EXPOSITION. my soul. "The enemy" may be Saul, but PSALM OXLIIL is more probably an abstract expression- ALMOST entirely a psalm of supplication, for " my enemies" generally. He hath partly general (vers. 1, 7), partly special smitten my life down to the ground; or, (vere. 2, 8-12). Vars. 3-6, however, give "crushed my life to the gronud "-brought me, i.e., very low (comp. Ps. xiii. 6). He the ground~ upon which the aupplic11tions hath made me to dwell in darkness (comp. are mnde; vers. 3, 4 describing the psalmieL'e Ps. h:xxviii. 6). As those that havo been wretched condition; and vers. 5, 6 bis be- long dead. I have dwelt in a darkness liko haviour under his afflictions. Again, there that of Shelil; i.e. in gloom o.nd unhappiness is no reason to doubt tho superscription, (oomp. Lam. iii. 6). Ver. 4.-Therefore is my spirit over- which assigns the psalm to Do.vid. Almost whelmed within me; or," faint within me" nil the phrases used are found in other (eeo Ps. xiii. 3). lly heart within me is Davidical psalms. The composition divides desolate (comp. Ps. xl. 15). itself into two sto.nzae of equal length (vers. Ver. 5.-I remember the days of old. 1-G, and vers. 7-12). Still, in the midst of all my troubles, I do not despair-" l ro1Dember tho do.ye of old" Ver. 1.-Hear my prayer, 0 Lord, give -the great things which God has doue for ear to my snpplioations (comp. Pee. xxviii. mA in the past (comp. Ps. luvii. 5, 10, 11). 2; xnix. 12; !iv. 2; Iv. 1, etc.). In thy I meditate on all thy works; or," on nll thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy right- doinos." I muse on the work of thy hands eousness. In thy faithfulness to thy pro- (comp. Pe. h.xvii. 12). mises, since thou ho.et promised to hear Ver. 6.-I stretoh forth my hands nnto prayer, and in thy mere righteousness, einco thee. Theeo recollections draw mo to tbeo, it is right and just that thou ehouldo,,t do 0 God, and make me strotch forth my hands so, hearken unto me. in pmyor to tboo (Pe. cxli. 2b), o.ud eutrcnt Ver. 2.-And enter not into judgment theo for succour. My soul thirstoth aftor with thy servant. The psalmist, having thee, as a thirsty land. As a pnrchod and touched the point of 11bstractjustice, shrinks withered lnnd seems to look up to hca.vcn from pressing it. He knows that he is not and long for rnin, so <lots my soul long for "righteous before Goel," nnd tbat his life thee, 0 Lord, "nncl thy rcfro,hing groco" and conduct "cannot endure the severity of (comp. Ps. xiii. I). The "puuse-1110.rk,'' God's judgment" (Art. XII.). He therefore "selah," at the eucl of the verse, o.t onco gi ,·,.s "deprecates a ~trictly retributive treatment" timo for sccrot prayer, nnd mo.ltee o divLi.1u (Cheyne). For in thy sight shall no man of the psalm into two parts. living be justified (comp. Pa. cxxx. 8; and ~ee Ver. 7.-Hear mo speedily, 0 Lord. lkre also Job iv. 17-19; ix. 2; xv.14; xxv. 4). the direct eupplicution of vcr. I is taken up Ver. 3.-For the enemy ha.th persoouted nnd pressed. " Hear wo, 0 Loru : o.nd uol 332 TilE BOOK OF PSALMS. [1•s. cxr.m.1-12.
only hear me, but that speedily. It is a Thy spirit is good j i.e. gracious and merci- time for haste" (comp. Ps. cxli. 1). My ful. Lead mo into the land of uprightness; spirit faileth ; or, " fainteth " (LXX. rather, along a. land of smoothness. Some i!b,m,). Eide not thy face from m~ critics unite the last two clauses, and trans- (comp. Pss. nvii. 9; Ixix. 17; oii. 2). late, "Let thy good Spirit lead me along a Lest I be like unto them that go down into land of smoothness"-" conduct me,'' i.e., the pit (see the comme11.t on Ps. xxviii. 1). over smootll ground, where I need not Yer. 8.-Cause me to hear thy loving- stumble. kindness in the morning; i.e. early, speedily Ver. 11.-Q.uioken me, 0 Lord, for thy (comp. Pss. xlvi. 5; xc. 14). For in thee Name's sake; i.e. give me fresh spiritual do I trust. His utter trust in God gives life (comp. Ps. cxix. 25, 37, 50, 88, 93, etc.). him a claim to be heard and helped. Cause For thy righteousness' sake bring my soul me to know the way wherein I should walk; out of trouble. To show how righteous thou i.e. illumine me, so that I may perceive the art, i.e. how good and gracious. course which I ought to follow (comp. Ps. Ver. 12.-And of thy mercy out off' mine v. S, "Make thy way straigl,t before my enemies. In thy goodness towards me, re- face "). For I lift up my soul unto thee, move those enemies whose conduct towards Again, a sort of claim seems to be urged, as me has been described in vers. 3, 4. And in clause 2. destroy all them that afflict my soul. This Ver. 9.-Deliver me, 0 Lord, from mine is David's ordinary prayer witll respect to enemies (comp. Pss. exl. 1, 4; cxlii. 6). I hie enemies, whom he counts as God's ad- flee unto thee to hide me; literally, to thee versaries, and the persecutors of faithful 1 hide •myself, but probably with the mean- Israel (see Pse. v. 10; vii. 9; x. 15; :uviil. ing expressed in the Authorized Version. 4, 5 ; xxxv. 4-6, 8, etc.). For I am thy Ver. 10.-Teach me to do thy will (comp. servant. Entitled, tllerefore, to thy special Pss. xxv. 4, 5 ; cx:ui.x. 24). For thou art ea.re and protection (comp. Pes. xxvii. 9; my God. Therefore my Guide and Teacher. lxix. 17; lxxxvi. 2, 4, 16; cxvi. 16, etc.).