I. INVOCATION TO JEHOVAH (1-3). APPROACH IN PRAYER. Feared Silence. 1. Prayer for Hearing (1-2). "Voice of supplications-hear." 2. Prayer for Help (3 ). Discrimination desired. II. IMPRECATION AGAINST THE PERVERSE (4-5). APPEAL FOR THEIR PUNISHMENT. 1. Petition (4). 2. Prediction (5 ). III. INTERVENTION OF JEHOVAH (6-7). ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE. Fervent Song. r. Praise for Hearing (6). "Voice of supplications-heard." 2. Praise for Help (7). Protection provided. IV. INTERCESSION FOR THE PEOPLE (8-9 ). APPEAL FOR THEIR PRESERVATION. 1. Profession {8). 2. Petition (9 ). SUPERSCRIPT.-David' s. PRIMARY AssocrATION.-Written by David, apparently during a time of national calamity. The psalm is a companion of xxvi., but here the danger seems more pressing. In xxvi. the plea is the integ rity of the righteous, here it is the iniquity of the wicked. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-The faithful remnant in the last days,
surrounded by enemies and evil-doers and with the shadow of death upon them, have recourse to their unchangeable "Rock." PERSONAL APPLICATION.-David knew the joy of answered prayer, do we? He could say, "The Lord is my strength and shield," because he had proved this truth in personal experience. Notice how often the psalmists burst into song; their songs far outnumber their sobs and sighs. See the conviction, then the consequences (7); and the moral order of the latter, trust-help-joy-praise. Happy the people who are saved-blessed-shepherded (lit. )-carried by the Lord (9). Note of the wicked: (a) treachery against their fellows (3); (b) trifling with their God (5). VERSE NOTES I. Jehovah Himsdf is the ground of David's cÇnfidence; "like," he does not " "th th th d · d th d d say ;!iloÈ. ; em at .. . , i.e: e ymg an , e ea_ . .. cry, i.e. for help; (b) the attitude of prayer, cf. I Tnn. n. 8; toward •.. oracle," i.e. the Holy of Holies where the Ark stood, cf. I Kings. viii. 30 f£ 3. C£ xxvi. 9, but Hebrew here is stronger, being used of condemned criminals dragged away to execution. The psalmist prays that he may not share the doom of those now incurriiig the judgment of God; (cd) cf. xii. r-2. 4. See notes on the so-called "imprecatory" psalms, Appendix IV. 5. Ctr. the Lord's works with those of the wicked (4). 7. "greatly rejoiceth" = exulteth. 8. (a) prob. should read with L:XX., etc., "Jehovah is strength to His people"; cf. xxix:. II. 9. Note the four-fold petition; "feed" = shepherd; "lift up" = bear, or carry.
This book has 150 chapters