The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 143

EXPOSITION. withholden the request of his lips. "Out PSALM XXL of the abundance of the heart tho mouth Ps. XXI is generally regarded as a companion speaketh." The deliverance from bis ene- mies, which David had earnest.Iy desired in composition to Ps.xx., being the thanksgiving his heart, he bad also devoutly requested after the victory for which the preceding with his lips (Ps. xx. I, 5). Sele.h. The psalm was the supplication. It consists of pause here may have been for the presen- three parts: (1) a. direct thanksgiving to tation of e. thank-offering. God, offered by the people on behalf of the Ver. 3.-For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness; i.e. thou givest him king (vers.1-7); (2) a.n address to the king, blessings before he asks, e.nd more than he auguring for him fnture successes on the a.eke.. "The blessings of goodness" is pleo- ground of his recent victory (vers. 8-12); nastic, since a. blessing cannot be otherwise and (3) a. brief return to direct praise of God than a good. Thou settest a orown of pure in two short ejaculatory sentences. Pa.rt 1 gold on his head. It is remarked th11t David, a.s the result of one of his wars, did is interrupted by a pause (" Sela.h ") a.t the actually take the crown of the conquered end of ver. 2, when thank-offerings may have king, ,vhich wns a crown of gold, from off been made. The Davidical authorship, as- the king's head, and place it upon his own serted in the title, is not seriously disputed. he11d (2 Sam. xii. 30); but this is scarcely whe.t is intended here. As Hengstenberg Ver. 1.-The king shall joy. The future observes, "The setting on of the crown is used to give tl.ie idea of continuance, me.rb the bestowmont of dominion," not in "The king rejoice~, and will go on rejoicing." one petty c11se only, but generally, 11nd is In thy strength, 0 Lord; i.e. in the strength sc11rcely to bo altogether separated from the that tbou puttest forth to help and protect promises reconled in 2 Sam. vii. 12-16. him (comp. Ps. xx. G). And in thy salva- Ver. 4.-He asked life of thee, and thou tion how greatly shall he rejoice! God's gavest it him,:evcn length of d11ys for ever "salvation" had been confidently antici- and ever. The "lifo" intended cannot be pated (Po. xx. 5, 6, 'J), and has now been ordinary human life, since in David's caao experienced. this certainly did not continue "for evor Ver. 2.-Thou hast given him his heart's and ever." We must understand the desire (comp. Ps. xx. 4, "Grant thee accord- psalmist to have asked for continuance in ing &,, thine own bee.rt"), And haat not hi8 po8terity, and this wns guaranteed him P8, XXI. 1- -13.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 145