_A.M. 2989. B.C. 1015._ That David was the author of this Psalm, says Bishop Patrick, appears from the conclusion of it. From whence we may also gather, that it was made by him toward the conclusion of his life: when, by his command, Nathan the prophet, and Zadok the priest, took Solomon and set hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Give the king_ Namely, Solomon, who was now anointed king, although his father was yet living, 1 Kings 1:39; _thy judgments_ Either, 1st, Thy statutes and precepts, often called God's judgments; as thou hast already given them to him in thy book, so give them to him in another and better way, by wr... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall judge thy people with righteousness_ Namely, if thou givest him what I have desired. And by this prediction he tacitly admonishes him of, and obliges him to, the performance of his duty. Or the words may be rendered, _Let him judge_, the future being put for the imperative, as is often the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The mountains_, &c. Which are so dangerous to passengers, on account of robbers or wild beasts, which commonly abide there; _shall bring forth peace_ Shall be travelled over, or inhabited, with perfect security and safety. Or peace is here put for that prosperity, ease, and plenty, which is the fru... [ Continue Reading ]
_They shall fear thee_, &c. Most commentators consider the psalmist as suddenly turning his speech to Solomon here, and signifying that his wisdom and righteous administration of his government should redound to his everlasting honour, so that all posterity should continually esteem and revere him a... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall come down_, &c. To wit, by the influences of his government upon his people, the administration of which shall be so gentle and easy, that it shall refresh and revive the hearts of his subjects, and render them a flourishing people. But this phrase much better agrees to Christ, who was yet... [ Continue Reading ]
_In his days shall the righteous flourish_ As the wicked shall be discountenanced and punished, so good men shall be encouraged, advanced, and multiplied. _And abundance of peace as long as the moon endureth_ That is, as long as time and the world shall last. Which neither was nor could be the case... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall have dominion from sea to sea_ Either, 1st, From the _Sinus Arabicus_, or Red sea, to the Mediterranean sea, for so far Solomon's dominion extended; but so did David's also; and, therefore, in that respect Solomon has not that pre-eminence, which this promise plainly seems to give him, abo... [ Continue Reading ]
_They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him_ That is, that inhabit solitary places. The Hebrew word, ציים, _tziim_, here used, (from ציה, _tziah siccitas, dryness_, or a _dry place,_) is applied to barren grounds or deserts, parched up for want of springs and rains, and it here signifie... [ Continue Reading ]
_The kings of Tarshish and of the isles_ That is, of remote countries, to which they used to go from Canaan by sea, all which are frequently called _isles_ in Scripture. The kings that ruled by sea or by land. _The kings of Sheba and Seba_ Two countries of Arabia; unless the one be a part of Arabia... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he shall deliver the needy_, &c. The fame of his just and merciful government shall induce multitudes either to put themselves under his rule and protection, or to show great respect and reverence for him. _He shall spare the poor and needy_ He shall take pity on them, and add no heavier burden... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he shall live_ Solomon's life and reign shall be long and prosperous: and He whom Solomon typified shall live for ever, and his kingdom shall have no end. _And to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba,_ &c. The longer he shall live and reign, the richer presents shall be brought unto him, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_There shall be a handful of corn_ Which intimates the small beginnings of this kingdom, and therefore does not agree to that of Solomon, which was, in a manner, as large at the beginning of his reign as at the end of it; but it exactly agrees to Christ and his kingdom, Matthew 13:31. _In the earth_... [ Continue Reading ]
_His name shall endure for ever_ Namely, the honour and renown of his eminent wisdom, and justice, and goodness. This agrees but very obscurely and imperfectly to Solomon, who stained the glory of his reign by his prodigious luxury, and oppression, and apostacy from God, into which he fell in the la... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed be the Lord God of Israel_ If the psalmist, in the name of the Jewish Church, had reason to bless God in this manner, for such a glorious and excellent king and governor as Solomon, and such great blessings as they did and should enjoy under his government, how much more reason has the Chri... [ Continue Reading ]