_A.M. 2944. B.C. 1060._ This Psalm seems to have been composed by David when he was persecuted by Saul, and forced to flee from place to place for safety; and when his friends advised him, in order that he might avoid the evil designs of his enemies, to shelter himself in the mountains of Judea. In... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the Lord put I my trust_ It is not in fortresses or strong holds that I place my confidence, but only in the Lord, in his power, and love, and faithfulness. _How say ye to my soul_ Ye, my friends; _Flee as a bird to your mountain?_ Fly away, as a timorous bird before the fowler, to a place of sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_For, lo, the wicked bend their bow_, &c. Many eminent commentators consider these also as the words of David's friends, representing to him, as a motive for his flight, the extreme danger he was in, which they compare to that of a bird when a fowler, having already fixed his eye upon it, had fitted... [ Continue Reading ]
_If the foundations be destroyed_, &c. This also is thought to be spoken by the same persons, discouraging David from making any further resistance, by the consideration that the foundations of religion and virtue were subverted, and therefore all was over, and what they urged, could a man, engaged... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord is in his holy temple_ The psalmist, having, in the first verse, declared that his trust was in Jehovah, and having mentioned the advice of his friends, is supposed to be now proceeding to show the fitness and propriety of his trust, notwithstanding the seeming desperate situation of affai... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord trieth the righteous_ God may think fit to try the fidelity of him whom he knows to be upright, by many adversities, that he may afterward give him the more illustrious testimonies of his approbation and love, as well as that he may thereby correct the remaining imperfections of his charac... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon the wicked he shall rain snares_, &c. The wicked may think themselves very secure, because they are so politic, crafty, and strong; but how can they defend themselves against God, who hath innumerable ways to destroy them, when they least think of it; and can as unexpectedly overthrow all thei... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness_ This is mentioned as the reason why God punishes the wicked so dreadfully. It is because, being righteous, essentially righteous, himself, he cannot but _love righteousness_, which is his own image stamped on the faithful, by his own Spirit. He therefore... [ Continue Reading ]