Psalms 3:1 «A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. » LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many [are] they that rise up against me. _A Psalm of David_] Tremellius addeth, _Quem cecinit,_ which he sang when he fled, &c. As birds in the spring tune most sweetly when it rains mos... [ Continue Reading ]
Many [there be] which say of my soul, [There is] no help for him in God. Selah. Ver. 2. _Many there be which say of my soul_] These scoffs and sarcasms _leniter volant, non leniter violant._ David felt them as a murdering weapon in his bones, Psalms 42:3; Psalms 42:10, and oft complaineth of them t... [ Continue Reading ]
But thou, O LORD, [art] a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Ver. 3. _But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me_] And such a shield as will never fail me. _Prodente clypeo vulneratus sum,_ I am betrayed by my shield, said Brasidas the Lacedaemonian, when he was wounded through it... [ Continue Reading ]
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. Ver. 4. _I cried unto the Lord with my voice_] I prayed aloud and lustily; I roused up myself, and wrestled with God: and this was the ground of his courage and confidence. So Esther, when she had fasted and prayed, p... [ Continue Reading ]
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. Ver. 5. _I laid me down and slept_] My faith was above my fear; I knew whom I had trusted. No marvel I slept so soundly, seeing Antipater was by, and watched, said Philip of Macedon (Plutarch). We may better say so of Antipater, our gra... [ Continue Reading ]
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set [themselves] against me round about. Ver. 6. _I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, &c._] _Quomodo timeret hominem homo in sinu Dei positus?_ saith an ancient. See here in David the triumph of trust in God, _Gloriatio fidei e... [ Continue Reading ]
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies [upon] the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Ver. 7. _Arise, O Lord, &c._] If the Lord do but arise only his enemies shall be scattered; those also that hate him shall flee before him, Psalms 68:1. And God... [ Continue Reading ]
_Salvation [belongeth] unto the LORD: thy blessing [is] upon thy people. Selah._ Ver. 8. _Salvation belongeth unto the Lord_] Here is much in few. Fulgentius saith, that the most golden sentence is ever measured by brevity and suavity. _Brevis et suavis, planeque aurea est haec sententia._ Salvatio... [ Continue Reading ]