Vers. 1-8.-David's dependence on God. This psalm written by David at the time of Abs.<1lom's revolt, reminds one of the poet's Jines- • "Most wretched men Are cradled into poetry by wrong; They learn in suffering what they teach in song. I. A counsE OF AGGRAVATED TROUBLE AND DANGEil. 1. Caused by a tenderly beloved son. And yet David never mentions him; a sign how deeply he was wounded. The silence tells more than speech would do. 2. Not only !tis throne, but his life, was iii danger. See the a<1count of David's flight in 2 Saro. xv. 3, His enemies charge him with being abandoned of God. As well ns deserted by the people. His late sin with Dathsbeba would make the charge plausible, and tend to shake his faith in God. II. DA vm's RESOLUTE FAITH IN GoD. 1. Inspired by his past experience. (Vers. 3, 4.) God had been his Defence, Inspiration, and Help in times past, in answer to hiR constant cries. "Shield" (Gen. xv. 1). "Lifter up of my head." 'l'he head hangs down in trouble. " Holy hill : " Zion, where was the ark of the covenant. 2. Inspfring a present sense of peace and security. (Vers. 5, G.) The Di vine arm was his pillow, and be slept; the Divine band raised him up, and he woke with such a sense of security that he was not afraid of the thousands that were encamped against him. III. A PASSIONATE CRY FOR HELP AND VICTORY IN HIS PRESENT STRAITS. Urged again by an appeal to the past. "Thou that didst save me from the teeth of the lion and the bear, and didst destroy mine enemies on every side, rise up now for me against them that rise up against me." "Help me, 0 God!" 'l'l,is is his courageous answer to the mocking exultation of his enemies when they say, "There is no help for him in God." He replies," 'l'o Jehovah belongeth help," or" the victory;" help, not in this strait only, hut help for the needy in all times and in all places. IV. A NOBLE PRAYER FOR HIS MISGUIDED, REBELLIOUS SUllJECTS. He thought of the horrors of a civil war, and he forgot himself in his anxiety for !he welfare of his people. This is royal and generous-when we in our utmost danger can cherish a <leep concern for the safety of others. David reminds us of St. Stephen, who, with the spirit as well as the face of an angel, cried, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge;" and pre-eminently of him who said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."-S.
EXPOSITION. stringed instruments" (Hcngstenbcrg, Kn.y, PSALM IV. 'Speaker's Commentary,' Revised Version, AGAtN th~ prnlm hllB a title, "To the etc.); comp. Is11. xxxviii. 20. The o.uthor- chief Musie:an on Neginoth. A Psalm of sliip of David is generally allowed; but David;" li~rally, "lo the superintendent or there ia nothing to mClrk the eXllct circum- forewun," which, in thia instance, would be stances under which the psalm was written. the choir-hader, or "preccnlor" (Kay). In its metricn.1 struclul'e it vory much re, "On Negblith" is aupposed to mean "for scmblcs Ps. iii., being composed, like that, rs. 1v. 1-8.J 'l'HE BOOK OF PSALMS. 23