for God's mighty deliverances

Or, with thy meekness thou hast

multiplied

me.

↑ Heb. mine ancles.

+ Heb. caused to bow.

31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way per

fect.

33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and || thy gentleness hath made me great.

36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast + subdued under me those that rose up against me.

40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.

that is, take the fenced cities of my enemies. Edwards, Bp. Wilson.

33. He maketh my feet &c.] He maketh me able to stand on the sides of mountains and rocks (which were anciently used as fastnesses in time of war). The feet of the sheep, the goat, and the hart, are particularly adapted to standing on such places. Street.

34.so that a bow of steel &c.] Probably this sentence should be read, agreeably to some of the ancient versions, Thou makest my arms like a bow of brass. Edwards, Bp. Lowth.

and manifold blessings.

41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.

43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen : a people whom I have not known shall serve me.

44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall || + submit themselves unto me. 45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. 46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Heb. at the the ear.

hearing of

↑ Heb. the sons of the stranger.

field feigned Heb. lie.

obedience.

Heb.

giveth avengements for me.

Or, destroyeth.

47 It is God that + avengeth me, and || subdueth the people unto me. 48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the + violent + Heb. man t

man.

of violence.

- to his anointed,] To Christ, the spiritual David, and to all true Christians, which are his seed. Bp. Wilson.

From the first words of this hymn we learn, that the Divine favours and deliverances should inspire us with the most tender and sincere affection, and lead us to praise God continually. David's account of the extreme dangers he had been exposed to, and the wonderful

met.

35.-thy gentleness &c.] That is, Thy kindness maketh me great. Street.

36. Thou hast enlarged &c.] David means, that God had opened a free course for him to victory and triumph, and had also endued him with strength to run that course. Bp. Horne.

40. — given me the necks of mine enemies;] The word, here translated "neck," is the back part of the neck; and therefore equivalent to back, as the Greek translates it. The passage may therefore be rendered, As for my enemies, Thou givest me their back; that is, puttest them to flight. Mudge, Bp. Lowth.

VOL. II.

into whatever extremities we fall, we should never despair of God's assistance, if we fear Him; that his power is greater than man's, and that He never wants means to deliver those who hope in Him. Lastly, David's zeal, expressed in the latter verses of this Psalm, proves that it is not sufficient to praise God in private for his mercies, but we ought to proclaim his praises and loving-kindness to the utmost of our power, that his holy name may be glorified by us, and by all men. Ostervald.

Psalm XIX. This Psalm descends gradually from an opening uncommonly splendid and sublime, to a C

The creatures shew God's glory.

a Gen. 1. 6.

Or, without

these their

voice is heard.

+ Heb,

with

out their voice heard.

b Rom. 10. 18.

Or, Their rule, or, direction.

I Or, doctrine. | Or, restoring.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of

David.

David prayeth for grace.

8 The statutes of the LORD are

THE

eth his handywork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

b

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, || converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

gentler and more moderate strain, and the softest expressions of piety and devotion. The whole composition abounds with great variety of both sentiment and imagery. The glory of God is demonstrated in his works both of nature and providence. The piety of it is so natural, and yet so exalted; so easy to be understood, so adapted to move the affections, that it is hardly possible to read it with any attention, without feeling something of the same spirit by which it was composed. Bps. Lowth and Sherlock.

From a citation which St. Paul hath made of the fourth verse, it appears, that, in the exposition of this Psalm, we are to raise our thoughts from things natural to things spiritual; we are to contemplate the publication of the Gospel, the manifestation of the Light of life, the Sun of righteousness, and the efficacy of evangelical doctrine. In this view the ancients have considered the Psalm, and the Church hath therefore appointed it to be read on Christmas-day. Bp. Horne.

Ver. 2. Day unto day uttereth speech,] The return of the sun from one day unto another day tells us that there is a God; and the like return of the moon or stars, or darkness from one night unto another night, teaches us the same. Dr. Wells.

