the malice of his enemies. + Heb. not a deliverer. PSALMS. 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is +none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy :) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. 6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. 7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. a 8 The LORD shall judge the peoa Ps. 18. 20. ple: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish Ver. 2. Lest he tear &c.] Lest mine enemy tear, &c. Green. 3. done this:] With which I am falsely charged. Bp. Wilson. By faith he seeth his defence. the just: b for the righteous God trieth b1 Sam. 16. the hearts and reins. 7. 10+ My defence is of God, which Ps. 139. 1. saveth the upright in heart. Jer. 11. 20. & 17. 10. & 20. + Heb. My 11 | God judgeth the righteous, 12. and God is angry with the wicked buckler is every day. upon God. | Or, righteous 12 If he turn not, he will whet his God is a sword; he hath bent his bow, and judge. made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. 14 Behold, he travaileth with ini- c quity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. Job 15. 35. James 1. 15. Isa. 59. 4. Heb. He hath digged a pit. d Ps. 9. 15. & 14. Behold, he travaileth &c.] See the folly of these wicked plots and contrivances against my life, which shall all miscarry, and deceive the expectation of this wicked slanderer. Travell. 4. If I have rewarded &c.] David probably alludes to 15. He made a pit,] This alludes to the method of the circumstance of Saul's life having been twice pre-catching wild beasts in pits covered over slightly with served by him, when he had been pressed by his attend- reeds or small branches of trees. Dr. Shaw. ants to embrace the opportunity of taking it away. See 1 Sam. xxiv. and xxvi. Bp. Horne. 6. — awake for me to the judgment &c.] Inflict that punishment upon mine enemies which Thou hast commanded should be inflicted upon malicious oppressors and persecutors. Dr. Clarke. We learn from this Psalm, that the wickedness of the ungodly shall come to an end; that God lets them alone, and bears with them for a time; but if they persist in their wickedness, He prepares for them the punishments they deserve, and will make the evil which they design for others fall upon their own heads. These 7. So shall the congregation—compass thee about] are powerful motives to induce us to adore the justice So, by seeing justice done to me through thy special of God; to improve by his forbearance and longsufferProvidence, shall the congregation of the people being; and to avoid every thing that may expose us to induced to resort unto Thee to do them justice. Dr. his vengeance. Ostervald. Wells. "Compass thee about" with praises for thy goodness to me, and for the manifold blessings they shall enjoy under my government. S. Clarke. return thou on high.] When God seems to take no notice of the transgressions of men, it is as if He descended from the place of his power and from his judgment-seat; but when He visits and judges their iniquities, He seems to elevate Himself on high, or to return to his judgment-seat. Edwards. 9.-trieth the hearts and reins.] That is, knoweth intimately the very thoughts and desires of all men. Bp. Horne. 11. God judgeth the righteous,] The meaning is, God will maintain the cause of the righteous. Dr. Wells. 12. If he turn not, he will whet &c.] If the wicked will not repent, God will whet &c. Dr. Wells. "Whet his sword," prepare and speedily execute his judgments upon him. S. Clarke. Psalm VIII. The scope and meaning of this Psalm seems plainly to be this: to display and celebrate the great love of God to man, not only in his creation, but especially in his redemption by Jesus Christ; whom, as He was man, He advanced to the honour and dominion here mentioned, that He might carry on that great and glorious work. Thus Christ is the principal subject of this Psalm, of whom it is interpreted, both by Christ Himself, Matt. xxi. 16, and by his holy Apostle, 1 Cor. xv. 27; Hebr. ii. 6, 7. Poole. In a prophetical sense, it is understood of Christ's victory over Satan. Reeves. This Psalm is suited to the service of the Ascensionday, when we commemorate so signal a proof of the Divine love, as the exaltation of our nature, in the second Adam, to the right hand of the Majesty on high. Travell. God's glory is magnified by his works. a Matt. 21. 17. + Heb. founded. b Job 7. 17. Ps. 144. 3. Hebr. 2. 6. c 1 Cor. 15. 27. + Heb. Flocks and oxen all of them. PSALMS. David praiseth God. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! 