b Ps. 44.9.

+ Heb. broken.

© Ps. 108. 6,

&c.

craveth that help whereon he trusteth.

strength.

b

GOD, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

4 Thou hast given a banner to them that feared thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. 5 That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.

6 God hath spoken in his holiness;

and mete out the valley of Succoth.

unto my prayer.

Bou ever me

By an irony.]

9 Who will bring me into the

-when Joab returned, &c.] See 1 Kings xi. 15, 16. Ver. 2. Thou hast made the earth to tremble; &c.] These expressions are figurative, and allude to the convulsions of the state, which had lately happened in the war between the house of Saul and David. Street. 3. Thou hast shewed &c.] Thou hast inflicted grievous punishments upon us. Bp. Patrick.

thou hast made us to drink &c.] Thou hast filled us with no less horrour and trembling, than men who are intoxicated with strong and stupifying drink. Poole. 4. Thou hast given a banner &c.] But now, Thou hast granted the desires of Thy faithful servants according to Thy promise; Thou hast united them under me their king, to whom they should all repair as soldiers do to their standard. Bp. Patrick, Travell.

6.-in his holiness;] In His sanctuary. Mudge. -I will divide Shechem, &c.] The valley of Succoth lay on the east side of Jordan in the tribe of Gad; and so probably did the Shechem here mentioned. At this time they both seem to have been in the hand of the enemy; and David declares here, that, as soon as he had taken them, he would divide them among his own people. Green.

7. Gilead is mine, &c.] Gilead is on my side, and Manasseh is on my side; Ephraim is the helmet of my head; Judah is my sceptre. In this verse the tribes are mentioned, which would accompany him in this expedition. Gilead, as it is here distinguished from Manasseh, must mean the tribe of Gad, which was a very warlike tribe. Ephraim seems to have been fixed upon for his helmet to protect his head, as being the most numerous and warlike tribe. Green.

-lawgiver:] Or rather, sceptre; the word in the original signifies a ruler's staff, or some ensign of authority.. Judah was another very warlike tribe. The

3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle

& 108. 11.

+ Heb. salvation.

patriarch Jacob conveys his prophecy of him under the image of a lion couching upon a sceptre, whom none dare rouse up, Gen. xlix. 9, 10. Here David speaks of this tribe as his sceptre, as the support of his crown and royal dignity. Green.

8. Moab is my washpot; &c.] Meaning, I will reduce these my enemies to the vilest servitude: I will treat Moab as my washpot; I will use the Edomites as slaves, holding forth my shoes that they may pluck them off. Bp. Patrick, Poole.

· Philistia, triumph thou because of me.] That is, receive me as thy conqueror with demonstrations of joy.

9. Who will bring me &c.] Bozrah, the capital of Idumea, or Edom, was a fortified town, situated on a rock, deemed impregnable. See Obadiah ver. 3. Considering therefore the strength of the adversary, David, by this question, acknowledgeth his own impotency, and the need he had of superiour aid in order to achieve this important conquest. Bp. Horne.

As David in this Psalm celebrates the power and goodness of God, who had assisted His people, and given them the victory over their enemies; so should we learn, that the strength and assistance of man is under all circumstances but vanity, and there is none but the Lord who can help and deliver us in our distress, and in whom we may safely and perfectly confide. Ostervald.

Psalm LXI. ver. 2. From the end of the earth] Meaning, probably, from the remotest part of Judea. Merrick.

the rock that is higher than I.] Or, the rock which is too high for me; that is, to a place of safety, which, as without Thee, I am not able to reach, so there my enemies may not be able to approach me. Edwards, Bp. Patrick.

David professeth his confidence in God.

|| Or, make my refuge.

+ Heb. Thou shalt add days to the days of the king.

+ Heb. as generation and genera

tion.

1048.

[] Or, Only. + Heb. is silent.

4.- for ever:] As long as I live. Dr. Wells.

5. For thou, O God, &c.] The "vows" of David, made during his banishment, were heard, and he was restored to the possession of his kingdom, in that land which God had given to His people for an heritage. Bp. Horne.

