Psalm XVII
Ver. 1-15. This Psalm is termed a prayer, because the language of petition is predominant. With a just cause, sincerely presented, the writer prays for a just decision and help and protection. Pleading former mercies as a ground of hope, he urges his prayer in view of the malice, pride, rapacity, and selfishness of his foes, whose character is contrasted with his pious devotion and delight in God's favour. 2. sentence—acquitting judgment, from thy presence—thy tribunal, things that arc equal— just and right, do thou regard. 3. provetl . . . visited . . . tried—his character was most rigidly tested, at all limes, and by all methods, affliction and otliers (I'.salm 7. 10). purposed that, Ac—or, my mouth does not exceed iiiy purpose—I am sincere. 4. works of men-sinful piac-' tices. by the word of thy lips—as a guide (Psalm Hit. 9, II, 95). destroyer—violent man. 5. may be l ead as an assertion, " my steps or goings have held on to thy iiatlis." 6. wilt hear me— I.e., graciously (Psalm 3. 4). 7. siiow— •
set apart as special ani eminent (Exodus 8. 18 ; Psalm 4. .3), thy right hand—for thy power. 8. Similar figures, denoting the preciousness of God's people in his sight, in Deuteronomy 3'2. 10, 11; Matthew 23. 37. 9. compa.ss iiie
(Cf. Psalm 118. 10-12.) 10. enclosed . . . fat — are become proud in prosperity, and Insolent to God (Deuteronomy
3'2. 15; Psalm 73. 7). 11. They pursue us as beasts tracking their prey. 12. The figure made more 8p(«ial by that of a lion lurking. 13-15. disappoint—Zt^, ccmie before, or, encounter him. Snpply with before sword (v. 13), antl hand (t), 351
David Fraigelh God PSALMS XVIII, XIX. for his Manifold Blesainga,
14). These denote God's power, men . . . world — all meu of this present time. They appear, by fulness of
ness, &c., refer, doubtless, to his personal and official conduct and his purposes, during all the trials to which he was subjected in Saul's persecutions and Absalom's rebellions, as well as the various wars in which he had been engaged as the head and defender of God's Church and people, upright before him—in my relation to God I have been perfect as to all parts of His law. The perfection does not relate to degree, mine Iniquity—perhapp the thought of his heart to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24. 6). That David does not allude to all his conduct, in all relations,
tiread and large families, to be prosperous ; but (v. 15) he Muplies this will be transient, contrasting his better por-
tion in a joyful union with God hereafter.
P?ALM XVIII.
Ver. 1-50. " The servant of the Lord," which in the Hebrew precedes " David," is a significant part of the title (and not a mere epithet of David), denoting the inspired character of the song, as the production of one entrusted with the execution of God's will. He was not favoured by God because he served Him, but served Him because se-
is evident from Psalm 51. 1, Ac. 23-^7. God renders to men according to their deeds in a penal, not vindictive, sense (Leviticus 20. 23, 24). merciful—or, kind (Psalm 4.
3). frowai-d—contrary to. the aHlicted people— i.e., the humbly pious, high looks—pride (Psalm 101. 5; 131.1). 38. I'o give one light is to make prosperous (Job 18. 5, 6; 21. 17). thou—is emphatic, as if to say, I can fully confide in thee for help. 5Jy. And this on past experience in his military life, set forth by these figures. 30-32. God's perfection is the source of his own, which has resulted from his trust on the one hand, and God's promised help on the other, tried—" as metals are tried by fire and proved genuine" (Psalm 12. 6). mhield (Psalm 3. 3). Oirding was essential to free motion on account of the looseness of Oriental dresses, hence it is an expressive figure for describing the gift of strength. 33-3G. God's help farther described—He gives swiftness to pursue or elude his enemies (Habakkuk 3. 19), strength, protection, and a firm footing, thy gentleness—as applied to God—condescension—or, that wiiicli He gives, in the sense of hamility
lected and appointed by God in His sovereign mercy. After a general expression of praise and confidence in God
for the future, David gives a sublimely poetical description of God's deliverance, which he characterizes as an illus-
tration of God's justice to the innocent and His righteous government. His own prowess and success are celebrated as the results of Divine aid, and, confident of its continuance, he closes in terms of triumphant praise. 2 Saipuel 22. is a copy of this Psalm, with a few unimportant variations recorded there as a part of the histoiy, and repeated here as part of a collection designed for permanent use.
