shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (E) PSALM VI. To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David. LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. PSALM V. [in sickness. 2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed, 3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? 4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: Oh save me for thy mercies' sake. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. EXPOSITION. (E) A Psalm of David, at morning prayer. This psalm (as already mentioned) is addressed to "the chief musician," or Levite who superintended Nehiloth, or "the wind instruments." Musicians know that it requires a high state of improvement in wind instruments, (by means of keys, &c.) to make them perform in tune with stringed instruments, which, being played with the haud, may be tuned more perfectly. Heuce the bands of stringed and wind instruments are generally employed separately and alternately, even to our own time. Bishop Horsley applies this psalm personally to Christ, in his priestly office, for which we see no sufficient grounds. We should rather consider it as the language of the psalmist, attending the early devotions of the temple, preparing his heart to seek God, looking upward towards his holy residence in heaven, and waiting like an anxious petitioner for his answer. The psalmist then, considering his own situation as placed among wicked men, waiting for his halting, (as the prophet Jeremiah expresses it, chap. xx. 10.) prays to be directed in the straight path of duty, that his enemies may gain no advantage over him. Bishop Horne remarks, that St. Paul (Rom. ii. 13.) has cited a part of verse 9, together with other passages from the Psalms and Prophets, to evince the depravity of mankind, whether Jews or Gentiles, till justified by faith, and renewed by grace. It is plain, therefore, that the description was designed for others, besides the enemies of the literal David; and is of more general import, reaching to the world of the ungodly, and to the enemies of all righteousness, as manifested in the person of the Messiah and his church. The charge brought against these is, that 'truth' and fidelity' were not to be found in their dealings with God or each other; that their inward parts' were very wickedness; their first thoughts and imaginations were defiled, and the stream was poisoned at the fountain: that their throat was an open sepulchre,' continually emitting, in obscene and impious language, the noisome and infectious exhalations of a putrid heart, entombed in a body of sin; and that, if ever they put on the appearance of goodness, they flattered with their tongue,' in order the more effectually to deceive and destroy." In calling for judgment against his enemies, the psalmist must be considered as the Lord's auointed; those who rebelled against him, rebelled against the Lord himself. This is particularly true, if, with Bishops Horne and Horsley, we apply the psalm to the Messiah, whose impenitent enemies are excluded from the hope of mercy. (Ps. ii. 9, 12.) Those, however, who love and fear him, have every reason to hope in him— "For thou, Jehovah, wilt be found NOTES. Ver. 12. Compass him — Heb. "Crown him." This seems an allusion to the verse preceding, and means, to spread the divine protection all around them, as if covered by a shield. Bishop Horsley renders it, “As a shield of good-will, (favour) thou wilt guard around him." PSALM VI. Title,-Neginoth upon Sheminith.If Sheminith means the 8th, or octave, as is generally agreed, the question occurs whether we are to consider it in the ascending scale or descending. Some learned men have suggested the latter, but common Milton. sense leads to the former; for in accompanying airs of peculiar pathos, the soft notes in the upper scale of our harps would surely be preferred, by a skilful musician, to those of the deep, somoteus chords at the bottom of the seale. We therefore con sider these as a small species of harps tuned an octave higher than others, and intended for this purpose, over which particular evites were appointed to preside. 1 Chron, xv. 21. Ver. 6. All the night-Marg," Every night." Ver. 7. Mine eye is consumed-That is, worn with grief and weeping. 7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. 8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer, 10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly. (F) PSALM VII. Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. 0 LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: [Psalm, 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy :) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. 