throat is dried mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

50 God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen

upon me.

10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.

12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy

[of his afflictions.

hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth' upon me.

16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy loving-kindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.

20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.

23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

24 Pour out thine indignation upon

PSALM LXIX. Title-See the title of Psalm xlv. Huetius remarks, that Aben Ezra interprets this psalm of the Messiah.

Ver. 1. The waters are come in unto my soul-An allusion to a leaky vessel, or to an inundation.

Ver. 2. In deep mire" Mire of depth;" deep waters; Heh. "Waters of depth." See Ps. xl. 2. Ver. 4. I restored that which I took not away.May not this refer to David's surrendering up Jerusalem to the party of Absalom?

Ver. 5. Thou knowest my foolishness. — On this passage, Bp. Horsley adopts Dr. Kennicott's strange translation: Thou knowest my plan of recovery;" but finding that rendering insupportable, he returns to the common version, and remarks," Perhaps He, who although he was without sin, was yet tempted in all points like unto us; might, in his humility, speak of the incitement of the passions in his own mind, as weakness and fault, making confession of it before the father!" What then? was it a point of humility in the immaculate Saviour, to

confess himself "in fault?" But see John xiv. 30.

Ver. 9. The zeal of thine house.-David's zeal for the worship of Jehovah, probably exposed him to much obloquy and reproach, not only among the heathen, but also among the more cold-hearted Israelites. His conduct in dancing before the ark, was one instance, (2 Sam. vi. 16.) and his religious observance of the sacred fasts, (ver. 10.) was probably another.

Ver. 12. I was the song of the drunkards—Heb. "The drinkers of strong drink;" i. e. intoxicating liquor.

Ver. 20. To take pity-Heb. "To lament (with me)." See Matt. xi. 17.

Ver. 21. Gall for my meat. After reading the long article in Dr. T. M. Harris's Nat. Hist. of the Bible, we are best satisfied with Dr. A. Clarke's opinion, that the word refers to bitters in general, and particularly those of a deleterious nature: and as to the vinegar, we conceive it means sour (or pricked) wine, such as was given to slaves.

them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.

25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity and let them not come into thy righteousness.

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high, 30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

[of Zion.

31 This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

32 The humble shall see this, and be glad : and your heart shall live that seek God.

33 For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

34 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

35 For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein. (T)

PSALM LXIX.

(T) David complains of his afflictions, in which he was a type of the Messiah.That several parts of this psalm belong to the Messiah, we doubt not, for they are quoted by him, and are applied to him in the New Testament: but we resist the principle, that because some parts are, the whole must therefore be so applied. Mr. Ainsworth hath made the important remark on our Lord's quoting the thirtyfirst Psalm, (ver. 5,) that, while he used the first member of the verse, which was applicable to his circumstances, he seems purposely to have omitted the following words as inapplicable. (See our Exposition.) And we may add, that though our Lord has quoted and applied to himself many passages from the Psalms of David, we know of no one of them in which he either confesses or laments his sins, or implores mercy. We can by no means, therefore, allow the application to him of the fifth verse of the Psalm before us, in which David says, " O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee." If we are questione," How shall we decide what parts are or are not applicable?" we reply, 1. We admit this of all which are so applied, by either Christ or the inspired writers: and, secondly, we object not to the accommodation of any passages not inconsistent

with Messiah's character. The parts applied to him in this psalm, we shall notice as they occur, premising, however, that we find no passage wholly inapplicable to David, who probably composed it, as is suggested by Bishop Patrick, during Absalom's rebellion, when banished from Jerusalem; and during which period he seems to have fallen among false friends, who aggravated his afflictions by ill-treatment and reproaches.

The first verses are highly metaphorical, and resemble many other passages in this sacred book, in which troubles and dangers are compared to sinking in the mire and in the flood; and may certainly, without violence, be applied to Him who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, and whose sympathies still take part in the afflictions of his people. It is true, that neither type nor antitype derived any assistance or support from his family connexions; but, on the contrary, both were reproached, deserted, and betrayed. On one occasion, at least, it seems they gave the psalmist sour wine (or vinegar,) with some bitter ingredients, which he calls by the name of gall; a name probably used for any bitter or deleterious substance mixed with wine, (See Deut. xxix. 18:) and this we know was literally the case with our Lord himself in his last agonies. (See Matt. xxvii. 34.)

