mightinesses there is no investigation, ' •' All in God ia tmUmited 9Ad ^etemaf.
Verse 4. One generation] Thy creating, and redeefning acts are recorded in thy word; but thy toon^ drous providential dealings w^th manku^.mast be hapd^ down by tnidi(ioDi from generatibn to generartipn; for Uiey are ih'contlnoal.oooayreiiDe, aqd consequently/innamertible. '
Verse 8. The Lord is gracious] His holy nati^ is ever disposed to show, favoiir.
Full o/ compassion] Wherever he sees misery,- his eye a^ects his heart. «^
Slow to anger] When there is eTCA the greatest provocation^
Of great mercy.] Gre^t iq Yob ahundant mercy. These four things give us a wonderful display of the goodness of the Dirine nature.
Verse 9. The Lord is good to HiU] There is not a soul out of hell that is not continually under liisin<»#< merciful rej^ards; so far is he from willing or decreeit^ before tJ^eir creation the damnation of any man.
His tender mercies] f His- Bowels of compassion are oyer all his works; -hefeels for his hitelligent offering, as the most affectionate mother does for the ichild of her own. bosom. ' And through this matchless mercy, these bowels of eompassion, his son Jesus tasted death for erery ma&. How far is all* that is here spoken of thaiiature^of God* opposed to the Molochisn doctrine of the et^raal'decree of repirobatiifn!
*' His grace for every soul is free: For hiSy who forged the' dire decree; For-every reprobate and me.*'
Verse 10. AH thy works shall praise thee\ Whotot The God who is good to tiil.
Thy saints] yi^DH cha^ddeycha, thy compassionate ones; those who are partakers of. thy great mercy, fif. 8.' These shall bless Mee^ because they know,
9' ^ tlie Lord is good. to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
ID VAll thy works shall praise thee^O Loftn; and thy saints shall bless thee.
11 They shall ppeak of the gloty of Hxf kingdom, and talji of thy po^er^
12 To inake knowh to the sons of men his mighty acts, an4 the glorious majesty of ^ his kingdom.
they /ee// that thou wiliest the salvation of all.' The dark* the gloomy, the hard-hearted, the naxrow-minded bigots, who never haye had thy love shed abroad is their hearts, can unfeelingly deal in the damnation of their febows. -.
Verse IS*. To make known] They deligfaf to ncomment their 6o4 and Father to others. '
Verse 13. Thy dominion endoreth] There is neither age £or people -in. and over ^hich God does not masiiest his benignly ruling power.. A^ tiie abore TSfie begins with the' letter Q nlem, the next in th^ order of the. alphabet should begin with. 3 nun: hot that yerse is totiJly wanting. To say it never was. in, is &lse, becaiise the'«l^habet is not complete without it; and it is an uAaniswepMe argument to jff^ore the careless manner in which the Jews have preserved the Divine records.. Though th^ ^yriac, ' Septuagintt 'Vulg^tef JEthiopic, Arabic y and Anglo- Saxon, have a verse, not in the Hebrew text, that answers to the } rntn, which is found in no.prioted copy of the Hebrew BiUe; yet one MS., now in Trinity College, I>ublin, hlKS it \lnis, I suppose by correction, in the bottom of the page:-^
Jfeeman Tehovah hechol debaraiv; vechasid bechol 'moi^saiv,
*' The Lord is faithful in all his words; and merciful in aU hu! wjorks."
rtfif 9gyotc «wrou.—SiPTi7AemT.
Fidelis Dominus in omnibus verbis suis: et sanettts in • omnibus operibus suis. — ^Vulgate.
