Sacred history teaches that David was not only dethroned, but forsaken by almost all men; so that he had well nigh as many enemies as he had subjects. It is true there accompanied him in his flight a few faithful friends; but he escaped in safety, not so much by their aid and protection as by the hi... [ Continue Reading ]
The translation of some, _Many say _OF _my soul, _does not give the true meaning of this passage. The letter ל lamed is indeed sometimes used as meaning _of _in Hebrew, but David here intended to express something more, namely, that his heart was in a manner pierced with the mockery of his enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
The copulative _and _should be resolved into the disjunctive particle but, because David employs language full of confidence, in opposition to the hardihood and profane scoffings of his enemies, (39) and testifies that whatever they may say, he would nevertheless rely upon the word of God. It beside... [ Continue Reading ]
4._With my voice have I cried unto the Lord. _He here informs us that he had never been so broken by adversity, or cast down by impious scornings, (42) as to be prevented from addressing his prayers to God And it was an infallible proof of his faith to exercise it by praying even in the midst of his... [ Continue Reading ]
According to the usage of the Hebrews, these words, which are in the past tense, _I laid me down and slept, _are taken sometimes for the future, _I will lie down and sleep. _(44) If we retain the reading of the verb in the past tense, David expresses a wonderful and almost incredible steadfastness o... [ Continue Reading ]
7_Arise, O Lord. _As in the former verses David boasted of his quiet state, it would now appear he desires of the Lord to be preserved in safety during the whole of his life; as if he had said, Lord, since thou hast overthrown my enemies, grant that this thy goodness may follow me, and be continued... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Salvation belongeth unto the Lord. _Because ל is sometimes used by the Hebrews for מך _Min, _some not improperly translate this clause, _Salvation is of the Lord. _I, however consider the natural and obvious meaning to be simply this, that salvation or deliverance is only in the hands of God. By... [ Continue Reading ]