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PSALM XVI.

A MYSTICAL PRAYER OF DAVID IN THE CHARACTER OF

HIGH PRIEST.

This sixteenth Psalm is not only cited as David's by two of the Apostles, St Peter and St Paul, but in applying it to Christ, both argue from the supposition, that David was its author. Admitting that David was the author, of which, after the decision of the Apostles, a Christian may hardly be at liberty to doubt; it is evident from the structure of the Psalm itself, that it is, what the same authority hath pronounced it, prophetic. For the whole is uttered in the character of the High Priest. But with what propriety could David speak in that character, otherwise than prophetically; in the hope of that priesthood which was to come into his family, in the person of his descendant.

(DAVID PERSONATES THE MESSIAH IN HIS PRIESTLY OFFICE.)

1 Guard * me, O God, for with thee have I taken

shelter;

2 I have said unto Jehovah; O Lord, Thou art my good,-not besides thee.

3 For the saints, which are in the land, And my glorified ones, all my delight is in them.[A]

4 They shall multiply their sorrows [who] betroththemselves to another; [B]

I will not offer their libations of blood,
Neither will I take their names within my lips.

5 Jehovah, my measured portion [C], and my cup, Art thou: Thy Thummim is my lot. t

* The Hebrew verb expresses the action of those who watch over another's safety; as of guards attending their king, or a shepherd keeping his flock.

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Thy Thummim is my lot." That eternal perfect priesthood is allotted unto me, of which the Levitical is the general type; of the glory of which the brilliant gems on the High Priest's breastplate are the particular symbols. See Deuter. XXXIII, 8.

6 My territory is fallen in pleasants-pots,

A fair heritage is [allotted] to me.

7 I will bless the Jehovah who hath been-my-counsellor,

Even in the night-seasons my-secret-thoughts [D]

instruct me.

I have set Jehovah always before me;

Because he is at my right hand I shall not slip.

9 Therefore my heart is glad," my tongue [E] rejoiceth;

My flesh also shall rest in security.

10 For thou wilt not relinquish my soul to hell, Thou wilt not suffer thy HOLY ONE to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of immortality; Fulness of joy,* in thy presence;

Pleasures at thy right hand for ever more.

*Fulness of joy," that is, "thou wilt shew me fulness of joy, &c. and pleasures.”

PSALM XVII, XVIII, XIX, AND XX.

[See Notes.]

PSALM XXI.

THANKSGIVING OF THE CHURCH FOR MESSIAH'S VICTORY.

1

THIS Psalm consists of two parts, and a general elose. The first part, consisting of the first seven verses, is a thanksgiving to God for his protection of a certain king. The second part, beginning with the eighth and ending with the twelfth verse, is addressed to that king, assuring him of success and triumph over his enemies, as the reward of his trust in God. The thirteenth verse closes the whole song, with a prayer to God to exert his power for the speedy destruction of his enemies. I cannot find that any interpreter has attended to this circumstance, that "Thou" in the first seven verses is "Thou, O Jehovah," in the five following," Thou, O King."

PART I.

1 Jehovah, in thy strength shall the King rejoice, How greatly shall he exult in thy salvation!

2 Thou hast given him the desire of his heart, And the request of his lips thou hast not withholden.

3 Truly thou preventest him with transcendant blessings.

Thou settest upon his head a crown of purest

gold.

4 Immortality he asked of thee;

Thou hast given him a length of days [A]
For ever and ever.

5 Great is his glory through thy salvation 1; Honour and majesty thou hast laid upon him.

6 For thou hast appointed him blessings for ever; Thou hast gladdened him with the joy, which is in thine own presence. [B]

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