1. I YviM Jove thee—with most tender affection. 2, 3. The various terms used describe God as an object of the most implicit and reliable trust, rock lit., a cleft rock,
for concealment, strength—a firm, immovable rock, horn of iny salvation—the horn, as the means of attack or defence of some of the strongest animals, is a frequent emblem of power or strength efficiently exercised (cf. Deuteronomy :?!. 17 ; Luke 1. C9). tower lit., high jilace, beyond roach of danger, to be praised—for past favours, and wortiiy of confidence. 4. sorrows lit., bands as of a net i^Psalm UU. 3). Hoods-denotes multitude, death-
(cf. Proverbs 22. 4). enlarged my steps—made ample room
(cf. Proverbs 4. 12). 37-41. In actual conflict, by God's aid, the defeat of his enemies is certain. A present and continued success is expressed, that rose npagainst me —lit., insurgents (I'salm 3. 1 ; +1. 5). given me tl»e necks
lit., backs of tlie necks—made them retreat (Exodus 23.27; Joshua 7.8). 42. This conquest was complete. 43-45. Not only does He conquer civil foes, but foreigners, who are driven from their places of refuge, submit, Ac.—(cf. Margin)—i. e., show a forced subjection. 40. The l>oi-d llvetli—contrasts Him with Idols (1 Uorinthians 8. 4). 47, 48. avengeth me—his cause is espoused by God as His own. llftest me up— to safety and honours. 49, 50. Paul (Romans 15. !)) (juotes from this doxology to show that under the Old Testament economy, others than the Jews were regarded as subjects of that spiritual government of which Di^ld was head, and in which character his deliverances and victories were typical of the more illustrious triumphs of David's greater Son. The languagaof
anil /ifH (cf. Psalm 16. 10)—are personified as man's great enemies (cf. Revelation 20. I'i, 14). prevented—encountered me, crossed my path and endangered by safety. He does not mean he was in their power. 6. He relates his metliods to procure relief when distressed, and his suc-
cess, temple—(cf. Psalm 11. 4). 7, 8. God's coming described in figures drawn from his appearance on Slnal
(cf. Deuteronomy 32. 22). smoke out . . . his nostril^ bitter in his wrath (cf. Psalm 71. 1). by It i.e., the fire (Exodus 10. 18). y. darkness—or, a dense cloud (Exodus
19.16; Deutei-onomy .5. 22). 10. cherub -angelic agents
(cf. Genesis 'i. 24), the figures of which were placed over the ark (1 Samuel 4. 4), representing God's dwelling; used here to euliiuice the majesty of the Divine advent. Angels an(\ winds may represent all rational and Irrational agencies of God's providence (cf. Psalm 101. 3, 4). did fly —rapidity of motion adds to the grandeur of the scene. 11. dark wa<ers—or, clouds heavy with vapour. VZ. Out of this obsi urity, wliich impresses the beholder with awe and dread, He reveals Himself by sudden light and the means of His terrible wrath (Josliua 10. 11; I'.salm 78. 47). 13. Tiie storm breaks forth—thunder follows lightning, and hail with repeated lightning, as often seen, like balls or coals of fire, succeed (Exodus 0. 2.')). 1*. The llery brightness of liglitning, in shape like burning arrows rapi<lly sliot tlirougli llie air, well represents the most terrible part of an awful storm. Before the terrors of such a scene the enemies are confounded and overthrown In dismay. 15. The t<'mpestof the air Is attended by appropriate results on earth. The language, though not expressive of any si)eclal physical changes, represents the utter sul)version of tlie order of nature. IJefore such a God none can stand. 10-19. from above—as seated on a throne, directing tliese terrible scenes, God—sent—His hand (P.salm 1 1 1. 7), reached down to His humhlo worshipper and delivered him, many waters—calamitli^s (.lob 89.14; Psaliri 121. 4, 5). prevented—(f. 3). a large place denotes safely or relief, as contrasted with the straits of distress (I'salm 1.1). All his deliverance is ascribed to God, and this sul)llino poetical representation Is given to Inspire the pious with confldonce and the wicked with dread. !40-a4. The statements of luuoceace, rigUteous-
V. 50 justifies this view in its distinct allusion to the great promise (cf. 2 Samuel 7). In all David's successes ho saw the pledges of a fulfilment of that promise, and he mourned In all Ills adversities not only in view of his personal suffering, but because he saw In them evidences of danger to the great Interests which were committed to his keeping. It is in these aspects of his character Unit we are led properly to appreciate the Importance attached to his sorrows and sullerings, his Joys and successes.