A prayer for the increase of God's kingdom. PSALMS. + Heb. with us. ¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song. OD be merciful unto us, and G bless us; and cause his face shine upon us. Selah. to 2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy for thou shalt judge the Heb. lead. people righteously, and † govern the nations upon earth. Selah. 5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. PSALM LXVIII. 1 A prayer at the removing of the ark. 4 An exhortation to praise God for his mercies, 7 for his care of the church, 19 for his great works. To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. the servants of the Lord. Travell. It forms a part of our Evening Service, to be read occasionally after the second lesson; and is also introduced into the Marriage Service. Ver. 2. That thy way &c.] The sense of the verse is, Deal so graciously with thy people Israel, that thereby the Gentiles may be allured to join themselves with them, and to embrace their religion. Bp. Patrick, Poole. thy saving health] Thy salvation. Merrick. 4. O let the nations &c.] A very sufficient cause, surely, is here assigned why the "nations" should "be glad, and sing for joy," upon the erection of Messiah's kingdom in the midst of them; namely, because He would "judge the people righteously;" breaking the yoke of the oppressor, and the iron rod of the prince of this world; becoming Himself an advocate in the cause of his church; introducing her into the glorious liberty of the children of God, whose service is perfect freedom; and with a sceptre, around which justice and mercy are wreathed together, "governing the nations upon earth." Bp. Horne. 7.- all the ends] The remotest inhabitants. Wilson. Bp. Let us with that affection and charity which becomes the servants of one Master, and the children of one Father, be indulgent to one another's infirmities, and compassionate to one another's weaknesses. This is the way to make "the earth yield her increase," such an increase as God takes delight in, an increase of Christian conversation, of brotherly affection, of knowledge, of humility, of justice, and of charity, and of all those graces which will prevail with Him to shower down all temporal blessings in this world, and to afford an assurance of eternal in the world that is to come. Lord Clarendon. A prayer at the removing of the ark. LET God arise, let his enemies a Numb. 10. be scattered: let them also that hate him flee + before him. 2 As smoke is driven drive them as by his wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish in the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them + exceedingly rejoice. 35. + Heb. from his face. + Heb. rejoice with his name: extol him that rideth upon 4 Sing unto God, sing praises to gladness. the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. 5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. house. 6 God setteth the solitary + in fa- † Heb. in a milies: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the re bellious dwell in a dry land. 7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah : 8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 Thou, O God, didst † send a Heb. shake out. Psalm LXVIII. The occasion of this Psalm was most probably the removing the ark to mount Zion by David; or rather it might be composed soon after that transaction, and with reference to it. In the mystical sense, (which is authorized by St. Paul, Eph. iv. 8,) it refers to the ascension of Christ into heaven, and his session at the right hand of the Father, with the consequent formation and preservation of his church, and the destruction both of his own enemies and those of the church. But almost every part of this noble poem is involved in an impenetrable darkness. It would otherwise have afforded a singular example of the true sublime; the scattered rays of which, breaking forth with difficulty through the thick clouds which surround it, we yet behold with a mixture of admiration and pleasure. Bp. Lowth. It is appointed to be used on WhitSunday. Ver. 4.-JAH,] Or, Jehovah. Street. See the note on Exod. vi. 3. 6. God setteth the solitary &c.] God provides for those that are destitute, and settles them in comfortable habitations; He releases the miserable captives from slavery and oppression, but those who are obstinate and rebellious He punishes by want and scarcity. Bp. Patrick. Here is an allusion to the deliverance from the Egyptian bondage, and the destruction of the murmurers in the desert; which brings in with great ease the full subject of the exodus in the next verse. Bp. Lowth. in a dry land.] In a barren wilderness. Merrick. 7.- when thou wentest forth before thy people,] In a pillar of a cloud by day, and a fire by night. Green. the heavens also dropped] The clouds dropped An exhortation to praise God + Heb. confirm it. PSALMS. plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. 10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor, 11 The LORD gave the word: + Heb. army. great was the company of those that published it. + Heb. did fee, did flee. 12 Kings of armies + did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. 13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. 14 When the Almighty scattered Or, for her, kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. she was. I Or, even Bany thousands. 15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. 16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever. 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: showers to refresh thy inheritance, that is, the promised land. 10. hath dwelt therein:] In thy inheritance. 