23 Let their table be made a snare to take | Mal. 2. 1, 2. themselves withal; and let the things, that Rom. 11. 9, 10. should have been for their wealth [welfare], be unto them an occasion of falling [a trap]. 24 Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not; and ever bow thou down their backs. 25 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them : 26 Let their habitation be void, and no man to dwell in their tents; 27 For they persecute him, whom Thou hast smitten; and they talk how they may vex them, whom Thou hast wounded. 1 Isai. 6. 9, 10. 2 Cor. 3. 14. Luke 21. 22. Matt. 23. 38. Acts 1. 20. Zech. 1. 15: 13.7. Saviour in the flesh, would be sufficient to remove every doubt concerning him, by affording testimony, both direct and positive, to the fact of his being the especial object of prophecy. Psalm xxii. 18: xxxiv. 20. 23 Let their table, &c. Let their feasting as assuredly bring destruction upon them, as if, like irrational creatures, they had been enticed by a bait, and then caught in a net or trap. With regard to the curses contained in the Psalms it may be remarked generally, that David is, by no means, to be considered as constituting his own private feelings the subject of his devotions. cxix. 139: cxxxix. 19, &c. What he seems to have bitterly lamented, was, that he should have so many deadly enemies, though his labors were only designed to promote the cause of God; that he should meet with so much violent opposition, when he strove merely to do honor to his Maker. As the representative, then, of the true Church, he delivered over to the divine vengeance, her obstinate and irreclaimable adversaries. 1 Cor. v. 5. 1 Tim. i. 20. The verbs might be translated in the future tense, which would give a prophetic character to these denunciations. 24 Let their eyes, &c. Because in the scriptures the mode of a man's life is, on many occasions, compared to a path (see on Psalm i. 1), we now find David imprecating blindness upon his opponents, so that, not being able to see their way, they may fall into destruction. Job. xix. 8: xxii. 28.- -And ever bow, &c. That, like wretched slaves, they may be, as it were, laden with burdens too heavy for them to bear. 26 Let their habitation, &c. When they die, let them leave no offspring to inherit their property, and to perpetuate their name.Tents. Probably the universal use of tents, in early times, by the patriarchs, and, afterwards, for a considerable period, by the Israelites in the wilderness, made this word, at length, to become a general term for any human habitation. 27 For they persecute, &c. When any one is suffering under the heavy hand of God, they then deem him fit to be the particular object of their own malevolent attacks. Rom. 1. 28: Luke 10. 20. Matt. 8. 20, 27. Phil. 2. 9, &c. Ps. 118. 28, 29. Ephes. 5. 19, 20. 1 Pet. 2. 5. John 20. 20. Isai. 66. 2. Isai. 44. 21, &c. 28 Let them fall from one wickedness to another, and not come into thy righteousness: 29 Let them be wiped out of the book of the living, and not be written among the righteous. 30 As for me, when I am poor and in heaviness, thy help [salvation], O God, shall lift me. up [on high]. 31 I will praise the name of God with a song, and magnify it with thanksgiving. 32 This also shall please the Lord better than a bullock, that hath horns and hoofs. 33 The humble shall consider [see] this, and be glad: seek ye after God, and your soul shall live. 34 For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. 35 Let heaven and earth praise him; the sea, and all that moveth therein. 28 Let them fall, &c. In thy retributive justice, suffer them to treasure up unto themselves "wrath against the day of wrath," by adding sin to sin, that they may end in being totally unmeet to experience thy mercy. Perhaps God is entreated, by withdrawing the influence of his grace. and thereby delivering them up to their own guidance, to cause, that, instead of repenting, and amending, they may gradually become worse, and, therefore, unable to enter upon that discipline of obedience, which he requires, and which he has promised to accept. 29 The book, &c. See on Psalm Lvi. 8. There is here, however, an allusion to the custom of well-regulated cities, in which registers were kept, comprising the names of all the citizens. Psalm Lxxxvii. 6. 30 When I am poor, &c. Whensoever I am afflicted and sorrowful, thou, O God, wilt vouchsafe to come to my rescue; thou wilt take me out of the deep waters, which threaten to overwhelm me, and out of the mire, in which I am sinking, that thou mayst place me on sure ground, where I need "fear no evil.” Ver. 1, 2. Psalm XL. 2. 31 Magnify. See on Psalm xxxviii. 17. 32 This also, &c. David affirms, that the grateful songs of thanksgiving, with which he promises to commemorate the divine mercies, will be more acceptable to God, than the full-grown bullock, which will accompany them as a sacrifice. Psalm L. 13, 14: Li. 16. All animals offered in sacrifice would seem, by divine appointment, to have been, at least, three years old. Gen. xv. 9. 33 This. My deliverance. The latter clause of the verse is addressed to "the humble and meek," who are taught, that piety and devotion will be the means of affording to themselves also much comfort and happiness. See on Psalm xxii. 26. 34 His prisoners. We seem to have here only a figurative expression, signifying such persons as may, at any time, be persecuted for His sake. 36 For God will save Sion, and build the Isai. 45. 1, 4. cities of Judah, that men may dwell there, and Jer. 33. 10, 11. have it in possession. 37 The posterity also of his servants shall Rom. 8. 28. inherit it; and they, that love his name, shall Jam. 2. 