PSALM LXIV. :Ver. 5.-The:,enoourage themaelve■ in an evil matter; or, fo an evil acheme-the plan AT a time of great danger from domestic of_ ~airing David unpopular, o.nd then enemies, who threaten insurrection (ver. 2), raising the st.aud,1rd of open revolt o.gaiust the psalmist first complnins to God, and him (2 Saw. xv. 1-12). They commune of entreots bis aid (vcrs. 1-6); after which he l~ying sne.res privily. The ungodly con- lloldly denounces his foes, and threatens trnuall;!'. set traps for the righteous, who are so simple that they often fall into them. t!1em with discomfiture (vers. 7, 8). Finally, ~o do n_ot kno;v the exact proceedings of he draws a lesson from their fate, of wo.rn- hlS enemies ag,nnst David at the time the ing to men in general (ver. 9), and of narrative of 2 Sam. xv. beincr O so brief-' but encouragement to the righteous (ver. 10). it was probe.lily by somo trickery 'that The author is probably Davicl, as asserted David was iuduced to quit the stroncrholcl of J crusalem, o.ncl so yield the se~t of iu the "title," and the time that a little government, ancl many other advantacres, to preceding the open revolt of .Absalom. his rival. They say, Who shall see them t Two strophes of four verses each (vcrs. (comp. Pss. x. 11; lix. 7; xciv. 7). It is o.u 1-4, 7-10) are separated by one of two inveterate folly for men to imagine, either verses (vers. 5, 6). that God will not see their actions, or that he will pay no heed to them. A spurious Ver. 1.-B:ea.r my voice, 0 God, in my humility is brought into play in the latter prayer; rather, in my complaint (Cheyne, case-How can it be suppose1l that God Revised Vcrsion); see Ps. lv. 2. :Preserve will note the doings of such worms as men ? my life from fee.r of the enemy. David Ver. 6.-They search out iniquities; they a.lrea.dy feels that it is not his deposition accomplieh a diligent see.rch; rather, they only, but his life, that ie sought (comp. deoise iniquities. We have accow.pliahed 2 Sam. xv. 14; xvii 2). (tltey say) a u,ell-devised device. So modern Ver. 2.-Hide me from the secret oounsel critics gcnernlly (Heugatenberg, Kay, of the wicked ; fro:n the insurrection of the Cheyne, Canon Cook, Revised Version). workers of iniquity. The first danger is lloth the inwe.rd thought of every one of from secret plots, which David knows to be them, and the heart, is deep. Thel"efore going on against his authority (2 Sam. xv. the righteous man is in great danger from 1-12). The second, o.nd greater danger, them, unless God interpose. will be from open insurrection (2 Sam. xvii. Ver. 7.-But God shall shoot at them 1-14). with an arrow. But God will interpose. Ver. S.-Who whet their tongue like a As they have shot with their arrows at the sword (comp. Pss. lv. 21; lvii. 4; lix. 7). righteous (ver. 8), so with his arrow shall .And bend their bows to shoot their arrows, God shoot at them. Suddenly shall they be even bitter words (comp. Pss. xi. 2; lvii, 4). wounded. The first word, "suddenly," Cttlumny was what David especially feared, may belong egually well either to the and what actually brought about his down- preceding or to the following clause. The fall (Ree 2 Sam. xv. 2-6). The "bitter- result ie all that is important. Not lhe ness" of bis enemies ie further emphasized righteous, but they themselves, shall receive by tLe speeches and curses of Shimei (2 the wound ; literally, their wound shall bo Sam. xvi. 5-13). Ver. 8.-Bo they shall make their own Yer. 4.-That they may shoot in secret tongue to fall upon themselves; rather, ,o at the perfect; or, in their hidi11g-placea. ~hall they be made to stumble ; their 0101& David does not scruple to call himself tungue shall be against them. The tongue, '"perfect," UBing the word in the sense iu which they "whetted like a sword," shall which it is used of Jou (Job i. l; ii. 3), be the principal means of bringing them meaning a sincere and upright man. iuto trouble (see 2 Sam. xvii. 1-28). All Ba.ddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. that see them shall 11.ea o.wa.y; ro.tber, shall They are not afraitl, though it ie "the wag the head (Cheyne, Bevised Version) in anoinkd of the Lord," whom to attack ie not clerision only rebellion, but sacrilege (see 2 Sam. i. 14). Ver. 9.-And all mon shall fear, and 1hall 1'8. LXIV, 1-10.] THE BOOK 01" PSALMS. 27
deola.re the work of God. The fa.to of David's of the righteous, and, when danger presses, enemies ehall caueo widespread fear nnd will interpose on their behalf, to Lhe terrible nlarm. Mon shall perceive God's hnnd in discomfiture of the wicked. it, and shnll bo led, in coneeq uenoo, to Ver. 10.-The righteous shall be glad in declare "Gocl's work." The tragic ends of the Lord, and shall trust in him. Tho Ahithophel nnd Absalom were certainly well righteous, delivered from their imminent calculated to impress tho minds of men peril, naturally "rejoice in the Lord," i.e. generally, nnd to strike awo iuto the hearts rejoice in God's goodness to them, and feel of those who had looked with indifference, thoir confidence in him increased. And all or even, perhaps, with satisfaction, on the the upright in heart shall glory (corn p. Pas. political troubles. For they shall wisely xxxii. 11; !viii. 11). A thrill of joy passes ooneider of his doing; rather, for they shall thJ'ough tho whole of God's people, whetlier understa11d hi, operation. Thoy shall they wero iuvolvecl in the clanger escaped understand, i.e., that God is on the side or not.