11. The Lord gave the word:] That is, the joyful news. Bp. Lowth. ·great was the company of those that published] The word for "those that published" is feminine in the original; and points out the women who with musick, songs, and dancing, celebrated the victories of the Israelites over their enemies, according to the custom of those times. See ver. 25; Exod. xv. 20; 1 Sam. xviii. 6. Parkhurst. 12.—and she that tarried &c.] The spoil was so great, that the women, who staid at home, had their shares in the division of it. Bp. Hall. 13. Though ye have lien &c.] That is, Though you were formerly obscure and oppressed slaves, tied down to the drudgery of brickmaking and pottery in Egypt, you shall now be as glorious as you then were contemptible. Dr. Delaney. 14. When the Almighty &c.] When the all-powerful God dispersed the hostile kings on your account, ye became as splendid and conspicuous as the bright snow on the top of the lofty hill of Salmon. Travell, and Old Translation. 15. The hill of God &c.] The hill of Zion where God has chosen to fix his sanctuary, though low and barren in comparison of the lofty hill of Bashan, is yet far superiour to it in real eminence and dignity. Travell. 16. Why leap ye, ye high hills?] Bashan, and the mountains about it, are poetically represented as leaping for joy at Jehovah's presence, and ambitious of his abode upon them; as if there was a rivalship among them which should be honoured with it. Green. Or rather, the rendering should be, Why look ye with envy on Zion? Bp. Horne. for his mercies, &c. the LORD is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. 18 Thou hast ascended on high, b Eph. 4. 8. thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts + for men; yea, + Heb. in the for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. 19 Blessed be the LORD, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. 20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. 21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses. 22 The LORD said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea: man. 23 That thy foot may be || dipped Or, red. in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same. 24 They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. 25 The singers went before, the this is the hill] Namely, Zion. Bp. Patrick. 17. The chariots of God &c.] Here is declared the majesty and magnificence of Jehovah's appearance on mount Zion as a mighty Conqueror of the enemies of his people, riding upon the cherubim, as in a triumphal chariot, with all the hosts of heaven, as it were, in his retinue. Bp. Horne. 18. Thou hast ascended &c.] Thou, O God, hast now taken possession of thy holy mountain, and hast given us the victory over our enemies, whom by thy aid we have carried away captive in great numbers, and have distributed their spoils among the people, yea, even among those who have transgressed thy laws; and Thou, O Lord, shalt now have a fixed habitation in this sacred place. So shall Christ hereafter ascend up to heaven, and take possession of his glorious kingdom, having led captive his conquered enemies, sin and death; and there He shall receive those precious gifts and graces of the Spirit, which He shall bestow upon his followers, even upon such as had before violated his laws, and rebelled against Him: thus shall the Lord God dwell in their hearts, and make his abode with them, Eph. iv. 8. Travell. "the 20. - the issues from death.] This should be translated, agreeably to the version of the Seventy, passages to death," the ways by which death goes out upon men to destroy them. Dr. Hammond, Bp. Lowth. 22. The Lord said, &c.] Jehovah had promised to repeat in Israel, by David, his glorious acts; to work as signal victories and deliverances for his people, as He had formerly done in the field of Bashan, and at the Red sea, when they saw their enemies dead at their feet. Bp. Horne. 24. They have seen thy goings,] Thy triumphal procession and solemn entry into the sanctuary. Abp. Secker, Green, An exhortation to praise God Or, ye that fountain of are of the Israel. Or, with their comjany. il Or, the beasts of the reeds. Or, he scattereth. PSALMS. for his great works. players on instruments followed after; | Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her among them were the damsels playing hands unto God. with timbrels. 26 Bless ye God in the congregations, even the LORD, from the fountain of Israel. 27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah || and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. 28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. 29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee. 30 Rebuke | the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war. 31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; 26.. —even the Lord, &c.] The "fountain of Israel" | is the same with the "stock, or family of Israel." See Isa. xlviii. 1. The sense of this clause therefore is, "Bless the Lord, ye who are sprung from the stock of Israel." Bp. Horne. 32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the LORD; Selah: 33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth † send out his voice, and ↑ Heb. give. that a mighty voice. 34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. 35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. PSALM LXIX. 1 David complaineth of his affliction. 