for it, That the trouble which Saul gave him was before his great sin, and so he was full of confidence; but that of Absalom was after it, which made him cry out in this doleful manner.

Ver. 1. HOW long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?] What a sad condition is this, O Lord; into which I am fallen, and in which thou seemest to neglect me! I have waited a long time for some glimpse of thy favour, but can see no sign of deliverance, nor tell how long thou intendest to delay

it.

Ver. 2. How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me 2] O how afflictive is it, that there is no end of my anxious thoughts! but I am always casting in my mind, with a heavy heart, where I shall shift for my life, and can think myself in no place secure. The power of my enemy is very great, and threatens, like a tempest hanging over my head, every moment to fall upon me. O when shall 1 see it dispersed ?

Ver. 3. Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.] Thus I sigh perpetually to thee, O Lord, the omnipotent Ruler and just Judge of the world; beseeching thee to commiserate my affliction; and, as thou hast done often, to answer my prayer. Thou seest with what dangers I am encompassed, and how forlorn and dismal my condition is: endue me with wisdom and circumspection, that I may escape these dangers; and revive and cheer me under these sad afflictions, lest my spirit sink within me, or the enemy destroy

me.

Ver. 4. Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.] Let not him that persecutes me boast of his success, as he certainly will, unless thou affordest me thy conduct and comfort, which I humbly again implore, that they who join with him may not have the pleasure to see me fall, and insult over my misery.

beart

Ver. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my 5. shall rejoice in thy salvation.] I am unworthy indeed of thy favour, but hope thou wilt magnify thine own mercy, in which I have placed an entire confidence, that I persuade myself I shall have the joy to see thee deliver me out of all these distresses.

Ver. 6. 1 will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.] Which shall be acknowledged with the most chearful hymns of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, who hath dealt so well with me, as to render to me, not according to my merits, but according to my hope and trust of his inconceivable mercy.

PSALM XIV.

To the chief musician. A Psalm of David.

THE ARGUMENT. This psalm (which was com

posed, as the foregoing, by David, and delivered by him to the master of music in the tabernacle) may probably refer, though it be not in the title expressed, to the universal apostacy of the people, in the rebellion of Absalom, from the allegiance they owed to him, and from the duty they owed to God.

Ver. 1. THE fool bath said in his heart, There is no God: they are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.] Though the wicked are not yet so impudent as openly to deny God with their mouths, yet such is their abominable filthiness, so shameless are they in their wickedness, so universally depraved, that their secret thoughts sure are, God takes no notice what they do, or that he will not judge them for it.

Ver. 2. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that `did understand, and seek God.] But let them know, that he exactly observes them; and that all the ways of the sons of men are naked and bare before his eyes: though, alas! there is nothing now to be seen but ignorance and contempt of his majesty.

Ver. 3. They are all gone aside, they are altogether become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no not one. The whole nation hath lost all sense of their duty; and, like a body without a spirit, is so rotten and putrified, that it is hard to find one that has any sense of goodness in him.

Ver. 4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.] Strange! that they should all be thus senseless, as not only to injure and oppress my poor innocent people, but to be cruel and void of all pity toward them, and to throw off likewise all religion!

Ver. 5. There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.] What a terror will it be to them, to see the divine vengeance seize on them when they think themselves most secure for he, who is the righteous Judge, will not desert those who are faithful to him, but graciously deliver them.

Ver. 6. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor : because the LORD is his refuge.] Your confusion, O ye atheistical fools, will be the greater, because you mocked and jeered at that poor despicable party of men, who resolved to adhere to piety and virtuous loyalty, and to wait patiently upon God, and trust in him alone for safety.

Ver. 7. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the LORD bringeth back the captivity of bis people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.] Who is mighty to save, whatsoever you think, and resides by a special token of his presence in Mount Sion. O that it might please him to send us deliverance from thence, and to restore us again to the happy enjoyment of that place from whence we are banished! It would turn our sad lamentations into the most chearful thanksgivings; and fill not only Judah, but all the tribes of Israel, with joy and gladness. 2 Sam. xix. 9. &c.

