[XLIII]-III. 1 Give sentence for me, O God, and take up my cause; From a nation of no pity, [G] from a man of deceit and iniquity, deliver me; 2 For thou art my God, my strengthener; why hast thou cast me off? Why go I mourning while the enemy oppresseth? 3 Send forth thy light and thy truth, Let them lead me; 4 Let them bring me to thy holy hill, and to thy dwellings; So shall I come to the altar of God, To God, in whom is all my joy, And I shall praise thee upon the harp, O God my God. [H] 5 Why wilt thou bow thyself down, O my soul, and disquiet thyself within me? Wait patiently for God; for I shall yet give him EPITHALAMIUM. A MYSTIC SONG UPON A KING'S MARRIAGE. MESSIAH, THE BRIDEGROOM; THE CHURCH, HIS bride. [A] THIS Psalm relates to the second advent. The Bridegroom is the conquering, not the suffering, Messiah; the marriage is celebrated after his victories; and the Bride is the Church Catholic, rescued from the persecutions of the antichristian faction, and composed of the two great branches of the church, that of the restored Jews, and that of the ingrafted Gentiles. Or rather, perhaps, the Bride or Consort (b) is the church of the converted Jews, become the metropolitical church of all Christendom, and the Virgin's companions are the other churches. 1 My heart labours* with a godly theme, I address my performance to the king; My tongue is the pen of a well-instructed writer.t 2 Thou art adorned-with-beauty beyond-the sons of men ; Grace is poured upon thy lips; Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. 3 Warrior! gird thy sword upon thy thigh; Buckle on thy refulgent dazzling armour ; [B] 4 And take thou aim; be prosperous, pursue, [C] * Literally, "boileth, or bubbleth up." "Well-instructed," the word "ready," which is used in the public translation, rightly understood, renders the original properly; but then it must be understood, not for nimbleness of hand in writing, but readiness of mind in the subject treated. In the cause of truth, humility, and righteous ness; For thy own right hand shall shew thee wonders. 5 Thine arrows are sharpened, [D] (Peoples shall fall beneath thee) In the heart of the king's enemies. 6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; A straight sceptre is the sceptre of thy royalty. 7 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated impiety; Therefore God hath anointed thee, Thy own God, with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.t 8 Thy garments are all myrrh, aloes, and cassia; [E] Excelling ivory palaces, [F] Excelling those which delight thee. * It is very evident that this verse is applicable to no throne and to no sceptre, but the throne and sceptre of Messiah; nor can any other king be addressed by the title of God. Therefore, by Mr Hutchinson's rule, the whole Psalm belongs to him. †Those whom thou art "not ashamed to call thy brethren." 1 9 King's daughters are among thy bright beauties, [G] On thy right hand the Consort [H] has-her-station, 10 Hearken, O daughter! and consider Incline thine ear, and forget Thine own people, and thy father's house; 11 So shall the king set-his-heart-upon thy beauty. Truly he is thy Lord; therefore worship thou him. 12 See the daughter of Tyre, with a gift! [I] The wealthiest of the people shall entreat thy favour. 13 She is all-glorious,-daughter of a king!† Her inner garment is studded with gold ;† * See Bishop Horne's Note. This "king's daughter," and the "consort" are evidently the same person. "The connection between Christ and his church," says Bishop Horne, " uniting in itself every relation, and every affection." Literally," with studs of gold." |