a troubled spirit a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.

18. O be favourable and gracious unto Sion (q): build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.

Psalm lii. (r)

WHY boasteth thou thyself, thou tyrant that thou canst do mischief;

2. Whereas (s) the goodness of God: endureth yet daily?

3. Thy tongue imagineth wickedness and with lies thou cuttest (t) like a sharp razor.

4. Thou hast loved unrighteousness more than goodness: and to talk of lies more than righteous

ness.

(q) v. 18. "Unto Sion, &c." that his country might not suffer for his sins.

(r) This Psalm is supposed to have been written by David against Doeg, for his conduct towards Ahimelech and the priests: he falsely accused Ahimelech of inquiring of God for David against Saul; and upon Saul's giving an order for slaying Ahimelech and all the priests, he slew eighty-five priests, and smote their city, men and women, children and sucklings,

oxen and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. See 1 Sam. xxii.

(s) v. 2. "Whereas, &c." The meaning probably is, "Why do you act so much "in opposition to God's example? Why "do you make mischief your boast, when "his delight is doing good?"

(t) v. 3. "Cuttest, &c." See note on Ps.lv. 22.

(u) v. 8. The words of the righteous at Doeg's downfall.

(x) v. 10. "Thee," i. e. "God."

2. Hear my prayer, O God: and hearken unto the words of my mouth.

3. For strangers are risen up against me and tyrants, which have not God before their eyes, seek after my soul.

4. Behold, God is my helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

5. He shall reward evil unto mine enemies destroy thou them in thy truth.

6. An offering of a free heart will I give thee, and praise thy Name, O Lord because it is so comfortable.

7. For he hath delivered me out of all my trouble and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

Psalm lv. (d)

HEAR my prayer, O God: and hide not thyself from my petition.

2. Take heed unto me, and hear me how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.

3. The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast : for they are minded to do me some mischief, so maliciously are they set against me.

4. My heart is disquieted within

had been granted. It is supposed to have been written by David, when the Ziphites informed Saul where he was, and Saul and his men compassed him round about in the wilderness of Maon, but was drawn off by an invasion of the Philistines. See 1 Sam. xxiii. 25 to 28. The first three verses are considered as written whilst

Saul was coming against him, the fourth and fifth when Saul was called off, and the last two when the danger was ended. It is one of the proper Psalms for GoodFriday.

(d) This Psalm was probably written by David at the time of Absalom's rebellion,

when Ahitophel, David's own counsellor, was amongst the conspirators, and David with his servants fled from Jerusalem. (See 2 Sam. xv. 12. 31.) It expresses the infidelity of the people, the perfidy of one of them in particular, the consternation into which it had thrown him, his earnest prayer for deliverance, and his full confidence in God's protection.

(e) v. 8. "Stormy wind and tempest," figurative, for great trouble or danger. (g) v. 9. " Tongues," i. e. (probably) "counsels; the plans they have agreed "upon."

Y

14. But it was even thou (h), my companion: my guide, and mine own familiar friend.

15. We took sweet counsel together and walked in the house

of God as friends.

16. Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

17. As for me, I will call upon God and the Lord shall save

me.

18. In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day will I pray, and that instantly (i)

shall hear my voice.

and he

19. It is he, that hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me for there were many (k) with me.

20. Yea, even God, that endureth for ever, shall hear me, and bring them (1) down: for they will not turn, nor fear God.

(h) v. 14. "Thou," i. e. " Ahitophel." A similar complaint occurs, Ps. xli. 9. "Even mine own familiar friend, whom I "trusted, who did also eat of my bread, "hath laid wait for me."

(i) v. 18. "Instantly," i. e. " earnestly, 'fervently."

(k) v. 19. "Many," i. e. "He, who is "more than equal to many, God."

(1) v. 20. "Them," and "they," i. e. "his opponents, the enemy, the ungodly,' mentioned verse 3.

(m) v. 21. "He,” i. e. "the traitor of "whom he is complaining."