I could not see my way, he hath secretly inspired my mind with wise thoughts, and admonished me what course to take for my preservation.

Ver. 8. I have set the LORD always before me because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.] This hath ever been my practice, to conceive God always present to me and since he is still nigh to support and defend me, the fiercest assaults of my enemies shall never be able to deject me from that diguity which he hath designed for me.

Ver. 9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.] In confidence of which I feel not only a perfect satisfaction, but joy and triumph of heart. My tongue cannot but boast of it; and be my condition never so weak and low, I shall rest in hope to be raised up again.

Ver. 10. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.] For thou wilt not suffer me to remain always in this forlorn condition, nor let him whom thou hast anointed to be king be destroyed by Saul; (much less let that great King perish, whom thou hast promised of my seed; but though they kill him and lay him in his grave, thou wilt take him from thence, and raise him from the dead, before his body be in the least. corrupted).

Ver. 11. Thou wilt show me the path of life in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.] Thou wilt shew me the way to escape out of all these dangers, (and do much more for the Messiah, who, being raised from the dead, shall live eternally); and not only preserve my life, but satiate me with joy, when thy favour hath settled me on the throne, by that Almighty power which is able to dispense everlasting happiness; (and will certainly exalt the Messiah to reign at thy right hand in endless joy and pleasure, after all his grievous sufferings).

PSALM XVII.

THE ARGUMENT.A prayer of David; wherein he humbly represents to God his innocence in those things whereof he was accused, (of affecting the kingdom, I suppose, and seeking the life of Saul, 1 Sam. xxiv. 9.); and therefore beseeches him to grant him deliverance from his persecutors and calumniators, (Saul, it is most likely, and those that set him on): see Theodoret.

Ver. 1.

HE EAR the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.] I am oppressed, O Lord, with such false accusations, that I have no way but to appeal to thee, who art the righteous Judge of the world; beseeching thee to deal with me according to the justice of my cause. It is my most earnest request to thee, and I desire no favour of thee, if these lips have spoken any deceitful words against Saul, or do now dissemble with thy majesty ;

Ver. 2. Let my sentence come forth from thy pre

sence let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.] Who hast long suspended thy sentence; and let my enemies pursue me as if I was guilty; but I humbly intreat thee at last openly to acquit me, and to shew that thou regardest the greatness of no man's person, but only his uprightness and integrity.

Ver. 3. Thou hast proved mine heart, thou hast visited me in the night, thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing: I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.] Thou art privy to the inmost thoughts of my heart, in the greatest retirements thou seest what I design; and hast tried me also (as gold in the fire) by many afflictions, which thou didst never find to make me think of any unlawful courses for my preservation: but still I have been what I pretended, and my words and secret thoughts have always agreed together.

Ver. 4. Concerning the works of men, by the word of my lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.] I know what men are apt to do in such circumstances; but the respect I bear to thy commandments hath preserved me from those murderous practices, which the violent man would have boldly attempted, (1 Sam. xxvi. 8.)

Ver. 5. Hold up my goings in thy paths; that my •footsteps slip not.] And I beseech thee still confirm me in this resolution, that no temptation may make me forsake that tract of virtue in which I have hitherto

persisted.

Ver. 6. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt bear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.] And in which I doubt not to be safe; for I have never cried unto thee, but thou hast granted my request, and wilt not now, I hope, refuse to condescend unto it, but admit of this appeal which I make to thee, and do me right.

Ver. 7. Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee, from those that rise up against them.] Thy mercy will appear most wonderful in my preservation from this imminent danger wherein I am. Magnify it, therefore, O thou whose property it is to interpose thy mighty power for the deliverance of such as con. fide in nothing but thy omnipotent goodness, from those who rise up against them to destroy them.

Ver. 8. Keep me as the apple of the eye: hide me under the shadow of thy wings,] I commend myself to thy watchful providence; beseeching thee to defend me with the same care that we do the tender part in the midst of our eye. As à hen covers her chickens under her wings from the ravenous bird that hovers over them to devour them;

Ver. 9. From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.] So do thou, O Lord, protect me, (who fly unto thee for safety), from the wicked that are about to seize on me and spoil me; from those deadly enemies, which have beset me round, with eager hopes and desires to destroy

me.

