_David, in confidence of his integrity, asketh defence of God, against his enemies: he sheweth their pride, craft, and eagerness: he prayeth against them in confidence of his hope._ A Prayer of David. _TITLE._— לדוד תפלה _tephillah ledavid, a Prayer of David._ The author, in this Psalm, earnestly... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST VISITED ME IN THE NIGHT— "Thou hast been present with me in my greatest privacies; to discover whether, in my retirement from the eyes of men, I was forming any evil designs, or indulging any mischievous imaginations." The last clause of this verse is obscure. David here is thought by many... [ Continue Reading ]
SHEW, &C.— _Magnify thy mercies, O thou,_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIDE ME UNDER THE SHADOW OF THY WINGS— This is a figurative expression, say some, taken from hens, who with great carefulness hide their chickens under their wings to protect them from birds of prey: see Matthew 23:37. But it appears to me much more probable, that the idea is taken from the wings of... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ARE INCLOSED IN THEIR OWN FAT— This is a poetical or proverbial speech, to signify haughtiness, as caused by wealth or great prosperity; together with that indulgence of the sensual appetites, and disregard to the duties and doctrines of religion, which is a consequence of such haughtiness, _Je... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE NOW COMPASSED US IN OUR STEPS— Mudge renders this and the preceding verse differently: Psalms 17:10. _They draw close their cords; with their mouth they speak exultingly: "We have succeeded now."_ Psalms 17:11. _They come about me, they set their eyes stooping down upon the earth._ The ima... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVER MY SOUL FROM THE WICKED, WHICH IS THY SWORD— _Let thy sword deliver me from the wicked: thy hand, O Lord, from men:_ Psalms 17:14. _From those men who are of this world;_ &c. Houbigant.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM MEN OF THE WORLD, WHICH HAVE THEIR PORTION IN THIS LIFE— If we did enough remember, what it concerns wicked men to forget, _That they have their portion in this life,_ and are therefore _filled with the treasures of this world,_ upon which they have set their _whole hearts,_ that they may have... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL BEHOLD, &C.— _I will through righteousness behold thy face._ Bishop Hare has observed, that the sense of the latter part of this verse, according to the genius of the Hebrew poetry, is the same with the former. _By_ or _through righteousness,_ implies the condition upon which he expected the... [ Continue Reading ]