These two Versions,. the Septuagint and Vulgate^ are the same with the Hebrew given above. The Anglo-Saxon is the same:— -
^gtrcfijpe t>pihr on eallum pojtvnm heopa; -j hihje on eallum peoncum hi|-. ** IVue Lord in sU words his;' and holy in all woilcs his.**
The Latin text in my old Psalter is the same 'with the present printed Vulgate: "Fidelis Dominus m omnibus verbis suis; et sanctus in omnibo^* operibus suis.*' Thus translated in the same MSS.: JLotbt
tsnt in an i^ljer looTbjsrt anb iiolp ia al Mtf im^u0r
dom> and ihy dominion pndureth. throughout ail generations.
14 The Lord upholdeth all tliat fall, an^ ^ raiseth up all those that be boWed down.
15 P The eyes of all *.wait upon thee; and ' thou givest them their meat in due season..,16 Thou opcnest thine hand, "and satiafiest the desire of every living thine.
17 The Lord is righteous m all his vi^ys, Mid * holy in all his v^rorks.
It is remarkable that the whole verse is wanting in the Yulgat^f as published in the Complutensian Polyglot, as also the Antwerp and Paris Polyglots, which \fere' taken from if. It is wanting also in the Polyglot psalter of Poruj, because he did not find it in the Hebrew text,
• Yeiseii. The Lord upholdeth iiU UuU fall] D*bi)J nophelirru the falling, or those who are not able to keep their feet; the weak. l{e shore* them up; he is their prop. No man falls throogh his own weakness merely; if he rely, on God, the strongest foe C^not shake him.
In due season,] The kind of food that is suited to cTrery animal, and to all the stages of life in each ani' ' mal. This is a wonderful mystery. It is. a fact that aU are thus provided for; but how is it done! All expect it from Gtni, and not one b disappointed! For, Verse 16. Thou openest thine hand]. What a hand is this that holds in it all the food that meets the desires and necessities of the universe of creatures! A: very large volume might be written upon this: The proper kinds of food for the various classes of animalA^ Verse 17. T^ Lord is righteous] It was the similarity of this to the omitted verse, which should have been the fourteenih, that caused it io he omitted.
Verse 18. The Lord is nigh] Whoever calls upbn God in truth, with a sincere and upright heart, one ^at truly desires his salvation, to that person God is nighi The following verse shows he is not only near to praying j>eople, but 1. He will hear their -cry. • 2, Fulfil " their desires. 3. Save them. Reader, lif^ up thy J apol in prayer to this merciful God.
But all the wicked will he destroy,] They etJl not upon him; they fight against him, and he will con- Ibond and destroy them. There is something, curious in the '^0^2f shomef, the keeper or guardian of 4he pious; ho is T'Diy shamid, the destroyer of the wicked. The first word implies he is continually keeping them; tlie second, that he causes the others to be destroyed. Versb 21. Let all flesh Mess his holy name] He ie -good to all, wants to eave all, actually feeds and
18 » The Lord is nigh unto all, them that call upon him, Iq all that call upon bim ^ in truth.
19 He will fulfil 'the desire of thiem that" fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will saive them.
2d ^ The ■ Lord preserveth all them that love him:* but all the wicked yrill he destroy.
21 My moudi shall speak the praise of.the Lord: and let all ilesli bless liis holy name for ever and ^ver-^ ",
preseiVes all. And as near as ^^S^f'shtunar is to IDV shamad, s6 near is he a Saviour to those who stand on "the brink of destruction^ if they will look to him.
For the application of all thi? Psalm to the Church of Chtist; see^ the qnaiysisi
This hynm is most excellent, both as it regards
hiatter afad styte. The matter is praise to God ( the
style, the Hebrew alphabet, the better to assist our
memories in recording God^s praise.
- This Psadm contains,-^
' II. A celebration of Divine praises through the whole Psalm, flrom these arguments: —
i'. From the greatness of God, ver. 3. - t u.*From his wonderful works, ver. 4, which lie distinguishes under the following heads: —
1. They are glorious and beautiful, majestic and wonderful, ver. 6.
IV. A coDclusioni ver. 91y in which he performs his. protestation of praising God..
I. Ill the 'two first -verses the psalmist acquaints us what he will do with the whole. ' 1. **I will extdyLwiH bl^ss, I ^ill praisei" • ■3. **Thee, my God, my King." I am thy servant, though aA earthly king.
