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EVENING PRAYER.

Psalm lxix. (r)

SAVE me, O God for the waters (s) are come in, even unto my soul.

2. I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground (t) is I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.

3. I am weary of (u) crying, my throat is dry my sight faileth me for waiting so long upon my God.

4. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head they that are mine enemies, and would destroy me guiltless, are mighty.

5. I paid them the (a) things

(r) An anxious prayer for deliverance, seemingly written in time of great distress, mentioning the troubles he had undergone, complaining bitterly of the conduct of his enemies, and calling for or foretelling their punishment and downfall; ending triumphantly, as if upon an assurance of God's assistance. It is one of the proper Psalms for Good Friday, and was probably written prophetically (as Psalm xxii.) with a view to our Saviour's sufferings and treatment; David, who was a type of the Messiah, speaking of things as referable to himself, which were only to happen to the Messiah. It seems to be so considered, John ii. 17.-Rom. xv. 3. xi. 9.- John xix. 28. David is mentioned as the author, Rom. xi. 9.

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that I never took: God, thou knowest (y) my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from thee.

6. Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my cause (2): let not those, that seek thee, be confounded through (2) me, O Lord God of Israel.

7. And why? for thy (a) sake have I suffered reproof shame hath covered my face.

8. I am become a stranger (b) unto my brethren: even an alien unto my mother's children.

9. For the zeal (c) of thine house hath even eaten (d) me: and the rebukes (e) of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me. (g)

"misery in which I am;" let not my misery be so long, or so severe, as to deter others from adhering to thee.

(a) v. 7. "For thy sake," i. e. (probably) "it is for my adherence to thee, that I "have suffered reproof, that shame hath "covered my face."

(b) v. 8. "A stranger, &c." See this idea dwelt upon more at large, Job xix. 13 -19.

(c) v. 9. "The zeal, &c." When our Saviour drove the money-changers, &c. from the temple, saying," Make not my "Father's house an house of merchan"dize," his disciples remembered that it was written, (referring to this passage) "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me

" up."

(d)" Eaten me." It is for that zeal I am made to suffer.

(e) "Rebukes." Perhaps by insinuating that he could not be the true God, who could suffer his servant to be so afflicted.

(g) "Fallen upon me." When Saint Paul exhorted the Roman converts to give up their own gratification to advance the salvation of others, he told them, "that

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10. I wept (h) and chastened myself with fasting and that was turned to my reproof.

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11. I put on sackcloth also : and they jested upon me.

12. They that sit (i) in the gate speak against me and the drunkards make songs upon me. 13. But, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee in an accept able time. (k)

14. Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy: even in the (1) truth of thy salvation.

15. Take me out of the mire, that I sink not: O let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. (m)

16. Let not the water-flood drown me, neither let the deep swallow me up and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

17. Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable: turn thee unto me, according to the multitude of thy mercies.

(h) v. 10." Wept, &c." So that even my acts of devotion were turned against me.

(i) v. 12. "That sit in the gate," i. e. "the judges;" so that I am the object of scorn to the grave and serious, as well as to the thoughtless and dissipated.

(k) v. 13. "Acceptable time." See ante, 88. note (d), on 2 Cor. vi. 2.

()" The truth, &c." i. e. " According to "thy promises for my deliverance."

(m) v. 15." Deep waters." An expression to signify great danger. See Psalm xviii. 3. 16.-cxxiv. 3, 4.-cxliv.7.

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(n) v. 22. "Gall," "vinegar." When our Saviour was taken to the place of crucifixion," they gave him" (according to Matt. xxvii.34.) vinegar to drink, mingled "with gall; and when he had tasted there"of, he would not drink." According to John xix. 28. it was that the scripture might be fulfilled that Jesus, whilst upon the cross, said, "I thirst ;" and when they had lifted up a sponge, filled with vinegar, and he had received it, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost; it is to this passage he is supposed to have alluded.

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22. They gave me gall (n) to eat and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar (n) to drink.

23. Let (0) their table (p) be made a snare (9) to take themselves withal: and let the things (r) that should have been for their wealth, be unto them an occasion of falling.

(o) v. 23. "Let, &c." Dr. Hammond observes, from St. Augustine and the Jewish Arab, that this and the following verses are to be understood in the future tense, as predictions, not as imprecations or as warnings, 1 Towns. lxxiii. Öther writers consider them as referring prophetically to the state of the Jews, after their rejection of the Messiah.

(p)" Let their table, &c." St. Paul cites this and the following verse, but with some little variation, Rom, xi. 9, 10. and he introduces his citation with "David "saith, Let their table, &c." so that he ascribes the Psalm to David.

(g) "Their table be made a snare, &c." Perhaps a proverbial expression. The meaning, which corresponds with that in the latter part of the verse, is obvious, that their table, their very food, that which should support them, should be their

ruin.

(r)" The things, &c." How fully was this accomplished by our Saviour's coming, and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem? His coming, which should

24. Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not: and ever bow thou down their backs.

25. Pour out thine indignation upon them and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them.

26. Let (s) their habitation be void and no man to dwell in their tents.

27. For they persecute him, whom thou hast (t) smitten: and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast (t) wounded.

28. Let them fall (u) from one wickedness to another and not come into thy righteousness.

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29. Let them be wiped out of the book of the living and not be written among the righte

ous.

30. As for me, when I am poor and in heaviness: thy help, O God, shall lift me up.

31. I will praise the name of God with a song and magnify it with thanksgiving.

32. This () also shall please

have been for the blessing of the nation, proved its ruin.

(s) v. 26. St. Peter refers to this passage, Acts i. 20. in his history of Judas's conduct, and his exhortations to the disciples to choose another in his stead. "For," says he," it is written in the book of "Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, "and let no man dwell therein." May not this be a prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem?

(t) v. 27. "Smitten" and "wounded;" not perceiving, that, with reference to the Messiah, it was for our transgressions he was wounded, for our iniquities that he was bruised, and that with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah liii. 5.

(u) v. 28. "Fall, &c." i. e. " advance in sinfulness."

(x) v. 32. "This," i. e. "praise and "thankfulness will be more acceptable to "God than sacrifice. See Ps. 1. 13, 14."

(y) v.33. "The humble, &c." Is it not matter of consolation to the poor and

the Lord better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

33. The humble (y) shall consider this and be glad: seek ye after God, and your soul shall live.

34. For the Lord heareth the poor and despiseth not his (~) prisoners.

35. Let heaven and earth praise him: the sea, and all that moveth therein.

36. For God will save (a) Sion, and build the cities of Judah : that men may dwell there, and have it in possession.

37. The posterity also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell

therein.

Psalm 1xx. (b)

HASTE thee, O God, to deliver me make haste to help me, O Lord.

2. (c) Let them be ashamed and confounded, that seek after my soul (d) let them be turned

lowly, that that offering which God most highly values, the offering of praise and thanksgiving, is as much within their power, as within the power of the rich.

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(z) v. 34. His prisoners," i. e. " such as are persecuted for his sake."-Wells. (a) v. 36. "Save Sion, &c." This and the following verse perhaps refer to times not yet arrived, when, after the fulness of the Gentiles shall have come in, the Jews also shall be converted to Christianity, shall look on him whom they have pierced, and so all Israel shall be saved. See Rom. xi. 25, 26. Rev. i. 7.

(b) An anxious prayer for deliverance from his enemies, nearly the same as the last six verses of Ps. xl. David is considered the author; and it is probably prophetic, referring to our Saviour's agony and sufferings.

(c) v. 2. This verse occurs, Ps. xxxv. 4. xl. 17.-lxxi. 11.

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(d)" Soul," i. e. "life."

backward, and put to confusion, that wish me evil.

3. Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame that cry over me, "There, there."

4. But let all those that seek thee, be joyful and glad in thee: and let all such as delight in thy salvation, say (e) alway, "The "Lord be praised."

5. As for me, I am poor, and in misery haste thee unto me, O God.

6. Thou art my helper, and my redeemer : O Lord, make no long tarrying.

MORNING PRAYER.

Psalm lxxi. (g)

IN thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion but rid me, and deliver me in thy righteousness; incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

2. Be thou my strong hold, whereunto I may alway resort: thou hast promised to help me; for thou art my house of defence, and my castle.

3. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly: out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel

man.

4. For thou, O Lord God, art the thing that I long for: thou

(e) v. 4." Say," i. e. " have occasion to "say," from thy protection.

(g) An anxious prayer for deliverance, calling to mind the protection he had received through life, and concluding as if fresh deliverance was vouchsafed in the progress of the Psalm. It is supposed to have been written by David at the time of Absalom's rebellion, and the contents agree with this supposition. The writer describes himself, verse 8. as "in the "time of age," and verse 16. as "in his

art my hope, even from my youth.

5. Through thee have I been holden up, ever since I was born : thou (h) art he, that took me out of my mother's womb; my praise shall be always of thee.

6. I am become as it were a monster unto many: but my sure trust is in thee.

7. O let my mouth be filled with thy praise that I may sing of thy glory and honour all the day long.

8. Cast me not away in the time of age: forsake me not when my strength faileth me.

9. For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take their counsel together, saying: "God hath "forsaken him; persecute him, "and take him for there is "none to deliver him."

10. Go not far from me, O God: my God, haste thee to help me.

11. Let (i) them be confounded and perish that are against my (k) soul: let them be covered with shame and dishonour that seek to do me evil.

12. As for me, I will patiently abide alway and will praise thee more and more.

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13. My mouth shall daily speak

"old age, and grey-headed;" and yet, in verse 19. as having been " brought to great honour, and comforted on every "side." It is the Psalm appointed to be read at the Visitation of the Sick.

(h). 5. "Thou, &c." So Ps. xxii. 9. "Thou art he that took me out of my mo"ther's womb; thou wast my hope, when "I hanged yet on my mother's breasts." (i) v. 11. Let them," or "they shall." (k) "Are against my soul," i. e. " seek my life."

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of thy righteousness and salvation: for I know no end thereof.

14. I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God: and will make mention (1) of thy righteousness only.

15. Thou, O God, has taught me from my youth up until now : therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works.

16. Forsake me not, O God, in mine old age, when I am grayheaded until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to all them that are yet for to come.

17. Thy righteousness, O God, is very high and great things are they that thou hast done; O God, who is like unto thee!

18. O what great troubles (m) and adversities hast thou shewed me! and yet didst thou turn and refresh me yea, and broughtest me from the deep of the earth (n)

again.

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(m) v. 18. "Troubles, &c." He probably alludes to his troubles and deliverances whilst he was persecuted by Saul..

(n) "Deep of the earth," i. e. "the "grave." So Ps. lxiii. 10. "These also "that seek the hurt of my soul, they shall "go under the earth," i. e. "shall die, " perish."

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(o) v. 19. "Great honour." This corresponds with David's circumstances; God had raised him to the kingdom. (p) "Comforted me,' i. e. " given me "comfort which ever way I turned." (q) v. 21. "Fain," i. e. "eager;" so much would it delight him.

(r) This Psalm was (perhaps) written when David made Solomon king, (see 1 Chron. xxiii. 1. and xxix. 22, 23.); but it probably refers prophetically to the Messiah, of whom Solomon was a type. Many of the ancient Jewish writers so considered it, and the 5th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 15th, and 17th verses, are expressed in language

19. Thou hast brought me to great honour (o): and comforted me (p) on every side.

20. Therefore will I praise thee and thy faithfulness, O God, playing upon an instrument of music: unto thee will I sing upon the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

21. My lips will be fain (q), when I sing unto thee: and so will my soul, whom thou hast delivered.

22. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long for they are confounded, and brought unto shame, that seek to do me evil.

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which seems to have a higher object than Solomon. Tertullian refers it to Christ, 791. Dr. Benson thinks it relates either wholly to Solomon, or wholly to the Messiah: and he sees "nothing in it, but what "suits the great and glorious character of "the Messiah." Benson's Introduction, xxii, xxiii. See also Poli Synopsis. It foretells the justice of his government, the extent of his dominion, the homage he should receive, and the blessings he should confer. Justin M. considers it inapplicable to Solomon, and applies it to the Messiah. Just. M. Dial. cum Tr. 251, 252. 288. Many of the Jewish commentators refer it to the Messiah. Hamm. 202.

(s) v. 1. "Give," i. e. " teach." Invest him with discrimination and righteousness equal to thine.

(t) "The king's son," i. e. according to Tertullian, 791. and Jerome, "Christ's people," the followers of the Messiah.

(u) v. 2. "Then, &c." or "that he may." So Sept.

(x)" Judge, &c." Strict impartiality in

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