I. PRAISE FOR DELIVERANCE {PAST). (1-3). 1. The Success (1-2). 2. The Source (3 ). II. PROFESSION OF FAITH (4-8). 1. Personal (4). 2. National (5). 3. Personal (6). 4. National (7-8). III. PLAINT AFTER DISASTER (9-16). r. National (9-14). Divine Rejection and its Results. 2. Personal (15-16). Psalmist's Shame and its Source. IV. PROTESTATION OF FIDELITY (17-22). r. ·The Avowal (17-18). 2. The Adversity (19). 3. The Avowal (20-21). 4. The Adversity (22). V. PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE (PRESENT) (23-26). r. The Appeal (23-24). "Awake." 2. The AfB.iction (25). 3. The Appeal (26). "Arise." SUPERSCRIPT.-For the Sons of Korah, Maschil SUBSCRIPT.-For the Chief Musician; upon Shoshannim { = Lilies). PRIMARY AssocIATION.-The language of the psahn shows that Israel had just sustained a serious reverse in an encounter with foreign foes. The most probable occasion is an event which took place during David's war with Syria and Zobah, c£ Ps. Ix. At that time Edom took advantage of David's absence with his main forces in the north and invaded Palestine as far as the south end of the Dead Sea, inflicting great slaughter on the Israelites; see 1 Kings xi. 16-17 where "bury the slain,'' i.e. Israelites; and "every male/' i.e. capable of bearing arms. Verses I 7-22 seem to .rule out any later reference,
for only in David's time could Israel truly 1nake such a plea. Yet verses 9-16 might suggest the crisis in Hezekiah's day, 2 Kings xviii. The psalmist looks back to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and is encouraged to pray for a similar divine interposition. The subscript indicates that the psalm was to be used for the temple services during the spring festival of :Passover. Call for God on the part of the individual, xlii.; Call for God on the- part of the nation, xliv. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-. While the .prayer was answered in the psalmist's day, a more exhaustive fulfihnent awaits the faithful Jewish remnant at the future return of Christ. "Maschil" (=instruction) also indicates that the psalm has special reference to the last days. PERSONAL APPUCATION.-Reversals of fortune are not necessarily due to specific sins (c£ Job) but are a necessary part of our discipline and bring greater profit than material success. Facts of the past often afford joy for the present, and hope for the future (1-3). Divine grace, not our goodness, gives the inheritance; God's power not our proficiency gains us our possessions (3). We must use the weapons, but the victory is His (6-7); c£ 2 Cor. x. 3-4. A study of Israel's history encourages prayer (4), trust (5-p), and praise (8). Note the sixfold "Thou" (9-14) recognising that Israel's circum stances were due to God's discip]inary action. If we suffer, let us be sure it is for Christ's sake and not our own sin (22); c£ 1 Peter iii. 17; iv. 15-16. If Christ suffered" as a sheep" (Isa. liii.) it is no wonder that Christians must suffer (22); "the serv_ant is not greater than his Lord," John xv. 20. Suffering drives the saint to supplication in the sanctuary (23-26). Our God is a searcher of hearts (21). Faith may flourish even amid the fury of the foe. VERSE NOTES r. (c) br. " even the days ... " 2. Note alternation, 2b and 2d; "them" = Israel. 3. Jehovah's favour not Israel's .fitness, His grace not their greatness gained them the land; cf. Deut. i".'· 37; viii. 17-18; ix. 4-6; (c) c£ Exod. xiii. 2r. The Pillar of cloud and of fire was a visible emblem of the invisible presence of God. 4. May be rendered, "Thou. are He (the Same), my King, 0 God," i.e. the One who appeared to Moses and manifested Himself so wonderfully on behalf of Israel at the exodus, is still their God. (b) "deliverance" = Heb. plural of amplitude. 5. Language borrowed from the animal world; Heb. = to thrust with the horns, pxod, µi. 2?,
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