3. " Every day," &o.. No day shall pass without my praising thee.. • -
4. '^Forever and ever." I shall now begin, and a succession of men will cdntiAue to hymn and praise thee till.the consummaUon of all things.
^ II. The 'first thing he praises God fox is his- essence. Great,
I. ** Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised." Of course this follows }— -
** And his greatnesss is unsearchable^" Past our weak opacity to comprehend; higher than the heavens, deeper than hell, having no end. Or if great here refer to him as Xing, then in respect to ^e
9 p The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth;the fatherless and widow:'*but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Raiseth them that art bowed do%on\ Through a sense of t)ieir giiilt and sinfulness. '.
The l4>rd iaveth the righteous] These he makes. partakers of a Dimnc nature; and. he loves thbse who hear his own image.
• YeneJ^, Preserveth the sttwigersl/^ehsAfireserwed you strangers in a strange lahd, where you haye.b^en in captivity for seventy years; alid though iff an ehemy^s country, he has provided for the toidows and 'orphans as amply as if tie had been in the, promised land.
The way of the yoicked he turneth upside dounu] He aubvert$y turns aside. ' They shall not do all the, wickedness they wish; they shall not do al} that is in-their power. In theif career he will either stop them, turn them aside, or overturn them. •* '
Analysis or xhi Hundred and FoRry-sixTH PsAlm.
' The subject of this Psalm is the same with thjl fouper.
It is divided into foun parts: —
I. An exhortation to pnfise God,.T6r. 1. Ai^^ch the psalmist resoWes to dor-ver^ 3...
IV. And to persuade to tUs he uses every Tea^on, Ter.'6, to the end. •
3. Then by an apostrophe he turns to, himself: «* Praise the Lord, 0 my soul." "
II. But the prophet, for fear men should tjriist too much in the great, and not rely wholly upon God, exhorts them:**** Put not your trust.in princes," &e. -
He gives his reasons for the warning: —. *
And this* he conffiihs by many reasons': —
ii. From his veracity: " Who keeps ti^tk for evey," &c. His'' word is passed fdr.our protection, and ha cair and Will keep it.
!▼. From his mercy.
. 1. " He giveth iood^** &e. Relieves men in their neo'essiiies.
4. *" The Lord raiseth them tjiat ate tfowed down,** Ac. By sin or misery.
5. "He delivereth the fatherless,''. &G... ^. But the ungodly find a far different effect: <* Bat
The psalmist praises God for his goodness. to Jerusalem^.1-3; shows his- great mercy to them thtU trust m hint, 4-6; he iTtpts him for- his mercies, and providential kiiidness, 7-11; for his defence of Jerusalem^ 13-15; for his wonders in the ieasons, ie-18; and his word unio 'Jacob, 19, 20.
pRA'ISE ye the Lord: for * it is good to sing praises unto our God; * for it is pleasant; and ^ praise is comety.
NOTES ON PSALM CXLVII. 'This Psalm, whioh is withoat title in the Hebreip, Chaldee, and Vulg&te, is attributed by the other Versions to Haggai and ZechariaL |t was probably,688 penned after the captivity, when the Jews were bosfly employed in rebuilding Jerusalem, as may be 9athm4 from Uie second and thirteenth yeT9eB. It may be* necessax^ to remark that ^all the Versions, except the
6 ^ The Lord lifieth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down td tlie ground.
7 Sing unto the Lord witb thanksgiving: sing pjraise upon the harp unto our God: *
8 *Whe covereth the heayfen ifrith clouds, who prepareth rain foi" the earth, who makcth grass to grow up6ti the mountains. ^ '
9 ^ He giveth to the beast his food, and ^ to the young ravens which cry.
