I. ENTREATY (1). Addressed to God. II. EXPOSTULATION (2-3). Addressed to Rebels. 1. Concerning their Attack upon David (2 ). Selah. 2. Concerning the Anointed of Jehovah (3).
Ill. EXHORTATION (4-5). Addressed to Rebels. 1. Concerning their Attack upon David (4). Selah. 2. Concerning their Attitude to Jehovah (s ). IV. ENTREATY (6-8). Addressed to God. I. Patronage Entreated (6). 2. Portion Enjoyed (7). 3. Peace Experienced (8). SUPERSCRIPT.-A psalm of David. SUBSCRIPT.-For the Chief Musician; upon Nehiloth. PRIMARY AssoCIATION.-An evening psalm. See corresponding notes to Ps. iii. The structure of both psalms is similar, namely, four stanzas of two verses each, and "Selah" omitted at the end of each third stanza. The '' Selah'' at the end of Ps. iii. marks a further point of connection between the two psalms, for it indicates the same historical setting. "Nehiloth" (in subscript) is generally taken to mean "wind instruments," but ancient versions suggest vocalisation "nehaloth" = inheritances. It seems therefore better to read here "concerning inheritances." This suits the tenor of the psalm, which emphasises God our portion (7). Two inheritances are spoken of, (a) Jehovah's in His people, Deut. xxxii. 9, and (b) their inheritance in Jehovah, Ps. xvi. 5, etc. Spiritual inheritances are more precious than temporal ones, c£ Heb. x. 34 (R.V.). The rebels sought to drive David out of his possessions; they might succeed so far as material ones were concerned, but they could never separate him from God. - See also Analysis, Ps. iii., section II. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Belongs to same prophetic period as Ps. iii. National apostasy is not yet consummated; there is yet time for repentance. The Spirit of Messiah in the remnant speaking as in the midst of their enemies. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Some advance in experience shown; in iii., God is the saint's protection; in iv., God is the saint's portion. What He does for us (iii.); what He is to us (iv.). When you feel "hemmed in" God will "make room" (lit.) for you (1). Man ever seeks what he loves (2). Rebels should reflect and repent (4). "It is better to trust Jehovah to remedy national evils, than to start a revolution" (5). "One beam of sunshine from God's face dispels all gloom" ( 6). Peace may be independent of outward circumc
stances (7-8). Heavenly joys are better than earthly joys (7). Material prosperity cannot con1pensate for spiritual poverty (7). Commune with conscience on your couch (4). VERSE NOTES 1. (a) cf. 3 and iii. 4. Confident of the integrity of his heart and justice of his cause, David calls upon God for vindication; (b) i.e. "made room,, for him when he was in a "strait, " still another instance of past experience as a ground of present appeal; (c) better as margin. 2. A remonstrance with the leaders in the rebellion-" glory," i.e. his personal honour and royal dignity as Jehovah's representative. 2b. Rebellion is (a) vain: because doomed to failure, c£ ii. 1 ; ( b) false: bee. based upon false principles -it never fulfils the promise it gives. 3. "him . . . godly;" cf. margin. Hebrew word denotes one whom God has "graced., (favoured) and whose character conforms, i.e. is" gracious" to others. 4. "Stand in awe," or, tremble. In Eph. iv. 26 the line is quoted from LXX. The words here are a warning to the rebels generally; "be still;' i.e. desist. 5. "Offer ... righteousness," ctr. hypocritical sacrifices of the rebels, 2 Sam. xv. 12; c£ Deut. xxxiii. 19; Ps. Ii. 19. 6. "Many say;' cf. iii. 2; indic. the attitude of the waverers. With last clause c£ Num. vi. 24-26; Pss. xxxi. 16; lxxx. 3, 7, 19. 7. Ponde-r these words in light of David's experiences at the time, 2 ·Sam. xvii. 27-29. Joy in Jehovah is more than the joy of harvest or vintage. 8. Cf. iii. 5 notes. "For Thou ... " may mean "It is Thou, Jehovah, who makest me dwell apart in security," i.e. isolated from his foes in God's safe keeping. He claims God as his sole protector.
This book has 150 chapters