6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast com. manded. PSALM VI. EXPOSITION, (F) 4 Psalm of David, in time of sickness and great affliction. This psalm is addressed to the chief musician, on Negiweth upon Sheminith-that is, probably on stringed instruments (tuned) an octave above the usual pitch, as more plaintive, and therefore a more suitable accompaniment to a penitential psalm like this. Bishop Horsley here remarks, "The supplicatory Psalms may be generally divided into two classes, according to the prayer; which, in some, regards the public, and in others the individual. In those of the latter class, which is the most numerous, the supplicant is always in distress. His distress arises chiefly from the persecution of his enemies. His enemies are always the enemies of God and goodness. Their enmity to the supplicant is unprovoked. If it has any cause, it is only that he is the faithful servant of JEHOVAH, whose worship they oppose. They are numerous and powerful, and use all means, both of force and stratagem, for the supplicant's destruction; an object, in the pursuit of which they are incessantly employed. The supplicant is alone, without friends, poor, and destitute of all support, but God's providential protection. The supplicant, on the other hand, often miraculously relieved, is yet never out of danger, though he looks forward with confidence to a period of final deliverance. If at any time he is under apprehension of death, it is by the visitation of God in sickness. And at those seasons, the persecution of his enemies always makes a considerable part of the affliction. But why, (it may be asked,) is David so distressed at the thought of dying? Did he suppose that he should perish, or be annihilated? or that the state on which he was entering was one of total insensibility? This can refer only to the state of the body. The grave is the land of forgetfulness and of silence, where the voice of praise is never heard. (Psalm lxxxviii.12; cxv. 17; Isa. xxxviii. 18, 19.) Recovery from sickness is the restoration of joy and gladness, and while our joy arises from a principle of gratitude, our gladness will be expressed in praise; and that praise will not rest privately in our own bosoms, but we shall be glad to unite with the congregation of all those who fear God. NOTES. PSALM VII. Title,-Shiggaion.-This is a very difficult ward, and of doubtful derivation. Ains worth calls it an artificial song " (or wandering); Geenius," a lamentation;" and Boothroyd, (still better)" an elegy." See Hab. iii. 1-Cush, the Benjamite.The late Mr. C. Taylor has taken some pains to show that the Hebrews (like other Orientalists) indulged sometimes in a play of words. (Fragments, No. 187, 188.) Something of the kind may be observed bere. Some suppose the name Cash (or Kush) used for Kish, and the name Kish, the father, for Saul his son. Others think Cush may here be used in a moral sense for Shimei, (who also was a Benjamite) as in such sense a black man; that is, a man of black, malignant character. Sech was Shimei, as we find in his history (2 Sam. xvi. 5, &c.) The Cushites, if not absolutely black, were of very dark complexions. Ver. 2. None to deliver-Neb. "Not a deliverer." Ver.3. If I have done this-Namely, what he was accused of, 2 Sam. xvi. 7, 8.-If there be (such) iniquity, &c, shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (E) PSALM VI. To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David. LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. PSALM V. [in sickness. 2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? 4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: Oh save me for thy mercies' sake. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. EXPOSITION. (E) A Psalm of David, at morning prayer. This psalin (as already mention ed) is addressed to "the chief musician," or Levite who superintended Nehiloth, or "the wind instruments." Musicians know that it requires a high state of improvement in wind instruments, (by means of keys, &c.) to make them perform in tune with stringed instruments, which, being played with the hand, may be tuned more perfectly, Hence the bands of stringed and wind instruments are generally employed separately and alternately, even to our own time, Bishop Horsley applies this psalm personally to Christ, in his priestly office, for which we see no sufficient grounds. We should rather consider it as the language of the psalmist, attending the early devotions of the temple, preparing his heart to seek God, looking upward towards his holy residence in heaven, and waiting like an anxious petitioner for his answer. The psalmist then, considering his own situation as placed among wicked men, waiting