10 / He delighteth not in the strength of the
Ckaldee, divide this Psalm at the end of the eleventh Terse, and begip a new Psalm at the twelfths By this division the numbers of the Psalms agree in the Yer;' mons with the Hebrew; the former having.been, tiU now, one behind. ^ '
Verse 1. Pratse u eamely.] It is 'decent, befittihg, and proper that every intelligent creature 'should sd^ Imowledge the Suprenxe Being r takd as he does nothing'^/ good to the children, of men,, so they 8hoal4 speak good of, his name.
Verse 2. The Lord doth, build up] The psahnist «ppear6 to see the walls rising under 'his e^e, because the outcasts o/ Israel, those who had been in captivity, sre now gathered together to do the work.-
Verse 3. He healeth the broken in heart] ni3Bf, the skivered in heart. From the root iDBf shabar^ to break tn pieces, we have our word shiver, to break into splinters, into shivers. The heart broken in pieces by a ■meoBe of God^s displeasure.
Verse 4. He ielleth^he number of the stari] He •whose knowledge is sd exact as to tell every star in haaven, can be under no difficulty to find out and collect all the scattered exiles of Israel. '
Verse 5. His understanding is infinite.] -To his inieUigencre there is no number: though he numbers the stars, his understanding is vnUft>ut number. It 18 infinite; therefore; he can know, as he can "do, ^ things. ^ ^.
Verse 6. Who covereth the heaven unth clouds] Collects the vapoqrs together, in order to cause if to rainr upon the earth. Even the direction of t^e winds, the. collection of the clouds, and the descent of the raint are under the especial mani^ement of God. These things form 9. part of his providential managefnent of tke world.
11 The^LoRD taketh pleasure in them that- fear him, in -those that hope in his mercy,.
13 For he hath strengthened the bars of tl^ gates; he hath blessed thychildren within thee..14 ■He * maketh peace tn thy borders^ and * fiHeth thee with the ^ finest of the wheat.
16 ''H^ giveth snow like wool:.he scattereth the htmr frost like ashes.
diis clause the ' Vulgate, the^ Stptuagint, JEthioptCt Arabic, and Anglo-Saxon, add, and herb for the service of man. It appears that a hemistich, or half-line, has been lost from the Hebrew text; which, according tto the above Versions', must haVe stood thus: ^12]h ^19)^1 D*YKn veeseb laabodath haadam^ as in Psa. civ. 14.: **'^And herba^ for the service of mankind. **
Verse lO..^e delighteth not\ ■ T\m^ horse, among all animals, i» most delighted in by man for beauty, strength, and Jleetness. And a fTumV lefs, if well pr6- poftioned; are more admired than even die finest fea- < tures of his face. * Though God hks made these, yet they ore not his peculiar delight.
Verse 11. ThejLord taketh pleasure in than that fear him]- That aie truly 'religious.
/f» those that hope, in his mercy.] Who aie just beginning -to seek the salvation of their souls. Even the cry of the penitent is pleasing in the eaf of 'the Lord..With this verse the hundred anf forty-sixth Psalm ends in-^U the Versions, except the Chaldee. And the huyufred- and forty-seventh eojnmences with the l^th verse. I belieya theoe td be two distinct Ptaln)s. The subjects of them are not exactly the same, though something.' similar; a^d they plainly refer to different periods.
' Verse 13. He hath js'trsngthened the bars of thy gates] He has enabled thee to complete the ioalls of Jerusalem. From the former part of the Psidm it appears the walls weie then tn progress; from this part, they appear to be completedi and provisions to b^ brought into the city, to suppolrt'its ii^abitants. The gates yrere set up and well secured by bars, so that the grain, &o;, was in safetyi
Verse 14. He maketh peace] They were how no longer troubled with the Samfuriians, Moabites,' &c.
VeiBC 15. He sendethfortft h& commandment] His substantial wotd. It is here pefsonilied, t;no^O meymra, Chaldee; and appears to be a very active agent tunning etery whejre, and performing the purposes of his will.