5. dwell therein. PSALM LXX. If we allow for a slight variation, this Psalm is nothing more than a repetition of the last six verses of the fortieth. David adopted the present arrangement, probably, on account of some new danger; perhaps, that he might use the Psalm constantly in the distress, which Absalom's rebellion occasioned him. HASTE thee, O God, to deliver me: make | Ps. 143. 7, 8. haste to help me, O Lord. 41. 11, &c. Ezek. 26. 2, &c. 2 Let them be ashamed and confounded, that Isai. 28. 14, &c. seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that wish me evil. 3 Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame, that cry over me, There, there [Aha, aha]. 4 But let all those, that seek thee, be joyful and glad in thee; and let all such, as delight in thy salvation, say alway, The Lord be praised. 5 As for me, I am poor and in misery: haste thee unto me, O God. 6 Thou art my helper, and my redeemer [deliverer]: O Lord, make no long tarrying. John 16. 20. Heb. 11. 6. Ps. 109. 20, 21. Heb. 10. 37. 36 For God will save Sion, &c. For Jehovah will never cease to keep under his protection, and to uphold by his fostering care, the cities of our land. Psalm Li. 18. From the tenor of this verse, it is evident, that David was king over his people at the time of composing the Psalm, inasmuch as mount Sion and the tribe of Judah are mentioned; of which, the former was not taken by him until about eight years after Saul's death (2 Sam. v. 7); nor, under any other circumstances, does the latter appear likely to have been specially noticed. 37 His name. See on Psalm v. 12. THE FOURTEENTH DAY. Morning Prayer. PSALM LXXI. BECAUSE the rebellion of Absalom constituted the great affliction, which troubled David in his declining years, it is a general notion, that he composed the present Psalm, as a means of giving vent to the sorrows, which then overwhelmed him. He expresses his confidence in God, at the same time entreating to be rescued from his difficulties and dangers; he entreats also, that the divine favor and kindness, which had been shewn him in his youth, may be continued to his old age, since, in no other manner, can he expect to see the downfal of his enemies; and, in conclusion, he promises to commemorate, with a becoming spirit of devotion, God's faithfulness and tender mercy. 2 Kings 18.5. Dan. 9. 16, &c. Ezek. 9. 4, 6. 2 Sam. 17. 1, 2. Ps. 140. 4, 5. Jer. 17. 17, 18. 2 Tim. 3. 14, 15. Ps. 139. 8, 9. Isai. 46. 3, 4. 1 Cor. 4. 9. Ps. 35. 28. IN N thee, O Lord, have I put my trust, let me 3 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly, out of the hand of the unrighteous, and cruel, man. 4 For thou, O Lord God, art the thing, that I long for; thou art my hope, even from my youth. 5 Through thee have I been holden up ever since I was born: thou art he, that took me out of my mother's womb: my praise shall be always of thee. 6 I am become, as it were, a monster [wonder] unto many, but my sure trust is in thee. 70 let my mouth be filled with thy praise, 1 Confusion. See on Psalm xxii. 5. 6 I am become, &c. By reason of my great and extraordinary sufferings, I am deemed by many a kind of prodigy of wretchedness. Perhaps they were amazed at the firmness of his faith, notwithstanding the violence of his afflictions. 70 let my mouth, &c. O do thou graciously supply me with a fresh that I may sing of thy glory and honor all the | Heb. 13. 15. day long. 8 Cast me not away [off] in the time of age: 2 Tim. 1. 12. forsake me not, when my strength faileth me. John 11. 47, 48. 9 For mine enemies speak against me, and Matt. 27. 42, 43they, that lay wait for my soul, take their counsel together, saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute him, and take him, for there is none to deliver him. 10 Go not far from me, O God: my God, haste thee to help me. 11 Let them be confounded and perish, that are against my soul: let them be covered with shame and dishonor, that seek to do me evil. 12 As for me, I will patiently abide alway, and will praise thee more and more. 13 My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness and salvation, for I know no end thereof. 14 I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God, and will make mention of Thy righteousness only. 15 Thou, O God, hast taught me from my youth up until now, therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works. age, 16 Forsake me not, O God, in mine old when I am gray-headed; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to all them, that are yet for to come. opportunity of chanting forth thy praise. Ver. 13.on Psalm xxxviii. 12. Ps. 22. 11, 19. 1 Jer. 20. 11. 1 1 Tim. 4. 10. Ps. 40. 6, 7. Ephes. 6. 10, &c. Sam. 17. 36, 37 Ps. 119. 98, &c. Ps. 37. 25. Prov. 16. 31. -Sing of. See 9 Persecute. See on Psalm xxxviii. 17. 14 I will go forth, &c. It is quite impossible accurately to determine what David alludes to in these words. Thus much only is certain, that he resolves to have no confidence, but in the unerring justice and merciful providence of an all-powerful God. 15 Thou, O God, &c. From my earliest years thou hast, by experience, taught me to acknowledge the greatness of thy might and faithfulness; nor will I ever omit to publish abroad these thy wonderful dealings with me. 16 Forsake me not, &c. Do not, then, abandon the care of me in my old age, when I need it most; rather let my declining years be soothed by similar acts of kindness, that, having survived my present calamities, I may be furnished with a new motive for zealously proclaiming thy almighty power, as to the men who now exist, so likewise to those, who may hereafter come into the world. Psalm xxxix. 15. Do the words contain any allusion to David's composition of his Psalms? |