I. EXPRESSION OF FAITH (1-2). 1. Silent Attitude ( 1 ). 2. Sure Defence (2 ). II. EXPOSTULATION WITH FOES (3-4). Faithlessness Exposed. I. Their Violence (3). "Ye." 2. Their Dissimulation (4). "They." Selah. III. ,EXHORTATION TO FAITH (5-8). 1. His Soul Enjoined (5-7). "My Refuge is God." 2. His Subjects Enjoined (8). "Our Refuge is God." Selah. IV. EXPOSTULATION WITH FOLLOWERS (9-10). Fallacies Exposed. 1. The Vanity (9). "They." 2. The Dissuasion (10). "Ye."
V. EXHIBITION OF FAITH (n-12). I. Spoken Word (u). "Unto Him (Elohim)." Strength. 2. Special Attributes (12). "Unto Thee (Jehovah)." Loving-kindness. SUPERSCRIPT.-A psalm of David. ·PRIMARY AssocIATION .-There is little doubt this psalm was written by David during the period of Absalom' s rebellion. Like Ps. xxxix. it is characterised by the use of the Hebrew particle ''ak" which occurs at the beginning of verses I, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9 in the original text. The word generally means "only." David saw that waverers might be influenced by the numbers joining the revolt and the men of distinction among the leaders of Absalom's faction, hence the language in the latter part of the psalm. PROPHETIC ANncIPATION.-After the introductory psalm (lxi.) we are now taken back somewhat earlier in time to the breaking out of open hostility to Messiah and His people, such as will characterise the last days of Gentile dominion. Enjoying but a short triumph, man will be shown to be what he has ever been, in reality nothing but a "breath." It will be universally recognised that "power belongeth unto God." PERSONAL APPLICATION.-David's relation with God was intensely personal; note the oft repeated "my." The saint's strength often lies in silence (r, 5). Many trust in God who do hot trust in Him only (1-2). "Waiting is but prolonged trust and lengthened hope" (1). From God is my salvation (1) and my expectation (5). Con fidence in Him should grow (2, 6), and confession of what He is to our souls helps it to grow. If the "Rock" supports the tottering fence it cannot fall (3); c£ 2 Cor. iv. 8-9. The defence of His people³s honour with the deliverance of their persons rests with God (7). Trust in Him at all times and trust in Him only (8). God is a refuge "for us" (8) and "for me" (7). Let-us not)je faint-hearted followers of the King. Sadly misplaced is the trust that trusts in riches (10) .. Place all men in the scale against God and they do not weigh so much as a breath (9). Man needs reminding again and again of the most elementary truths ( I 1). In God loving-kindness and justice are associated with power (12). He is never kind at the e´pense of justice (12). The harvest of idleness is an empty barn; God gives increase to the ploughed land and the sown seed (12).
VERSE NOTES 1. Lit. "Only (or, surely) to God is my soul silence"; i.e. towards God silence (becometh) my soul. 3. C£ xxxvii. 24; (b) br. "Battering him all of you ... " i.e. calamitous blows have already taken effect and the enemy hoped to complete his destruction. 4. I.e. from his high dignity as God's anointed king. David was the principal object qf attack; c£ 2 Sam. xvii. 1 ff. 6. (b) c£ 2b. but "greatly" is omitted here. Is this a sign of David's growing futh? Cl 'th" li 7. w1 t. = upon. 8 " 1 "cf s ff. . ye peop e, . 2 am. xvn. 2 9, IO. ' Only vanity are men, (only) a lie are great men." The rebels instead of trusting God, relied upon (a) the number of their adherents-"sons of Adam"= ordinary men (9a) ; (b) the eminence of their leaders-" sons of ish" = men of distinction (9b); (c) methods of oppression (IOa); (d) material wealth thus amassed (IOb); but all was "vanity." IO. (c) hr. "increase ... pay no regards ... " Social discontent was a factor in the revolt; c£ iv. 6. 11. "once ... twice ... " i.e. repeatedly, c£ Job xxxiii. 14. "F ''b d R .. 6ff. or r. ut ... ; qt . om. 11.
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