1. Historical, as it relates to David —
[David from his youth experienced many troubles. — From the moment that Saul's envy and jealousy were awakened hy the fame of David's exploits, this youth became the object of his in- cessant persecution ; insomuch, that he was forced to flee for his life, and for several years was kept in constant fear of falling
a sacrifice to the rage of Saul *' The sorrows of death
and hell compassed him," as it were, continually''.
But his deliuermices were great and manifold. — Repeatedly did he, almoi«t by miracle, escape the stroke of the javelin that was cast at him ; and frequently did God in a visible manner inter- pose to keep him from falling into the hands of Saul. Once he was in the midst of Saul's army, and in the very same cave with Saul ; and yet was preserved by God, so that neither Saul nor anv of his soldiers could find it in their hearts to touch him. " David in his distress called upon the Lord ; and God heard him out of his holy temple," and delivered him'^.
These deliverances he acknowledges ivitli devoulest gratitude. — Here the Psalmist, borne as it were on eagle's wings, soars into the highest region of poetic imagery : he calls to mind the wonders which God had wro'.ighl for Israel of old, and represents them as renewed in his own experience. The glorious manifes- tations of Jehovah on Mount Sinai were not more bright in his eyes*^, nor the passage of Israel through the Red Sea more won- derful^, than were the displays of almighty power and love which he had seen in his behalf^ In these deliverances he further ac- knowledges the equity of God in having so vindicated his cha- racter from the undeserved calumnies by which his enemies had sought to justify their cruelty towards him'.
From the experience of past mercies, he expresses his confi- dence in God under tohatever trials might yet await him. — It is delightful to see how careful he is to ascribe all the glory of his
preservation to that God who had delivered him ''; and the
full persuasion that his victory would in due time be complete'. Then with profoundest gratitude he blesses and adores his hea- venly Benefactor for all the mercies he has received ; recapitulating as it were, and giving us the substance of the whole, in the words of our text''.
Were we to view the Psalm only as an historical record, it would be very instructive : but it has a far higher sense : it is,]
2. Prophetical, as it relates to Christ —
[That it is a prophecy respecting Christ and his Gospel, we are assured by one whose testimony is decisive on the point. St.
Paul,
•" ver. 4, 5. ' ver. 6. '' ver. 7 — 14. * ver. 15.
^ ver. 16 — 19. s ver. 21 — 27. " ver. 28 — 42. ' ver, 43 — 45. ^ ver, 46—50.