(n) v. 22. "Swords.' So Ps. lvii. 5. mention is made of men, "whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue "a sharp sword." And Ps. lix. 7. of those who "speak with their mouth, and swords

are in their lips." So Ps. lxiv. 3. In Prov. xii. 18. the same figurative idea occurs: "There is that speaketh like the "piercings of a sword." And Prov. xviii. 8. "The words of a tale-bearer are as "wounds," &c. And Ps. lii. 3. "With lies "thou cuttest like a sharp rasor."

21. He (m) laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him: and he brake his covenant.

22. The words of his mouth were softer than butter, having war in his heart: his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords. (n)

23. O cast thy burden (o) upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.

24. And as for them (p): thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.

25. The blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live (q) out half their days: nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.

(o) v. 23. "Cast thy burden, &c." i. e. "look up to him in trouble." How animating is our Saviour's call, (Matt. xi. 28.) "Come unto me, all ye that labour and "are heavy laden, and I will give you "rest."

(p) v. 24. "Them," i. e. "his oppo"nents."

(q) v. 25. "Not live, &c." Length of days, on the contrary, is one of the promises to the righteous. Prov. iii. 1, 2.

66

My son, forget not my law, but let "thine heart keep my commandments: "for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee." And Prov. iii. 13. 16. 66 Happy is the man "that findeth wisdom, and the man that "getteth understanding for" (among other blessings) "length of days is in her "right hand, and in her left hand riches " and honour."

:

(r) Supposed to have been written by David whilst Saul was seeking to destroy him. It complains of his enemies, but expresses the utmost confidence in God's protection.

2. Mine enemies are daily in hand to swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most Highest!

3. Nevertheless, though I am sometime afraid: yet put I my trust in thee.

4. I will praise God, because of his word (s): I have put my trust in God, and will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

5. They daily mistake (t) my words: all (u) that they imagine is to do me evil.

6. They hold all together, and keep themselves close: and mark my steps (v), when they lay wait for my soul.

7. Shall they escape for their wickedness? Thou, O God, in thy displeasure shalt cast them down.

8. Thou tellest my flittings; put (w) my tears into thy bottle: are not these things noted in thy book?

9. Whensoever I call upon thee, then shall mine enemies be put to flight this I know; for God is on my side.

10. In God's word will I rejoice in the Lord's word will I comfort me.

(s) v. 4. "His word;" (perhaps) "the assurance God had given him that he "should be king:" Samuel anointed him before Saul knew him. See 1 Sam. xvi. 13. (t) v. 5. "Mistake," i. e. " put a false "construction upon." (u)" All, &c." i. e. " they think of "nothing else."

(v) v. 6. "Mark my steps." Alluding, perhaps, to the information from time to time given to Saul: Saul was told of his being at Keilah: the Ziphites informed him when David hid himself with them in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah; and Saul was again told of it when David was in the wilderness of Engedi. See 1 Sam. xxiii. 7. 19.-xxiv. 1.

(w) v. 8. "Put, &c." i. e. "treasure

11. Yea, in God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

12. Unto thee, O God, will I pay my vows: unto thee will I give thanks.

13. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

Psalm lvii. (x)

BE merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul trusteth in thee: and under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge, until this tyranny be overpast.

2. I will call unto the most high God: even unto the God, that shall perform the cause which I have in hand.

3. He shall send from heaven and save me from the reproof of him that would eat me up.

4. God shall send forth his mercy and truth: my soul is among lions.

5. And I lie even among the children of men that are set on

"them up, that they may be had in re"membrance."

(x) This Psalm is supposed to have been written by David, on account of his escape at the cave of Engedi. Saul set out with 3000 chosen men to seek him, went into the cave where David was without perceiving him, and lay down to sleep there: David cut off the skirt of Saul's robe whilst he was sleeping, and so shewed him, that, had he wished it, he might have killed him. It is one of the proper Psalms for Easter Day, probably because our Saviour's escape from the grave might be considered as typified by David's, and he then made his great escape from the power of death, and extricated himself for ever from the hands of his enemies.