13 upon Sho- [ Or, heavens. literally translated runs thus: "Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, the congregation of the mighty among the calves of the nations, skipping, or exulting, with pieces of silver; scatter the people that delight in war." By the "wild beast of the reeds," is to be understood the 27. There is little Benjamin &c.] The literal rendering Egyptian power, described by its emblem the crocodile, of this verse is, "There is little Benjamin their ruler, the or river horse, creatures living among the reeds of the princes of Judah their council, the princes of Zebulun, Nile. The "calves of the nations" signify the objects and the princes of Naphtali." In this enumeration of the of worship among the Egyptians, their Apis and Osiris, tribes of Israel, that were present at the removal of the &c. around which the " congregation of the mighty" ark, four only are mentioned; Benjamin and Judah, who assembled. And by their skipping with or "exulting dwelt nearest to the city of David; Zebulun and Naph-in pieces of silver," may either be meant their dancing tali, who were farthest distant from it; to shew, as Dr. at their idolatrous festivals, with the tinkling instruChandler observes, the unanimity of the whole nation, ments, called “sistra,” which might be made of silver; and of all the tribes far and near, in attending this or else it may imply their "glorying in pieces of silsolemnity, to testify their willing acknowledgment of ver," or in their riches. The whole verse is a prayer David for their king, and the city of David for their of the Prophet to this effect, that it would please God capital, and where all the great solemnities of religion to bring down and overthrow the strength, the pride, should be performed, and their annual festivals con- and the idolatry of Egypt, that ancient adversary and tinually celebrated. Benjamin, though the youngest oppressor of Israel. Bp. Horne. tribe, is named first, and called the "ruler," because from that tribe sprang Saul, the first king of Israel. Upon David's accession to the crown, Judah became the royal tribe, and supported the throne by its counsels. Zebulun and Naphtali were tribes of eminent learning and knowledge. See Gen. xlix. 21; Judges v. 14. Bp. Horne. 28. Thy God hath commanded thy strength:] This is an acknowledgment that all the power and strength of the kingdom of Israel was from God. Bp. Nicholson. 29. Because of thy temple &c.] David foretells, that on the establishment of the church and worship at Jerusalem, the kings of the Gentiles should come, and make their oblations at the temple of God; which happened in his days, and those of his son Solomon, as an earnest and figure of that plenary accession of the kings of the earth to the Church of Christ, which was to take place in the latter days, under the Gospel. See 2 Sam. viii. 9-11; 1 Kings v. 1; x. 1. 24; 2 Chron. ix. 23; Isa. lx. 3.6; Matt. ii. 11; Rev. xxi. 24. Bp. Horne. 30. Rebuke the company of spearmen, &c.] This verse 33.- send out his voice,] That is, in thunder. Green. We learn in general from this Psalm, that God has at all times displayed his power in favour of his people, by protecting them against their enemies, and showering down his mercies upon them. This He has done for the Christian church, as well as for the children of Israel and what is said in this Psalm of the protection God vouchsafed to Zion against the assaults of the neighbouring nations, should convince us that the church shall always subsist, in spite of all the attempts of the world and the devil. Ostervald. Psalm LXIX. The application of many passages of this Psalm to our Lord, made by Himself and his Apostles, as well as the appointment of the whole by the Church to be used on Good Friday, direct us to consider it as highly prophetical of our Saviour's sufferings; and indeed many of the expressions are such as were more literally fulfilled in Jesus Christ than in David; who, both in his sufferings and in his advancement after them to a kingdom, was an eminent type or pattern of our Saviour. Travell, Bp. Horne. David complaineth of his affliction. + Heb. the mire of depth. PSALMS. SAVE me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into Heb. depth deep waters, where the floods overflow me. of waters. + Heb. guiltiness. a John 2. 17. 3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. 4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away. 5 O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. 6 Let not them that wait on thee, O LORD God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. 7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. 8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. b 9 a For the zeal of thine house hath b Rom. 15. 3. eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. He prayeth for deliverance. 12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the + drunkards. is 13 But as for me, my prayer unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. 14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. 15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. 16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. + Heb. drinkers of strong drink. 17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: + hear + Heb. make me speedily. 18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. 19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. haste to hear me. 10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my re- 21 They gave me also gall for my proach. meat; and in thirst they gave 11 I made sackcloth also my gar-me vinegar to drink. ment; and I became a proverb to them. Ver. 1. the waters are come &c.] That is, I am almost overwhelmed with calamities. Dr. Wells. 4.- restored that &c.] The meaning is, that he was contented rather to part with his own right than to quarrel with them. Bp. Patrick. 