Psalm LIII
Ver. 1-6. On Mahalath^ci. Psalm 88., title). Why this repetition of Psalm 14. Is given we do not know.
(2 Samuel 12. 13; Psalm 32. 5; 1 John 1. 9). Against thee— chiefly, and as sins against others are violations of God's law, in one sense onli/. that . . . judgest i. e., all palliation of his crime is excluded ; it is the design in making this confessicm to recognize God's justice, however severe the sentence. 5, 6. His guilt was aggravated by his essential, native sinfulness, which is as contrary to God's requisitions of inward purity as are outward sins to those for right conduct, thou shalt make, &c.—may be taken to express God's gracious purpose in view of his strict requisition; a purpose of which David might have availed himself as a check to his native love for sin, and, in not doing so, aggravated his guilt, truth . . . and . . . wisdom—are terms often used for piety (cf. Job 28. 28 ; Psalm
1-4, with few verbal changes, correspond with Psalm
14. 1-i. 5. Instead of assurances of God's presence with the pious, and a complaint of the wicked. Psalm 14. 5, 6 portrays the ruin of the latter, whose "bones" even "are scattered" (cf. Psalm 141. 7), and who are put to shame as contemptuously rejected of God.
PSALM LIV. Ver. 1-7. Cf. title of Psalm 4. and 32.; for the history,
1 Samuel 23. 19, 29 ; 26. 1-25. After an earnest cry for help, the Psalmist promises praise In the assurance of a hearing.
1. by thy name—(Psalm 5. 11), specially, power. Judg* 363
DavuPs Prayer in Distress. PSALMS LV-LVIII. Ht Reprovet/i Wicked Judges.
me—as Psalm 7. 8 ; 26. 1. 2. (Cf. Psalm 4. 1 ; 5. 1.) 3. strangers —perhaps Ziphites. oppressors lit., terrible ones (Isaiah
word here, arrogantly, or proudly, as qualifying " those who fight," &c. 3. In [or lit., unto] thee—to whom he turns in trouble. 4. in God . , . Ills word—By His grace or aid (Psalm 60. 12; 108. 13), or, "I will boast in God as to His word ;" in either case His word is the special matter and cause of praise, flesh—for mankind (Psalm (i.5. 2; Isaiah
13. 11; 2o. 3). Such were Saul and his army, not set . . . tliem— acted as atheists, without God's fear (cf. Psalm 16.
8). *. (Cf. Psalm 30. 10.) witU tliem—ou their side, and for me (cf. Psalm 46. 11). 5. He sliall . . . evil—or, Evil shall return on (Psalm 7. 16) my enemies or watchers, i. e., to do me evil (Psalm 6. 7). In tliy tiiitU—thy verified promise. 6. I will freely, Ac—or, present a free-will offering (Leviticus 7. 16; Numbers 15. 3). 7. mine eye . . . desire—(cf. I'salm 59.10; 112. 8), expresses satisfaction in beholding the overthrow of his enemies as those of God, without implying any selfish or unholy feeling (cf. Psalm
31. 3), intimating frailty. 5, 6. A vivid picture of the conduct of malicious enemies. 7. Shall they escape J—or better, "Their escape is by iniquity." cast . . . people humble those who so proudly oppose thy servant. 8. God
is mindful of his exile and remembers his tears. The •custom of bottling the tears of mourners as a memorial, which has existed in some Eastern nations, may explain the figure. 9. God Is for me—or, on my side (Psalm 118. 6
52. 6. 7). PSALM JjY.
124. 1, 2), hence he is sure of the repulse of his foes. VZ. I will . . . praise—will pay what I have vowed. 13. The question implies an affirmative answer, drawn from past experience, falling—as from a precipice, before God in His favour during life,
Ver. 1-2;^. In great terror on account of enemies, and grieved by the treachery of a friend, the Psalmist oHers an earnest prayer for relief. He mingles confident assurances of Divine favour to himself with invocations and predictions of God's avenging judgments on the wicked. The tone suits David's experience, both in the times of Saul and Absalom, though perhaps neither was exclusively before his mind.