Psalm XXX
Ver. 1-12. Lit., A Psalm-song—a composition to be sung with musical instruments, or without them—or, "Song of the dedication," ikc, specifying the particular character of the Psalm. Some suppose that " of David " should be connected with the name of the composition, and not with " 7io».se ;" and refer for the occasion to the selection of a
40. 12). 11. among—or, lit., from, or, by my enemies. The latter clauses describe the progress of his disgrace to the lowest degree, till, 12. he is forgotten as one dead, and contemned as a useless broken vessel. 13. For—introduces further reasons for his prayer, the unjust, deliberate, and murderous purposes of his foes. 14-18, In his profession of trust he includes the terms of the prayer expressing it. times—course of life, deliver . . . Itand—opposed to " shut, me up," &c., of v. 8. make . . . sUlne—(Cf. Numbers 6. 25; Psalm 4. 6.) Deprecating from himself, lie imprecates on the wicked God's displeasure, and prays that their virulent persecution of him may be stopped. 19-21, God displays openly His purposed goodness to His people, tlie secret of tUy presence—or, covering of thy countenance ; the protection He thus affords ; cf. Psalm 27. 5 for a similar figure; "dwelling" used there for "presence" here. The idea of security further presented by the figure of a tent and a fortified city. 'i'i. For I said— And I said. In an adver.sativo sense. I, thus favoured, was despondent. In my haste—in my terror, cut off . . . eyes from all the protection of thy presence. 23,24. the Lord
site for the temple (1 Chronicles 21. 26-30 ; 22. 1). But " house" is never used absolutely for the temple, and dedication does not well apply to such an occasion. Though the phrase in the ifebrew, " dedication of the house of David," is an unusual form, yet it is equally unusual to disconnect the name of the author and the composition. As a "dedication of David's house" (as provided, Deuterouomy 20. 25), the scope of the Psalm well corresponds with the state of repose and meditation on his past trials suited to such an occasion (2 Samuel 5. 11; 7. 2). For beginning with a celebration of God's delivering favour, in which he itivites others to join, he relates his pi'ayer in distress, and Goil's gracious and prompt answer.
1. lifted lue up—as one is drawn from a well (Psalm 40.
2). "-i. licaled me—affliction is often described as disease (Psalm 0.2; 11.4; 107. 20), and so relief by healing. 3. The terms describe extreme danger. soiU—or, myself, grave —^(7., hell, as in Psalm 16. 10. liast kept me . . . pit quickeneil or revivtd me from the state of dying (cf. Psalm 2S. 1). 4. remembrance—the thing remembered or memorial. Iiolliiess — as the sum of God's perfections
. . . proud doer— t!ic Lord is kee]>ing faith— i. e., with His people, and Is repaying, &e. Then let none despair, but take courage, their hopes shall not be In vain.