2 a Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou + ordained strength¶To because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7+ All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. - upon Gittith,] Some have supposed this expression to denote, that this Psalm was to be sung to a harp which David brought with him from Gath: others, to a musical instrument used at the time of the vintage. Both may be true: the instrument bearing this name might have been used by the people of Gath; and the Jews might have adopted it from them, and afterwards it might have become the favourite instrument amidst the festivity and dances of the vintage. Street. Ver. 2. Out of the mouth &c.] Thou art pleased to make choice of the meanest and most humble persons, and even very children in age, to sing hosannas to the Son of David, Matt. xxi. 16, to acknowledge thy power and majesty. And this Thou hast done, that they whose pride makes them resist and despise Thee, may be thus visibly punished; and the power of the devil destroyed. Dr. Hammond. 3-6. When I consider &c.] When, on the one hand, I survey the glorious bodies in the heavens, and compare them with man, I am induced to think degradingly of him, and to wonder why he should be the object of thy care. When, on the other hand, I consider the rank of being in which Thou at first placedst man, making him but a little below the angels, I correct myself for having made too degrading a comparison of him, and adore Thee for thy providential care of him at present, and for the dignity to which Thou didst advance him, when Thou madest him the head of the visible creation. Green. 4. - visitest him?] With thy presence and protection. Bp. Wilson. The following prayer is so well adapted to the sentiments contained in this Psalm, that it may be added in the place of practical reflection. O our God, since Thou hast been so mindful of us, never suffer us to be un the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. WILL praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. 3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. 4 For thou hast maintained my + right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging † right. 1018. Heb. thou hast made my judgment. + Heb. in righteousness. 5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and Or, The deever. 6 Othou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. structions of the enemy are come to a perpetual end and hast thou their cities destroyed, &c. mindful of Thee: since Thou hast shewed thy mercy in visiting and redeeming us, never let us shew ourselves unthankful for this thy visitation and redemption. Suffer us not to abuse thy creatures which Thou hast given us for food, nor thy gifts bestowed for clothing, nor wantonly and cruelly to make use of our dominion. But give us grace so highly to esteem thy rich mercies, and with such temperance and sobriety to use thy creatures, that thy name thereby may still be more magnified, thy bounty exalted, thy providence more declared, thy honour enlarged, thy person glorified, and our souls at last saved by the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Bp. Nicholson. Psalm IX. This Psalm consists of two parts; a thanksgiving, and a prayer. Upon what particular occasion it was composed, is not known; probably, to celebrate the victories gained by David over the neighbouring nations, after God had exalted him to be king in Zion. Bp. Horne. This and the two following are the proper Psalms appointed for the fast service on the thirtieth of January. -Muth-labben,] Some suppose Labben to be the name of a prince or chief in the enemy's army; and Muth-labben to mean "the death of Labben," in celebration of which this Psalm may have been composed. Dimock. Or it may be the title of a tune or instrument. S. Clarke. Ver. 3. When mine enemies &c.] Rather, It was Thou who madest my enemies turn their backs, and through the dread of Thee they fell and were destroyed. Bp. Patrick. 6. O thou enemy, &c.] As for the enemy, they are utterly destroyed; they are become everlasting deso He inciteth others a Ps. 96. 13. & 98. 9. b Ps. 37. 39. & 46. 1. & 91. 2. + Heb. an high place. e Gen. 9. 5. | Or, afflicted. d Ps. 7. 16. 7 But the LORD shall endure for | is snared in the work of his own hands. ever: he hath prepared his throne for Higgaion. Selah. judgment. 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. 9 b The LORD also will be + a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. 12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the || humble. 13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: 14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy sal vation. 15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. 16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked lations, for their cities Thou hast erased, the memory of them as well as themselves is perished. Edwards. 12. When he maketh_inquisition for blood, he remembereth them:] When He calls his enemies to account for the blood of his people, which they unjustly shed or coveted. S. Clarke. To "make inquisition for blood," is not to enquire after blood spilt, but to sit as inquisitor or judge on all capital crimes, where the blood of the offender is due to justice. "Them" refers to the "humble” or afflicted, at the end of the verse. Mudge. 14.—in the gates of the daughter of Zion:] That is, in the solemn assemblies of thy people, the inhabitants of Zion. S. Clarke. 15.-in the pit] See the note on Psalm vii. 15. 