_David sustaineth his faith by the power of God, by his love to the service of God, and by prayer._ _A Psalm_ of David. _TITLE._ לדוד _LEDAVID._— The Greek title is, "A Psalm of David before he was anointed," alluding to 2 Samuel 2:4. But what Bishop Patrick observes concerning this Psalm seems mor... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EAT UP MY FLESH— See Job 31:31. This expresses the utmost rancour or envy. There is the same expression in Ecclesiastes 4:5 where, as it should be translated, the fool is said to sit lazily with folded arms, and out of envy to eat the flesh of his diligent neighbours, whom he sees to thrive. Mudg... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THIS WILL I BE CONFIDENT— _Yet would I rely upon this;_ namely, upon the divine protection; which is described in the two next periods, in the figurative terms of being admitted _to dwell in the house of the Lord,_ where no enemy could approach to hurt him. See Psalms 31:21; Psalms 91:1 and Green... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD— i.e. The cheering countenance of God, whose presence was more conspicuously manifested in his temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THOU SAIDST, SEEK YE MY FACE, &C.— The words, _when thou saidst_ are not in the original. Bishop Hare inserts the word אלהים _elohim,_ and reads it thus, _To thee, O my soul, God said, Seek ye my face; thy face, Lord, I will seek._ Houbigant renders it, _To thee said my heart, seek ye my face;... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAD FAINTED, UNLESS, &C.— The words _I had fainted,_ are not in the Hebrew. Dr. Hammond observes, that there is a very remarkable elegance in the original; which, by the use of a beautiful figure, makes an abrupt breaking off in the midst of the speech. He compares it to that celebrated threat of... [ Continue Reading ]
WAIT ON THE LORD— The Psalmist here admonishes any person who shall fall into such straits as his, to learn by his example not to be impatient, or to despond, much less despair of relief, if God do not happen to send it just when it is expected. _Woe unto you that have lost patience; and what will y... [ Continue Reading ]