_A.M. 2946. B.C. 1058._ This Psalm is well suited to the occasion on which, the inscription says, it was written, and which is related, 1 Samuel 21. David begins it by imploring the divine protection, on account of the many enemies waiting for his destruction, Psalms 56:1; Psalms 56:2. Places his h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be merciful unto me, O God_ This petition includes all the good we can come unto the throne of grace for: if we obtain mercy there, we obtain all we can desire, and need no more to make us happy. It implies, likewise, our best plea; not our merit, but God's mercy, his _free_, _rich_ mercy. He prays... [ Continue Reading ]
_What time I am afraid_, &c. When I have the greatest cause of fear I will rely on thy providence and promise for deliverance. _In God will I praise his word_ I will praise, or boast, in the Lord's word, or, in the Lord for his word. Or _with_, or _by_, God's favour or help, _I will praise his word.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They wrest my words_ They misconstrue and pervert my most innocent expressions, and turn them into matter of calumny, in order that they may incense Saul against me. Hebrew, יעצבו, _jegnatzeebu, they put upon the rack_ my words, to extort that out of them which was never in them. Or, they endeavour... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall they escape by iniquity_ Shall they secure themselves by such injurious and malicious practices, whereby they do not only vex me, but provoke and despise thee? Shall they have success instead of the punishments which thou hast threatened, and they have deserved? But the words may be read with... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou tellest my wanderings_ “Thou art perfectly acquainted, I am sure, how often I have been forced to flee, like a vagabond, from place to place; which hath cost me many a tear. Good Lord, preserve a kind remembrance of them, and let them not perish as things thou nothing regardest.” Bishop Patric... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy vows are upon me_ As I have prayed to thee, and am assured that thou wilt deliver me, so, in confidence thereof, I have made vows to express my gratitude to thee, and I acknowledge myself obliged thereby, and do resolve to perform them. _For thou hast delivered my soul from death_ Which my enem... [ Continue Reading ]