The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 518

But tha soribos inserted it here, not eo The God of my rook, in whom I take much because of Its historical value, 11e be- refuge: My Shield and the Horn of my salva- oouse it is a national thanksgiving for the tion, founding of that empire by which Israel My Fastness and my Place of refage : became verily the theocratic people, and the My Saviour: thou eaveet me from violence. type upon earth of the kingdom of the Mes- I call upon J ehove.h, the praised One, siah. The prophet who compiled the Books And I am saved from my enemies." of Samuel rejoiced in David's victories, not The Syriac in ver. 2 inserts, " Fervently do because they go.ve Israel worldly dominion, I love thee, Jehovah my Strength;" but it but because they were a fulfilment of past probably only borrows the words from Pa. xviii. 1. For we may well believe that it prophecy, and II necessary part of the prepa- was at II later period of bis life, after deeper ration for the religious position which Israel ancl more bee.rt-searching trial•, that David was to hold. Buch as it had been under the thus felt his love to Jehovah only strength- judges, Israel would have been no fit home for ened and made more necessary to him by the prophetic light. It could not have grown the loss of his earthly happiness. In ver. 3 The God of my rock is changed in Ps. xviii. and developed, nor the race have become 11 2 into "My God my Rock" (Authorized Ohurch fit to be the teacher of all mankind, Version, "strength ")-probably an inten- And in this hymn the Church expresses her tional alteration, 11s being far less rugged joy at the high office and extended useful- and startling than this bold metaphor of the ness to which God has seen fit to call her. Deity being his rock's God. In tlie original the words present each its distinct idea. The spiritual exposition of the psalm will Thus in ver. 2 the rock is a high cliff or i!a.turally be sought in comment11-ries on the precipice. It is the word sela, which gave its Book of Psalms. But such matters as its name to the crag-city of Idumea. Fortress outward form, and the .differences between really means a rock, difficult of access, and the two texts, will not be out of place here. forming a secure retreat. It is entirely o. natural formation, and not a. building. In Ver: 1.-David spake. The introduction ver. 3 rock is a vast mountainous mass was probably written by the prophet who (Job xviii. 4), and, 11s it suggests the ideas compiled the Books of Samuel. The scribe of grandeur and immovable might, it is often who collected the Book of Ps11lms would be used for God's glory as being the Strength 11 priest, ancl he he.a repee.ted it with one or and Protection of his people (Deut. xxxii. two additions, the most important of which 15, 31; Isa. ux. 29, ma.rgin). Next follow is tho.t the psalm we.a written "by David two ordinary metaphors, the shield for de- the servant of Jehove.h.'' This title, mee.n- fence, and the horn for attack; after which iu·g the minister or vicegerent of Jehovah, David, who had so often sou:i;ht safety among is one so high that it would certainly not the cliffd e.nd faet12esses of the mountains. have been _given to David in his lifetime; returns to the same circle of thoughts, and nor was it even until Moses was dead the.t calls God his lligh Tower, the word signifying, he was honoured with this rank (Deut. not a building, but II height, 11 lofty natural xxxiv'. 5). But what was De.vid's right to stronghold; and finally his Befv.ge, 11 place this title, which put him on a level with of safe retreat among the mountains. This Moses? It was this : In adding to the sa- and the rest of the verse a.re omitted in Ps. crificial ritual enacted by Moses II daily xviii. 2. In ver. 4 the words a.re as literally service in the temple of sacred minstrelsy translated a.I.Jove, and signify, " Whenever I and songs, David was ucting with higher call, I e.m saved." In all times of difficulty, powers thQ.n were ever exercised by any prayer brings immediate deliverance. other person. For though, as we have seen, Vere. 5--7.- Samuel was the origiuritor of these services in his schools, yet there is II wide difference " For the breakers of death surrounded me : between private e.nd publio services: and Torrents of wickedness [Hebrew, • of Be- David made his anthems part of the national lial '] terrified me; liturgy. But it would only be when the Cords of Sbeol suuounded me; halo of long use had gathered round his holy Sn11res of death came suddenly upon me. psalmody that D,ivid would be placed on In my distress I oried unto Jehovah, un eqm11ity with Moses, and his authority Anrl to my God I cried. to institute a new ritul\l for the nation be And he heard my voice out of his pa.lace, And my ory was in his ears." reongnized. • Vde. 2-4.- Instead of breakers-waves dashing violently " Jehovah is my Cliff 11nd my Stronghold on rooks-Pa. xviii. 4 hlls "cords of death," and my Deliverer; tnw~ll\ted "sorrow" in the Authorized Ver-  632 THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [on, x:xn.1-51.