6.- and his years as many generations.] He thus speaks, partly, because his kingdom was not like Saul's, a matter of one age, expiring with his life, but established to him and his descendants: and partly, because Christ, who was to spring from him, should actually in His own person possess the kingdom for ever. Poole. 7.- O prepare &c.] O let Thy goodness and faithfulness ever defend him. Bp. Patrick.

It is a great comfort in all our afflictions and calamities, that He, who is best able to succour and deliver us, is always within the reach of our cry; and though He sits above the cherubim, hears perfectly every groan and prayer we pour out to Him from the lowest dungeon of our prison. Let our enemies cast us as deep as they please into bondage, He will both see and hear us, if we pray to Him with that fervour and devotion with which we ought; and He will interpose some shelter and protection between us and the malice and power of our enemies, till He thinks fit to make our deliverance perfect and complete. Lord Clarendon.

down from his excellency: they delight in lies they bless with their mouth, but they curse + inwardly. + Heb. in Selah.

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God."

8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

their inward parts.

9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are || altogether lighter than vanity. Or, alike. 10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that || power belongeth unto God.

12 Also unto thee, O LORD, longeth mercy for a thou renderest every man according to his work.

Or,

strength. a Job 34. 11.

be

Jer. 32. 19.

to

Prov. 24. 12. Ezek. 7. 27.

Matt. 16. 27. Rom. 2. 6.

2 Cor. 5. 10. Eph. 6. 8.

Col. 3. 25.

1 Pet. 1. 17.

David's thirst for God. 4 His manner of Rev. 22. 12.

blessing God. 9 His confidence of his enemies' destruction, and his own safety.

expostulates in this verse with his enemies, for continually plotting against him, and foretells that their destruction will happen suddenly and irremediably, like the downfall of a wall that is in a tottering state, or a stone fence, the parts of which are not cemented together. Bp. Horne.

9. Surely men of low degree &c.] A reason is here assigned why we should at all times "trust in God;" namely, because there is nothing else in which we can trust, which will not in the end deceive us. Weighed in the "balance" of heaven, the power of man to save is less than nothing. Bp. Horne.

10-12. Trust not in oppression, &c.] These three verses are directed to oppressors, not to be too eager after ill-gotten power or riches, nor to place their trust in them, since there are two things confessedly against them, the power and the goodness of God; by which He will be able and willing to do justice to all mankind, to protect His friends, and defeat their enemies. Mudge.

The comforts which David had found, he exhorteth others to seek, in faith and prayer; in such a faith, as fixeth itself on God, when the whole world is against it; and such prayer, as poureth forth all the desires of the soul into the bosom of the Almighty. How often, in repeating the Psalms, do we declare, that "God is our refuge;" yet how very seldom do we refer to Him, as such, in the hour of temptation! Bp. Horne.

Psalm LXIII. In this Psalm the royal Prophet, an

+ Heb.

fatness.

2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

He prayeth for deliverance.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

PSALM LXIV.

1 David prayeth for deliverance, complaining of his enemies. 7 He promiseth himself to see such an evident destruction of his enemies, as the righteous shall rejoice at it.

4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy

name.

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with +marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night

watches.

exile in the wilderness, expresses most elegantly the sentiments of tenderness and love. Bp. Lowth. -when he was in the wilderness of Judah.] He went through that wilderness when he fled from Absalom. Dr. Wells.

Ver. 1.-in a dry and thirsty land,] Probably this should be rendered, as in the Syriack Version, "as a dry and thirsty land." Abp. Secker, Bp. Hare.

2. To see thy power &c.] My chief desire is, that I may be restored again to worship Thee before the ark of Thy presence, where Thy glorious Majesty resides among us. Travell.

4.- I will lift up &c.] That is, in prayer and thanksgiving to thy Divine Majesty. Dr. Wells.

5. My soul shall be satisfied &c.] The greatest dainties cannot give so much satisfaction to the hungry, as I shall enjoy from the employment of singing Thy praises. Bp. Patrick, Travell.

8.—followeth hard after thee:] Cleaveth unto Thee. Green.

9.—the lower parts of the earth.] That is, the grave. Bp. Hall.

