Psalm XXVI
30. 3). 2. lift up my hands—a gesture of praj'er (Psalm
63. 4; 141. 2). oracle—place of speaking (Exodus 25. 22; Numbers 7. 89), where God answered His people (cf. Psalm
Ver. 1-12. After appealing to God's judgment on his avowed integrity and innocence of the charges laid by his enemies, tlie Psalmist professes delight in God's worship, and prays for exemption from the fate of the wicked, expressing assiirance of God's favour.
5. 7). 3. Draw me not, &c.—implies punishment as well as death (cf. Psalm 26. 9). Hypocrisy is the special ivickedness mentioned. 4. The imprecation is justified In v. 5. The force of the passage is greatly enhanced by the accumulation of terms describing their sin. endeavours points out their deliberate sinfulness. 5. Disregard of God's judgments brings a righteous punishment, destroy
1. Judge—decide on my case—the appeal of innocence, in nfine integrity-freedom from blemish (cf. Psalm 25.
21). His confidence of perseverance results from trust in God's sustaining grace. 2. He asks the most careful scrutiny of liis allections and thoughts (Psalm 7. 9), or mo-
. . . build . . . up—The positive strengthened by the negative form. 6. supplications—or, cries for mercy. 7. The repetition of lieart denotes his sincerity. 8. The distinction made between the people, their strength—and the anointed—may indicate Absalom's rebellion as the occasion. 9. The special prayer for the people sustains this view, feed them—as a sliepherd (Psalm 23. 1, &c.). PSALM XXIX. Ver. 1-11. Trust in God is encouraged by the celebration of His mighty power as illustrated in His dominion over the natural world, in some of its most terrible and wonderful exhibitions.
tives. 3. As often, the ground of prayer for present help
is former favour. 4-8. As exemplified by the fruits of Divine gi-ace, presented in his life, especially in his avoiding the wicked and his purposes of cleaving to God's w<n"-
sliip. wasli mine Itands—expressive symbol of freedom from sinful acts (cf. Matthew 27. 24). tlic habitation of
tlij' house—where thy house rests—as the tabernacle was not yet permanently fixed, honour dwelleth—conveys an allusion to the Holy of Holies. 9. Cfatlier not, <tc. bring me not to death, bloody men—(cf. Psalm 5. 6). 10. Their wliole conduct is that of violence and fraud. 11,12. But, (Sc.—He contrasts his character and destiny with that of the wicked (cf. t'. 1, 2). even place—free from occasions of stumbling—safely in his course Is denoted. Keuce he will render to God his praise publicly.
1. Give—or, ascribe (Deuteronomy 32. 3). mighty—or, sons of the mighty (Psalm 89. 6). Heavenly beings, as angels. 2. name—as (Psalm 5. 11; 8. 1). beauty ofholi^ ness—the loveliness of a spiritual worship, of which the perceptible beauty of the sanctuary worship was but a type. 3. The voice of tlie I>ord—audible exhibition of His power in the tempest, of which thunder is a specimen, but not tlie uniform or sole example, the waters—are the clouds or vapours (Psalin 18. 11; Jerenilali 10. 13). 4. powerful . . . majesty lit., in power, in majesty. 3, 6. The tall and larye cedars, cspocially of Lebanon, wo
PSALM XXVII. Ver. 1-M. With a general strain of confidence, hope, and Joy, especially in God's worship. In the midst of dangers, the Psalmist Introduces prayer for Divine help and guidance.
1. light—Is a common figure for comfort, strength—or, stronghold—afTordlng security against all violence. The
David Exhorteih to Praise. PSALMS XXX—XXXII. Bemission of Sin a great Blessing.
5. 8), and begs for an attentive neanng, and speedy and effectual aid. With no other help and no claim of merit, he relies solely on God's regard to his own perfections for a safe guidanceand release fromthe snares of his enemies. On the terms " rocks," &c., (cf. Psalm 17. 2 ; IS. 2, 50 ; 20. 6 : 23. 3 ; 25.
shivered, utterly broken. The waving of the mountain forests before the wind is expressed by the figure of skipping or leaping. 7. dlvUletli lit., heivs off. The lightning, like flakes and splinters hewed from stone or wood, flies through the air. 8. tUe wilderness—especially Kadesh, south of Judea, is selected as another scene of this display of Divine power, as a vast and desolate region impresses the mind, like mountains, with images of grandeur. 9. Torror-stricken animals and denuded forests close the
21). 5,0. commitmy splrit—mylife.or myself. Our Saviour used the wordson thecross,notas prophetical, but, as many pious men have done, as expressive of his unshaken confidence in God. The Psalmist rests on God's faithfulness to His promises to His people, and hence avows himself one of them, detesting all who revere objects of idolatry (cf. Deuteronomy 3'2. 21 ; 1 Corinthians 8. 4). 7. hast known my soul, &c.—had regard to me in trouble. 8. shut me up . . . enemy—abandon to (1 Samuel 23. 11). large room —place of safety (cf. Psalm 18. 19). 9, 10. mine eye, &c.— denote extreme weaki>ess (cf. Psalm 6. 7). grief—mingled sorrow and indignation (Psalm 6. 7). soul and . . . belly—the whole person. Though the elTects ascribed to grief are not mere figures of speech—spent . . . con-* sumed—must be taken in the modified sense of wasted and decayed. Iniquity—or, suflTering by it (cf. on Psalm
illustration. In view of this scene of awful sublimity, God's worshippers respond to the call of v. 2, and speak or cry, "glory!" By temple, or palace (God's residence, Psalm 5. 7), may here be meant heaven, or the whole frame of nature, as the angels are called on for praise.
10, 11. Over this terrible raging of the elements God is enthroned, directing and restraining by sovereign power; and hence the comfort of His people. " This awful God is
ours, our Father and our Love."