Psalm LVIII
Ver. 1-11. David's critical condition In some period of tlie Saullne persecution probably oceaslone<l this Psalm, in which the Psalmist leaches that the iimato and actual sinfulness of men deserves, and shall receive, God's righteous vengeance, while the pious may be consoled by tlie evidence of his wise and holy government, of men.
1. Oh, congregation lit.. Oh dumb— the word used Is nevi^r translated "congregation." "Arc ye dumb? ye should speak righteousness," may be the translation. In any case, the writer remonstrates with them, perhaps a council, who were assembled to try his cause, and bound to give a right decision. )4. Tin's they did not design ; but weigh . . . violence — or give di'cisloiis of violence. Weigh in a figure to express the acts of Judges. In the earth — publicly. describe tin? wicked g<>iieially, who sin naturally, easily, malignantl.v and stubbornly. Htoppeth her [or, lit., Iiis] ear— j. e., the wicked man (the singular used collectively), who thus becomes like the deaf a<l(ler whicli lias no ear. 0. prays lor their de-
PSALM LVI.
"V<'r. 1-13. Upon Jonnth-elem-rechokim — lit., upon the Dove of silence of distant places; either denoting a melody
(cf. on Psalm 0.) of that name, to which this Psalm was to be performed ; or it is an enigmatical form of denoting the sul)|ect, as given in the history referred to (1 Samuel
21. II, &<•.), David l)(!ing regarded as an uncomplaining, meek dove, drivt^n from his native homo to wander in exile. Hesi't liy domestic and foreign foes, David appeals confidently to God, recites his complaints, and closes with Joyful and a.ssurcd anticipations of God's continued help.
stru(rtlon, under the figure of ravenous beasts (Psalm 3. 7;
7. 2). 7. which run continually — lit., they sliall go to themselves, utterly depart, as raiild mountain torrents, he bendeth . . . hlH arrows—im pares It. The ti'rm for preparing a bow applied to arrows (Psalm 61. 3). lei fliem
1, !i. would wwallow lit., pants as a rar/inr; bea.it (Acts
9.1). enemies—«;«te/ix'r« (Psalm 54. 5). Most High—as it
. . . pieces— as if they cut thrni.ielvcs ofT—i. e., bi'coine blunted and of no avail. 8, 9. Other figures of this ullei
Is not elsewhere used absolutely for God, some render the
Nature of the Wicked. PSALMS LIX—LXIII. Confidence in Ood.
session (Exodus 23. 31 ; Deuteronomy 11. 24) (and perhaps renewed to him by special revelation), with triumphant
ruin ; the last denoting rapidity. In a shorter time than
pots feel the lieat of thorns on fire—he sliall take them away as with a whirlwiinl— ZiY., blow him {them) away. both living . . . wrath—iii., as the living w fresh as the heated or biirning—i. e., thorns—all easily blown away,
joy he describes the conquest as already made. Shechem^ an€l . . . Succoth —as widely separated points, and Gllead . . . and Itlanasseh—as large districts, east and west of Jordan, represent the whole land, divide . . . and mete out— means to have entire control over. Ephralm— denotes the military (Deuteronomy 33. 17); and —Jndah — (the lawgiver. Genesis 49.10), the civil power. Foreign nations are then presented as subdued, nioab— is a waslipot—the most ordinary vessel, over
60 easily and quickly the wicked. The figure of the snail perhaps alludes to its lossof saliva when moving. Though obscure in its clauses, the general sense of the passage
is clear. 10, 11. -wash . . . wicked — denoting great slaughter. The joy of triumph over the destruction of the wicked is because they are God's enemies, and their overthrow shows that he reigneth (cf. Psalm 52. 5-7; 54. 7). In this assurance let heaven and earth rejoice (Psalm 96.
[or, at] Edom—(as a slave) he casts his slioe. Phillstia, triumph . . . [or, rather, ahmit] for me—acknowledges subjection (cf. Psalm 108. 9, "over Philistia will I triumph"). 9, 10. He feels assured that, though once angry, God is now ready to favour his people, who will lead me—or, who has led me, as if tlie work were now begun. Wilt not thou—or. Is It not thou? 11,12. Hence he closes with a prayer for success, and an assurance of a hearing. PSALM LXI.
10; 07. 1, PSALM LIX. Ver. 1-17. Cf. Psalm 57., and for history, 1 Samuel 19. 11, &c. Tlie scope is very similar to that of the 57th ; praj'er
in view of malicious and violent foes, and joy In prospect of relief.
1. defeud—(Cf. Margin.) rise up . . . me—(Cf. Psalm 17.
7.) 3. (Cf. Psalm 5. 5 ; 6.8.) 4, 5. prepare, &c. lit., set themseUvs as in array, awake—(Cf. Psalm 3. 7 ; 7. 6), appeals to Uod in his covenant relation to his people (Psalm
Ver. 1-8. Neginah— or, Neginoth (cf. Psalm 4., title). Separated from his usual spiritual privileges, perhaps by Absalom's rebellion, the Psalmist prays for Divine aid, and, in view of past mercies, with great confidence of being heard.
9. 18). «, 7. Tliey are as ravening dogs seeking prey, and as such, belch out—i. e., slanders, their impudent barkings. For wHo, say they—For tlie full expression with the supplied words, cf. Psalm 84. 5. 8. (Cf. Psalm 2. 4; 37. 13.) 9. By judicious expositors, and on good grounds, this is better rendered, "O iny strength, on thee will I wait" (v.
