_A.M. 2942. B.C. 1062._ David, being maliciously aspersed and calumniated, expresses his trust in God, and prays for deliverance from his enemies, 1, 2. Appeals to God for his innocence, Psalms 7:3. Prays to him to judge his cause, Psalms 7:6. And to abolish sin and establish righteousness, Psalms... [ Continue Reading ]
_In thee do I put my trust_ All my hope and confidence are in thy favour, and faithfulness to fulfil thy promise made to me. _Save me from all them that persecute me_ “To a tender and ingenuous spirit,” says Dr. Horne, “the persecution of the tongue is worse than that of the sword, and with more dif... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lest he_ That is, mine enemy, as it is expressed, Psalms 7:4. The singular number here used, evidently proves that one particular enemy is referred to, whom some suppose to be the great enemy and accuser, whose agents and tools wicked men are. But it is much more probable that either Saul or one of... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Lord, if I have done this_ Which Cush and others falsely lay to my charge; _if there be iniquity in my hands_ In my actions, the hand being often put for actions whereof it is a great instrument: “David here makes a solemn appeal to God, the searcher of hearts, as judge of his innocence, with reg... [ Continue Reading ]
_If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me_ He probably means to Saul, when he was peaceable and friendly toward him; for David was charged with evil designs against Saul, before Saul broke out into open enmity against him. _Yea_ I have been so far from doing this that I have done t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the enemy persecute my soul_, &c. I am contented, and wish that Saul may so persecute my life as to overtake it, and take it away. _And lay mine honour in the dust_ Meaning either 1st, that honourable and royal dignity for which he was designed; or, 2d, his reputation and memory: or, rather, 3d... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arise, O Lord, in thine anger_ Oppose thy just anger to their causeless and sinful rage against me. _Lift up thyself_ Hebrew, הנשׂא, _hinnasee, Be thou exalted;_ glorify thyself, and show thyself to be above them. _Awake for me to the judgment_, &c. To execute that righteous sentence which _thou ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about_ Such a visible display of thy righteous judgment in thus pleading my cause against my cruel and implacable oppressor will induce multitudes of people, who shall behold or hear of it, to adore and glorify thee. For, observing thy justice, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord shall judge the people_ The Sovereign of the world will not fail to dispense equal justice unto all, according to their works. Assured of which, I say, _Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness _ For I desire no greater favour than to be disposed of according to my innocence in this... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end_ Let the malice of mine enemies cease: put a stop to their wicked practices, either by changing their hearts or tying their hands: say to it as thou dost to the sea, Hitherto hast thou gone, but thou shalt advance no further. Hebrew, _The wickedness o... [ Continue Reading ]
_My defence is of God_ Hebrew, מגני על אלהים, _maginni gnal Elohim, my shield_ is _upon God._ He, as it were, carries my shield before me: see 1 Samuel 17:7. He does and will protect me against all mine enemies. _Which saveth the upright in heart_ And therefore will save me whom he knows to be since... [ Continue Reading ]
_If he_ The wicked man last mentioned; _turn not_ From his wicked course; _he_ God; _will whet his sword_ Will prepare, and hasten, and speedily execute his judgments upon him. _He hath bent his bow _ Did I say, _He will do it?_ nay, _he hath_ already done it; his sword is drawn, his bow is bent, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold_, he That is, the wicked, _travaileth with iniquity_, &c. This metaphor denotes his deep design and vigorous endeavours for doing mischief; and his restlessness and pain till he have accomplished it. “When an evil thought,” says Dr. Horne, “is instilled into the heart of man, then the seed o... [ Continue Reading ]
_He made a pit_, &c. This is a proverbial manner of speech often used in Scripture. It is taken from pits which are digged, and then covered with the leaves of trees, or some such unstable materials, either to make men fall into them, or else wild beasts, which are hunted into them. _And is fallen i... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness_ I will give him the glory of that gracious protection under which he takes his afflicted people, and of the just vengeance with which he will pursue them that afflict them; and will most thankfully acknowledge, not only the _power_, but the _ju... [ Continue Reading ]