The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 302

Ver. 8.-I delight to do thy will, 0 my ing load whereof complaint is made. It is God: yea, thy Law is within my heart. The noted that the exceedingly deep conscious- obedience to be rendered will be a trne and ness of sin hero displayed "belongs alto- occeptable obedience, (1) checrfnl, end (2) getlier to a late part of David's life" (Canon from the heart. Consciously or uncon- Cook). Mine iniquities have taken hold soiouely, David speaks as the type of Christ upon me, so that I am not able to look up ; (see Heb. x. 5-7). rather, Bo that I am not able to see. An Ver. 9.-I have preached righteousness actual failure of eight seems to be intended in the great congregation: rather, I ha1Je (comp. Pss. vi. 7; xxxi. !) ; xxviii. 10). procla_imed righteouBneBB, David has sung They are more than the hairs of my head ; the praises of God in the "great congre- i.e. they are more in nnmber. Therefore my gation," and extolled his righteousness and heart faileth me; i.e. "my courage" and truth (Ps. uxv. 18). He has not "my strength of mind'' (comp. Ps. xxxviii. "preached," in the modem sense of the 10). word, since the preaching office was reserved Ver. 13.-Ba pleased, 0 Lo!'d, to deliver for the priests and Levites. Lo, I have not me. Though one deliverance is just effected refrained my lips j or, I will not refrain (ver. 2), it is not enongh; something morn my lipB. I will continue to glorify the0 is required. '.l'he psalmist's life is still openly, and praise thy Name while I have threatened by enemies (ver. H); be is still my being (Ps. civ. 33). 0 Lord, thou knowest; scoffed at and flouted (ver, 15). o Lord, i.e. thou knowest the truth of my statement make haste to help me; literally, Lord, make as to the past, and the sincerity of my haate to my help ( corn p. Pss. xxii. l 9 ; xu:i. promise es to the future. 2; xxxl'iii. 22). The Clrnrch follows the Ver. 10.-I have not hid thy righteous- example set, when she so.ys in her versiclcs, ness within my heart; I have declared thy "0 God, mo.ke speed to save us. 0 Lord, faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not make haste to help us." concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth Ver, 14.-Let them be ashamed and con- from the great oongregation. David's founded together that seek after my soul to psalms furnish a running commentary on destroy it; let them be driven backward, these statements. Composed, as appears and put to shame, that wish me evil. The from the titles, mainly for use in the "great remainder of the psalm from this point is congregation," they set forth the righteous- detacl1ed Inter ou in the Psalter, an,! becomes ness, faithfulneBB, salvation, loving-kind- a separate psulm-the seventieth. Whether ness, and truth of God in the strongest the detachment was the work of David or possible way. Contemporary Israel, and another, is uncertain. 'l'he differences later I~mel, and the Churoh which has between the two versions iire slight (see the succeeded to the place of the original comment on Pa. lxx. ). The preseu t verso Israeli tea, and become " the Israel of God,'' repeats almost exnctly Ps. xxxv. 4 nnd 26. It are alike indebted to him for the wonderful is ugain repeuted, with slight rnrio.tions, in struins in which he bus shown forth and Ps. lxxi. 13. magnified the~e qualities of the Almighty. Ver. 15.-Let them be desolate for e. Ver. 11.-Withhold not thou thy tender reward of their shame; mthcr, by reason mercies from me, 0 Lord. The supplicatory of their shame (Kny, Alexllnder, Reviscu portion of the psulm bore commences, David Version). Let the Rhame e.nd <lisgmce lho.t Leseeches God, whoso loving-kindness is so attuch to them (vcr. B) co.use them to be greo.t (ver.10), not to withhold from him those desolate, or deserted of all. That say unto "tender mercies" whioh heleviehesso freely. me, Abe., aha! (comp. Pe. xxxv. 21, 25). As he is bent on "not withholding,'' or Ver. 16.-Let all those that seek thee "refraining," his lips (ver. 9), so it is fitting rejoice and be glad in thee. Tho psnlmist that God should not " withhold,'' or "re- oannot long bo s11tisfied with mere prnyer frain" (t-t~::i) his kindness. Let thy loving- for self. He must exten,I bis snpplicntion, kindneas and thy trnth continually preserve e.nd mnko it cover the whole Lolly of lhe me (compare the last clause of var. 10). faithful," all tho8e thnt seek God" (colllp. Ver. 12.-For innnmerahle evils have Poe. xxv. 2, 3, 20-22; xxviii. 1-9, etc.). compassed me about; Iiterolly, for e1Jila Let such as love thy salv(ltion sey continu- have gathered upon 7118 until there iB no ally, The Lord be magnified; i.e." Give them number (oomp. vers. 1, 2). The exact no.tore constant occe.sion to any, aml give them of the "evils'' is not mentioned; but the the grateful heart to s,iy, 'l'ho Loru Lo wurst of them appenrs to be " the deep and prnisod for his mercioo" (comp. Ps. x:uv. bitter conscioueucss of sin" rcvcl\lrcl in tho 27). next olnuse. Another wus, boyoud all doubt, Ver. 17.-Bnt I am poor nnd needy. tho continued animosity of enemies (ver. Dnvi1l could sny this in time of lroul,le. No 14). Mental and bodily weakness mo.y ho.vo one is more in need than 11 discrowncu kin~, been o.dded, and have COlll!)leted the crush- driven from his throne end le.nd, nml uoi  314 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS, XL, 1-17.