5. O God, thou &c.] Thou, O God, who art privy to my follies, and from whom none of my sins can be concealed, Thou knowest that I never did them any injury. Travell. 9. For the zeal &c.] My zeal for thy honour and service is that which made my enemies endeavour to take away my life; and their blasphemies against Thee moved my indignation as much as if they had been against myself. So was the Lord Christ disowned by his brethren, his zeal for God's glory deeply affected Him, and the reproaches which were levelled against God He felt as if aimed at Himself. Dr. Wells, Travell. 12. They that sit in the gate] That is, vain and idle persons, that spent their time in the gates, in which there used to be a confluence of people. Rosenmüller. 13. an acceptable time:] Meaning a time which he hoped God would think the fittest to shew him favour. Bp. Patrick, Travell, VOL. II. - lament with me. c Matt. 27. 34, 48. Mark 15. 23. John 19. 29. 22 a Let their table become a snare d Rom. 11. before them: and that which should 9, 10. in the truth of thy salvation.] That is, according to the promises which Thou hast made of saving me. Dr. Wells. 19.—mine adversaries are all before thee.] That is, Thou knowest them thoroughly, and all their injurious and wicked devices. Poole. 21. They gave me &c.] These words, which David spake figuratively of himself, were literally fulfilled in the soldiers' treatment of our Lord while He hung upon the cross. Green. gall] See the note on Deut. xxix. 18. · vinegar to drink.] Vinegar, in the East, was the ordinary refreshment of a slave, or of a wretched prisoner, rather than of a prince: and vinegar or sour wine, mixed with water, was the common drink of the Roman soldiers. Travell 22. Let their table &c.] Their very feasts shall become a trap to them; they that eat at their table shall betray them, and their prosperity shall prove their ruin. Bp. Patrick. In addition to what has been said on the subject of imprecations, in the note upon Psalm v. 10, it may be remarked, that this and the following verses to the twenty-ninth inclusive, are strictly prophetical of F David devoteth his enemies to destruction. PSALMS. + Heb. their palace. + Heb. let there not be a dweller. + Heb. thy wounded. || Or, punishment of iniquity. || Or, meek. + Heb. creepeth. have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. 24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. 25 Let their habitation be deso+ late; and let none dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute him whom He imploreth God's speedy help. 35 For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. 36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love. his name shall dwell therein. PSALM LXX. David soliciteth God to the speedy destruction of the wicked, and preservation of the godly. thou hast smitten; and they talk to¶To the chief Musician, A Psalm of t the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. 27 Add | iniquity unto their ini|| quity and let them not come into thy righteousness. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. 29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. 30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. the wretched condition of the Jews, after their rejection of the Messiah, and the destruction of their city and temple. See Rom. xi. 9, 10. Travell. 26.—they talk to the grief] Rather, agreeably to the version of the Seventy, "they add to the pain." Bp. Hare, Mudge. 27. Add iniquity &c.] Thou shalt punish their iniquities by suffering them to add sin to sin, and they shall obstinately refuse to partake of thy proffered mercy. Travell, Bp. Horne. 29. - set me upon high.] Put me out of the reach of danger. Bp. Wilson. 32. The humble shall see this,] That is, the goodness of God towards me. Travell. 33.- his prisoners:] That is, such as are persecuted for his sake. Dr. Wells. If we are persecuted without a cause by our enemies, and our persecution be the sharper for our zeal and affection to God's service, and our constancy to our true religion, and made so much the more intolerable by the derision, and scorn, and reproaches, we see wickedly and profanely cast upon religion; and if all these calamities befall us for other men's sakes, so that we bear the punishment of their faults, and of offences which 2 b Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. 3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. 4 Let all those that seek thee re joice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. 5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. we have not committed; we come the nearer to the sufferings of our Saviour Himself, which is a great honour and glory to us; and if we do imitate his meekness, and humility, and patience, in the bearing of them, thus so far imitating Him as He hath put it into our power to do; we shall be sure of such a reward, it may be, reparation in this world, as shall be more than proportionable to the afflictions we have undergone. Lord Clarendon. Psalm LXX. The words of this Psalm occur, without any material variations, in Psalm xl. ver. 13, to the end. The reader is therefore referred thither for an explanation. It is thought to have been taken by David from the other Psalm, and a little altered, in order to be used by him constantly, during his distress by Absalom's rebellion. Dr. Wells. - to bring to remembrance.] See the note on the title to Psalm xxxviii. Psalm LXXI. This Psalm was probably composed by David, on occasion of Absalom's rebellion, which was a great affliction to him in his declining age. Travell. It is introduced into our service for the Visita |