David's comfort in prayer. || Or, A Psalm of David, giving instruction. Il Or, Look on the right PSALMS. ¶ || Maschil of David; A Prayer when I he was in the cave. CRIED unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplica tion. 2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. 4 I looked on my right hand, hand, and see. and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge + failed me; no man cared for soul. my + Heb. perished from me. + Heb. no man sought after my soul. He complaineth of his griefs. prayer. 7 He prayeth for grace, 9 for A Psalm of David. HEAR my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight a Exod. 34.7. shall no man living be justified. 3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within Ime is desolate. 5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. PSALM CXLIII. 1 David prayeth for favour in judgment. David when he was in the cave," probably of En-gedi, or Adullam; 1 Sam. xxiv. 1-3, and xxii. 1. It is an earnest supplication to God, stating the utter failure of all human assistance, and humbly praying for the Divine aid. Travell. Ver. 1. I cried] Rather, I will cry. The whole of this Psalm seems to be an actual prayer. Bp. Horne. 3. When my spirit was overwhelmed &c.] Or, When my spirit is overwhelmed within me, then Thou knowest my path: in the way wherein I walk, have they privily laid a snare for me. The meaning is, Though my thoughts are so broken and confused, that I am not able to counsel and direct myself in these straits, yet Thou knowest the path wherein I walk, Thou art with me, and wilt preserve me from those who watch all my steps, and lie in ambush for me. Bp. Horne. 7. out of prison,] That is, out of the cave in which he was confined. Bp. Patrick. the righteous shall compass me about ;] To join my party and assist me. The state of David in the cave of Adullam was a state of utter destitution; but in that disconsolate, and seemingly desperate situation, he desponded not. He had a Friend in heaven, into whose bosom he "poured forth his complaint," and to whom he told the story of his trouble and distress. When danger besets us around, and fear is on every side, let us follow the example of David, and that of a greater than David, who, when the Jews and Gentiles conspired against Him, and He was left all alone, in the garden, and on the cross, gave Himself unto prayer. Bp. Horne. Psalm CXLIII. In this Psalm David beseeches God that, passing by his manifold sins, and considering only what He suffered from his enemies, He would be pleased, according to his mercies in times past, to hearken unto his prayer, to conduct him by his good Spirit, and to deliver him from persecution. This being one of the penitential Psalms, is appointed to be used on AshWednesday. Travell. Ver. 2. for in thy sight shall &c.] For if Thou shouldest proceed according to the rigour of the law, the best man living would not be acquitted at thy tribunal. Bp. Patrick. 3. - he hath made me to dwell &c.] He hath forced me to seek my safety in holes and obscure places in the wilderness, where I seem to be buried alive, without any hope of a resurrection. Bp. Patrick. 5. -on the work of thy hands.] On what Thou hast done for others in the like distress. Bp. Wilson. as a thirsty land.] The circumstance of the lands of the East being subject to great dryness, which causes them to crack, affords the foundation of this figure, which is certainly extremely beautiful; for these dry lands have deep chinks, which "thirst" for the rain: this may be observed in India more than any where, a little before the rains fall, and wherever the lands are rich and hard. Harmer. He blesseth God for his mercy. † Heb. hide me with thee. + Heb. my rock. a 2 Sam. 22. 35. 1 Heb. to the war, &c. b 2 Sam. 22. 2, 3, 40. Or. My mercy. e Job 7. 17. Ps. 8. 4. Hebr. 2, 6. d Ps. 39. 5. Job 14. 2. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine | come down: touch the mountains, enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant. PSALM CXLIV. 1 David blesseth God for his mercy both to him and to man. 5 He prayeth that God would powerfully deliver him from his enemies. 9 He promiseth to praise God. 11 He prayeth for the happy state of the king dom. ¶ A Psalm of David. BLESSED be the LORD + my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: e 14. 6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter e Ps. 18. 13, them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. 7 Send thine + hand from above; Heb.hands. rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; 8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. 9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. 10 It is he that giveth || salvation Or, victory. servant from the hurtful sword. unto kings: who delivereth David his 11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: 12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a ↑ Heb. cut. palace: 2 | My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deli-† verer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under 10.-thy spirit is good; lead me] Let thy good Spirit lead me. Abp. Secker. into the land of uprightness.] Or, "through plain ground;" the clause before leads to this sense, and there is an expression much the same, Ps. xxvii. 11, in which the Psalmist prays God to conduct him in a plain level way, (such was that of God's law,) because if he went out of that, he should be liable to stumble. Mudge. The Prayer which king David makes at the beginning of this Psalm, in these words, "Enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified;" is of such general use, that there is no man who has not reason to make it with humility and fervency. His application to God in the time of trouble teaches us, that, whatever danger we are in, we ought to seek for security and comfort in prayer, and trust in God; and to this end we should meditate upon his works, and the many proofs He has given in all ages of his loving-kindness towards those that fear Him. But whether we are in affliction, or in any other state, we ought above all things to beg of God grace to fear Him, that we may feel the effects of his love, and be guided by his good Spirit. Ostervald. kind to kind. 13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that Heb. from our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets : 14 That our oxen may be † strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Heb. able burdens, or, flesh. to bear loaden with f Ps. 33. 