I. PRELIMINARY PRAYER (1). The Psahnist's Invocation. II. PURPOSE AND PETITION (2). "I will cry." ill. PARTICULAR REASON (3). "For." Confidence based upon Experience. IV. PERSONAL PETITION (4). "Let me ... let me." Selah. V. PARTICULAR REASON (5). "For." Confidence based upon Experience. VI. PROSPECT AND PRAYER (6--7). VII. PROMISED PRAIpE (8). The Psahnist's Intention. "I"will psalm." SUPERSCRIPT.-David's. SUBSCRIPT.-For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Written by David almost certainly when he was at Mahanaim still away from home, but with Absalom' s revolt already crushed, 2 Sam. xviii. His heart is overwhelmed at the loss of his son, but faith triumphs over sorrow for the sake of the kingdom restored to him in the goodness of God. As the representative head of the nation he cannot but rejoice: "To Jeduthun" (subscript) see notes under Ps. xxxviii. Alternative title, "Expectation of the exalted exile." PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Messiah the King as representative of His people, identifies Himself with them in their experiences. He takes up and fulfils on their behalf the vows which they failed to carry out. The historical notes show how suitably this psalm is placed as introductory to the section. With 6-7 c£ Luke i. 32-33. The words "tent" and "for ever" seem to be inapposite until we compare the expression in Rev. xxi. 3 (Gk.) which speaks of final earthly blessing.
AN AL YT1CAt S'rtJD1ES 1N '!'HE l>SAlMS PERSONAL APPUCATION.-Many people pray only when pressed or in pain (2). Perplexity proyokes prayer (2). Faith ever views the fulfilment of divinely inspired hopes. Prayer, praise and purpose form an ideal trio. When in trouble man needs One greater than himself (2). Christ is the Rock, r Cor. x. 4. The saints are the Saviour's precious possession (5). God's loving-kindness and faith fulness are constant guardians of His people ( 7). Those who have proved God will praise Him (3, 8). Let those who purpose also perform (8). The presence and protection of God are much to be w. VERSE NOTES 2. "earth," or land; (b) as margin, or "is wrapped in gloom "; (c) i.e. too high to reach by unaided effort. 3. ( b) For lit. sense c£ Judges ix. 51. 4. Cf. 2 Sam. xv. 25. This verse is better regarded as a prayer, "Let me sojourn ... let me take refuge ... "; (b) probably alludes to the wings of the cherubim embroidered on the beautiful curtains and inner veil; c£ xxvii. 5; xxxi. 20; Targum has "in the shadow of Thy presence " (lit. shechinah). 5. ( b) Margin pre£ ; answer to the vows of (a). 6. C£ 2 Sam. vii. 16; Ps. xxi. 4. David refers to himself in his representative capacity as king, and delights to dwell on this theme. 7. Br. "Heshallsitenthroned beforeGod ... "; (b) prepare= appoint; "preserve," or guard. d ccr "th "d il " 8. ote an compare 1or ever w1 a y.
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