'""°^"°- 18 / He sendeth out his word, and meltQththem: he Qauseth hi^ wind to blow, and the waters flow...
in larg:e ^es; and in; this state nothing in nature has a nearer reaemblance to fine white wool,.
Scattereth the hoarfrost like a$hee.] Spreading it' over the whole face o^ nature.
Verse 17. He casteth forth his ice]. Vnr\phorcho,. (prolmbly hailstones^) iUte crumbs;
Who can stand before his cold f\ ' At piirticular. times the cold h. lYk^east is sa very, intense as to kill man and beast. Jacobus de Vitriaco,one of the, writers in the Gesta Dei per Fiumcos, si^ye, that in an expedition' in which he was engaged against Mount Tabor, on the 34th of December, th^ cold was so intensethat many of the' poor people, and* the beasts ^of burden,, >died by it. And Albertus Aqitensis^>jjiotheT of these.writers, speajcing of the cold in Judea, says, that thirty of the people who attended Baldwin I. in the moQntaiaous districts near thcf Dead Sea,- were- killed by it; and that in tl^at expedition they h^d to coAtend wiUi horrible baU and ice, wit& unheard-of stww. arid rain. From this we find ttiat the winters are- o/ten rery severe in Judea? and in sueh eases as the ^bore, we' may well call out, '< Who ean stand agaiiist his cold!"
Verse- 18.,He sendeth out his word] He gives iw command: the sotith uind blpwS f the thaw takes-place; and the tcc'and snow being Hqufefied, i^e waters fbw, where before they* were bound np by the ice. •
Verse 19. He showeth his.word ■ unto Jacob] To na nation of the -world' beside hadiJod given a revelation of his will.. ', '
Verse 90. AndjM for his jw^enis] The wondrous ordinances of his Jaw, no nation had known them; and consequently, did not)niow the glorious things in futurity to w.hich |hey jeferred.
Analysis of THrHvNDRED and Fobxv-si vutth Psalu.
I. An exhortation to praise God, ver.'*l, which is repeated, ver. 7 apd 13.
The prophet, having ended Ids exhor'tation> adds his reasons for it.
I, It is pleasant and becoming.
3. His bounty in building Jerusalem, and bringing back the dii^rsod, ver. 8. Isi comlbrting the di^
I. Good: " For it is good," &c.... For many feasohs.thi8 may be called good, \, Tat it is God*S command, mid miist not be ns>
8. It elevates the heart from, earth ta h«aven.
3. Good again, because we are bound to it by dUi> gations. i...J ••
II. ** To pnusSK drod is pleasant.".1. Because it proceeds from love.
4. Because God is pleased with the virtues of iaitk» hope, charity, humility', devotion, d&c.,.of Which '^tajm is the effect., -
TIL ^'.It is comely.^^ There iS no ain greater thaa 'that of ingratitude. -.• '
These are. the first arguments the prophet naea, asd they are draWif from the nature of t^e thing itsdf: they may iipply to alL ages of the ChnrcH.
He dwells upon the detiverance of Isrztel from eap> tivity.,.
1. /< The LcJrd doth build up" his dhuich, the seit of his sanctuary. * He hath restored out: policy and religion.. ' ^ '
3. "He gatheteth together^". &c. The baisished and scattered ones; the Gentiles.
3.. *' He healeth thje broken in heart," ix. '- Op- ' pressed by captivity or sin.
tHing to man impossible.
3. ^He calleth them," &c*. Tliey are his annyi and he knows them.
1. The stars'ure infinite in number. So are die saints.'
3. Among them are planets. Saints have their circuits; and always revolve round him, the Son of righteousness.
3. The stars shine cteaxesr in the night. The saints in persecution.
4. One star difiereth from another in gloiy. Soma saints excel others in piety.
5. The stars are Above. The saints* eqnvexsatioa is in heaven.
6. The stars are obscured by -cloads. ' Th9
Ang^ ure infnted
io.praise ihe. Lord.