for his halting, (as the prophet Jeremiah expresses it, chap. xx. 10.) prays to be directed in the straight path of duty, that his enemies may gain no advantage over him. Bishop Horne remarks, that St. Paul (Rom. iii. 13.) has cited a part of verse 9, together with other passages from the Psalms and Prophets, to evince the depravity of mankind, whether Jews or Gentiles, till justified by faith, and renewed by grace. It is plain, therefore, that the description was designed for others, besides the enemies of the literal David; and is of more general import, reaching to the world of the ungodly, and to the enemies of all righteousness, as manifested in the person of the Messiah and his church. The charge brought against these is, that 'truth' and fidelity' were not to be found in their dealings with God or each other; that their inward parts' were very wickedness; their first thoughts and imaginations were defiled, and the stream was poisoned at the fountain: that their 'throat was an open sepulchre,' continually emitting, in obscene and impious language, the noisome and infectious exhalations of a putrid heart, entombed in a body of sin; and that, if ever they put on the appearance of goodness, they flattered with their tongue,' in order the more effectually to deceive and destroy." In calling for judgment against his enemies, the psalmist must be considered as the Lord's auointed; those who rebelled against him, rebelled against the Lord himself. This is particularly true, if, with Bishops Horne and Horsley, we apply the psalm to the Messiah, whose impenitent enemies are excluded from the hope of mercy. (Ps. ii. 9, 12.) Those, however, who love and fear him, have every reason to hope in him— "For thou, Jehovah, wilt be found NOTES. Ver. 12. Compass him — - Heb. "Crown him." This seems an allusion to the verse preceding, and means, to spread the divine protection all around them, as if covered by a shield. Bishop Horstry renders it, "As a shield of good-will, (favour) thou wilt guard around him." PSALM VI. Title,-Neginoth upon Sheminith.If Sheminith means the 8th, or octave, as is generally agreed, the question occurs whether we are to consider it in the ascending scale or descending. Some learned men have suggested the latter, but common Milton. sense leads to the former; for in accompanying airs of peculiar pathos, the soft notes in the upper scale of our harps would surely be preferred, by a skilful musician, to those of the deep, souorous chords at the bottom of the seale. We therefore con sider these as a small species of harps tuned an octave higher than others, and intended for this purpose, over which particular evites were appointed to preside. 1 Chron. xv. 21. Ver. 6. All the night-Marg," Every night.” Ver. 7. Mine eye is consumed-That is, worn with grief and weeping. [Psalm, 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy :) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. 6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. PSALM VI. EXPOSITION, 4 Psalm of David, in time of sickand great affliction.-This psalm is addressed to the chief musician, on Negiupon Sheminith-that is, probably on stringed instruments (tuned) an octave above the usual pitch, as more plaintive, and therefore a more suitable accompaniment to a penitential psalm like this. Bishop Horsley here remarks, "The supplicatory Psalms may be generally divided into two classes, according to the prayer; which, in some, regards the public, and in others the individual. In those of the latter class, which is the most numerous, the supplicant is always in distress. His distress arises chiefly from the persecution of his enemies. His enemies are always the enemies of God and goodness. Their enmity to the supplicant is unprovoked. If it has any cause, it is only that he is the faithful servant of JEHOVAH, whose worship they oppose. They are numerous and powerful, and use all means, both of force and stratagem, for the supplicant's destruction; an object, in the pursuit of which they are incessantly employed. The supplicant is alone, without friends, poor, and destitute of all support, but God's providential protection. The supplicant, on the other hand, often miraculously relieved, is yet never out of danger, though he looks for ward with confidence to a period of final deliverance. If at any time he is under apprehension of death, it is by the visitation of God in sickness. And at those seasons, the persecution of his enemies always makes a considerable part of the affliction. But why, (it may be asked,) is David so distressed at the thought of dying? Did he suppose that he should perish, or be annihilated? or that the state on which he was entering was one of total insensibility? This can refer only to the state of the body. The grave is the land of forgetfulness and of silence, where the voice of praise is never heard. (Psalm lxxxviii.12; cxv. 17; Isa. xxxviii. 