3. There is no speech &c.] They are not endowed, like man, with the faculty of speech; but they address themselves to the mind of the intelligent beholder in another, and that, when understood, a no less forcible way; the way of picture, or representation. Bp. Horne. 4. Their line is gone out &c.] Rather, Their sound is gone out into all the earth, and their report, &c. Dr. Waterland and Old Translation. The meaning is, they proclaim the Divine glory in plain and intelligible characters, to the remotest parts of the earth; as the Gospel shall be proclaimed hereafter by the preaching of the Apostles, Rom. x. 18. Travell.

a tabernacle for the sun,] The nuptials of the Jews, and other Eastern nations, were celebrated with great magnificence and splendour. They were held under a tent, or canopy, erected for that purpose, to which custom David here alludes; as he does in the

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous Heb. truth. altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

d

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

c. Ps. 119. 72, 127.

a Ps. 119.

103.
Prov. 8. 19.

Heb. the honeycombs.

dropping of

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from || the great transgres- || Or, much. sion.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be ac

next verse to the custom of the bridegroom's going out at midnight with lamps and torches. The passage will receive great light from our Saviour's parable of the wise and foolish virgins. Dodd.

8.- pure,] The original word should be translated as it is in the Greek, “clear" or "bright." Bp. Lowth, Dr. Kennicott.

9. clean,] That is, pure, or free from all alloy of superstition. Green.

10. More to be desired &c.] The Divine law is far more precious than the richest treasures upon earth; and more delightful to him who practises it, than the most luxurious sensual pleasures. Travell.

- and the honeycomb.] Or, as in the margin, the dropping of the honeycomb, which is the choicest part of the honey. Green.

Pliny says, "In all kinds of honey, that which flows of itself as wine and oil, and is called acœton, that is, without sediment, is most commended." And Homer mentions "honey spontaneously distilling," as peculiarly sweet. Parkhurst.

12. his errors?] That is, sins of ignorance and infirmity; or, as it follows, those secret faults which escape our notice. Green.

13. · presumptuous sins;] Wilful and deliberate sins. Dr. Wells.

the great transgression.] The meaning of this expression may be, rebellion and final apostasy from God. Bp. Horne. Or, idolatry. Dr. Kennicott. Or, it may be taken generally, any great transgression. Dr. Wells.

King David here mentions two principal means by which God has made Himself known to us; which are, the works of nature, and his word. Let us therefore make a good use of both these means; meditating upon the marvellous works of God, which afford us such proofs of his power and wisdom; but particularly let us apply ourselves to the reading and meditating on his word. David's high encomiums on God's word inform us, that it is a sure, evident, and unerring rule of faith and practice; that it is of infinitely more value

+ Heb. set

thee on an high place. + Heb. thy help. + Heb. support thee.

to ashes:

make fat.

A thanksgiving for victory. 9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

PSALM XXI.

further success.

TH

of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob + defend thee.

2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of

Zion.

3 Remember all thy offerings, and + Heb. turn+accept thy burnt sacrifice. Selah. 4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. 5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him + Heb. from + from his holy heaven + with the the heaven of saving strength of his right hand.

his holiness. + Heb. by the strength of the

salvation of

his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

than the most excellent things of this world; that it was given to enlighten and sanctify us, to rejoice and comfort the heart; that the fear of the Lord procures perfect happiness to those who are possessed with it, and that there is great reward in the keeping of his holy commandments. Ostervald.

Psalm XX. The first verses of this Psalm are spoken by the people, or rather the priests of the temple, upon the king's coming to offer sacrifice, before he set out upon some expedition: in the sixth, the high priest, upon seeing the sacrifice consumed to ashes, joined perhaps with the other usual signals of favour, breaks out in the expression, "Now I know, &c." The last again are spoken by the people or priests as a chorus. Mudge.

This and the following are two of the Psalms appointed to be used in our Inauguration service.

Ver. 2. Send thee help &c.] Send thee help from the holy heavens, and from his sanctuary, which is a type and figure thereof; and strengthen thee out of Zion, where He hath by his command appointed the holy ark of his covenant to be placed, and from whence He gives answers and directions to all thy actions. Bp. Hall. See note at Exod. xxvi. 33.

3.- accept] The Hebrew expression is, "turn to ashes," (see the margin;) and if we look to the period under the law, we shall find this the usual method of signifying the Divine acceptance of the sacrifice. Dr. Magee. See the note on Gen. iv. 4.

5.—in the name of our God] To the honour of God, as the conqueror.

O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.

3 For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

5 His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

6 For thou hast + made him most + Heb. set blessed for ever: thou hast +made him blessings. exceeding glad with thy countenance. 7 For the king trusteth in the with joy. LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.

we will set up our banners:] In token of triumph; which among other ways was celebrated by the setting up of banners or trophies. Poole.

