I presume not positively to determine whether David, in this psalm, bewails the wrongs which he suffered from his enemies at some particular time, or whether he complains generally of the various persecutions with which, for a long time, he was harassed under Saul. Some of the Jewish commentators ap... [ Continue Reading ]
The first sentence may also be read in the future tense of the indicative mood, _Thou shalt hear my prayer. _But, in my opinion, the verb is rather in the optative mood, as I have translated it. Having besought God to grant his requests, he now entreats him to make haste. Some think he alludes to th... [ Continue Reading ]
Here David makes the malice and wickedness of his enemies an argument to enforce his prayer for the divine favor towards him. The language is indeed abrupt, as the saints in prayer will often stammer; but this stammering is more acceptable to God than all the figures of rhetoric, be they ever so fin... [ Continue Reading ]
Some think that the word _and, by _which this sentence is joined to the preceding, is put for but; as if David, comparing himself with the ungodly, declared and assured himself that God would be merciful to him, while he abhorred and would destroy the wicked. But I leave it to my readers to judge wh... [ Continue Reading ]
8._O Jehovah, lead me forth, etc. _Some explain these words thus: Show me what is right, and make me wholly devoted to the practice of that righteousness which adorns thy character; and do this because of my adversaries; for the saints, impelled by the wicked practice and deceitful arts of the ungod... [ Continue Reading ]
9._For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. _He still repeats the same complaints which he made before, in order thereby to render his enemies the more odious in the sight of God, and to call forth in his own behalf the mercy of God, who has promised to succor those who are unjustly oppressed. A... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Cause them to err. _As the Hebrew word אשם _asam, _signifies _to cut up or to destroy, _as well as _to sin, _and is taken metaphorically for _to err, _or _be deceived, _either of these senses is suitable in this passage; but, as David immediately after subjoins, _Let them fall from their counsel... [ Continue Reading ]
11._And let all rejoice, etc _It makes little difference as to the sense, whether we read these words in the future tense, _All shall rejoice, etc., _or in the optative mood, _Let all rejoice, etc.; _for in both ways the meaning of the prophet will be the same; namely, that if God deliver him, the f... [ Continue Reading ]
12._For thou, Jehovah, wilt bless the righteous. _The Psalmist here confirms the concluding sentence of the preceding verse, namely, that all the servants of God in common will take support to their faith from what he had experienced, for he would have us from one example to form our judgment of the... [ Continue Reading ]