Ver. 10. They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.] Who are so stuffed with worldly goods, and have thriven so long in their

ungodly courses, that they are grown extremely proud of their power; and not only haughtily threaten my destruction, but presumptuously brag as if they had already accomplished their desire.

Ver. 11. They have now compassed us in our steps ; they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;] And indeed they have now gotten me and my followers into a very great strait, (1 Sam. xxiii. 26.), and which way soever we turn ourselves, we are in danger to fall into the hands of those who have stedfastly resolved our utter ruin.

Ver. 11. Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.] No lion can be more desirous to tear a lamb in pieces, than Saul is to make a prey of me. Like a young

lion in his den, he watches when an opportunity will offer itself, that he may fall upon me, (1 Sam. xxiii. 7. 8. xxiv. 2. &c.)

Ver. 13. Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword;] Delay no longer, therefore, O Lord, but speedily appear to defeat him. Throw him down to the ground when he thinks to fall upon me and though thou hast suffered the wicked to wound me sorely, yet let him not kill me, who depended upon thy power, which is able to deliver me.

Ver. 14. From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy bid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.] He hath many, I know, that join with him to destroy me; but they are only mortal men, O Lord, who can do nothing but what thou permittest them, for my correction; worldly men, who look no farther than this present life, and desire no other satisfaction, but to be very rich, to have a numerous posterity, and to leave them great estates when they can enjoy them no longer.

Ver. 15. As for me, I will behold thy face in righ. teousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake with thy likeness.] Which prosperity I do in nowise envy them, but think myself happy that I can approach into thy presence, and with a good conscience wait for thy favour: nothing doubting, but when thou shalt shew thyself in thy majesty and power, it will be abundantly to my satisfaction.

course of the long persecution, and opposition he met withal, before he could get the kingdom. For which singular providence he still gave particular thanks to God after every deliverance or victory which he vouchsafed him: but at last, (so great was his piety), he made one general acknowledgement of God's goodness to him, when he was peaceably settled upon his throne, in delivering him from the Philistines, the Syrians, and other nations, who rose up against him, (and that in a miraculous manner, as he describes it, ver. 13. 14. &c. where Theodoret observes, that in his time God scattered the enemies of Christians by the like dreadful tempests); but especially from Saul, who (as he was the first, so) was the most violent, implacable, and dangerous of all his enemies.

The sense of the Psalm is this.

Ver. 1. I will love thee, O LORD my strength.] I

love thee, O Lord, to whom I owe my safety and preferment, with the most passionate and ardent affection: and I will never cease to love thee thus, as long as ever I live.

Ver. 2. The LORD is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.] For it was not the caves and lurking places, (1 Sam. xxii. 1. 5. xxiii. 23.), nor the fortresses and strong holds, (xxiii. 24. 19. 29.), the rocks and impregnable forts, (xxiv. 2), the high mountains and steep hills to which I fled, (xxvi. 1.), that preserved me from my enemies; but the Lord Almighty, whom I made my refuge, and whom I acknowledge for my deliverer: to his gracious providence, and powerful protection, I ascribe my safety, and will never confide in any other security; he defended me in the most dangerous assaults of my enemies; he repelled all their forces, and placed me out of the reach of their violence.

Ver. 3. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies.] Praised, therefore, be the Lord, unto whom I humbly commended myself by prayer (as I mean to do always) in my distresses, and he delivered me from all my

enemies.

Ver. 4. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.] When there appeared no way for my escape, but they thought that they had me as sure as a bird taken in a net ; when whole troops of ungodly men poured in upon me, as a torrent that threatened to sweep me quite

away;

Ver.

snares of death prevented me.] When I had no more 5. The sorrows of bill compassed me about: the power over myself, than a dead man bound hand and foot in his grave; (so suddenly was I entangled in their deadly snares, Sam. xxiii. 26.)

