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Divine help]

PSALM XII.

PSALMS.

To the chief Musician upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

HELP, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour; with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will arise, saith the LORD; I will set

[implored.

him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. (M) PSALM XIII.

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. HOW long wilt thou forget me,

O LORD? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

EXPOSITION.

of final vengeance. It will be then exhausted, even to the dregs, by unrepenting rebels, when burning coals, fire and brimstone, and eternal tempest,' shall be the portion of their cup.'" (Horne in Psalm lxxv. 8.)

The concluding sentiment is equally corsolatory to good men under every dispensation. "As the righteous Lord loveth righteousness," so he countenanceth the pright by his providence, and rewards thea by his grace. The light of his countenance shall afford them everlasting happiness.

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PSALM XIL Title,

life of Ps. vi.

not forsake his people. His word is pure, and his promises have been often tried.

Among the signs of our Lord's second coming, we have been taught to consider this as one, that "the love of many shall wax cold" toward him. (Matt. xxiv. 12.) Many such seasons have occurred, and the Lord has been pleased, by signal appearances, to produce revivals in his church, and such we still expect, even in an unprecedented degree. But even the millennium itself is to be followed with a degeneracy equally remarkable. Satan, though bound for a thousand years, will be again let loose with all the powers of infidelity, (Rev. xx. 7 -11.) so that finally, when the Son of Man cometh, he shall find little faith upon the earth. (Luke xviii. 8.) "When the wicked walk around on every side, the vilest of men shall be exalted;" and when the thrones of earth are filled with infidels an tyrants, then-when good men shall shrink in despair under the power of the last tyranny-then shall the "sign of the Son of Man" suddenly appear, and his "trumpet sound to judgment."

NOTES.

Upon Sheminith. See

Ver.1. Help-Marg. "Save."
Ver. 2. A double heart-Heb. "A heart and a

Ter. 3. Proud things-Heb. "Great things.",
Te. 5. From him that puffeth at him. The
English import of the phrase is, that disregardeth
tim, at the Hebrew rather means, probably, to
See Arta ix. 1.) The margin reads, "From him
breate out threatenings and slaughter against him"
that would ensnare him" Bishop Horsley says, per-
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VOL. II.

haps it might be rendered, “I will put him in safety for whom the snare is laid."

Ver. 6. Furnace-Bp. Horne, "Crucible" of earth. Ver. 7. Preserve them-Heb." him ;" i. e. every one

of them

Ver. 8. The vilest men-Heb. "The vilest of the sons of men.'

PSALM. XIII. Title,-To the chief Musician. See title of Psalm iv.

C

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PSALM XIII.

[of man.

see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righ

teous.

6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.

7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. (0)

EXPOSITION.

(N) A Psalm of David, complaining of desertion, and imploring divine aid."While God permits his servants to continue under affliction, he is said, after the manner of men, to have forgotten and hid his face from them.' For the use, therefore, of persous in such circumstances, is this psalm intended; and consequently, it suits the different cases of the church universal, languishing for the advent of our Lord to deliver her from this evil world; of any particular church, in time of persecution, and of each individual, when harrassed by temptations, or broken by sickness, pain, and sorrow. He who bore our sins, and carried our sorrows, may likewise be presumed to have made it a part of his devotions in the day of trouble."— (Bishop Horne.)

The complaint of desertion here resembles that in the beginning of the twentysecond Psalm, which we know was used by our blessed Lord upon the cross; and the complaint is not of desertion only, but

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also of persecution from the enemy. both, deliverance is implored and confidence expressed, with a promise of the like grateful return of praise. heart which trusteth in God's mercy (says the above excellent writer) shall alone rejoice in his salvation, and celebrate by the tongue, in songs of praise, the loving-kindness of the Lord. It is observable, that this and many other psalms with a mourn ful beginning, have a triumphant ending; to show us the prevailing power of devo tion, and to convince us of the certain return of prayer, sooner or later, bringing with it the comforts of heaven, to revive and enrich our weary and barren spirits in the gloomy seasons of sorrow and temptation, like the dew descending by night upon the withered summit of an eastern mountain."

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NOTES.

Ver. 3. Lighten mine eyes-That is, res'ore to me health and joy and comfort; for darkness is the shadow of death.

Ver. 5. I have trusted.-Or, “I trust." Bp. Horne.

PSALM XIV. This psalm bears the name of David, and is addressed likewise to the chief Musician. Another copy of it is given, with some slight variations, Psalm lii., and a difference in the title, which will be there noticed.

Ver. 3. Gone aside-Become filthy.-The expresMr. Hervey suggests, are borrowed from ines soured for turned) and meats putrified." The

Fons,

word for the latter is used Job xv. 16. At the end of this verse, the present copies of the LXX insert three verses quoted by St. Paul in the third chapter of Romans from the other psalms, and which have thence been also introduced into this psalm in the Common Prayer-Book.

Ver. 4. Who (or they eat up my people.-That is, devour the poor. See Micah iii. 3.'

Ver. 5. There were they in great fear.-Heb. They feared a fear: the parallel passage, Ps. liii. 5. it is added" where no fear was; see that Psalm. Ver. 7. O that, &c.-Marg." Who will give," &c.

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uncertain. From the last verse some

leared men have supposed it to have been Wien during the time of Absalom's reelin, when the ark was in possession of his party: (See 2 Sam. xix. 9-15,) others refer it to the period of the Babylouish capvity; but St. Paul plainly refers us to the days of Messiah, and to a future restoration of the Jews subsequent to their conversion. (Rom. xi. 26, &c. compare Pram ex. 2; Isa. Ixii. 11; Zech. ix. 9.) The chael subject of this psalm, however, is the andelity of the human heart, for infidelity is unquestionably more a disease of the heart than of the head; the corruption of our nature gives an unhappy bias to the dment. Sin makes fools of us all; and is the greatest fool whose mind is most der the influence of depraved passions, Bhich not only lead to abominable actions, incapacitate for doing good. "The contation of the apostacy and corruption f mankind, described in this psalm, Rakes the prophet express a longing deare for the salvation of Israel,' which 25 to go forth out of Zion,' and to bring tack the people of God from that most readful of all captivities, the captivity auder sin and death; a salvation at which Jacob would indeed rejoice, and Israel be Bishop Horne

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the offices of the Levitical priesthood;" but is simply intended to point out, that moral" righteousness is the qualification which alone can fit any one to be a guest in God's tabernacle,"—a citizen of Zion. This qualification, however, implies no claim of merit, but simply moral fitness. "The man (says Bishop Horne,) who would be a citizen of Zion, and there enter into the rest and joy of his Lord, must set that Lord always before him. Renewed through grace, endued with a lively faith, and an operative charity, he must consider and imitate the life of that blessed Person, who walked amongst men without partaking of their corruptions; who conversed unblaneably with sinners; who could give this challenge to his inveterate enemies, Which of you convinceth me of sin?' in whom the grand accuser, when he came found nothing;' who being himself the truth,' thought and spake of nothing else, making many promises and performing them all,

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"In the above comment (says Bishop Horne) it was thought most advisable to open and display the full intent of what was both enjoined aud forbidden, by exemplifying each particular. Whoever shall survey and copy these virtues and graces as they present themselves in his life, [relying at the same time on his atonement,] will, it is humbly apprehended, take the best and shortest way to the heavenly Zion;" and shall never be expelled from the eternal city.

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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.

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[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 following 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, repcat 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. ii. 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 maning unquestionably is, "God is my buckler," or * shield."

Ver 11. God judgeth the righteous-Marg. "God is a righteous Judge." So Ainsworth, Horsley, &c.

-God is angry with the wicked-This should te understood in the singular," the wicked man," which agrees with the following sentence, If ke, &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.

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3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thon visitest him?

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

beasts of the field;

[Psalm.

8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (H)

PSALM IX.

To the chief Musician upon Muth-labben.
A Psalm of David.

6 Thou madest him to have domi-WILL praise thee, O LORD, with

nion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the

PLALM VIII.

my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee:

EXPOSITION.

HA Psalm of David, for the vintage. -We consider this as an evening or midnight hymn, in which the psalmist, overwhelmed with the brilliant glories of an eastern sky, is led to reflect upon the comparative littleness and insignificance of an and of himself, though king of Israel. It is not necessary to suppose David acquainted with the modern system of astronomy, to account for his humiliating views. Supposing the golden orbs, which he surveyed, to be only floating meteors, their brilliancy and beauty, and especially that of the moon, might well command his admiration. Man is mean and little, compared with the globe which he inhabits, mach more compared with the vaulted skies around him-well might he, therefore say, "Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of bim, and the son of man that thou visitest him?"

From the title of this psalm, we think it highly probable that it was composed for the time of vintage, which we know was a time of great rejoicing, in which not only

the young people, but the children also, joined in praising God for the bounties of his providence; which marked Israel, under that dispensation, as the chosen people of God, and was calculated to silence the reproaches of their enemies. This circumstauce may account for our Lord's application to himself of the hosannahs of the Jewish children, Matt. xxi. 16.

The New Testament, however, gives us another and widely different view of human nature. Adam fell and lost his prerogative of supremacy, and in fact, his all: but a second Adam has been appointed to supersede the former; and not only to restore, but to raise our nature to higher honour and felicity than his predecessor lost. This second Adam, this "Lord from heaven," whose peculiar character is that of Son of Man, has been for "a little while" made lower than the angels, to the end that he might, in his own person, exalt human nature far above them; and herein is a display of the divine power and goodness that may well excite our admiration and our praise: "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"

NOTES.

PSALM VIII. Title,-Upon Gittith. Some have pposed this to be a musical instrument, which David brought from Gath, where he long resided:

the Chaldee paraphrase; and if this be correct, it was doubtless stringed instrument, as it does not *ppear that David played on any other. But Gath as also a vine press; and the LXX understand this title as intimating that it was composed for the time of vintage, with which the purport of the psalm very Wed agrees, as it is a thanksgiving to God for the bounty of his providence

Te 1. O LORD our Lord-The first word here rendered LORD, in capita's, is JEHOVAH, the second Lord is Adonai, Governor, or Master.

Ve. 2. Ordained-Heb. " Founded" strength. The Jews considered the divine ordination as the fecation of all strength. That thou mightest riile, silence) the enemy and the avenger. Vera. A little lower-The Hebrew, (says Mr.

Ainsworth) means either "a little while," or "a little deal," in both which senses it is used in Ps. xxxvii. 10, 16. Bishop Horsley renders it, "Thou hast somewhat abased him in comparison of angels." Dr. J. P. Smith, "Thou hast reduced him a little below the angels; the Heb, thus translated is Elohim, the gods; which is explained of angels, not only by the Greek and Chaldee, but also by the apostle to the Hebrews, chap. ii. 7, 9.

Ver. 7. All sheep and sxen-Heb. " Flocks and oxen, (or cattle) all of them."

PLALM IX. Title,-Upon the death of Labben.→→ -Among the great variety of interpretations here 1. We have no given, we shall name a few only. idea that any of these Hebrew terms refer to hymn tunes. The Hebrews had no musical characters, nor any metrical tunes, like modern psalmody.

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