EXPOSITION. PSALM LVII. save me from the reproach of him that would &wallow me up. The two clauses etnnd un- Tms psalm-the "twin psalm" with the connected in the original, which runs, "He lo.st-ho.s also an elaborate "tit!~," which shall send from heaven and save me-my runs thus : "To the precentor (or chief pursuer reproaches-God sho.11 send," eto. Tho seoond clause is reo.11 y po.ran thotio, and, musician) : destroy not; David's; Michtam; as Dr. Driver says(' Hebrew Verbs,'§ 163), when he fled from Saul; in the cave." The "circumstantial," noting the circumstances meaning of the seeond and fourth beadings under which God would to.ke action. God is doubtful Some explain tbe second as shall send forth his meroy and his truth. "musical ; " others as an allusion to David's His mercy, to relieve the psalmist; his truth, to confound the psalmist's enemies. words when he bade Abisbo.i not to kill Ver. 4.-My soul is among lions (comp. SanL The Inst two clauses give the place Pss. vii. 2; x. 9; xviL 12; xxii. 21, eto.). and occasion of the composition. It was And I lie even among them that are set on written" in the cave "-probably the cave fire, even the sons of men-literally, I lie of Adullam (I Sam. xxii. I)-when David on fireband.s, sons of men-whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp was flJing from Sanl. No valid ree.son can sword. David occupies tbe cave (of Adul- be urged against these statements. lam ?), while around him prowl lion-like The psalm is divided by its refrain ( vers. men, whose fury is like that of firebrands, 5, 11) into two parts, which are further sub- who threaten to devour him with their divided by the pa113C-mark, " SeLh." The sharp teeth, and to pierce his soul with their cruel tongues. initial strophe (vers. 1-5) is a mixture of Ver. 5.-:Be thou exalted, 0 Goj, above prayer and compl.Jl.int; the concluding one the heavens; or, ezalt thyself, 0 God, above (vers. 6-11) begins with complaint (vcr. the heavens; i.e. show forth tuy might in 6), but almost immediately changes into "a such a signal way that the heavens (i.e. the strain of exulting and triumpuant confi- angel!) may ste.nd to gaze o.t it. Let thy glory be above all the e&rth. Let thy dence," so exulting and triumphant as to exRltation equally draw the attention of the cause itB selection by our Church for reci- whole earth. t.ation on Ee.ster Day. Vere. 6-11.-The strophe of "trium- Ver. 1.-:Bs merciful llllto me, 0 God, be phant confidencu" now begins, but with an merciful Ullto me : for my soul trusteth in echo from the strophe of complaint. The thee (compare tbe preceding psalm, vers. I enemy is still at work, still plotting against and 4). Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I m&ke my refuga (see t.he commrnt on the psalmist, still seeking to do him a mis- Pa. xvii 8 ; and comp. Pae. xxxvi. 7; lxi. 4; chief; but the efforts made are i:l vain. !xiii 7; xcL 4). The metaphor is first used They only bring the enemy himself into in Deut. mii. II. Until these calamities trouble (ver. 6), and co.use the psalmist to (rather, theae 'IJJickedneasu, or these malig- pour forth a song of joy (vers. 7-11). -nitia) be overpast. That they will pass away the psalmist has no doubt. What he Ver. 6.-They have prepared a net for my needs is support while they endure. steps (comp. Pde. ix. 15; x.10; xxv. 15; Ver. 2.-I will cry unto God most High. mi. 4; xxxv. 7). These metaphors from In the original, " unto Elohim 'elyon " - an thrl chase are peculiarly appropriate at the expression which only occurs here and in time whoa Saul was" hunting D.. vid upon Pa. lxxviii. 56. El e/;gor,, however, occurs in the mountains" (I 8am. xxvi. 20). My soul Ps. lxxviii. 45; ns in Gen. xiv. 18, 19, is bowed down; rather, they have bowed. 22, and Jellfflloh 'elyon in Pa. vii. 18. Unto dou,n my ,oul; literally, he has bowed down; God that performeth all tl,ings for m, but the alternate Ul!e of tlie singulur and (comp. Ps.cmviii. B). God "accomplishe~" the plural, without any reul change of for his saint.a whateV(,r iB good for them. subject, is very common. They have digged Ver. 3.-Re &hall send from heaven, and a pit before me (comp. Pss. vii 15; cm. PII, LVII, 1-11.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 7
85). Into tho midst whereof they are fallen ales evoca.t 11uroram ;" 11nd 1\Iiiton, "Checrly themselves. Here is the first note or triumph rouse the slumbering morn." -n very familiar note (Pss. vii. 15; ix. 15; Ver. 9.-1 will praise thee, 0 Lord, among xxxix. 8; cxli. 10), but one alwnys sounded the peoj>le (mther, peoples); I will sing with marked satisfaction. unto thee among the nations. The psalmist's Ver. 7.-My heart is fixed, 0 God, my heart joy is too gre11t to be confined within a.uy is fixed; or, my heart is steadfast-it does not narrower limits than those of the entire doubt or waver, it is firm in its trust on earth. He will have bis hymn of praise thee, I will sing and give praise. Sing to go forth to o.ll "peoples," "no.tions," a.nd thee, i.e., and praise thy No.me. languages. Michaelis notes that bis deaire Ver.8.-Awake up, my glory; i.e. "my has had a. full accomplishment. aoul" (comp. Pss. xvi. 9; xxx. 12). '.l'he Ver. 10.-For thy mercy is great unto pso.lm.ist stirs his soul to earnest, heartfelt the heavens, and thy truth unto tha clouds, devotion. Awake, psaltery and harp; i.e. "Thy mercy, thy truth" (comp. ver. 3). awo.ke, my musical instruments and my Ver. 11.-Be thou exalted, 0 Go:i, above musical powers, which have slept, as it were, the heavens: let thy glo:-y be abova all the while I was in affliction. I myself will earth (compare the comment on ver. 5, with awake early; or, "will awo.ken the dawn" which this verse is identical). (comp. Ovid, • Meto.ph.,' ii. 597, "Vigil