Ver. 6. In my distress called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.] This was my belief in such grievous straits: I made my usual addresses to the Lord, and with great earnest

ness supplicated my most merciful God, who had so often delivered me: and, though he be so infinitely above us in his heavenly palace, he did not despise my petition, but it was admitted into his presence, and found a gracious audience.

Ver. 7. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved, and were shaken, because he was wrath.] For he instantly appeared in a sensible manner to confound my enemies; who saw his wrathful displeasure in the dreadful tempest which fell upon them, and made the very earth tremble under

them.

Ver. 8. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.] There was nothing to be seen but fuming smoke and devouring fire; which at his command shot out burning coals among them.

Ver. 9. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.] His glorious majesty also visibly shewed itself, bowing the heavens, (the place of its residence), and coming down in a thick cloud, which was spread as a carpet under it.

Ver. 10. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.] Some of the principal angels were its chariot, wherein it rode very swiftly; and a rapid wind was the token of their presence, (2 Sam. v. 24.)

Ver. 11. He made darkness his secret place: his pavilion round about him were dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.] A great darkness obscured it; for round about it were the rest of the heavenly ministers disposed to attend upon it in watery vapours, and thick clouds of the sky.

Ver. 12. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire.] Who going forth from his glorious presence, sent hailstones and coals of fire (as in the days of Joshua, x. 11.) in the face of my enemies.

Ver. 13. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hailstones and coals of fire.] Which were followed with such terrible thunder, (like that in the days of Samuel, 1 Sam. vii. 10.), mixed with more hailstones and fiery exhalations, as declared the greatness of his majesty, and the mightiness of his power.

Ver. 14. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.] These were the arrows wherewith he scattered them there needed no other darts to discomfit them.

Ver. 15. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.] For even the earth itself was rent and torn by them; they cleft it asunder, and penetrated so deep, that the secret abysses of it were discovered through the breaches that were made; when thou, O Lord, in great indignation didst rebuke my enemies.

Ver. 16. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.] Nothing but such a power from above could have preserved me, which the Lord was pleased graciously to extend to me: he laid hold on me, and kept me from sinking; he snatched me out

of many and great dangers, which like a deluge were ready to overwhelm me.

Ver. 17. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.] He delivered me first from that mighty giant Goliah, and then from Saul, whose power I was not able to withstand; and afterwards from the Philistines and Syrians, and many other nations, whose forces were far superior unto mine, and whose hatred instigated them to do all they could to destroy me.

Ver. 18. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.] When I was weak and unable to resist, they suddenly invaded me; but the Lord would not suffer them to overthrow me": (1 Sam. xxiii. xxiv. &c.)

Ver. 19. He brought me forth also into a large place : he delivered me, because he delighted in me.] But brought me out of those straits into a state of perfect liberty. He delivered me, (when they thought they had pent me up so close that I could not escape them), because he had a kindness for me.

Ver. 20. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands bath he recompensed me.] He knew also that I was unjustly persecuted; and therefore rewarded me according to the integrity of my heart, and the purity of my actions; which were never guilty of that whereof they accused me.

Ver. 21. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.] For I never took any unlawful courses for my deliverance; but when Saul fell into my hands, I would not kill him, because he was the Lord's anointed, (1 Sam. xxiv. 10.)

Ver. 22. For all his judgements were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.] For I laid his precepts before me, as the rule of my actions; and did not bid them stand aside, when it seemed to be my interest not to observe them:

Ver. 23. I was also upright before him and I kept myself from mine iniquity.] But chose rather to suffer any thing than lose my integrity: and how unjustly soever my enemies dealt with me, I would not imitate them; but though I could not hinder theirs, kept myself from mine iniquity.

Ver. 24. Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eye-sight.] And therefore hath the Lord, who administers all things with the exactest justice, and the greatest goodness, heard my prayer, (1 Sam. xxvi. 23.), and dealt with me according to my innocent intentions, which would not let me defile my hands with the blood of Saul, when it was in my power to be revenged of him.

Ver. 25. With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.] Such is the gracious method of thy providence, O Lord, who wilt do good to those who do good to others, and do them justice also (against their oppressors and calumniators) who preserve their integrity;

Ver. 26. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure,