PSALM 7 SHIGGAION: this seems to be the name of a certain kind either
of song, or tune, or instrument, which then was very well known, but
now is only matter of conjecture; wherewith I think it not fit to
trouble the unlearned reader; and the learned may consult my Latin
Synopsis. CONCERNING THE WOR... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST HE, i.e. mine enemy, as it is expressed, PSALMS 7:4, even Saul,
or any of his followers, TEAR MY SOUL out of my body; or destroy me
and my life, as PSALMS 6:5. LIKE A LION; to which he compares him both
for power and cruelty, and withal intimates his own inability to
oppose or escape his rage w... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I HAVE DONE THIS, i.e. that which Cush and others falsely lay to my
charge. If I design or have endeavoured to take away Saul's crown and
life by violence, as Saul's courtiers maliciously reported, 1 SAMUEL
24:9,10 1 SAMUEL 26:19. IN MY HANDS, i.e. in my actions or carriage
towards Saul. The _han... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO HIM THAT WAS AT PEACE WITH ME, i.e. to Saul, when he was
peaceable and friendly towards me; for David was charged with evil
designs against Saul before Saul broke out into open enmity against
him. YEA: this particle is here used by way of correction or
opposition, as it is also PSALMS 2:6 PROVE... [ Continue Reading ]
I am contented, and wish that Saul may so persecute my life as to
overtake it, and take it away. _Mine honour_; either,
1. That honourable and royal estate to which I am chosen and designed.
Or,
2. My reputation and memory. Or rather,
3. The same thing which he called his SOUL and his _life_ in t... [ Continue Reading ]
ARISE IN THINE ANGER; oppose thy just anger to their causeless and
sinful rage against me. LIFT UP THYSELF, that thou mayst give them a
deadly blow. A metaphor from men who arise and lift up themselves to
do so. Heb. BE THOU EXALTED; glorify thyself, and show thyself to be
above them. TO THE JUDGMEN... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CONGREGATION OF THE PEOPLE; either,
1. A great number of all sorts of people, who shall observe thy
justice, and holiness, and goodness, in pleading my righteous cause
against my cruel and implacable oppressor. Or rather,
2. The whole body of thy people Israel, to whom both these Hebrew
words a... [ Continue Reading ]
It belongs to thee to judge all persons and people, and to give
sentence between them, especially when they appeal unto thee; which I
now do. If I be guilty of those evil designs towards him, wherewith
Cush and others charge me, do thou give sentence against me; but if I
be just and innocent towards... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the malice of mine enemies cease, put a stop to their wicked
practices, either by changing their hearts, or by tying their hands,
or some other way; say to it, as thou dost to the sea, Hitherto hast
thou gone, but thou shalt go no further, and here shall thy proud
waves be stayed. Or, THE WICKED... [ Continue Reading ]
MY DEFENCE IS OF GOD, Heb. _My shield is upon God_; he doth as it were
carry my shield before me. See 1 SAMUEL 17:7. He doth and will protect
me against all mine enemies. WHICH SAVETH THE UPRIGHT IN _heart_; and
therefore me, whom he knoweth to be sincere and honest in my carriage
toward him and tow... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD JUDGETH, i.e. defendeth, or avengeth, or delivereth, as this word
is oft used, as DEUTERONOMY 32:36 PSALMS 9:4, PSALMS 10:18 26:1, &c.
_To judge_ is properly to give sentence; which because it may be done
either by absolving and acquitting from punishment, or by condemning
and giving up to punis... [ Continue Reading ]
IF HE, i.e. the wicked man last mentioned, either Cush or Saul, turn
not from this wicked course of calumnating or persecuting me, _he_,
i.e. God, who is often designed by this pronoun, being easily to be
understood from the nature of the thing, WILL WHET HIS SWORD, i.e.
will prepare, and hasten, an... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HIM; either,
1. For or against the persecutor, as it follows. Or rather,
2. For himself, for his own use, to wit, to shoot against his enemies.
THE INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH, i.e. arrows, or other deadly weapons. HE
ORDAINETH, Heb. _maketh_ or _worketh_, designeth or fitteth for his
very use. AGAIN... [ Continue Reading ]
HE, i.e. the wicked, as is undeniably manifest from the matter and
context. CONCEIVED MISCHIEF, AND BROUGHT FORTH FALSEHOOD: this
metaphor noteth his deep design, and continued course, and vigorous
endeavours for the doing of mischief, and his restlessness and pain
till he have accomplished it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hath brought that evil upon himself which he intended against me;
which may be understood either of Saul, who whilst he plotted against
David's life ran into apparent hazard of losing his own, 1Sa 24$ 1SA
26 $; or of some courtier or courtiers of Saul, in whom this was
evidently verified, although t... [ Continue Reading ]
Which phrase may note whence this retribution should come, even from
heaven, or from the righteous and remarkable judgment of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, declared and asserted by him in their
exemplary punishment, and my seasonable and wonderful deliverance.... [ Continue Reading ]