PSALM LVII _David cries to God for mercy, with the strongest confidence of_ _being heard_, 1-3; _he describes his enemies as lions_, 4; _thanks God for his deliverance_, 5; _and purposes to publish the praises of the Lord among his_ _people_, 6-11. NOTES ON PSALM LVII The _title_ is, _To t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:2. _I WILL CRY UNTO GOD MOST HIGH_] He is the _Most High_; and therefore far above all my enemies, though the _prince of the power_ _of the air_ be at their head. _Unto God_, לאל lael, unto the _strong God_, one against whom no human or diabolic might can prevail. David felt his own... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:3. _HE SHALL SEND FROM HEAVEN, AND SAVE ME_] Were there no human agents or earthly means that he could employ, he would send his angels from heaven to rescue me from my enemies. Or, He will give his command from heaven that this may be done on earth. _SELAH_] I think this word shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:4. _MY SOUL_ IS _AMONG LIONS_] לבאם _bethoch lebaim_. I agree with Dr. _Kennicott_ that this should be translated, "My soul dwells in _parched places_," from לאב _laab_, he thirsted. And thus the _Chaldee_ seems to have understood the place, though it be not explicit. _I LIE_ EVEN A... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:5. _BE THOU EXALTED, O GOD, ABOVE THE HEAVENS_] Let the glory of thy mercy and truth be seen in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath. Several of the fathers apply what is said above to the _passion_ of our Lord, and what is said here to his _resurrection_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:6. _THEY HAVE PREPARED A NET FOR MY STEPS_] A gin or springe, such as huntsmen put in the places which they know the prey they seek frequents: such, also, as they place in _passages in_ _hedges_, c., through which the game creeps. _THEY HAVE DIGGED A PIT_] Another method of catchin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:7. _MY HEART IS FIXED_] My heart is _prepared_ to do and suffer thy will. It is _fixed _- it has made the _firmest purpose_ through his strength by which I can do all things.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:8. _AWAKE UP, MY GLORY_] Instead of כבודי _kebodi_, "my glory," one MS., and the _Syriac_, have כנורי _kinnori_, "my harp." Dr. _Kennicott_ reads כבורי _kebori_, which he supposes to be some instrument of music; and adds that the instrument used in church-music by the Ethiopians is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:9. _AMONG THE PEOPLE_] The _Israelites_. _AMONG THE NATIONS._] The _Gentiles_ at large. A prophecy either relating to the Gospel times, Christ being considered as the Speaker: or a prediction that these Divine compositions should be sung, both in synagogues and in Christian churches... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:10. _THY MERCY_ IS _GREAT UNTO THE HEAVENS_] It is as far above all human description and comprehension as the heavens are above the earth. See the notes on Psalms 36:5; Psalms 36:6, where nearly the same words occur.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 57:11. _BE THOU EXALTED, O GOD, ABOVE THE HEAVENS_] The same sentiments and words which occur in Psalms 57:5. Psalms 57:5. David was not only in a happy state of mind when he wrote this Psalm, but in what is called a state of _triumph_. His confidence in God was unbounded; though encom... [ Continue Reading ]