16. - Higgaion.] A meditation, or a fit subject of meditation. Fenwick. Or possibly the word here means an interlude of soft whispering notes, as Selah another of bolder and louder ones. Mudge, Dr. Kennicott. 17.-into hell,] By the word "hell" in this place is meant the region of the dead; and the Psalmist seems to foretel that the wicked will descend to the grave by some great and signal overthrow. Mudge, Edwards. The Psalmist here teaches us, that God will reign for ever, and will judge the world with righteousness; that He will render to the wicked according to their works; that all those who forget Him shall perish; that He will not suffer the wicked always to prevail; that He 17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. 19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. 20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. never forsakes those that seek Him; and that the expectation of the sorrowful shall not be in vain. These are feelings which we should always retain, which should fill us with trust in his name, and strongly engage us to fear Him. Ostervald. Psalm X. Some have supposed this Psalm to have been occasioned by foreign enemies making inroads into the country; and others by domestick ones in the court of Saul. Mudge, Rosenmüller. Ver. 2. the poor:] This word here means, the humble, the afflicted, and helpless. Bp. Wilson. 3. For the wicked boasteth &c.] The first part of this verse points out that alarming symptom of a reprobate mind, a disposition to exult and glory in those lusts which are the shame and disgrace of human nature, whether the world or the flesh be their object. The latter clause is differently rendered, as implying either that "the wicked blesseth the covetous, whom God abhorreth," or, that "the wicked, being covetous, or oppressive, blesseth himself, and abhorreth the Lord." Either way, an oppressing, griping, worldly spirit is characterized, with its direct opposition to the Spirit of God, which teaches that sin is to be confessed with shame and sorrow; that in God alone man is to make his boast; and that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Bp. Horne. 5. His ways are always grievous; &c.] That is, always troublesome and injurious to all about him. David complaineth to God PSALMS. of the outrage of the wicked. sight: as for all his enemies, he puff- + committeth himself unto thee; thou Heb. eth at them. art the helper of the fatherless. 6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be and genera in adversity. + Heb. unto generation tion. c Rom. 3. 14. + Heb. hide themselves. + Heb. in the C 7 His mouth is full of cursing and + deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and || vanity. 8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. 9 He lieth in wait+secretly as a secret places. lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his + Heb. He breaketh himself. Or, into his strong parts. d Ps. 94. 7. || Or, afflicted. net. 10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall || by his strong ones. 11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. 12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up 14 Thou hast seen it; for thou S. Clarke. As for God's laws and judgments, he never 10. He croucheth, &c.] He will meanly crouch and counterfeit any thing that will serve his purpose; so that the helpless may fall into his power. Travell. 12. - the humble.] Or rather, "the afflicted," as in the margin. Street. 13. - Thou wilt not require it.] The wicked concludes from God's patience, that He will never punish him. Bp. Patrick. 15. Break thou &c.] This may be either a prayer or a prediction, implying that the time will come, when the power of Jehovah will dash in pieces that of the enemy, by the demolition either of sin or the sinner, until wickedness be come utterly to an end, and righteousness be established for ever in the kingdom of the Messiah. Bp. Horne. iniquity. 3rdly, That though "the wicked saith in his heart, Thou wilt not require it," the faithful know assuredly, that God beholds all that travail and vexation which some inflict, and others sustain, upon the earth; and that He will infallibly recompense to the former their deeds, to the latter their sufferings. Bp. Horne. Psalm XI. This Psalm seems to have been composed by David, when, in order to avoid the evil designs of Saul, his friends advised him to flee to the mountainous parts of Judea. Edwards. In the first verse David expostulates with his friends for advising him to fly to the mountainous parts of Judea, as the only safe retreat from Saul. In the second and third verses, he subjoins the reasons which his friends assigned for their advice. In the four last, he replies to the advice of his friends, telling them that the God of heaven, who searcheth the heart, would protect the innocent. Green. 