The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 261

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-28.-A hard case-a ve7'!J hard one-laid before God. This is one of those psalms in which the writers often meet with much scolding and with scant sympathy. It hns been said that this psalm is not worthy of David. We are not prepared to say so : but we are prepared to contend that many of the criticisms passed on it aro utterly unworthy of those who thus criticize.1 If wo will but study the whole psalm in all its bearings, while we may not feel called on to justify every expression therein, we shall feel bound to regard fairly those circumstances of extreme hardship by which such expressions were called forth. We may have the case before us, if we "open up" the contents of the psalm in the following threefold order. I. THE CABE SHOULD BE ADEQUATELY STUDIED. Beyond all question, it is a hard one, almost more than flesh and blood could bear. We will look at it: 1. .As between David and his enemies. A bare enumeration of its main features (of which there are seven) will suffice. He was waylaid without cause (ver. 7). False witnesses spako mnliciously nge.inst him (ver. 11). They actually rewarded evil for good (ver. 12). In their trouble David bad behaved himself as their friend or brother (vers. 13, 14). In his trouble the enemies manifested a malicious joy (vers. 15, 16).2 Their malice was not against him only, but against others also (ver. 20). And not only so, but against the entire cause of righteousness of which David was the representative, their rage and hatred were directed (ver. 22). Now let us look at the case: 2. As between David and his God. How does he plead with Jehovah? He prays that God himself would interpose, and come into conflict with those who thus afflicted him (vers. 1, 2, 3, 17, 22, 23); that God would manifest himself as David's Deliverer (ver 3); that the wicked might be thoroughly put to shame; that their way might be dark and slippery, etc. (vers. 4, 5, 6, 8, 26); that God would reveal his delivering grace (ver. 10); thnt 1 Bee three thoughtful artioles on "The Vindictive Psalms," in the ExpositM, let series, vol. ii. p. 825, by Mr. Hammond; aud the Expositor, 2nd series, vol. vii. p. 131, by l\lr. Bernard, and p. 357, by Mr. Aglen. Hengstenbcrg may be consulted boreon wHb special advantage. • Ver. 16: "With hypocritical mockers in. feasts;" literally," with profligate cakc- jestera," or pnrnsites; time-serving flatterers, who frequented the tables of the grent, tn gain • living by buffoonery (Dr. Green).  270 THE BOOK Ob, PSALMS. [PB, I.XXV. 1-28,