Psalms 34:1 «[A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. » I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth. Ver. 1. _A Psalm of David_] An alphabetical psalm, which David (newly delivered from the Phili... [ Continue Reading ]
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad. Ver. 2. _My soul shall make her boast in the Lord_] This holy gloriation is a Christian's duty not to be neglected. The Church in the Canticles is much in it; and so is St Paul. It showeth a heart full of joys u... [ Continue Reading ]
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Ver. 3. _O magnify the Lord with me_] As not sufficient to do so great a work himself, he calleth in the help of others. We read of a monster rather than a man, who lying on his death bed, not only himself swore as fast and as furiousl... [ Continue Reading ]
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Ver. 4. _I sought the Lord_] Even when I was in the enemies' hands, and playing my pranks as a mad man among them; I prayed secretly and inwardly, I sent up some ejaculations, as Nehemiah 2:4, and was heard, though unworthy. _... [ Continue Reading ]
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. Ver. 5. _They looked unto him, and were lightened_] They, that is, my servants and fellow soldiers who accompanied me first to Nob, 1 Samuel 21:2; 1Sa 21:4 Matthew 12:3,4, and afterwards to Gath (as it is probable); these b... [ Continue Reading ]
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles. Ver. 6. _This poor man cried_] Meaning himself, to whom it seemeth he pointed the finger, or laid his hand on his heart, when he said, This poor man, _Hic vilis, et ovium pastor,_ saith Theodoret, this mean shephe... [ Continue Reading ]
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Ver. 7. _The angel of the Lord encampeth round about, &c._] Not one guardian angel only, as some have hence conceited, nor Michael the archangel only, that angel of the covenant, Jesus Christ, as Augustine expounde... [ Continue Reading ]
O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him. Ver. 8. _O taste and see, &c._] viz. With the mouth of your mind, and with the eyes of your faith perceive, and experiment the goodness of God in choosing and using such instruments as the angels, and otherwise, i... [ Continue Reading ]
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him. Ver. 9. _O fear the Lord, ye his saints_] Ye that, having tasted of God's sweetness, are separated from the world with its lusts, and can live with a little αγιοι _quasi_ αγειοι, fear the Lord, and then you shall not need... [ Continue Reading ]
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing]. Ver. 10. _The young lions do lack and suffer hunger_] And yet they will have it, if it is to be had. _Haec est sceleratorum imago,_ saith Beza. Lionlike wicked oppressors, rich cormorants, as th... [ Continue Reading ]
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Ver. 11. _Come, ye children, hearken unto me_] Ye that are little and low in your own eyes, as seeing your want of holy learning. _ I will teach you the fear of the Lord_] That best trade, whereby you shall be sure to be ke... [ Continue Reading ]
What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good? Ver. 12. _What man is he that desireth life?_] This is David's doctrine; and to draw company about him, he proclaimeth and promiseth that which he well knew every man coveteth, happy life, many days, and a comforta... [ Continue Reading ]
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Ver. 13. _Keep thy tongue from evil, &c._] This is a hard saying, think the most; who will therefore rather venture it than yield to be so tied up. The tongue is an unruly member, and can hardly be hampered. But who would not temper his t... [ Continue Reading ]
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Ver. 14. _Depart from evil, and do good_] For negative goodness helpeth not. A man must so abstain from evil as that he do good, or he doth nothing. It is said of Ithacius, that the hatred of the Priscillian heresy was the best that could be... [ Continue Reading ]
The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry. Ver. 15. _The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous_] He seeth and weigheth the wrongs they sustain for peace sake, and they shall be no losers thereby; provided that their pursuit of peace proceed from the fil... [ Continue Reading ]
The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Ver. 16. _The face of the Lord is against them that do evil_] Let not such dream of a long and happy life, as Psalms 34:12. This they are apt to do; but shall be carried from a fool's paradise to... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 34:17 [The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Ver. 17. _The righteous cry, &c._] This is often inculcated for our better assurance; because we are apt to doubt if delayed. See Psalms 34:6 .... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Ver. 18. _The Lord is nigh unto them, &c._] More nigh than the bark is to the tree, for he is with them and in them continually; pouring the oil of his grace into these broken vessels, _quorum corda... [ Continue Reading ]
Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Ver. 19. _Many are the troubles, &c._] _Dei sunt nuntii,_ these are God's messengers, saith Kimchi, and they seldom come single. See James 1:2. _See Trapp on "_ Jam 1:2 _"_ Sent they are also to the wicked, Ps... [ Continue Reading ]
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Ver. 20. _He keepeth all his bones_] Which are very many. Perhaps, saith Aben Ezra here, David had been scourged by the Philistines, but his bones were not broken, nor were our Saviour's, John 19:36 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. Ver. 21. _Evil shall slay the wicked_] For lack of such deliverance, as Psalms 34:19, _malum iugular authorem mali_ Their malice shall prove their mischief. The Arabic hath it (but not right), _mors impii pessima._ Aben... [ Continue Reading ]
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. Ver. 22. _The Lord redeemeth the souls of his servants_] Though to themselves and others they may seem helpless and hopeless, yet they shall not perish in their sins and for their sins, as do the wick... [ Continue Reading ]