18. To judge the fatherless &c.] Thy gracious assistance shall assert the right of those who are helpless and Ver. 3. If the foundations be destroyed, &c.] When oppressed; so that their insolent persecutors, whose the fundamental laws of the land, such as stipulate prosordid minds cling entirely to this world, may be pre-tection to the subject, are subverted by the prince, who vented from doing them further mischief. Travell. We may learn from this Psalm, 1st, That to behold the righteous cause oppressed, and good men seemingly deserted by Heaven, is apt to offend the weak, and oftentimes stagger those who are strong. 2ndly, That prosperity begets presumption in the wicked; and he, who has long been accustomed to see his designs succeed, begins to think it impossible they should ever do otherwise. The long-suffering of God, instead of leading such an one to repentance, only hardens him in his ought to be the guardian of them, what has the persecuted subject to trust to? or what can he do, but, as in a state of nature, fly to the fastnesses of the mountains for security? Green. Had David been guilty of any crime, he ought to have had a fair trial by the laws: but Saul tried to assassinate him, contrary to justice, and to the fundamental law of all nations. Dr. Kennicott. 4. The Lord is in his holy temple, &c.] The meaning is, that the Lord is the supreme and righteous Ruler of all affairs; that He knows the most secret designs He craveth help of God. 1 Or, a burning tempest. Or, upon the eighth. Or, Save. + Heb. an heart and an heart. PSALMS. He complaineth of delay in help. the LORD's throne is in heaven: his ing lips, and the tongue that speaketh eyes behold, his eyelids try, the chil-+ proud things: dren of men. 5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flatter of men, and can disappoint them. Bp. Patrick, Dr. Wells. 6.- snares,] Or, "burning coals." Bp. Horne. By this word, live coals, or simply the lightning, seems to be understood. Bp. Lowth. -fire and brimstone,] These terms are evidently borrowed from the history of Sodom and Gomorrah. St. John also, at the conclusion of his prophecy, Rev. xx, describing the destruction of the ungodly, refers to the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, which, as St. Jude informs us, "are set forth for an example," or figure," suffering the vengeance of eternal fire," Jude, ver. 7. Bp. Horne. They mean dreadful judgments in this world, and eternal vengeance in the world to come. S. Clarke. the portion of their cup.] It being the custom, in old times, to set before each guest a certain portion of liquor for his share; it is very common in Scripture to describe the different allotments which the providence of God dispenses to good and bad men, by the image of a cup. Travell. This Psalm furnishes us with an example of the confidence which the righteous have in the Lord their God, who is their sure refuge, even when they are in the most deplorable condition, and know not what will become of them. It also teaches us, that God has his throne in the heavens; that He sees and knows both the good and the wicked; that his soul hates those that love unrighteousness; that He will cause the fire of his vengeance to fall upon them; and, as He is perfectly just Himself, He loves justice above all things, and always favours the upright. Ostervald. Psalm XII. This Psalm is a complaint of the corrupt manners of that age, especially, as is probable, of the court of Saul; so that it was hard to find an honest + Heb. great things. 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our + Heb. are own: who is lord over us? with us. 5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that || puffeth Or, would at him. ensnare him. It was probably written on the occasion of Saul's evil administration, and the persecution of David and other good men. S. Clarke. Sheminith,] See the note on the title to Psalm vi. Ver. 2. They speak vanity] Or falsehood. Mudge. 4. Who have said, &c.] Who have said, We will prevail by false accusations, we are not afraid to speak or affirm what we please; for who can call us to account for what we say, however false it may be? Dr. Wells. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words:] The promises which God hath made to me and his people have no deceit in them, but shall certainly be fulfilled in their season. S. Clarke. 7.- from this generation] From this kind of scornful oppressors. S. Clarke. 8. The wicked walk &c.] It must needs be, that wicked men should abound every where, when the worst men are exalted, and preferred to places of honour and command. Bp. Hall. The vile men, whom David here complains of as advanced to power, were probably his persecutors in the days of Saul, such as Doeg, Cush, &c. Green. For the consolation of the afflicted and poor in spirit, God hath promised in this Psalm, to arise, and set them in safety," or place them in a state of salvation. Such all along has been his promise to the Church, which, by looking back to the deliverances wrought of old for the servants of God, is now encouraged to look forward and expect her final redemption from the scorn and insolence of infidelity. Bp. Horne. Psalm XIII. In this Psalm, David, being in danger from his enemy, entreats the Lord to deliver him, and rejoices in hopes of his salvation. Green. |