9. Save, Lord: &c.] We ought to read this according to the Greek translation: O Lord, save the king; and hear us when we call. Mudge, Calmet.

It appears from this Psalm, that a nation should pray for the prince whom God hath set over them, and interest themselves in the advantages or deliverances which God grants to their governours: also that it is the favour and protection of God which makes the glory and safety of the people, and of kings; that it is to that favour, and not to their own strength and power, they are to attribute their good success; and therefore, that kings and their subjects should strive above all things to obtain the favour of God. Ostervald.

Psalm XXI. This is a Psalm of triumph and thanksgiving for victory. It is generally considered as describing, under the figure of David, the exaltation, glory, and majesty of Christ, who completely triumphed over death. The fourth, fifth, and sixth verses, are indeed particularly applicable to our blessed Redeemer. It is appointed by the Church to be used on the Ascensionday. Travell.

Ver. 3. For thou preventest him &c.] Didst crown him with manifold blessings both more and sooner than he either desired or expected. Poole.

4. He asked life of thee, &c.] David had in the days of Saul only asked for "life;" and God had given to him and his posterity, "length of days for ever and ever." Mudge.

David complaineth

Or, thou

shalt set them as a butt. + Heb. shoulder.

I Or, the hind of the

morning.

a Matt. 27. 46.

Mark 15. 34.

my

9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. 10 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.

11 For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.

12 Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them. 13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.

PSALM XXII.

1 David complaineth in great discouragement. 9 He prayeth in great distress. 23 He praiseth God.

¶ To the chief Musician upon || Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.

a

MY God, my God, why hast thou

forsaken me? why art thou so Heb. from far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

salvation.

2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night Heb. there season, and † am not silent.

is no silence to me.

3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

9. Thou shalt make them &c.] The meaning is, they shall as certainly perish, as if they were cast into a fiery oven; the Lord, who is justly incensed against them, shall utterly consume them with a sharp and unavoidable destruction. Bp. Patrick.

10. Their fruit] That is, their offspring. Green. 12. shalt thou make them turn their back,] Or, as in the margin, Thou shalt make them a mark to shoot at. Green.

thine arrows] The judgments of God are called his "arrows," being sharp, swift, sure, and deadly. Bp.

Horne.

From this, as from the preceding Psalm, we learn that God defends just and pious kings who call upon Him and trust in Him; whereas He throws down and destroys unrighteous princes, and especially such as oppose the establishment of his kingdom, and the designs of his providence. Ostervald.

Psalm XXII. This Psalm contains a most full and clear prophecy of our blessed Saviour's passion, and the propagation of his Gospel. It is entitled a Psalm of David; and I doubt not but that the greatest part of it related primarily to David himself. It contains a most pathetick and poetical description of his own sufferings and calamities; but expressed in such figures as were most literally fulfilled in the sufferings of Christ. Archdeacon Randolph.

It is very properly appointed to be used on Good Friday, as it contains a wonderful prophecy of our Saviour's

in great discouragement.

4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

39.

7 All they that see me laugh me b Matt. 27. to scorn: they + shoot out the lip, Heb. open. they shake the head, saying,

8+ He trusted on the LORD that e Matt. 27. he would deliver him: let him deliver 13. him, || seeing he delighted in him. self on the

+ Heb. He rolled him

Or, if he

9 But thou art he that took me out LORD. of the womb: thou || didst make me delight in hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.

10 I was cast upon thee from the womb thou art my God from my mother's belly.

him.

| Or, keptest me in safety.

11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to Heb. not a help.

12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me

round.

helper.

opened their

13 They gaped upon me with + Heb. their mouths, as a ravening and a mouths roaring lion.

against me.

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are || out of joint: my or, heart is like wax; it is melted in the sundered. midst of my bowels.

sufferings; and He Himself repeated the first verse of it while He was hanging on the cross. Travell.

- Aijeleth Shahar,] Or, hind of the morning. The morning-hind was probably a well-known song, which gave name to a particular tune, if not instrument; not unlikely of the melancholy kind, as possibly it might describe a poor hind pursued by hunters. Mudge.

Ver. 1. My God, my God, &c.] Christ, the beloved Son of the Father, when hanging on the cross, complained in these words, that He was deprived, for a time, of the Divine presence and comforting influence while He suffered for our sins. If the Master thus underwent the trial of a spiritual desertion, why doth the disciple think it strange, unless the light of Heaven shine continually upon his tabernacle? Bp. Horne.

the words of my roaring?] He means the words of his complaint. Bp. Patrick.

3. inhabitest the praises of Israel.] That is, dwellest in the tabernacle, where the praises and thanksgivings of Israel are offered to Thee for mercies granted them. Edwards, Bp. Horne.

7. All they &c.] From this verse to the twentieth, the words are prophetical of Christ, and literally fulfilled in Him. See Matt. xxvii. 39. Dimock.

12. Many bulls &c.] Mine enemies, who are as furious and formidable as the bulls fed in the rich pastures of Bashan, beset me on every side. Green. See note at Numb. xxxii. 1.

14. I am poured out like water,] He means that his flesh has no consistency, or is loose as water. Green.

He prayeth in great distress.

d Matt. 27. 35.

Mark 15. 24.

Luke 23. 33.

John 19. 23, 37.

e Luke 23. 34.

24.

18 They part my garments among John 19. 23, them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

+ Heb. my only one.

20 Deliver my soul from the sword; + my darling + from the power of the

+ Heb. from dog.

the hand.

f Heb. 2. 12.

21 Save me from the lion's mouth : for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify

15. My strength is dried up &c.] In other words, I am quite exhausted and dried up, like a piece of a broken pot: so extreme is my thirst, that I am scarce able to utter my complaints; but am just upon the point of expiring and returning to the dust of the earth. How exactly was this prophecy verified in the person of our blessed Lord, when He sweat as it were great drops of blood, and endured all the agonies of the cross! Travell.

- my tongue cleaveth to my jaws ;] Parching thirst, here expressed by the Psalmist, is one of the usual concomitants of extreme grief of mind, or torture of body. Dr. Hales.

16. For dogs have compassed me: &c.] A multitude of malicious people have beset me fiercely as dogs, and got me into their power in order to wound and destroy me. Dr. Hammond. Thus these words may be figuratively applied to David; but they were literally fulfilled in the Saviour of the world, whose feet and hands his enemies pierced through with nails on the cross. Green. 17. I may tell all my bones: &c.] The skin and flesh were distended by the posture of the body on the cross, that the bones, as through a thin veil, became visible, and might be counted; and the holy Jesus, forsaken and stript, naked and bleeding, was a spectacle to heaven and earth. Bp. Horne.

18. They part my garments &c.] This was so far true of David, that his enemies spoiled his goods, and rifled his substance. But it is particularly remarkable, that at our Saviour's crucifixion the soldiers divided his garments among them, and his coat being without seam, they would not rend it, but casts lots for it; and thus, as the Evangelists themselves tell us, this Scripture was fulfilled. Such exact agreement in these minute circumstances could not occur casually; and it carries with it a striking proof of the interposition of God, and a strong confirmation of the truth of the Gospel. Archdeacon Randolph.

24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

unicorns.] The animal here meant is probably the rhinoceros. It has one horn upon its nose, which is very strong, and grows to a considerable length. Green. See the note on Numb. xxiii. 22.

25.-Iwill pay my vows] That is, offer the sacrifice which I vowed. Mudge.

26. The meek shall eat &c.] Of this sacrifice the humble or afflicted, he says, should eat, and praise God for the mercy He had shewn to his servant. The latter part of the verse is addressed to them; "your heart shall live for ever:" take courage and fear not, God will never desert them that fear Him. Mudge.

29. All they that be fat &c.] It is here foretold that the "fat ones of the earth," the great, the opulent, the flourishing, the nobles and princes of the world, should be called in to partake of the feast, and join in the Christian worship and service. Rich, as well as poor, are invited; and the hour is coming when all the race of Adam, as many as sleep in the "dust" of the earth, unable to raise themselves from thence, quickened and called forth by the voice of the Son of Man, must bow the knee to the King Messiah. Bp. Horne, Archdeacon Randolph.

29-31.- and none can keep alive &c.] The Greek version and some other ancient versions probably give the true reading of these clauses: "My soul shall live, and my posterity shall serve God. My seed shall be reckoned to the Lord in the generation which shall come. And they shall declare his righteousness to a people which shall be born; for He, the Lord, hath done it." The words thus read and translated are a plain prophecy of the propagation of the Gospel, and calling of the Gentiles. Abp. Secker, Archdeacon Ran