of n short stropho (vcra. 1, 2), o. !lhort anti- Ver. 1.-Stand in o.we, and sin not. 'rho atropho (vere. 3, 4), and n longer cpodo LXX. render, 'Onf(«r9e, 1<al µ'tJ &µap'Tci.ve-re, (vere. 5-8). The division.i o.re marked, 1n "Be ye angry, and sin not;" and this meaning is preferred by Dr. Kay, Hengsten- in Pa. iii., by tho introduction of the word berg, and others. It may also seem to bave selah, perhaps menning " pause," or "rest." the snnction of St. Paul in Eph. iv. 26. If we adopt it, we most suppose the exhorta- Ver. 1.-Hear me when I ca.11, 0 God of tion to be addressed mninly to David's own my righteousness. Not "tho God who followers, who are wnrned ago.inst exceBsive imputes to me righteouencas," ns some anger and its natural result, undue violence render, but "the God who sees thnt I and (comp. 2 Sam. xvi. 9; xviii. 11, 11; xix. my causo are righteous," and who will 21, etc.). Commune with your own heart therefore ccrto.in ly lend me nid. Thou hast npon your bed, and be still (compare St. enlargad me; or, made room for me-" set Paul's injunction, "Let not the sun go down me at ease." In the language of the Old upon your wrath"). Anger cools if a little Teshlment, "straits" and "narrowness" time be suffered to pass-if a night be mean trouble and affliction; "room," allowed for reflection, and no action be "spnce," "enlargement," mean prosperity. taken till the morrow. IllZOf! "((Lp opnv & Dnvid hns experienced God's mercies in the xp&vos (Axistotle). Selab. The second past, and therefo1·0 looks for them in the stropho being ended, another "pause" is to future (comp. Pa. iii. 7). When I was in take place, during which the ps~lmist's distress; literally, in [my] distress. Have exhortation may be made the subject of meroy upon me, and hear my prayer. This co·nsideration. is David's usunl cry, repeated in II hundred Ver. 5.-0fi'er the ssoriiices of righteous- varied forms throughout the Psalms (see ness. Sacrifices of victims 11re scarcely Pss. v. 2; vi. 2; ix. 13; x.xvii. 7 ; xxx. 10, meant; certainly not, if tbe time of the etc.). composition is that of David's exile, sinco Yer. 2.---0 ye sons of men. " Sons of victims could be offered nowhere bnt at men "-beney ish-is not a mere periphrasis Jerusalem. We may suppose a reference for " men." It is a title of some honour to those sacrifices which are most truly nud dignity. Kny trnnslntes, "sons of the " sncrifices of righteousness," viz. "a broken bra.e;" but that is scnrcely the meaning. spirit, a broken nnd e. con trile heart," whieh The phrnse is r3thcr equivalent to oar God '.' will not despise " (Pa. Ji. 17). And "sirs'' (' Spenker's Commentary'). How put your trust in the Lord. Sncrifico with- long will ye turn my glory into shame! By out fe.ith is vain. Even "sacrifices of your misconduct. See the clause which righteousness," to be of any service, muat follows. The appeal is, perh,1 ps, to J 011b, be accompnniod by trust in tbe Lord. Abishai, and others of Dt1vid'a own po., ty, Ver. 6.-There be many that say, Who whose procccdinas wcro a disgraco to his will show ius any good 1 Pessimists are roign, nnd tended to bring their master to numerous ill 1111 e.ges. Among Dnvid'a shame rnthcr tlmn to honour. HOlv long adherents in his times of distress (ver. I) will ye love vanity, nnd seek after leasing 1 would be mllny who doubted nnd desponded, i.e. alter lying. Joab's treachery nnd nnticipating nothing bot continued suffer- fnlsehood wero notorious (2 Sam. iii. 27; ing nnd misfortune. They would nsk the xx. 8-10). question of the text. Or the scope mny be Ver. 3.-But know that the Lord bath set wider. Men are nlways socking for good, apart him that is godly for himself. 'l'he but not knowing who.t their true good is. best order of the words woulcl be, '' Know David points it out to them. It is to have thllt the Lord liath set apart for himself the the light of God's countenance silining on rn1111 thllt is godly." The godly man is not them. Lord, lift thou up, eto. ; compare lho contnminated by the evil doings of those form of Leviticnl benediction (Numb. vi. who 1Lssoci11te with him, nnd profess to a.et 24-2G), o.nd see nlso Pss. xxxi. lli; lx:xx. 3, in his interest, if he 11eilhcr authorizes nor 7, HJ. If we bask in the sunshine of God's co11doues their conduct. Dnvid had pro- fo.vour, there is nothing moro ncedcu for testrd ngninst Jonb's proceedings on ono happiness. occasion (2 Snm. iii. 28), and never nt any Ver. 7.-Thou hast put gladness in my time pnrdoncd them (1 Kings ii. 5, G). heart. Dnvid is nn exnmple to the <le- The Lord will hear when I call unto him. spouding ones. Notwithstanding his suffcr- Although I am disgrnced (ver. 2), resisted, in:;s nnd cnlamilies, God has looked on him, in mnny wnys brought to shame, by you, nnd S•J "put gladneee in his heart "-a glau.- yet slill I nm God's servont, sot npurt to ness which for exceeds that of his a,l vor- his service, nnd therf'foro 1 slrnll be henrd saries. Though they aro in prosperity, un,l Ly him. He will hea•kc11 to nnd grant my hnvo their oorn and wine increased, an,l prayer, enjoy nil tho "outwllrd matorinl blessings 24 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [t>s. rv. 1-8.
promised to Israel-the wheat and the couch_ and at once (1in•) slumber visits grape-for a supply of which he is indebted him. No anxious thoughts lceep him toss- to the generosity of friends" (Kay), yet he ing on hie bed for hours. For thou, Lord, would not change places with them. The only :rr.11.kest me dwell in safety. David he.s spiritue.l joy which fills his own heart is a satisfaction in thinking thnt it is God preferable to any nmount of miiterial oom- only who Wlltches over him. All other help forts and ple1LSures. would be ve.in, superfluous. God alone Ver. 8.-I will both lay me down in peace, brought Israel through the wilderness and sleep (comp. Ps. iii. 5). Hie con- (Deut. :txxii. 12); God alone established fiden<'.e in God enables David to lay himself Israel in Cana.nn (Ps. xliv. 2, 3). Do.vid <lown calmly and tmnqnilly to sleep, what- feels that he needs no second he! per and ever dangers threnten him. He seeks his protector,