10.- a portion for foxes.] See note at Judg. xv. 4. 11.-every one that sweareth by him] That is, every one who invokes His name, worships Him, and makes Him the object of religious reverence and fear; all which is implied in swearing, as an oath is an immediate appeal and solemn act of worship to God. Rosenmüller, Poole, Merrick.

So soon as religion gains that hold and that possession of the heart, which it must do to become the means

David.

HEAR my voice, O God, in my

prayer: preserve my life from

fear of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

3 a Who whet their tongue like a a Ps. 11. 2. sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words :

4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

5 They encourage themselves in an evil || matter: they commune †t of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

Or, speech. hide snares.

+ Heb. to

|| Or, we are consumed by that which

6 They search out iniquities; they they have accomplish a diligent search: both thoroughly the inward thought of every one of + Heb. a them, and the heart, is deep.

searched.

search searched.

of our salvation, it enters our thoughts very frequently. We "remember God upon our bed, and meditate on Him in the night watches." Would we therefore know whether we have made, or are making, any advances in Christianity or not? These are the marks which will tell us. Do we think more frequently about religion than we used to do? Do we cherish and entertain these thoughts for a longer continuance than we did? Do they interest us more than formerly? Do they sink deeper? If we perceive this, then, we perceive a change, upon which we may ground our hopes and expectations; if we perceive it not, we have cause for very afflicting apprehensions, that the power of religion hath not yet visited us; cause for deep and fervent intercession with God for the much wanted succour of His Holy Spirit. Archdeacon Paley.

Psalm LXIV. This Psalm was most probably composed by David when he was persecuted by Saul and his associates; from whom he begs of God to protect him; and afterwards foretells that a sudden destruction shall sooner or later fall upon them. Edwards. This is one of the Psalms appointed for the service of thanksgiving on the fifth of November.

Ver. 4. at the perfect :] David thus calls himself, because he was perfectly innocent of what they laid to his charge. Bp. Patrick.

suddenly] That is, when he is not aware. Green. 6. They search out &c.] They are ingenious in devising wickedness, and contriving means of executing their bad purposes.

David praiseth God for his grace.

+ Heb. their wound shall

be.

+ Heb. is silent.

+ Heb. Words, or, Matters of iniquities.

8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

PSALM LXV.

1 David praiseth God for his grace. 4 The blessedness of God's chosen by reason of benefits.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm

and Song of David.

temple.

5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:

7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening || to rejoice. 9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full

God, in Sion and unto thee shall the vow be performed. 20 thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.

4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy

8. so they shall make &c.] They shall cause the mischief of their tongues to fall upon themselves. Green.

9.-shall fear, and shall declare the work of God:] Shall dread the righteous judgments of God, acknowledging it to be His peculiar work of vengeance that befalls them. Dr. Hammond.

Diligently to mark, and carefully to treasure up in our minds the special providences of the Almighty, is the way to preserve and nourish our faith and hope in Him: it furnishes the grounds of our thankfulness and praise; it stirs up our finest feelings and very best affections towards Him, holy joy, humble reverence, and hearty love; it supports us under all our sufferings, and affords us comfort in all our sorrows. Bp. Horne.

Psalm LXV. This Psalm is a thankful commemoration of God's mercies and deliverances; written probably on the occasion of His restoring plenty, after the three years' famine, 2 Sam. xxi. Dr. Hammond. How graceful and animated is that rich and flourishing picture of nature which is exhibited in this Psalm: when the Prophet, with a fertility of expression correspondent to the subject, praises the beneficence of the Deity in watering the earth and making it fruitful! Bp. Lowth.

Or, to sing.

Or, after made it to

thou hadst

desire rain.

when thou hast so provided for it. 10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the fur- Or, thou rows thereof: † thou makest it soft to descend with showers: thou blessest the spring-s ing thereof.

causest rain

into the

thereof. + Heb. thou

+ Heb. the

year of thy

11 Thou crownest † the year with dissolvest it. thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

12 They drop upon the pastures of

goodness.

blessings which are dispensed to them from Thy holy habitation. Travell.

5. By terrible things] "O God of our salvation, Thou in Thy righteousness answerest us by doing awful things: Thou art the confidence of the remotest parts of the earth and the sea." By "terrible" or "awful things" are meant the works of God's providence, mentioned in the following verses. Green.

8. They also that dwell] The meaning is, that the most distant and barbarous people behold the signs of God's power and goodness with wonder and amazement. Travell.

the outgoings &c.] The successive courses of the morning and evening; or of the sun and moon, which go forth at those times, thereby making the morning and evening; both of which are said to rejoice poetically, because they give men occasion of rejoicing. Poole.

9.- the river of God,] The clouds, those reservoirs of water which are opened and shut at God's pleasure, are here called "the river of God;" by showers from which He refresheth the earth. Green.

10.-thou settlest the furrows thereof:] See the margin. 11.and thy paths] God is here represented as going the circuit of the heavens, as making the clouds His chariot. See Job xxii. 14, and Psalm civ. 3. Dr. Ken

The happy effects of God's visiting the earth with rain, are valleys covered with corn, verdant meads, and thriving flocks. All these ideas, in the prophetical Scriptures, are frequently transferred to the times of refreshment and consolation, of peace and fruitfulness,

David exhorteth to praise God,

+ Heb. are girded with

joy.

+ Heb. all the earth.

the wilderness: and the little hills trejoice on every side.

13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

PSALM LXVI.

1 David exhorteth to praise God, 5 to observe his great works, 8 to bless him for his gracious benefits. 12 He voweth for himself religious service to God. 16 He declareth God's special goodness to himself. ¶ To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.

putleth.

and to bless him for his gracious benefits. 9 Which † holdeth our soul in life, + Heb. and suffereth not our feet to be moved. 10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a † wealthy place.

13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my

Vows,

+ Heb. moist.

all ye ye lands:

2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

was in trouble.

opened.

15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense + Heb. of rams; I will offer bullocks with Selah.

feigned chedience.

t Heb. lie.

4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me:

19 But verily God hath heard me ; he hath attended to the voice of my

prayer.

20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

heard:

in the church; which breaks forth into joy, in the one case, as the world is always ready to do in the other. Manifold and marvellous, O Lord, are Thy works, whether of nature or of grace; surely in wisdom and lovingkindness hast Thou made them all; the earth, in every sense, is full of Thy riches! Bp. Horne.

Psalm LXVI. This Psalm is a solemn invocation to all the world to celebrate the wonderful works of God, as well in the general course of His providence, as for His miracles in favour of the Israelites. Travell. It is introduced in our Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea, as a thanksgiving after a storm.

Ver. 2.-make his praise glorious.] That is, shew forth His praise with due honour and glory. Bp. Hare. 5.- he is terrible &c.] Astonishing in the works and counsels of His providence. Bp. Patrick.

6.- He turned the sea &c.] The Prophet, after inviting men to contemplate "the works of God," sets before them for that purpose two great miracles wrought for Israel, namely, the division of the Red sea, and that of the river Jordan; by the former they escaped Egypt, by the latter they entered Canaan. Bp. Horne.

9.-suffereth not our feet to be moved.] Guards us from falling. Merrick.

PSALM LXVII.

dom, 3 to the joy of the people, 6 and the increase of God's blessings.

marrow.

11. — into the net ;] That is, into the power of our enemies. Dr. Wells.

12. Thou hast caused &c.] Thou hast caused us to be miserably trampled upon by our scornful enemies; and hast put us to all manner of hard trials; but, at last, Thou hast settled us in a quiet plenty. Bp. Hall.

15.- with the incense of rams;] With the smoke of the fat of rams.

18. If I regard iniquity &c.] Inwardly regard and cherish iniquity. Bp. Horne.

If a virtuous and pious life were to receive no reward and advantage in the next world, it were to be chosen for the very pleasure and comfort it administers to us in this: there being no delight equal to that which a man feels from doing well; and consequently no joy worthy to be named with that which possesses a man, when he is contemplating the greatness and glory of his Creator, and making due acknowledgments for the blessings and deliverances he hath received from His divine providence and mercy. Lord Clarendon.

Psalm LXVII. This Psalm seems to allude to, or rather to foretell, the incarnation of Christ, and the calling of the Gentiles, when all the nations of the earth should partake of the heavenly blessing, and become