The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 11

Ammonitee, Am11lekites, Syri1me, Mesopo• they appear as men--nbueive, slo.nderous, tnmians, eto. Against all of them he in- godlees (,·er. 7). In conclusion, appeal ie \·okes God's aid, and by God's aid he me.de to God against them. He will "hmgh triumphs over a~l. Defend me from th~m them to scorn" (ver. 8); o.nd he is a sure that rise up against me; or, eet me on htgh above them (Kay, Revised Version). David's Defence against all their efforts ( ver. 9), domestic foes "rose up against him," no Ver. 6.-Theyreturn at evening. Having less thnn his foreign foes; mRdc war on him; traced De.l'id to his house, they disperse for sought to seize his person, and put him to a time, but "return" again at evening, and death. t.ake up their watch (l Sam. xix. 11). They Yer. 2.-Deliver me from the workers of make a noise like a dog ; i.e. snarl and iniquity, aud aave me from bloody m~n. growl, quarrelling more or less among them- Foreign enemies Rre 1;1ever rep_roach_ed with selves during the night-time. And go round being "bloody men," smce war 1s their trade, about the city. Either wander voguely an<l it is their business to wound and slny. about, as do"'S do for prey, or patrol the Ver. 3.-For, lo, they lie in wait for my walls nnd ga~s to see that Do.vid does not soul. The emissnries of Saul were sent to quit the city, and so esc11pe them. David's house "to watch him, and to slny Ver. 7.-Behold, theybeloh out with their Lim in the morning" (l 8nm. xix. 11). mouth. All night long they keep uttering This seems to be tue '' lying in wait" in- abuse and execrations and three.ta ( comp. tended. Warned by his wife, Michal, Saul's Ps. xciv. 4). Swords are in their lips (comp. daughter, Da\'id fled fr?m his house during Ps. lvii. 4). Speeohes that wound and cut the night through a window, and so saved to the bee.rt. For who, say they, doth hear 1 himself (1 S.i.m. xix. 12). The mighty (or, the (comp. Pas. x. ll-;---13; lxiv. 5; lx_xiii. 11; Btrvng ones) are gathered against me_; not xciv. 7). They tlnnk tbemselve~ irrespon- for my transgression, nor for my Blll, 0 sible for their words. No one will hear or Lord. Not in consequence of any wrong know what they say. that I ha,e done. It is noted, as charac- Ver. 8.-But thou, 0 Lord, eha.lt la.ugh at teristic of David's early psalms, that he pro- them (comp. Ps. ii. 4). Thou shalt have all tests his absolute innocence in them. the heathen in derision (see the comment Ver. 4.-They run and prepare themselves on vcr. 5, and particularly the ~.xplane.tiou without my fault; or, "establish them- there given of" all the heathen ). selves" - "take up their position" (so Ver. 9.-Because of his strength. There Hengstenberg, Kay, and Professor Cheyne). is no "because of" iu the original, and the Awake to help me (see the comment on Ps. reading, "hie strength" (HJ)), is doubtfu!; xii v. 23). And behold; i.e. "see ho:w things Several manuscripts have "my stre~gth nr-how innocent_ I ~!'1; how unJust e.nd ('·!JI), and this reading we.e followed 1~ ~11 cruel are my enemies! the ancient versions. Most modern critics Yer. 5.-Thou therefore, 0 Lord God of prefer it and translate, 0 my strength, ns in hosts, the God of bra.al (comp. Ps. hix_. ~. ver. 17.' Will I we.it upon thee; r~ther, also "a psalm of David"). Awake ~o ns.t I will t11ait upon thee. For my God 1~ my e.11 the heathen. "All" is emphatic, and Defence ; or, m!J High Tower (Revised means not only those without the coven~nt, Version). but also those within-the wicked Israelites. It is noted that Saul's instruments consisted. Ver.. 10-13.-The enemies are still the of two classes-actual heathen, su~ e.s Doeg the Eu.omite; nnd irreligiona Isra.elttes, main subject. Their pride, their cursing, es tLe Zipl,ites and others, who were no their lying, are denounced (ver. 12). The better tl.ian Lee.then. Be not merciful to psalmist trusts to "see his desire" upon any wicked tre.nsgressors. "TLe Hebrew them (ver. 10). First he begs that they words denote treachery and faithlessness" may not be slain, but only " scattered (Cook). They are scarcely applicable to abroad " so that they may remnin a.e cx- open foreign enemies. ample; of God's vengeance for the warn:ng Vere. 6-9.-" Here a new stanza begins" of others (ver. 11). Then, forgetting this (Cheyne). The "enemies" of ~er. 1 and wish, he pleads for their capture an,! their tl.ie " workers of iniquity" of ver. 2 are utter destruction, without which God's glory more elaborately portrayed. First they are will not be fully vindicated (vcrs. 12, 13). repre,ented as " dogs "-such hideous, half. Ver. 10.-The God ot my mercy shall l're- wild dogs ns frequent East.ern cities, which vent me; or, according to another rea.drn~, sleep dllJ'ing the greater part of the day, God with his mercy ,hall pret1ent ( ,.e. nn_ti• and rove about in packs e.t night-unclean, cipate) me. God shall let me ■ee my desire horrid, loathsome ani.me.ls (ver. 6). Then upon mine enemies (comp. Pe. liv. 7). PB, LIX, 1-17.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 13