III. With this psalm the hymn-book of Israel properly begins. The title indicates it as the first psalm of a Davidic collection formed at some time previous to the arrangement of the rest of the Psalter — a date, however, which we cannot recover. We also find ourselves on probable historical ground.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW... MANY. — “And Absalom and _all the people,_ the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 16:15). Ahithophel counsels Absalom to take 12,000 men, and go in instant pursuit of the fugitive. Hushar’s advice shows, of course, the exaggeration of flattery: “Therefore I counsel that all Israel be... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO HELP. — According to the current creed, misfortune implied wickedness, and the wicked were God-forsaken. David, too, had sent back Zadok with the Ark, which in the popular view meant sending away the power and the presence of God. Even Zadok seemed to share this feeling; and David’s word... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ME. — Better,_ behind me._ A protection from the emissaries of Absalom, now on his track. MY GLORY, AND THE LIFTER UP OF MINE HEAD. — “Comp. — “O et praesidium et dulce decus meum.” HORACE, _Ode_ I., 1:2. The significance of this sublime trust comes out as we read in 2 Samuel 15:30 how the... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH MY VOICE. — That is, _aloud._ The verbs are present, expressing the habit of the royal psalmist.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HAVE SET THEMSELVES — _i.e., have arrayed themselves as for battle._ (See 1 Kings 20:12.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST SMITTEN... BROKEN. — Better, _thou smitest_... _breakest._ The enemies are conceived of as wild beasts, like the lion and bear of the adventures of David’s own youth, whom God would render harmless to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY BLESSING... — Rather, _let thy blessing be upon thy people._ It is not the statement of a fact, but an intercessory prayer. The true Shepherd of His people was a noble and generous man. This close, as Ewald says, “throws a bright light on the depth of his noble soul.”... [ Continue Reading ]