1-3. From the end, &c. i. e., places remote from the sanctuary (Deuteronomy 28. ftl). heart is overwhelmed —lit., covered ovei' with darkness, or, distress, to the Rock (Psalm 18. 2; 40. 2.) higher than I—which otlierwise I cannot ascend, shelter . . . and strong tower—repeat the same sentiment. 4. 1 will abide—Sol desire to do
17). defeMce—(Cf. Psalm 18. 3.) 10. prevent me—(Psalm
21. 3.) see my desire—in tlieir overtlirow (Psalm 54. 7). enemies—as Psalm 5. 8. 11. Slay tltem not—at once (Judges 2. 21-23); but perpetuate their punishment (GeneBis4. 12; Numbers 32. 13), by scattering or making them wander, and humble them. 1^. let them be . . . taken in their pride—while evincing it i. e., to be punished for their* lies, itc. 13. Though delayed for wise reasons, the utter destruction of the wicked must come at last, and God s presence and power in and for his Church will be known abroad (1 Samuel 17. 46; Psalm 46. 10, 11). 14, 15. Meanwhile let the rapacious dogs prowl, tlvey cannot ljurt tlie pious; yea, they sliall wander famished and sleepless, grudge If, &c.—lit., they shall stay all night—
(cf. Psalm 23. 6). trust In the covert, &c. make my refuge in the shadow (cf. Psalm 17. 8 ; 30. 7). 5. the heritage
or, part in the spiritual blessings of Israel (Psalm 21. 2-4). vows—implies prayers. 6, 7. the king—himself and his royal line ending in Clirist. Mercy and truth personified, as Psalm 40. 11; 57. 3. abide before God lit., sit as a king in Ood's presence, under his protection. 8. Thus for new blessings will new vows of praise ever be paid.
PSLAM LXII. Ver. 1-12. To Jeduthunr-ict Psalm 39., title). The gen. eral tone of this Psalm is expressive of confidence in God. Occasion is taken to remind the wicked of their sin, their ruin, and their meanness.
i.e., obtain nothing. 16, 17. contrast the lot of God's servant, who employs his time in God's praise, sing aloud ... in the morning—when they retire famishing and disappointed, or it juay denote delightful diligence iu praise, as Psalm 30. 5.
1. walteth— is silent, trusts submissively and con» fldently as a servant. 3. The titles applied to God often occur (Psalm 9. 9; 18. 2). be greatly moved—(Psalm 10. 6) no injury shall be permanent, though devised by enemies. 3. Their destruction will come; as a tottering wall they already are feeble and failing, bowing wall shall ye be—better supply are. Some propose to apply these phrases to describe the condition of the man—i. e., the pious sutler: thus, "Will ye slay him," &c. ; but the other is a good sense. 4. his excellency—or, elevation to which God had raised him (Psalm 4. 2). Tills they try to do by lies and duplicity (Psalm 5. 9). 5, 6. (Cf. Psalm 1.
PSALM LX, Ver. 1-12. Shushan-edath—V,\\y of testimony. The lily
is an emblem of beauty (cf. Psalm 45., title). As a description of the I'salm, those terms combined may denote a beautiiul poum, witnessing—i.e., for God's faithfulness as evinced in the victories referred to in the history cited. Aram-iKiharaim—.Syria of the two rivers, or Mesopotamia beyond tlie rioer (Kuph rates) (2 Samuel 10. 16). Aram-zobah —Syria of Zobah (2 Samuel 10. 6), to whose king the king of the former was tributary. The war with Edom, by Joab and Abishai (2 Chronicles 18. 12, 25), occurred about the same tijne. Probably, while doubts and fears alternately prevailed respecting tlie issue of these wars, the writer composed this Psalm, in which he depicts, in the language of God's people, their sorrows under former disasters, olfurs prayer In present straits, and rejoices in confident liope of triumph by God's aid.
2.) not be moved—ndt at all; his confidence has increased. 7. rock of my strength—or strongest support (Psalm7. 10; 61.3). 8. pour out your heart—give full expression to feeling (1 Samuel 1. 15; Job 30. 10; Psalm 42. 4). ye people—God's people. 9. No kind of men are reliable, compared with God (Isaiah 2. 22; Jeremiah 17. 5). altogether—alike, one as tlie other (Psalm 'M. 3). 10. Not only are oppression and robbery, which are wicked means of wealth, no grounds of boasting, but even wealth, increasing lawfully, ouglit not to engross the heart. 11. once; twice—(as Job 33. 14 ; 40. o), are used to give emphasis to the sentiment. God's power is tempered by His mercy, whicli It also sustains. 12. For thou renderest lit.. Thai thou renderest, Ac, connected with "/ heard this," as tiie phrase—"that power," Sia. —teaching that by His power He can show both mercy and Justice.
1-3. allude to disasters, cast . . . off—in scorn (Psalm
43. 2; 44. 9). scattered—broken our strength (cf. 2 Samuel 5.20). tHilurnthyself—or, restore to us (prosperity). The figures of physical, denote great civil, commotions (Psalm 46. 2, 3). drink . . . wine of astonishment—<tt., of staggering—i.e., made us weak (cf. Psalm 75. 8; Isaiah 51. 17, 22). 4, Yet to God's banner tliey will rally, and pray that, led and sustained by his power (right hand. Psalm 17. 7; 20. 6), they may be safe, hear me—or hear us. 6-10. God hath spoken In [or, by] his holiness—{Psalm 89. 35; Amos 4. 2j, on the pledge of his attributes (Psalm 22. 3 ; 30.