18, 19.) Recovery from sickness is the restoration of joy and gladness, and while our joy arises from a principle of gratitude, our gladness will be expressed in praise; and that praise will not rest privately in our own bosoms, but we shall be glad to unite with the congregation of all those who fear God. NOTES. PSALM VII. Title,-Skiggaion.-This is a very difficult word, and of doubtful derivation. Ains Wert calls it "an artificial song " (or wandering); Geiss," a lamentation;" and Boothroyd, (still an elegy." See Hab. iii. Cush, the Breite. The late Mr. C. Taylor has taken pains to show that the Hebrews (like other talists) indulged sometimes in a play of words. (Fagments, No. 187, 188.) Something of the kind y be observed here. Some suppose the name Cikor Kush) used for kisk, and the name Kish, от the father, for Saul his son. Others think Cush may here be used in a moral sense for Shimei, (who also was a Benjamite) as in such sense a black man; that is, a man of black, malignant character. Such was Shimei, as we find in his history (2 Sam. xvi. 5, &c.) The Cushites, if not absolutely black, were of very dark complexions. Ver. 2. None to deliver-Heb. "Not a deliverer." Ver.3. If I have done this-Namely, what he was accused of, 2 Sam, xvi. 7, 8.—If there be (such) iniquity, &c, 1 An Elegaic] PSALMS. 7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. 8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. 10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. 14 Behold, he travaileth with ini PSALM VII. [Psalm. quity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. 17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. (G) PSALM VIII. To the chief Musician upon Gittith. A Psalm of David. LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou EXPOSITION. (G) An Elegy of David.-" David is said to have composed this psalm" concerning the words (or the matter) of Cush the Benjamite. "Whether Saul, or Shimei, or any one else, be intended under this name, it is sufficiently clear that David had been maliciously calumniated, and that this psalm was written to vindicate himself from the imputation." The writer declares his trust to be in God alone, protests his innocence of the accusation, and requests that judgment may be given on his behalf. He then prays for the suppression of wickedness and the establishment of righteousness, denounces the most awful judgments against sinners, and praises God for his deliverance. That the psalmist requests to be "judged according to his righteousness," has been used as an argument, not only to apply, but to confine this psalm to the Messiah, but with how little force may be seen by considering the cases of Hezekiah and Nehemiah (referred to in the Notes.) We have no objection, however, to such an ap plication, if not made exclusive. The folfowing remarks of Bishop Horne are both just and striking : "Conscious of his righteousness and integrity, as to the matter in question, David desires to be judged by him who is to judge the world at the last day. How few, among Christians, have seriously and deliberately considered whether the sentence of that day is likely to be in their favour! Yet, how many, with the utmost composure and self-complacency, repeat continually the words of this psalm, as well as those in the Te Deum, We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge!' Legal, or perfect, righteousness and integrity, are peculiar to the Redeemer; but evangelical righteousness and integrity all must have who would be saved." NOTES-Psalm VII. Con. Ver. 4. Yea, (rau) “but—rather” I have delivered. -See ver. 10, 11, of the chapter just quoted. Ver. 5. Selak.-See Note on Ps, iii. 2. Ver. 8. According to my righteousness.-See Neh. xiii. 14, 22, 3; 2 Kings xx. 3. and Expos. Ver. 10. My defence is of God-Heb. My buckler is upon God," Ainsworth, " In God;" the meaning unquestionably is, "God is my buckler," or "shield." Ver. 11. God judgeth the righteous-Marg, "God is a righteous Jedge. So Ainsworth, Horsley, &c. ——God is angry with the wicked-This should be understood in the singular," the wicked man," which agrees with the following sentence, If he, &c. Ver. 14. Behold, he travaileth. The verbs travaileth and conceiveth should be transposed; "Hath conceived iniquity, travailed with mischief, and brought forth falsehood; i e. an abortion: to this effect Boothroyd. Ver. 15. He hath made-Heb." He hath digged a pit, and sunk it" (deep), &c. Ver. 16. Pate-The crown of his head. 21 |