DESTROYER I. SUPPLICATION FOR DELIVERANCE (1-6). PRAYER. To the Lord. P ti.ti. ) "D Ii Let t 1. e ons 1-2 . e ver me. . . me no ... 2. Pleas (3-4). Threefold "for." Jehovah's trustworthiness. 3. Profes.sions (5-6). Trust, "My spirit ... into Thy hand." II. SONG OF DELIVERANCE (7-8). PRAISF I. Resolve (7a). 2. Reasons (7b-8). III. SUPPLICATION FOR DELIVERANCE (9-18). PRAYER. 1. Pleas (9-13). Threefold "for." David's trouble. (i) Consequences (9-12). (a) Upon Himself (9-10). (b) Upon Others (n-12). (ii) Causes (13). 2. Professions (14-15a). Trust, "My times ... into Thy hands." 3. Petitions (r5b-18). "Deliver me ... Let me not ... " IV. SONG OF DELIVERANCE (19-22). PRAISE. 1. Rendition (19-20). 2. Reasons (21-22). V. SUMMONS TO DEVOTION (23-24). PROMISE. To the •Saints. 1. Exhortation 23a). 2. Explanation 23bc). 3. Exhortation 24). SUPERSCRIPT.-A psalm of David. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Written by David apparently during the period of Saul's persecution, and most probably refers to his experi ences at Keilah, I Sam. xxiii.; c£ "shut up" (5) with s.H. w. at
1 Sam. xxiii. 7; "into the hand," (8) with same chapter (7, 11-12); "men (lit. baali) of Keilah" denotes the Canaanite portion of the city's inhabitants; (6a) refers to these Baalites; "strong city" (21), c£ I Sam. xxiii. 7. Such was Keilah against which the Philistines sent up not a band but "armies." It consisted of two strongholds separated by_ a valley. The psalm exhibits the ebb and flow of faith during a period of deep distress. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Again we see Israel at the time of the end. As with David so with them, a signal deliverance by Jehovah gives promise of final triumph. Note that 5a affords another instance of our Lord taking up and adapting _words used long before in the Scriptures which He knew so well. The fact that He quoted this line on the Cross warrants us in lookip.g closer at this psalm as setting forth the holy exercise of His soul. We shall find that much, if not most of its language is suited to the circumstances of His humiliation. David was betrayed by those whom l_ie came to save; so with the great Antitype, 1 Sam. xxiii. 5, 12. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Even shadows may be shot with sunbeams. Have you ever known your faith to fight with your feelings? Let us commit both ourselves and our "times" into God's hand (5, 15), cf: 1 Peter iv. 19. What a blessed ground of confidence " Thou hast redeemed me, 0 Jehovah (Covenant God) El (Mighty One) of faithfulness." When God delivers us He -always sets us in a roomy place to enjoy real freedom (8). The voice of the violent will soon be silent (17). There is a great storehouse of goodness in God (19). Both the provision and the person are kept one for the other by Jehovah; c£ 1 Peter i. 4-5, with 19-20 here. The waves of the storm fling us higher upon the Rock (14). Be strong and let your bP.art take courage (24). VERSE NOTES 1. Br. " ... have I taken refuge; ... never be ashamed," i.e. by finding my trust vain and hope crushed. .. 2. (b) lit. "Become to me ... " ; the plea in 2-3 is "show Thyself to be what I know Thou art." 5. The context shows that David has in view the preservation of his life; cited by our Lord (Luke xxiii. 46) in connection with His departing life; "redeemed," prim. = delivered, c£ 2 Sam. iv. 9; I Kings i. 29. 6. We should prob. read with LXX and some other versions. "Thou hatestt (b) " r. " "1 · · · " · l"_ 'els But as ,or me, . . . ; ymg vanities, 1.e. 1a15e go .
•• I · kindn "kn talc kn I d f th 7. mercy = ovmgess; own . . . ,.e. en ow e ge o e straits of my soul." 8. (b) c£ xviii. 19, xxvi. 12. 9. "Be gracious unto me ... in strait"; (b) cf. vi. 9 note. 12. (b) i.e. viewed with contempt as being worthless. 13. Jeremiah often takes upon his lips the language of the psalms known in his day, even as Christ did with deeper understanding. This is why so many critics ascribe the composition of certain psalms to Jeremiah's pen, in spite of the super scriptions. Saints of this age continue to use the language of the psalms in a similar way, as applying to their own circumstances; seeJer. xx. 10. 14. "But as for me, I have trusted ... have sai ... " r7. C£ xxv. 2-3. 19. " .•. those taking refuge in Thee"; (d) "before the sons of men" should be d "th" h " connecte w1 wroµg t. 20. C£ xxvii. 5. Cf ur. d" 2r. . xvn. 7; strong, i.e .. 1ence . 22. "But as for me, I ... " ; he confesses his want of faith in the hour of trial; "I "d " £ "h al sat ... , c . ocv1. II; aste, i.e. arm, or agitation. 23. C£ xxx. 4; xxxii. II. 24.C£ xxvii. 14. Note parallels in last two verses. Persons addressed (23a and 24b); Proposal made (23a and 24a); Preservation of the faithful (23b) with the. Punishment of the froward (23c).
This book has 150 chapters