12. 15 Happy is that people, that is & 65. 4. is spoken in rapture on the regard God had shewn to his petition. Mudge. 7. great waters,] See the notes on Ps. xviii. 16, and on Numb. xxiv. 7. -from the hand of strange children;] That is, from the Philistines, or from idolaters. Dimock. 8.- their right hand is &c.] The forms of oaths, like other religious ceremonies, have been always various; but consisting, for the most part, of some bodily action, and of a prescribed form of words. Amongst the Jews, the juror held up his right hand towards heaven, which explains this passage. Archdeacon Paley. See the note on Deut. xxxii. 40. The last verse of this Psalm leads us to reflect, wherein the peculiar happiness doth now principally consist, of "that people, whose God is the Lord." Their happiness consists in something far above riches and outward greatness; it consists in having the Lord Himself, the Supreme Governour of the world, to take care of them, and to provide all things needful for them. They have his wisdom to instruct them; his power to protect them; his mercy to pardon them; his grace to Psalm CXLIV. ver. 3. Lord, what is man, &c.] This adorn them here, and his glory to crown them for ever; and all because they have the Lord Himself for their God, not only for their light, their life, their hope, their help, their strength, their tower, their sun, their shield, and their exceeding great reward, but for their God; which is infinitely more than can be couched under any other expression whatsoever. What can those persons lack who are thus related to, and interested in, Him that is all things in Himself? Bp. Beveridge. Psalm CXLV. Hitherto in this Divine book we have been presented with chequered scenes of danger and deliverance, distress and mercy. The voice of complaint hath been sometimes succeeded by that of thanksgiving; and praise, at other times, hath terminated in prayer. But now, as if the days of mourning in Zion were ended, we hear no more of Messiah as a man of sorrows, or of the Church as despised and afflicted, after the same example, in the world. Henceforth we seem not to be upon earth, but in heaven, mingling with celestial spirits around the throne, and singing, as in the following Psalm, the praises of our God and King; extolling his greatness, his might, his glory, his justice, his mercy; the majesty of his kingdom, and all his adorable perfections and wondrous works. The general subject of this Psalm makes it suitable to the service of Whit-Sunday, when we celebrate that great blessing, the descent of the Holy Spirit. Bp. Horne, Travell. Ver. 5-7. I will speak of the glorious honour &c.] Those works of God which demand to be celebrated by the tongues of men, are here divided into three kinds : First, such as declare his glory, and excite our admiration, whenever we behold them. Of this sort are the shining frame of the heavens, and all the bodies which a for his goodness, providence, &c. 6, 7. 8 The LORD is gracious, and full a Exod. 34. of compassion; slow to anger, and Numb. 14. +of great mercy. 18. Ps. 86. 5, 15. + Heb. great 9 The LORD is good to all: and & 103. 8. his tender mercies are over all his in mercy. works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. kingdom of 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting + Heb. a kingdom, and thy dominion endureth all ages. throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. unto thee. 15 The eyes of all wait upon Or, look thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and || holy in all his works. Or. 18 The LORD is nigh unto all them merciful, or, bountiful. move therein; the earth, with its furniture without, and contents within; the magnificent and stupendous ocean, which flows around it; the different tribes of animals inhabiting both the one and the other; and above all, the construction of man, the lord of this lower world. Under the second class of God's works are ranged all those which the Psalmist styles his "terrible acts," or the exertions of his power against his enemies; such as the destruction of the old world by water; of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire; of Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea; of the Canaanitish nations by the sword; and the victory gained over sin and death by the resurrection of Christ. In the third rank stand those works which have proceeded from the goodness of God, and his righteousness in the performance of his promises. And among these we may reckon all the different provisions, which have been made by Him for the bodies of men in the world, and by grace for their souls in the church. On any of these subjects, meditation cannot be long employed without breaking forth into wonder, gratitude, and praise. Bp. Horne. We can never speak too much upon the goodness of God, nor ought we to be ever weary in hearing about it. Yet it is to be feared that this point is not well considered and applied. For how could we be so void of love to God, of gratitude towards Him, of faith and hope in Him, were we thoroughly persuaded, did we seriously consider, that He is so exceedingly good towards us? How can we be so insensible of the benefits we enjoy, so distrustful of finding succour in our need, so dissatisfied and discontented with what befalls us, if we conceive and weigh, that all things are guided and governed by immense goodness? How also, if men have such an opinion of God impressed on their minds, The benefit of trusting in God. Heb. PSALMS. The prophet exhorteth to praise God. that call upon him, to all that call 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him he also will hear their cry, and will save them. 20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. PSALM CXLVI. 