They observe my steps, because they-are-impatient-for my life. 7 In vanity is the hope-of-deliverance for them ;[L] In anger, O God, bring thou down the peoples. 8 Thou takest account of my persecutions; Put my tears in thy bottle, [M] Are not these things in thy book? 9 Then shall mine enemies retreat,† 10 God shall be the theme of my praise; he-hathpassed-his-word, S * At that moment. + Matt. XXVI, 53. This is opposed to what was said (v. 7.) of the Psalmist's enemies, that their whole hope of deliverance is in vanity,—a false religion. The word spoken by God, in which the person uttering this Psalm takes so much comfort, is the promise, that the woman's seed should be victorious. Jehovah shall be the theme of my praise; he-hath passed-his-word. 11 In God I have-placed-my-trust; I will not fear What man can do unto me. 12 Unto me, O God, are thy vows, I will repay thee praises. 13 For thou hast delivered [O] my soul from death, And what is more, my feet from falling; That I may walk before God, In the light of the living. PSALM LVII. A PRAYER OF THE MESSIAH. THE Composition of this Psalm is remarkably elegant. It begins in a plaintive strain, imploring aid, * By a bold figure, the promise of the Messiah's victory is mentioned as a vow, by which the Father had bound himself to the Son. The Messiah is the speaker throughout this Psalm. and expressing deep distress, and extreme danger. When suddenly, in the 7th verse, in the sure prospect of the divine assistance, the strain is changed to notes of praise and triumph, as over an enemy already fallen, 1 Take-pity-upon me, O God, take-pity-upon-me, For with thee my soul hath-taken-shelter ; Even under the shadow of thy wing I-seek-shelter, 2 I will call upon God most High, Upon God who will bring things to a conclusion [B] for me. 3 He shall send from Heaven and save me; He shall give to reproach them that trample on [C] my soul; * God shall send forth his kindness and truth. 4 I have-my-lodging amidst lions; [D] The sons of men are fiery [with rage]; *Literally, "the bruisers of my soul." Their teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharpened sword. 5 Exalt thyself, above the heavens, O God, Thy glory above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for the steps 7 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing, and chaunt-the-holy-lay. 8 Awake my glory †, awake psaltery and harp, Myself-I-will-awaken early.‡ 9 I will praise thee among the peoples, O Lord; To thee I will chaunt among the nations. * Literally, "bowed down." i. e. My tongue, my voice. Or, perhaps with Bp. Horne, " I will awaken the morning." 10 For thy mercy towereth unto the heavens, And thy truth unto the fleecy-clouds. 11 Exalt thyself, O God, above the heavens, Thy glory above all the earth. PSALM LVIII. GOD'S JUST JUDGEMENT FORETOLD AGAINST THE UNJUST JUDGES OF OUR LORD. (SEE PSALM LXXXII.) THIS Psalm has no obvious connection with any particular occurrence in the life of David; but it is connected remarkably with the history of Christ. It reproaches some tribunal with unjust decisions; taxes the rulers of the world, or mankind in general, with selfish schemes of wickedness; threatens them with destruction, and promises the institution of an upright judicature; with some allusion in the end to some one Just Person, and some one wicked person opposed to him. |