PSALM CXL. To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. This Psalm was probably penned by David when persecuted by Saul; and perhaps partly relates to Doeg the Edomite; as Psaim lii. and cxx. In it, (1) David complains of the malice of his enemies, and supplicates God's preservation from them; ver. 1—5. (2) He encourageth himself in God, as his God; ver. 6. 7. (3) He prays for, and prophesies the destruction of all his enemies; ver. 8-11. (4) He assures himself and other saints, that all their troubles, shall end happily; ver. 12, 13. Let my troubles stir me up to fervent prayers, and to an earnest believing on God as my God. Thus shall I suck honey out of flinty rocks; and the malice as well as the ruin of mine enemies, shall work for me an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. ORD from the ill and froward man L give me deliverance, And do thou safe preserve me from 2 Who in their heart mischievous things 3 Much like unto a serpent's tongue, 4 Lord, keep me from the wicked's hands, from violent men me save, Who utterly to overthrow my goings purpos'd have. 5 The proud for me a snare have hid, I said unto the Lord, Thou art Of all my supplications, Lord, do thine ear apply. 70 God the Lord, who art the strength of my salvation; A cov'ring in the day of war my head thou hast put on. 8 Unto the wicked man, O Lord, his wishes do not grant; Nor further thou his ill device, least they themselves should vaunt. 9 As for the head and chief of those about that compass me, Ev'n by the mischief of their lips let thou them cover'd be. 10 Let burning coals upon them fall, And in deep pits, that they no more 11 Let not an evil-speaker be Mischief shall hunt the violent man 12 I know God will th' afflicted's cause PSALM CXLI. A Psalm of David. This Psalm was likewise composed under distress and per secution. In it David prays, (1) For God's kind acceptance of his prayers; ver. 1. 2. (2) For his powerful assistance in keeping his tongue, his heart, and hand, in the way of duty; ver. 3, 4. (3) That others might be helpful to him with their seasonable reproofs; and he to them with his prayers; ver. 5, 6. (4) That when he and his friends were brought to the last extremity, God would graciously appear for their relief; ver. 7-10, Whenever I am afflicted, let me pray. Let me highly prize and kindly receive Christian reproof, and earnestly improve it to my spiritual advantage. Nor let me ever despair, on account of the great distress of my soul, or of the church. Is any thing two hard for the Lord? LORD, I unto thee do cry, do thou make haste to me; And give an ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. 2 As incense let my prayer be directed in thine eyes: And the uplifting of my hands as th' ev'ning sacrifice. 3 Set, Lord, a watch before my mouth, keep of my lips the door. 4 My heart incline thou not unto To practise wicked works with men And with their delicates my taste 5 Let him that righteous is, me smite, Let him reprove, I shall it count Such smiting shall not break my head; to God pray for them shall. 6 When as their judges down shall be in stony places cast, Then shall they hear my words; for they About the grave's devouring mouth As wood which men do cut and cleave 8 But unto thee, O God the Lord, My soul do not leave destitute, 9 Lord, keep me safely from the snares 10 Let workers of iniquity into their own nets fall, PSALM CXLII. Maschil of David. A prayer when he was in the Caves This Psalm was framed by David when obliged by Saul's persecution to hide himself in a cave; 1 Sam. xxii. 1. or xxiv. 3. and contains, (1) Bitter complaints of the subtilty, strength, and malice of his enemies, and of the coldness and indifference of his friends; ver. 1-4, 6. (2) The comfort he took in God's knowing his way, and in recognizing his claim to God as his portion; ver. 3, 4, 5. (3) His pleasant expectations that his God would deliver him, and that his fellow saints would join with him in thanksgiving for his deliverance; ver. 6, 7. If all men forsake me, if all men harrass me, let me cast my burdens on the Lord, that he may sustain me. Let me renew my believing claims to him as my Lord, my God, my Refuge, and my Portion. Let me rest firmly on his characters and promises, for his sympathy, help, and deliverance. I WITH my voice cry'd to the Lord, 2 Pour'd out to him my plaint, to him 3 When in me was o'erwhelm'd my sp'rit, then well thou knew'st my may: Where I did walk a snare for me they privily did lay. Gg 4 I look'd on my right hand, and view'd 5 I cry'd to thee; I said, thou art And in the land of those that live 6 Because I am brought very low, Me, from my persecutors save, The just shall compass me, when thou PSALM CXLIII. A Psalm of David. This Psalm was probably penned by David during the unnatural rebellion of his son Absalom, as Psalm iii. xlii. xliii. It contains, (1) Sad complaints of trouble, and of the sinking of his spirit under it; ver. 3, 4, 5, 7. (2) Fervent supplications that God would hear his prayer; ver. 1. 7. forgive his sins; ver. 2. manifest his favours; ver. 6, 7. 8. direct him in the way of duty; ver. 8-10. quicken him in it; ver. 11. deliver him out of trouble; ver. 9. 11, and, in fine, punish his persecutors ver. 12. What time my heart is overwhelmed, let God lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Let me study to have my sin removed first, in order that my troubles may remove indue order, and with a rich blessing. L ORD, hear my pray'r, attend my suits; and in thy faithfulness Give thou an answer unto me, and in thy righteousness. 2 Thy servant also bring thou not |