1 The psalmist voweth perpetual praises to God. 3 He exhorteth not to trust in man. 5 God, for his power, justice, mercy, and kingdom, is only worthy to be trusted. RAISE ye the LORD. Praise Haliciujas. the LORD, O my soul. + a Ps. 118. 8, 9. | Or, salvation, 2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. 3 a Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no || help. 4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. 5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: 6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: 7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: 8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: comes it to pass, that they are so little careful to imitate Him in kindness, bounty, and mercy to one another? Dr. Isaac Barrow. Psalm CXLVI. It is observable that, in the original, this and the following Psalms all begin and end with Hallelujah, that is, Praise ye the Lord. The Psalmist here extols the name of God, and calls upon all men to place their confidence in Him alone, who is the Creator, the Preserver, and the Governour of the universe, the Protector of the helpless, and the everlasting King of his people. Travell. Ver. 4.-his thoughts] All his devices and contrivances. Dr. Wall. We may learn from this Psalm: 1. That the best use we can make of our lives is to employ them in praising and glorifying God's holy name: 2. That it is a great folly to put our trust in princes, or in any man, since they are mortal, and therefore are mere weakness, and even as nothing; but to enjoy true happiness, we must con fide alone in God, who is the Creator of the world, who loves truth and equity, does right to those that are oppressed, and delivers them; and who will reign for ever for the defence of his people and children. Ostervald. Psalm CXLVII. This is a Psalm of praise: by the second, third, and thirteenth verses, it seems to have been composed just after the restoration from captivity upon the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Mudge. Whether it were composed upon the above occasion or not, it is an earnest exhortation to praise God for the illustrious proofs of his power, wisdom, mercy, and justice towards all his creatures, and more especially for the abundant marks of his kindness and favour, which He bestowed upon his chosen people. Travell. Ver. 2. The Lord doth build &c.] It is the Lord that enables us to build up Jerusalem again, Ezra vi. 14, and encourages all our brethren, that still remain in foreign countries, to return home. Dr. Wells. The prophet exhorteth to praise God. PSALMS. All are exhorted to praise God. terrestrial, 11 and the rational creatures to praise God. 10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD taketh pleasure in PRAISE ye the LORD. Praise + Heb. them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. 12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. 13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. 14† He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. 15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. 16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. 17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? 18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also established them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and + flying fowl: 11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12 Both young men, and maidens ; old men, and children: Hallelujah. + Heb. birds of wing. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the Heb. 1 The psalmist exhorteth the celestial, 7 the earth and heaven. 10. He delighteth not &c.] He grants not his favour to the nations which excel in military power, in cavalry and infantry: but He "taketh pleasure &c." ver. 11. 13. For he hath strengthened &c.] That is, He hath enabled us to fortify again the city of Jerusalem with walls and gates. See Neh. vi. 15, 16. Dr. Wells. 15. He sendeth forth &c.] Whatsoever his pleasure is concerning his creatures upon earth, it is speedily and effectually accomplished. Bp. Hall. 17. his ice] Meaning the hail. Street. This Psalm presents us with two grand motives to induce us to love and praise God. The first, which is common to us with the Jews, and with all men, is taken from the power and wonderful wisdom by which He governs the world. The second is taken from the blessings God bestowed on the Jews; and particularly for granting them, together with his protection, the peace and plenty which they enjoyed in the land of Canaan, and giving them his holy word and his law. In this respect we have still stronger motives to praise the Lord, in consideration of the spiritual blessings vouchsafed to us; among which, the most valuable privilege of all is, to be enlightened by the Gospel, and by the knowledge of his will. Ostervald. Psalm CXLVIII. In this most beautiful Psalm the whole creation is incited to celebrate the glory of the exalled. most high God. This hymn is elegantly imitated, and put into the mouth of Adam by our countryman Milton, (Paradise Lost, b. v.) who is justly accounted the next in sublimity to those poets who wrote under the influence of Divine inspiration. In truth, if we consider man on his first creation, such as the sacred writings represent him; in perfect possession of reason and speech; neither ignorant of his own nor of the Divine nature, but fully conscious of the goodness, majesty, and power of God; not an unobservant spectator of the beautiful fabrick of the universe; it is most probable, that on the contemplation of these objects his heart would glow with gratitude and love, and that the effect of such an emotion would be an effusion of praise to his great Creator, accompanied with a suitable energy and exaltation of voice. Indeed we scarcely seem to conceive rightly of that original and perfect state of man, unless we assign to him some of the aids of harmony and poetical expression, to enable him to testify, in terms becoming the dignity of the subject, his devout affections towards his infinite Creator. Bp. Lowth. Ver. 7.-ye dragons,] The word here translated "dragons," probably means whales and other sea monsters. Dimock. See note on Lam. iv. 3. 8. Fire,] That is, lightning. Dimock. 9.- and all cedars:] Comprehending all forest trees. |