SOLITARY SOUL I. ANNOUNCEMENT OF FAITH (1-2). II. ASSURANCE AMID DISTRESS (3 ). 1-. In Despondency (3ab ). 2. In Danger (3,d). III. ASSERTION OF FORLORNNESS (4). Abandonment by Friends .. IV. AVOWAL OF FAITH (5). V. APPEAL FOR DELIVERANCE (6-7b). 1. From Despondency (6ab). 2. From Danger (6c-7b). VI. ANTICIPATION OF FA VOUR (7cd). Association of Friends. SUPERSCRIPT.-Maschil of David, when he was iti the cave; a Prayer. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-The cave referred to in the superscript is probably that of Adullam to which David retired when obUged to leave his retreat among the Philistines, cf. Ps. lvii., I Sam. xxii. Last of the thirteen "Maschil" psalms, it worthily closes the series by showing that God alone is man's sure refuge. PROPHETIC ANtICIPATION.-As we have seen, the title "Maschil" indicates the psalm as one specially intended to instruct-to make wise-in the last days, days of deep perplexity and distress for all who
remain loyal to God. He will be found the only safe refuge in that dark hour of trial. PERSONAL APPUCATION.-Though deserted by every human helper, go on praying. In praying, the voice often helps the thoughts ( r). The outpouring of complaint is not to tell God something He does not already know, but to afford the soul necessary relie£ It also expresses the suppliant' s faith in God and His power to help. Every Christian has experienced a conflict between his fears and his faith. David's faith trimnphed over his fears (c£ lvi. 3; I Sam. xxx. 6). What about yours? Those who cannot protect us in our trouble may yet participate in our triumph. Prayer opens the prison doors of the soul, and sometimes opens the doors of the cell. Christians should be able to sing even in prison; see Acts xvi. 25. VERSE NOTES r. "Aloud to Jehovah do I cry, Aloud to Jehovah do I ... " "Id 1 ec are ... my strait. Cf cxliii.. . lf. " "Th " ( h )· " . 4; or, ... wraps itse mg oom; ou emp . ; snare, c£ cxl. 5 ; cxli. 9. 4. "right hand"= place of the champion or protector in battle; "knoweth"= acknowledgeth; (c) "No refuge is left me." " I ha . d I h "d " " f, ve cne . ., . ave sai ... ; re uge not s. .w. as m 4. 7. This may have a double significance: (a) to the cave, (b) figurative of his soul distress. "Compass ... " or, gather round about me. Then he was not so isolated as he seemed, cf. Elijah in similar circumstances; he would be surrounded by those who would both congratulate him and share in the thanksgivings.
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