Psalm LVII
Ver. 1-11. Al-taschith—Destroy not. This is perhaps an enigmatical allusion to the critical circumstances connected with the history, for which cf. 1 Samuel 22. 1; 26.
1. Hide not tliysclf, &c.—(cf. Psalm 13. 1; 27. 9), withhold not help. 3. The terms of the last clause express full indulgence of grief. 3. oppression lit., persecution, tliey
1-3. In Jloses' prayer (Deuteronomy 9. 26) it is a iirominent petition deprecating God's auger against the people. This explanation suits the 5Sth and 59th also. Asaph uses it lor the 7oth, in the scope of which there is allusion to some emergency. Michlam—{Cf. Psalm 16.) To an earnest cry for Divine aid, the Psalmist adds, as often, the language of praise, in the assured hope of a favourable hearing.
. . . iniquity lit., they make evil doin/js slide upon me. i,
5. express great alarm, come upon [or lit., into] me. 6. be at rest lit., dwell, i. e., permanently. 7, 8. Even a wilderness is a safer place than exposure to such evils, terrible as storm and tempest. 9. Destroy—/(7., Swallow (Psalm 21. 9). divide tl»eir tongues—or, confound their speech, and hence their counsels (Genesis 11. 7). the city —perhaps Jerusalem, the scene of anarchy. 10, H, which
1. my soul—or self, or life, which is threatened, shadow of thy wlitgs—(Psalm 17. 8; 36. 7.) calamities lil.,'niis-
c/i/e/i (Psalm 52. 2; 5-5. 10). 3. performeth—or, completes what he has begun. 3. from . . . swallow me up—that pants in rage after me (Psalm 56. 2). mercy and . . . truth—(Psalin 25. 10; 36. 5), as messengers (Psalm 4.J. 3) sent to deliver him. 4. The mingled figures of wild beasts (Ps.alm 10. 9 ; 17. 12) and weapons of war (Psalm U.
is described in detail (cf. Psalm 7. 14-16). Wlcke<lness
lit., Mischief, evils resulting from others (Psalm 5. 9; 52. 2,
7), streets—or lit., wide places, markets, courts of jus-
tice, and any public place. VZ-li. This description of treachery does not deny, but aggravates, the injury from enemies, guide lit., friend (Proverbs 16. 28; 17. 9). acquaintance—in Hebrew, a yet more intimate associate. In company lit., with a crowd, in a festal procession. 15. Let death, ttc.—or, " Desolations are on them." let them go {lit., tJu'u icill yn). quick—or, living in the midst of life,
2) heightens the picture of danger, whose . . . tongue or slanders. 5. 'This doxology illustrates his view of the connection of his deliverance with God's glory. 6. (Cf. Psalm 7. 15; 9. 15, 16.) 7. I will . . . praise—both with voice and instrument. 8. Hence—he addresses hi glory, or tongue (Psalm 16. 9; 30. 1,2), and his psaltery, or lute and harp. ' I myself . . . early lit., I tclU awaken dawn, poetically expressing his zeal and diligence, 9, 10. As His mercy and truth, so shall His praise, fill the universe.
deatli will come (cf. Numbers 16. 33). among them—or, within them, in their hearts (Psalm 5. 9; 49.11). 16-18. God answers his constant and repeated prayers, many tvith me—/, c., by the context, fighting Willi me. 19. God hears the wicked in wrath, abideth [or, silicth] of old—enthroned as a sovereign. Because . . . no changes —Prosperity hardens them (Psalm 73. 5). 20, !41. The treachery is aggravated by hypocrisy. The changes of number, v. 15, 23, and here, enlivens the picture, and implies that the chief tiaitor and his accomplices are in view together. 'Z'i. Ihy burden—irt., gift, what is aseigned you. he sliall sustain lit., supply food, and so nil need (Psalm 57.25; Matthew 6. 11). to be moved-from the secure position of his faVour (cf. Psalm 10.6). S43. bloody . . . days—(cl. I'salm 5. 0; 51. 14), deceit and murderous dispositions often united. The threat is directed specially (not as a general truth) against the wicked, then in the writer's view.