Church 18 sometimes obecuied 'by afflietion and peraecation...
His fourth axgoment is drawn firmn Grod'iB/fff/tce-and mercy,
1. His mercy: <<The Lord lifteth up the meisfc,".&e. Sustains and exaks them.
Bat, before the prophet proceeds farther, he re-
U '* Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiTing.'* Po it in words.. • •, '
.'Then he proceeds to argue from 4Grod^s providence » 1. ^'Wbo eovereth the heaven,*' Ac. Not to.oh^ senre, but fructify ihe earth.
3. " He giveth to the beast,'' &c. They gather it i&om faitf.supplies.
4. ** And to the yotfng rayenis,'' &c. No bird snf* lers its young so soon to provide for themselves; 'but God hears and sends thenj food. Christ himself Used
9. ^ He taketh not pleasure)^ &c. In the nimbler ness of man, when used for warlike preparations. But he delights, in his servants. ^
1. " The Lord taketh pleasure,^ &«.- In those ^hq obey and love him. '
2. M In those that hope," &e^ Have faith and confidence in him.
■ 3^ He again repeats his proposition,' and cails upon ihe Church to perfohn it: " Pi^se the Lord, O JerUeaJem," &c. « Thy God, Q Zion," * Should others be negligent, be not yei
3i Peace: *<He maketh peace.",Tho vision of peace is. the literal interpretation of the word Jemstdem, ' - *, -
1. *** He giveth snow like wool.'' Beaotiful in appearance, 'and in order to pveserve vegetables from the qjpping but necessary firost^ when long continued.
2. ** He scattereth the hoar frost," &c. Thickening the air with it^ like ashes;.freezing all ^e vapours that floatih it. ••
3. ^* He casteth forth lus ice,".&c. Fragments of ice.
But having described all these powerful, agents, the prophet next jhows how easily they are -governed by. lus ioord.'
1. *VHe sendeth cut bis word, and melteth them."
2. "He canseth his wind \o blow," &Cv And the ice and snow return to water.*' Ail these are his, and on him we muSt depend for 'safety and comfort.
By these God teaches.alike nations to acknowledge him...
1. "He showeth JiLB word," &c. By Moses and the prophets. •
2. " He hath not dealt so," &c. None at that time, but siilCjB to hi* Churchi • •
3. *.' As for his judgments," &c. His evangelical precepts. He is sending forth his* word; the nations could not find out his precepts otherwise: therefore for this pfaise ye the Lord^
p RAISE • yeUie Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 ** Praise y« him, 'all his an-
NOTES ON PSALM CXLVIII. This Psalm has no title: but by-Ae SyriacAi is attributed to Haggai and ^eehariah; and the 'Septuqgint,
3 Praise ye him, sun and moon *. praise him, all ye %tars of light.
and the JEthiopie follow it. As a hjrmn of ptalse, this is the most sublime' in the whoie book.
6 ^ He hath also established them for ever and ever: he -hath made a decree which shall not pass.
. ' li Kihgs of the earth, aKid all p^opte; piiih ces, and all judges of the earth: •
Chaidee translates, '* Ptaise the Lord, ye holy creatures, from Hhe heavens. Praise him, ye armies of supreme angels.' Praise him, all ye.angels whojDiinister before; him." xytStOTS \6 thin hashshamdyim signifies whatever belongs to the heavens, all their inhabitants; as' }D ynvfin min haarets, ver.' 7, signifies- all that belongs to ' the earth, all its inhabitants and productions.
Y'erse 3. Praise ye him^ 5iin and rM>on\ The meaning qf this address' aild.all others Ip inanimate nature^ is this: Every work of God!s Hand partakes so much ' of his perfections, that it requires only to bus studied ' and known, in order to showTorth the manifold wisdom^ power, and goodness -of the Creator.
Ye waters that be above (he heavens.] This refers to Gen. i.'7, where see the notes..' Clouds, vapours, air, exhalations, rain, snow, and meteors of ey^ry kind.