Ver. 25. Their habitation - Heb. "palaces," or tower. But Gesenius explains it of a village of moveable tents, which seems to suit best the context.

Ver. 26. Those whom thou hast wounded-Heb. Thy wounded."

Ver. 27. Add iniquity-Marg. "Add punishment to their iniquity." That is, suffer them to fill up the measure of their iniquity, until they are ripe for destruction. Rom. i. 24, 28. Bp. Horne.

Ver.34. Moveth-Heb. " creepeth."

Confidence]

PSALM LXX.

[Omit in Family Reading.] To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance,

MAKE haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD. 2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul; let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. 3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. 4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. 5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; Q Logo, make no tarrying,

PSALM LXXI.

thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion. 2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

[in God.

4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee,

7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. 9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him,

12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with re

The following verses are, in the original, partly in the imperative and partly in the future tense; and should not, therefore, be all translated as imperative, as by our translators. On the contrary, Dr. Hammond, Dr. Kennicott, Bishop Horne, and some other expositors, render the whole in the future, as prophetic; and in no other sense can they be applied to our Redeemer, who cursed nothing but a barren fig-tree, and that only as a warning to his countrymen. (Matt. xxi. 19.) It is true, that one verse, and one only, is here applied to the case of Judas, and that all the judgments here imprecated, were poured upon the Jews, his murderers; but it was not by the prayer of the illustrious sufferer, who prayed only for their salvation. (Luke

xxiii, 34.)

The zeal of David, in behalf of God's house and worship, is alluded to by St. John as typical, on occasion of Christ's clearing the temple of the money changers, (John ii. 17;) and the misery of his betrayer and persecutors is evidently referred to by St. Peter, in speaking of the apostate Judas; but it would be going too far, to conclude that David had, in his own mind, any direct reference to either of these events. Such allusions were common among both Jewish and classical writers, and form some of the chief beauties of their composition; beside which, a style deeply imbued with scripture phraseology is one of the chief excellencies of, either a Christian preacher or theological writer.

PSALM LXX. Ver. 1. Make haste, &c. This psalm contains only the last four verses and a half of Ps xl. to which, therefore, we refer, the variations being very slight, and merely verbal.

PSALM LXXI. Ver. 3. Be thou my strong habitation Heb. Be thou to me for a rock of habitation."

Ver. 4. Cruel man- Heb. "Leavened man." Ainsworth See 1 Cor. v. 8.

Ver. 10. That lay wait for my soul-Heb. "Watch," or observe.

Ver. 13. Let them be confounded-" Or, they shall be," &c. Bp. Horne,

14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again, from the depths of the earth.

21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. 22 I will also praise thee with the

PSALM LXXI.

psaltery, even thy truth, O unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. (U)

PSALM LXXII.

A Psalm for Solomon.

GIVE the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judg

ment.

3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

(U) A Psalm of David in his old age, surrounded by enemies and infirmities. "The psalmist, sorely distressed in his old age (see ver. 9 and 18,) by the rebellion of Absalom, which was his great affliction at that period of life, prayeth for divine assistance" and consolation; pleading God's gracious promise, and the mercies already received by him. He then complains of

being deserted and given up by man, in his old age; and of the taunts and insults of his enemies, whose downfal he predicts. At the same time, he encourages himself in the divine promise, and with the hope of spending his last days in praise and comfort. Although we have no express authority for applying this psalm to our Lord Christ, we do not observe in it any thing to render such application improper.

Ver. 18. When I am old-Heb." Unto old age," &c. Thy strength-Heb. " Thine arm."

Ver. 22. With the psaltery-Heb." With the instrument (called) psaltery." See Note Ps. xxxiii. 2.

