_A.M. 2944. B.C. 1060._ In this Psalm, upon whatever occasion, or in whatever distress David might compose it, we are taught by the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, Acts 2:25; Acts 13:35, to consider him as speaking, at least in the latter part of it, in the person of Christ. Indeed the former part... [ Continue Reading ]
_Preserve me, O God_ Hebrew שׁמרני, _shamereeni, keep, support, guard_, or _defend me_ These words are evidently spoken by one in trouble and distress, or in danger, either from his enemies or in some other way. As David was frequently in such circumstances, they were probably primarily spoken by hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_O my soul, thou hast said_, &c. The words, _O my soul_, not being in the original, Houbigant translates the clause, _I have said unto the Lord_ I have oftentimes avowed and professed it, and still persist so to do. _Thou art my Lord_ By creation, preservation, and on various other accounts: the kin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their sorrows_, &c. Having showed his great respect and affection to the saints and servants of the true God, he now declares what an abhorrence he had for those that worshipped idols, the increase of whose sorrows he foretels, that a consideration thereof might be a means of awakening and converti... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance_ Hebrew, חלקי, _chelki, of my division_, that is, of that portion which God hath mercifully divided, or distributed to me, and which, by his grace, I have chosen for myself. I envy not the vast riches and glory of idolaters, but do heartily rejoice in God... [ Continue Reading ]
_The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places_ In a sweet land, flowing with milk and honey, and, above all, blessed with the presence and knowledge of the true God. The allusion is the same as it was in the preceding verse, lines signifying the lot or tract of land which it was anciently the cus... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will bless the Lord who hath given me counsel_ The Hebrew, יעצני, _jegnatzani_, may be rendered, _hath consulted for me_, that is, by his wise and gracious counsel hath provided so good a heritage for me: or, who hath inspired that counsel and wisdom into me by which I have chosen him for my port... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have set the Lord always before me_ I have always presented him to my mind as my witness and judge, as my patron and protector, in the discharge of my office, and in all my actions. Hitherto David seems to have spoken chiefly in his own person, and with special regard to himself, but now he appea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore_ Upon this ground and confidence; _my heart is glad _ I feel, not only a perfect satisfaction, but joy and triumph in my heart. _And my glory_ My tongue, as St. Peter explains it, Acts 2:26. For the Hebrews give the tongue the name of _glory, Psalms 30:12_; Psalms 57:8; Psalms 108:1, beca... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell_ Hebrew, לשׁאול, _lesheol_, rendered, εις αδην, by the LXX., and εις αδου, _in hades, Acts 2:27_, which word generally means the invisible world, or the state of separate spirits; not a place of torment, which the word αδης, _hades_, seldom means, and into which... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou wilt show me the path of life_ That is, the way that leadeth to life; not to a temporal and mortal life here, for he is supposed to be dead and buried, (Psalms 16:10,) but to an endless, immortal, and blessed life after death, in the presence of God, as it follows; the way to which is by the r... [ Continue Reading ]