I. ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE (1-4). Present Thanksgiving. I. Divine Conferment of Skill recognised (1-2). 2. Divine Condescension to Man recognised (3-4). II. APPEAL IN PRAYER (5-8). "Rescue me." 1. Destruction of Foes requested (5-6). 2. Deliverance of Himself'requested (7-8). (i) Out of Great Waters. (ii) Out of Alien Hands -the hands of those whose words are vain and false. III. ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE (9-10). Prospective Thanksgiving. 1. Divinely-given Success recognised (9-10a). 2. Divinely-given Succour recognised ( 10b ). IV. APPEAL IN PRAYER (n-14). "Rescue me." 1. Deliverance of Himself requested (n ). Out of Alien Hands-the hands of chose whose words are vain and false. 2. Destiny of Israel resulting (12-14). V. AFFIRMATION OF PRINCIPLE (15). Concluding Benediction. SUPERSCRIPT.-A Psalm of David. PRIMARY AssOCIATION.-The occasion of this psahn is not known, but it probably belongs to David's later life. He seems to be
recounting past experiences and past mercies for the benefit of his posterity. Ps. xviii. is more his own personal thanksgiving at se time. There are also reminders of Pss. xxxiii., xxxix. and civ. This psaln1 contains the concluding prayers of the Psalter. The use of the title "God" absolutely is peculiar to David in Books IV and V, the only exception being Ps. c. 3, which however may be of Davidic authorship. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Here is the godly remnant's last appeal for full_ and final deliverance from the national foes. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-God is the source and sum of loving kindness (2) and the source and sum of all happiness (15). Note the seven titles expressing what God was to David (1-2). VERSE NOTES 1. "teacheth ... to" = trains ... for; c£ xviii. 34. 2. "My lovingkindness" = poetic abbreviation for "God of my lovingkindness," cf. lix. 10; hr." ... in whom I have taken refuge"; "my people," many ¥.SS. and versions read "the peoples" here and at the pa,rallel passages, xviii. 47; 2 Sam. xxii. 48. Not only the tribes of Israel and Judah referred to, but the surrounding nations which finally submitted to David. The line is of prophetic significance. 3. C£ viii. 4; 2 Sam. vii. 18-19. Connected with 2, this verse emphasises the divine condescension in strengthening such a creature for conflict and conquest; connected with 5-8 it exposes the presumption of such a creature in defying God. 6. "arrows" syn. with lightning Bashes, 2 Sam. xxii. 15. 7. "great waters," prophetically of the great world powers seeking to overwhelm Israel in the last days. Last line more exactly, "From the hands of the sons of the alien," i.e. those who are alien to God and His people (c£ xviii. 44-45), finally to be either won or crushed under Messiah's rule. 8. "right hand," i.e. lifted in swearing a solemn compact is a lying hand, points to treachery of Israel's foes. 9. "new" because of the fresh manifestation of divine grace in the promise to his seed and because of recent victories granted; "sing praises"= make melody. IO. "His servant," the ground of the deliveran,ce, c£ cxliii. 2, 12. II. This and similar passages may prophetically re£ to "the prince," Ezk. xliv. xlvi. (a) More exactly as 7c. 12 ff. The construction of A.V. preferable here as expressing the purpose of the desired deliverance. 12. "That our sons in their youth may be as well-grown saplings and our daughters as sculptured columns fashioned for a palace, i.e. stately, tall and graceful. Note the threefold description of national prosperity: (a) Racial fecundity (12); (b) Agricultural productivity (13); (c) Territorial integrity (14). It is possible however that verses 12-15a are the quoted words of the "aliens" a false estimate of happiness which the world thinks consists in material prosperity
only. To this the psalmist replies as 15b "(Yea, rather) Happy the people whose God is Jehovah." So reads the LXX which often represents an older Heb. text, c£ :o..'"mi. 12. 14. Or, .. our kine heavy with young. No breach-no sally and no (battle) cry in our open spaces," i.e. no hostile invasion of the land. Book Five. V. The Ways of God Retraced in the National History: cxxxv.-cxlv. 4. Win1ess in Praise: cxlv. Messiah.
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