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3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

31. — he hath done this.] That is, He hath fulfilled his promises and Divine predictions. Michaelis.

We are presented in this Psalm with a very plain prophetick description of our Lord's sufferings and profound humiliation. Here we read those very words which He uttered at his crucifixion, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Here we see pourtrayed the insults offered to Him by the Jews while He hung upon the cross, his hands and his feet pierced, his garments divided by lot, and the principal circumstances described of his passion and death. God was pleased that all these things should be foretold by David, to the end that, when they came to pass, we might have the clearest proof of his being the true Messiah. The contemplation therefore of this Psalm ought on the one hand to strengthen our faith in Jesus the Saviour of the world; and, on the other hand, to quicken our hopes in Him, while it sets before us the glory to which God has exalted Him after his sufferings, and which He now enjoys at the right hand of the Father. Ostervald.

Psalm XXIII. The sweetness of many of the Psalms in composition, sentiment, diction, and arrangement, has never been equalled by the finest productions of heathen poetry. And I must confess I never met with any image so truly pleasing and delightful, as the following description of the Deity in the character of a shepherd. Bp. Lowth.

Ver. 3. He restoreth my soul:] When I am ready to faint, He refreshes me and brings me to life again. Mudge.

4.- the valley of the shadow of death,] A valley overspread with the horrours of darkness and of death. Green.

thy rod &c.] Thy protection will dispel all my Green.

fears. 5. -thou anointest my head &c.] The overflowing of a cup, and the being anointed with sweet-smelling oils, are the usual emblems of a feast, and are made use of in Scripture as the images of plenty and prosperity. Travell.

God's lordship in the world.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou + anointest my head with oil; my cup + Heb. runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD + for ever.

PSALM XXIV.

1 God's lordship in the world. 3 The citizens of his spiritual kingdom. 7 An exhortation to receive him.

TH

A Psalm of David.

makest fat.

+ Heb. to length of days.

1017.

a Deut. 10. Job 41. 11.

THE earth is the LORD's, and 14. the fulness thereof; the world, Ps. 50. 12. and they that dwell therein.

2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

1 Cor. 10. 26, 28.

b Job 38. 6. & 136. 6. e Ps. 15. 1. d Isa. 33. 15,

Ps. 104. 5.

16.

+ Heb. The

4+He that hath clean hands, and clean of

hands.

The natural homage which such a creature as man bears to an infinitely wise and good God, is a firm reliance on Him for the blessings and conveniences of life, and an habitual trust in Him for deliverance out of all such dangers and difficulties as may befall us. The man who always lives in this disposition of mind, when he reflects upon his own weakness and imperfection, comforts himself with the contemplation of those Divine attributes which are employed for his safety and welfare. He finds his want of foresight made up by the omniscience of Him who is his support. He is not sensible of his own want of strength, when he knows that his Helper is almighty. In short, the person who has a firm trust on the Supreme Being, is powerful in his power, wise by his wisdom, happy by his happiness. He reaps the benefit of every Divine attribute, and loses his own insufficiency in the fulness of Infinite Perfection. Addison,

Psalm XXIV. The bringing of the ark of God to mount Zion by David, 1 Chron. xv, gave occasion to this Psalm. The removal of the ark was celebrated in a great assembly of the people, and with suitable splendour during every part of the ceremony. The Levites led the procession, accompanied by a great variety of vocal and instrumental musick; and this ode appears to have been sung to the people when they arrived at the summit of the mountain. The opening is expressive of the supreme and infinite dominion of God, arising from the right of creation. Bp. Lowth. The ascension of our Lord into heaven is represented by the carrying of the ark up to mount Zion; and the sublime description in the four last verses, of the entrance of the King of glory, is highly applicable to Him: it is therefore appointed to be read on the Ascension-day. Travell.

Ver. 2. - he hath founded it upon the seas, &c.] He hath settled it so firmly, and established it above the waters, that they cannot overwhelm it. Bp. Patrick.

3.- who shall stand in his holy place?] Who shall serve God acceptably in the place which He hath sanctified to his service? Poole.

An exhortation to receive him.

PSALMS. David prayeth for remission of sins.

a pure heart; who hath not lifted up | be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of them Or, O God that seek him, that seek thy face, || O| Jacob. Selah.

of Jacob.

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5. — righteousness] By this word here is meant a just recompense. Bp. Wilson.

6.

thy face, O Jacob.] Or rather, as in the margin, "Thy face, O God of Jacob." Bp. Hare. See the note on Psalm xvii. 15. The Israelites were required to worship at the sanctuary of God three times a year. Bp. Lowth.

7. Lift up &c.] We may now conceive the procession to have arrived at the gates of the tabernacle. While the ark is brought in, the Levites, divided into two choirs, sing alternately the remainder of the Psalm. Indeed it is not impossible that this mode of singing was pursued through every part of the ode; but towards the conclusion the fact will not admit of a doubt. Bp. Lowth. The lifting up the head is an image adapted to a portcullis; the head of which, as it is lifted, rises up conspicuous above the gate. Mudge.

We learn from this Psalm, that God, who created the earth, is the supreme and Almighty King thereof, and that his glory and power ought to be celebrated for ever; also, that those only will be admitted into the presence of the Lord who walk uprightly, who are sincere and faithful in all their behaviour, who avoid fraud and deceit, who call upon the Lord and seek his face. Ostervald.

& 86. 11. &

4 b Shew me thy ways, O LORD; b Ps. 27. 11. teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the

day.

C

119.

& 106. 1. &

6 Remember, O LORD, thy c Ps. 103. 17. tender mercies and thy lovingkind- 107. 1. nesses; for they have been ever of old.

my

He th

+ Heb.

7 Remember not the sins of bowels. youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.

8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

9 The meek will he guide in judgment and the meek will he teach his way.

10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul + shall dwell at ease; Heb. shall lodge in and his seed shall inherit the earth.

goodness.

he || Or, and his

14 The secret of the LORD is d Prov. 3. 32. with them that fear him; || and will shew them his covenant. 15 Mine eyes are ever toward the

covenant to make them

know it.

Psalm XXV. David seems to have written this Psalm after the commission of some grievous sin, or in some great distress; which brought to mind all the offences of his youth, and made him earnestly beseech God to pardon them, and to deliver him from his enemies. Travell. Ver. 3. - let them be ashamed &c.] Pour shame upon the face of those which rise up against me spitefully, without any just cause or provocation on my part. Bp. Hall.

8. — teach sinners in the way.] That is, penitent sinners. Dr. Wells.

9. The meek will he guide &c.] He will never fail to assist and direct in the ways of virtue, those who are truly humbled before Him for their sins. Dr. Hammond.

10. All the paths &c.] They, who observe and keep his commandments, will find abundant goodness and faithfulness in the ways of the Lord, who will order all things for their good. Travell, Bp. Patrick.

12. - that he shall choose.] That he ought to choose. Dr. Kennicott.

14. The secret of the Lord &c.] The counsel and covenant of the Lord to them that fear Him, is to make known or reveal to them his will. Dr. Hammond. Or by the word "secret," may be meant, God's love and favour, which is called his "secret," Job xxix. 4; Prov. iii. 32; and that very fitly, because it is known to none but him that enjoys it. Poole.

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20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

PSALM XXVI.

He resorteth unto God.

2 Examine me, O LORD, and a Ps. 7. 9. prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy

truth.

4 I have not sat with vain per- b Ps. 1. 1. sons, neither will I go in with dis

semblers.

5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.

6 I will wash mine hands in innocency so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:

7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

+ Heb. of the

thy honour. || Or, Take not away.

9 | Gather not my soul with sin- tabernacle of ners, nor my life with + bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, and

David resorteth unto God in confidence of his their right hand is + full of bribes.

integrity.

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- let me not be ashamed;] That is, disappointed. Bp. Wilson. Compare Job vi. 20.

21. for I wait on thee.] For I trust in thee. Mudge. 22. Redeem Israel, &c.] After imploring forgiveness of his sins, that the people might not be visited for his sake, and after expressing his personal penitence and sorrow, David concludes with a prayer for the deliverance of his country.

After the example of David, the pious and devout Christian, who really and in truth puts his entire confidence in God, is never weary or ashamed of that confidence. If he finds that his prayers are not so graciously heard, as that he receives all that he hath prayed for, he receives yet an unspeakable comfort by having done as he ought to do: and though he prospers not as he would wish, yet if he prays as he should, he hath made a good progress towards his own deliverance; and hath raised a good defence against any affliction that invades him nor will he be frighted out of his innocence by the promises, or threats, or tyranny of his proud oppressors. Lord Clarendon.

Psalm XXVI. It is generally agreed, that this Psalm was composed on account of some injurious charge brought against David by some of Saul's courtiers. Dimock.

Ver. 1. Judge me,] Give sentence in my favour. Street.

2. Examine me, &c.] David here begs of God, who knew the secret thoughts of his mind, and the inclinations of his will, to search deeply into them, and prove his integrity. Bp. Patrick.

11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

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Heb. men

of blood. + Heb.

filled with.

4. vain persons,] False and treacherous persons. Bp. Patrick.

6. I will wash &c.] David means, that he would cleanse his heart and hands from all the impurity of his sins; and then that he would approach to God's altar, and offer his sacrifice. Bp. Hall.

wash mine hands] It was a custom among the Jews for those who brought sacrifices to be offered, to wash their hands before they laid them upon the heads of the victims. Lewis.

It was a common usage for the Jews always to wash before prayers; and the priests in particular were not to perform any office in the sanctuary, till they had poured water from the laver and washed in it. It is to this that David here alludes. Fenton.

compass thine altar,] Among other ceremonies connected with the feast of tabernacles, it was usual on the seventh day for the people to compass the altar seven times, carrying branches in their hands, and singing hosannas. Lewis.

8.

- the place where thine honour dwelleth.] That is, the tabernacle, where God had made his glory to dwell among them. Bp. Patrick.

12. My foot standeth in an even place:] That is, I stand in a sure place, so that I need not fear to fall. Bp. Wilson.

David's earnest desire to serve God in the tabernacle, should stir us up to discharge the duties of religion with the same fervency. But the care this pious king took to purify himself before he went unto the altar of God, should convince us, that in order to appear in the presence of God, we should be pure, and lead a holy life. Lastly, we should join with David in the prayer which he offers up to God at the end of this Psalm, and bescech Him to preserve us from being like the wicked,

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c Ps. 3. 6.

Or, the

delight.

+ Heb. of shouting.

of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled

and fell.

c

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold || the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he

shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round

about me therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices + of joy; I

He prayeth for future grace.

will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me,

and answer me.

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8 | When thou saidst, Seek ye my Or, My face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

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9 Hide not thy face far from me; in put not thy servant away thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

my

10 When father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD + will take me up.

said unto thee, Let my face seck thy face, &c.

+ Heb. will gather me.

& 86. 11. &

11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, d Ps. 25. 4. and lead me in ta plain path, because of mine enemies.

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+ Heb. a way of plainness. which observe

me.

12 Deliver me not over unto the Heb. those will of mine enemies: for false witsuch as breathe out cruelty. nesses are risen up against me, and

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Isa. 25. 9.

14 Wait on the LORD: be of e Ps. 31. 24. good courage, and he shall strengthen Hab. 2. 3. thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

PSALM XXVIII.

1 David prayeth earnestly against his enemies.

lest we share with them in the punishments that are should receive into his tent, so that his enemies would prepared for them. Ostervald.

Psalm XXVII. David, being persecuted by his enemies, and in danger of his life from false witnesses, testifieth in this Psalm his entire confidence in the protection of the Almighty: beseecheth Him to continue his favour; and is persuaded He will never forsake him. Green. He probably composed it upon the occasion of Saul's persecution of him. Rosenmüller.

Ver. 2.to eat up my flesh,] This expresses the utmost malice of his enemies, assailing him with the fury of wild beasts.

3.-in this will I be confident.] I will still have confidence in God's assistance. Dr. Hammond.

4. that I may dwell &c.] David's prayer was, that he might perpetually attend upon the service of God, and enjoy the sweet pleasure the Lord there imparts to his people, and receive his directions from the tabernacle. Bp. Patrick.

the beauty of the Lord,] By "the beauty of the Lord" he means the cheering countenance of God, whose presence was more conspicuously manifested in his temple. Edwards.

5.-pavilion:] The word, here translated "pavilion," signifies originally a shepherd's cot or shed, made of the boughs and branches of trees: and is applied to any habitation, provided it be private; as a lion's den, a king's palace; and also to the holy tabernacle, as it is in this place. When therefore David says, that God should "hide him in his pavilion," he means that God would keep him as safe, as any one should be, whom a king

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Thy face, Lord, will I seek.] I will apply to Thee by prayer. Bp. Wilson.

10. When my father and my mother &c.] Should all earthly dependencies fail me, the Lord would take me under his care. Bps. Wilson and Patrick.

12. false witnesses are risen up &c.] As this passage is strictly prophetical of the Messiah, much light is thrown on it from Mark xiv. 56. Dr. Kennicott. 13. in the land of the living.] In this present life. Bp. Patrick.

14. Wait on the Lord:] Wait the Lord's time with patience. Bp. Wilson.

In this Psalm we are to remark, 1st, That those who fear God and trust in Him, are never afraid of men; but are calm and unshaken, even when reduced to the most deplorable condition. 2ndly, That the most inestimable advantage, and the greatest consolation we can enjoy in this world, is, to meet often in the house of God, there to praise and adore Him, and to receive the testimonies of his favour. 3rdly, That when God does incline our hearts to seek his face, we should improve the mercy, and not slight the gracious invitation. Ostervald.

Psalm XXVIII. In this Psalm David intreats God to defend him from the malice and artifice of his heathen

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enemies, and from the judgments that should fall upon them. He then praises God for the care He had taken of him, trusts in his assistance, and prays for the prosperity of the Israelites. Green.

Ver. 1. them that go down into the pit.] Those that are abandoned to destruction. Bp. Patrick.

3. Draw me not away with the wicked,] Cast me not off with them. Bp. Wilson.

4, 5. Give them according &c.] In these verses, as indeed in most of the imprecatory passages, the imperative and the future tenses are used promiscuously; "Give them-render them-he shall destroy them." If therefore the verbs in all such passages were uniformly rendered in the future, every objection against the Scripture imprecations would vanish at once, and they would appear clearly to be what they are; namely, prophecies of the Divine judgments, which were afterwards to take place. Bp. Horne.

8. The Lord is their strength, &c.] It is the Lord who gives courage and strength to his servants, and protects him whom He hath appointed king over his people. Bp. Patrick.

A prayer collected out of the above Psalm: O heavenly Father, we humbly beseech thy goodness, when we cry unto Thee, to hear our supplications; for if Thou turn away thine ear, and neglect to give us audience in these our pressures and afflictions, the men of thy hand will prevail against us, and bring down our life into the pit. We acknowledge before Thee that our

waters.

waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is + Heb. in full of majesty.

5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

power. + Heb. in

majesty.

6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and a Sirion a Deut. 3. 9. like a young unicorn.

cutteth out.

7 The voice of the LORD + divideth + Heb. the flames of fire.

8 The voice of the LORD shaketh

ways have been perverse, our works wicked, and the imagination of our hearts only vain and evil continually : yet, O Lord, we desire to be holy; render therefore unto us, not according to our deserts, but according to thy great mercies. Bp. Nicholson.

Psalm XXIX. In this Psalm the supreme dominion of God, and the awfulness of his power, are demonstrated from the tremendous noise, and the astonishing force of the thunder, which the Hebrews, by a bold but very apt figure, denominated "the voice of the Most High." It is enough to say of it, that the sublimity of the matter is perfectly equalled by the unaffected energy of the style. Bp. Lowth.

Ver. 2.-worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.] In other words, Worship ye the Lord in that beautiful and glorious sanctuary, where He exhibits his presence to his people. Bp. Hall. See the margin.

3. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters:] That is, the thunder, called here the voice of the Lord, is upon the waters, collected in the clouds. Green.

5. - the cedars of Lebanon,] See note at 1 Kings v. 6. 6. He maketh them also to skip &c.] This description is figurative and poetical. The figures are rather too strong for a modern language; but they are agreeable to that of the Hebrews, in which they have a singular beauty. Calmet.

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the flames of fire.] That is, the flashes of lightMudge.

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