Verse 5. He commanded, and the^ weri created,] tie spake the word expressive of the idea in his infinite mind; and they sprang into beinjg according to that*idea.. •
Verse 6. H^ hath also stahltshed them] He has determined their respective revolutions, and the times in which they are performed, so exactly to show his rilcomprehensive wisdom and skill, that they have never passed* the line marked out by his decree, nor inter- 'cepted each other in- the. vorteit pf space, thripngh revolutions continued for nearly 6000 years.
Verse 7. Praise the L6rd from the earth] As, in the firstaddress, he calls upon the heavens, and all that belong to them; so h^ce', in this se6ond part, he- calls upon the earth, and all that belong to it. *
And all' deeps] Whatsoever is contained in the sea, whirlpools, eddies, ground tides, with the astonishing.flux and reflux of the ocean. - Every thing, in its place and nattxre, shows forth the perfections of its Creator.
the gale, the whirlwind, the tempest, er tfie tomads; each accomplishing an especial purpose, and fulfittiaf a particular will of the Most High.
Verse 9. Mountains, and all hilU] Whether | tiv&, secondary, or diluvial; 6( ancient or ^recent f 01 tion, witti all their contents, quarries, mines, «pd o rals. Bat what a profunon of wiadoin' mud akiU is lavished on these 4 To instance only* in the difiemt metals, earths, and minerals; especially the pncMM 9tones.
And o/Z ce^for^] *£ very- kind o^ forest tree* The formation of the /rut/^r their iniinitely raried hues aad savours, proclaim the'^uiisearchable wisdom and goodness of. God: not less so, the growth, strueture, and vttfious qualities and uses' of the forest trees. *
AU caUlii] J]:yn2 behemah^ all domestic ammds; those used for Ij^e service -of the lumse, and those for agricultural purposes.,,. - 1
JCreeping things]. All 'the clasf of reptiles, from tbe bda constrictor, that can combat, kill, alM) swallow whole, the royfll tiger, to the cobra de numiUe^ a poisonoot reptile as snvEill zAKfineneedli; with those siill'smaUer aiymals that ard found in water, and require the powet of the microscope t6 bring them to view.. In the production, preservation, habits, and proposes of all these, there is a profusion of wisdom and economy that would require ages to exhibit.
Flying fowl] The structure of fowls is astonishing; ' and the eXact mathematical manner in which flyii^ fowls.swim the-.air, and steer their course wheresoever they will; the feathers, and their cofCstruction^ with thii muscles which give theni motion.; strike the observer of nature witlt astonishment ^onA delight.
Verse II. Kings of the earth] Asbeiiig representatives of the Most High; and aU people — the natiov governed by them. Princes, as governors of provinces, and all judges executing those laws that bind man- to mah« and regulate and preserve civil, society; praise God, from whom ye havcderited your povDer and infiu ence: fot by him kings reign. And let the people magnify God for civil and social institutions, and for the laios by which, under hbob, their lives and properties are prc^perved.
'13 Let them, praise tlie name, of the Lord: for "^hts name alone is '^excellent; ^ his glory is above the earth and
- ui the Bloom of youth, add in the'heiglit^ health aju! ▼igpur; know that God U your Father; and Ifit tbB morning and energy of your days jbe deroted^
Old men, and childreti] Very, appropriately upitcd kere, as ihe beginning and conclusum ^of life preaeut nearly the same pa^ions, appetites, 'Caprices, and iib> firmities: yet in toth the beneficence, all-sustaioing power, and goodness of God are seen.
• Verse 13. Let them] All already-. specified, praise 'ike name o/*J>Ain>aA, because he excels aH beings: and kis glory f as seen in coating, preserving, and govern- ' ing ail things, is ^;r. al, upon or over, %Yie' earth and heaven, ^AJl space and place, as well as tfaie being f found ' in them, show forth the manifold wisdom- ^nd goodnese