PSALM LXXII. Title-A Psalm for Solomon. Marg. "of Solomon." It is certain that the prefix (lamed) may be rendered either of or for; but, as in all other cases, when prefixed to a psalm, it is understood to mark the author, it seems doing violence to the text, and injustice to Solomon, to give it a different interpretation here, and in the 127th psalm, where, also, it occurs. The style is, indeed, eminently sublime and beautiful; but not more sublime than the excellent prayer which he offered at the dedication of the temple, (1 Kings viii.) nor more beau. tiful than the sacred Canticles which bear his name;

and that he should consider himself as a type of the Messiah is not strange, since it is certain that his father did the same. The composition of this psalm as an inauguration ode, is perfectly in harmony with the composition of the Canticles, on occasion of his

marriage.

Ver. 1. Give the king.

and.....

the king's son-Namely, Solomon, to whom both characters agree.-Mudge, Chandler, Bps. Horne

and Horsley, &c.

Ver. 3. The mountains shall bring (i.e. bring forth) peace, and the little hills, by righteousness."And the bills (also bring forth peace) with righte "the inhabitants of the mountains" bringing forth ousness." Ainsworth. The Chaldee explains it of peace; i. e. announcing the tidings of peace to the surrounding country. See Isa. lii. 7.

6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that

water the earth.

7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Il Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. 12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

14 He shall redeem their soul from

[of king Messiah.

deceit and violence; and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.

16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun and men shall be blessed in him all nations shall call him blessed.

18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever and let the whole earth be

filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

20 The prayers of David the son Jesse are ended. (X)

of

PSALM LXXII.

(X) The prosperous reign of Solomon as typical of Messiah's kingdom.-Commentators, ancient and modern, have generally considered this psalm as the composition of David, with reference to his son Solomon; yet there are not wanting writers of eminence who have ascribed it to Solomon himself, to which we feel strongly inclined, for reasons given in the Notes below. As both, however, were inspired writers, it makes no difference as to the divine authority of the psalm. The occasion was evidently Solomon's accession to the throne; and Bishop Lowth, who calls it

an inauguration psalm, thinks it "impossible, in the whole compass of literature, sacred or profane, to find such a union of sublimity with sweetness and grace." (Lect. xxv.) In another lecture, the Bishop compares the allegory of this with that of the second psalm, and thus distinguishes them. In the second psalm, he finds a display of the pomp and splendour of victory, but in the seventy-second (now before us,) "the placid image of peace and felicity." The style is "More calm and temperate, more ornamented." (Lect. xi.) Both, his Lordship considers, as pointing to king Messiah under the character of Solomon as

Ver. 7. So long as the moon endureth-Heb. "Till there be no moon."

Ver. 8. The ends of the earth-Or "land;” viz. Canaan; but when we apply this to Messiah, we mast extend our ideas much farther, and include the Gentiles. Ps. ii. 8.

Ver.9. Lick the dust-That is, prostrate themselves in the dust before him.

Ver. 10. Kings of Tarshish-That is, of the isles and sea-coasts.Sheba and Seba-That is, of Arabia and Ethiopia. Boothroyd.

Ver. 13. He shall spare-Ainsworth, "Mercifully

spare."

Ver. 15. Shall be given-Heb. " One shall give." Ver. 17. His name shall be continued - Marg. "He shall be as a son to continue his father's name for ever." The word jinnon (or janin) says Ainsworth, cometh of Nin, which is a son," Bp. Patrick therefore paraphrases it, "His memory and fame

shall never die; but be propagated from father to son, so long as the sun shall shine." The text will not admit a translation exactly literal.

Ver. 20. The prayers of David. . . . are ended. -Some, taking these words for part of the psalm itself, understand thereby, that herein was contained a summary of his prayers and wishes on the behalf of Solomon, which sense the words themselves may bear. But Ainsworth, Patrick, Kennicott, Michae lis, Boothroyd, &c. consider this merely as a Note of the prophet, or scribe, who had thus far collected and arranged them; this being the end of the 2d book, as the Jews divide them. These being all composed by David, except this and a few others, the whole book might very properly be ascribed to David, as we now ascribe the whole collection, (150) though perhaps not much more than half of them were actually composed by him.