The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 311

or just after the revolt of Absalom. It for I have sinned against thee. Tho worst consists of an introduction (vers. 1-3), of all his woes-the root aud origin of them respecting the blessedness of those who all-Jona et origo •mali, is bis own sin- "consider the poor; " a bitter complaint fulness. Unless that is cured, o.11 other alleviation is vain. Hence, after the first against bis enemies generally, and one general cry for mercy, ho goes to tho root enemy in particular (vors. 4-9); and a of the mlltter, "Heal my soul." 'fhere, conclusion, in which prayer and an ex- within me, in the depths of my nature, is pression of confident hope are united (vcrs. the worst malady. Hoe.I that, and soon all will be well with me. 10-12). The concluding paragrapll (vcr. Ver. 5.-Mine enemies speak evil of me. 13) is no p,ut of the psalm, but a mark of Another head of suffering, viz. misrepre- division between book i. and book ii. sentation, calumny; abuse, on the part of (compare the terminations of Pss. lxxii., enemies. Absalom had stolen away the lxx.xi.x., and cvi.). Metrically, the psalm is hearts of the children of Israel from David remarkably regular, since it consists of four by misrepresenting him (2 Sam. xv. 3, 4). Shimei had followed the example, adding stanzas, each of three verses. to his misrepresentation abnse and cursing Ver. 1.-Bleseed is he that oonsidereth (2 Sam. xvi. 5-8). Absalom's aiders and the poor. David had concluded the pre- abettors generally, no doubt, joined in the ccd.ing psalm by calling himself" poor and chorus. This, then, is David's second subject needy." He commences the present one by of complaint, and one that be felt keenly- pronouncing a blessing on all those who his enemies spoke evil of him. Further, •· consider," or tenderly regard, and, so far they desired and anticipated bis death. as they can, assist the poor and afflicted, When (they said) shall he die, and his name It is not so much actual poverty, as humili- perish 1 David evidently was, or had been, ation and weakness, of which he is speak- when his enemies thus spoke, on the bed of ing. The Lord will deliver him in time of sickness, prostrate, and in danger of his trouble; literally, in the day of evil. As life. While he thus suffered, they rejoiced, he bas pity on bis fellow-men, so God will expeoting his early demise. When he was have pity upon him (comp. Matt. vi. 14, dead, they intended that hie name should 15; L 42; xviii 33; Prov. xix, 17; Eocles. " pelish ; " i.e. that his memory should be xi. 1, etc.). utterly rooted out. Ver. 2.-i'he Lord will preaerve him, and Ver. 6.-And if he come to see me, he keep him alive. Continuance in life is speaketh vanity; rather, he speaketh false- always regarded as a blessing in the Old hood (see the comment on Ps. xii. 2). H Testament; it is only in the New that to is suggested that Ahitbophel is especially " depart, and be with Christ," is pronounced aimed at. But there is no proof of this. "far better" (Phil i. 23). And he shall be .AU the enemies are probably intended, only blessed upon the earth ; i.e. his long life distributively instead of collectively. Hie shall be a happy one. And thou wilt not heart ge.thereth iniquity to itBSU, Dr. deliver him unto the will of his enemies; Kay's comment is, "He mo.kes a show of rather, as in the margin, do not Owu. deli-Der friendship, using hollow compliments; but him ( comp. Pee. xxvii 12; l.xxiv. 19). The ho is treasuring up every expression as psalmist changes from dogmatio assertion material for misrepresentation." When he to prayer, not, however, intending to ex- goeth abroad, he telleth it. He reports press any doubt that his prayer will be what he has seen and heard, but untruly. granted. Ver. 7.-All that hate me whisper together Ver. 3.-The Lord will strengthen him against me; i.e. gather tbemsel ves into upon the bed of languishing. If be falls knots, and hold whispered oonverev.tions into a sickness, God will support him about me-as conspirators arn apt to rdo. through it. Thou wilt make all his bed in Against me do they devise my hurt ; lito- his eickneBB; literally, thou wilt turn all his rally, hiirt to me. bed; i.e. rearrange it, turn its cushions, Ver. 8.-An evil disease (literally, a thiug make it such that he can comfortably lie of Belial), say they, clee.veth fast unto him. on it (see Kay, who quotes Bellarmine). (On the meaning of'' Delia!," see the com- Others understand, " '.l'hou wilt clrn.nge ment on Ps. xviii. 4.) The "thing of Boli(l,l" his couch from one of sickness to one of here intended may, perha.ps, be the disease convalescence." from which David wa.s suft'ering, but ia Ver. 4.-I said; rather, a,for me, I said. more probably some disgraceful oho.rge or 'fbe writer poiutedly marks that ho turns iufamoueoalumny which ha.d been circulated !,ere from consideriug the blCBSodness of concerning him, and was now crushing him ~e compassionate man to contemplation of down. '!'his calumny is represented 11s Ins own case-his afflictions and sufferings. poured out upon him like a ooo.ting of molten Lr,rd, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; metal (see Job xli. 23, 24), and so cleaving PS, XLI, 1-13.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 823