I.A THIRST FOR GOD (1-2). ASPIRATION. 1. Expression of Desire (1). 2. Experience of Communion (2 ). II. ATTENDANT UPON GOD (3-8). OCCUPATION. I. J,>raising (3-4). 2. Rejoicing (5). 3. Pondering (6). 4. Rejoicing (7). 5. Pursuing (8). III. ASSURED IN GOD (9-11). ANTICIPATION. r. Extermination of Enemies (9-10 ). i. Exultation of Saints (11). SUPERSCRIPT.-A psalm of David; when he was in the wilderness of Judah. SUBSCRIPT.-For the Chief Musician. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Writer and occasion stated in superscript. It was the time of Absalom's revolt, 2 Sam. xv.-xviii. David with
his loyal followers left Jerusalem by the Jericho road, which led through the northern part of the wilderness of Judah. He lingered awhile at "the fords" before crossing the Jordan. David was deeply troubled by the infamy of his favourite son, the treachery of his trusted counsellor and the insurrection of his beloved people, and pours out his heart to God. Grace enabled him to rise above cir cumstances. . In his hasty flight from the capital, David suffered many privations, 2 Sam. xvi. 2, 14; xvii. 29, but mourns most his enforced separation from the sanctuary. His faith, however, was not focussed upon the visible_symbol of God's presence and power, see 2 Sam. xv. 24-25; ctr. the more superstitious Israelites in Eli's days, 1 Sam. iv. David took great delight in the tabernacle worship. He it was, who under God, arranged the order of the services and the ministry of the priests and Levites in their various cours.es, 1 Chron. xxiii.-xxiv. He accompanied with his musical instruments the Levites in singing his own inspired compositions, and it was he who prepared the plan and provided most of the wealth for building the Temple. The language of our psalm suggests it was composed at night (1b, 6). In the circumstances David was not likely to sleep resċlly, yet his soul found rest in communion with God. For similar intense longing for God, compare Pss. xlii. and lxxxiv. PROPHETIC .ANTiciJ>ATION. -David's circumstances foreshadow the experiences of Christ, as rejected by the nation yet having a few devoted followers, betrayed by a familiar friend and later to be recalled and reinstated after a most notable triumph over the rebels, 2 Sam. xix. 9-10, ("were at strife," i.e. with themselves as feeling very conscience-stricken and blameworthy). We hear the voice of Messiah as representative of the godly remnant in their yearning :;1fter God and in the anµcipation of final triumph over all their foes. The words of verse 4 are particularly suited to One who is not only the anointed King, but also the anointed Priest. The whole life of our Lord on earth was also a prolonged benediction and it reached a characteristic close, Luke xxiv. 50. PERSONAL A.PPUCATION.-This is a song of the. satisfied soul. God often manifests Himself in desert places, e.g. to Moses, Israel, Elijah, etc. In the hush of the wilderness we may hear better the voice of God. We· need the Mighty One (El) to help us in a crisis ( 1). David had personal dealings with a personal God (1). God alone can slake our soul thirst and satisfy our soul hunger (1). The L
Christian has access to the heavenly sanctuary at all times; c£ 2 with the Hebrew Epistle. Visions 111 the sanctuary should brighten our view of the solitude (2). "Gazing" upon God is great glory (2). Distinguish between our blessing God and Gqd blessing us; the former is expressed in acts of homage and worship (adoration); the latter is accompanied by tangible benefits (impartation); for the double aspect see Eph. i. 3. Let us bless God in our lives (4) as well as by our lips (3). The Saviour alone can give supreme satisfaction (5). All God's gifts are characterised by rich abundance (5). The seeking soul ( 1) shall be satisfied (5) ; c£ Matt. v. 6. In a new crisis remember past mercies (6). When sleep fails, copy the psalmist's example (6). In the divine shelter the saint' finds refuge (lxi. 4) and rejoicing ( 7). The redeemed have reason to rejoice (7). Those who hang upon God will be holden up by Him (8); our part is to cleave, His part to uphold. While the saint's path leads ever upward, that of the rebellious leads downwards (8-9). "Pursued yet pursuing (8)." The mouth of the sinner prevaricates ( 11), the n1outh of the saint praises (5). Contrast the destiny of the King and His followers with that of Antichrist and his adherents (9-11). VERSE NOTES - More lit. "Elohim, Thou are my El (Mighty One)"; c£ r, rs; "earnestly," or early; Hebrew suggests communion with God at dawn; "soul" = whole self; "thirsteth," c£ 2 Sam. xvi. 2 for the material refreshment; "longeth " represents strong Hebrew word occurring only here= languisheth, or piheth; (c) metaphor suggested by actual circumstances. 2. ?) "! have I .. . " i.e. acording to my soul yearning. praISe = laud, not s.H.w. m 5. 4. (b) Jewish attitude of prayer; but here may refer to the priestly benediction; c£ Num. vi. 22-24. It was the prerogative of the ppests thus to bless the people, see Deut. xxx. 5; r Chron. xxiii. 13; also Lev. ix. 23-24 and Ps. cxxxiv. 5. The best of food here indicated; c£ Gen. xlv. r8; Ps. lxv. II; Isa. Iv. 2; Jer. xxxi. r4; (b) more lit. = "with lips uttering joyous shouts." 6. (b) as marg. Israelites divided the night into three watches. 7. "shadow .. . wings," a favourite phrase with Davidy xvii. 8; xxxvi. 7; cf. words of his ancestor l3oaz, Ruth ii. r2; "will I shout for joy." 8. lit. "cleaveth after Thee,'' s.H.w. Gen. ii. 24; here, like a timid child clings to its rarent in tender affection and due reverence. 9. ' But as for those who seek my life (they shall be) for sudden destruction," they shall . . . " see 2 Sam. xvi. II ; lit. fulfilled in the history, 2 Sam. xviii. 6-8 (c£ Num. xvi. 30-33) also prophetically, Rev. xix. 20-2r. IO • .Jackals prey upon unburied corpses.
II. "the king" was God's anointed and his foes were therefore rebels against God; "sweareth by Him (God)," i.e. His loyal worshippers; Deut. x. 20; Joshua xxiii. 7-8; Isa. xix. 18; xlv. 23. Jehovah and Jesus our Lord identified, Phil. ii. 9-n. Rom. xiv. II; (c) c£ Rom. iii. 19.
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