SERVANT I. IMPLORATION (r-6). Prayers and Pleas. r. Prayer (ra). For a hearing. Double Petition. 2. Plea (rb), The Psalmist's Affliction. "I" (emph.). 3. Prayer (2a). "Preserve." 4. Plea (2a ). A Favoured One. 5. Prayer (2b). "Save." 6. Plea (2b ). A Trusting One. P ( ) "B rayer 3a . e gracious. 8. Plea (3b). 9. Prayer(¥), "Rejoice." IO. Plea (4b ). n. Plea (5). The Lord's Attributes. "Thou" (emph.). 12. Prayer (6). For a hearing. Double Petition.
II. INVOCATION (7). Personal Waiting upon God. 1. The Resolve (7a). 2. The Reason (7b). "for." III. INCOMPARABLENESS OF JEHOVAH (8). Central Thought. 1. Peerless in Person (Sa). 2. Peerless in Performance (Sb). IV. INTIMATION (9-10). Universal Worship of God. I. The Reverence (9). 2. The Reason (10). "for." V. IMPLORATION (n-17). Prayers and Pleas. 1. Prayers (n ). (i) Prayer (na). "Teach." (ii) Purpose (na). "Walk." (iii) Prayer (nb ). "Unify." (iv) Purpose (nb). "Fear." 2. Product (12). The P.salmist's Praise. 3. Pleas (13-15). (i) God's Goodness (13). (ii) Man's Wickedness (14). Manward-Godward. (iii) 9od's Goodness (15). 4. Prayers (16-17a). Five Petitions. 5. Product (17bc). The Persecutors' Portion. SUPERSCRIPT.-A Prayer ofDavid. PRIMARY AssocrATION .-This is. the only psalm in Book III ascribed to David. It was written perhaps on the same occasion as xxxiv. and lvi. or, possibly, during the time of Absalom's rebellion. The poet has harmonised fragments from other psalms and earlier scriptures into one beautiful prayer. Here are words that express the suppliant's deepest emotions. Note the frequency of divine titles. It is significant that the title "Adonai" occurs äxactly seven times in keeping with the theme. Note also the intense person ality of the prayer. In Ps. lxxxvi. the servant owns his Lord; in Ps. lxxxvii. the Lord owns His servants. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Messiah associates Himself once more with His suffering people in the last days. In connection with the title "Servant" it is instructive to note that in the latter half of the Book of Isaiah it refers first to Israel (xl.-xlviii.) who proved un faithful; then to Messiah (xlix.-lx.) the perfect Servant and Sufferer for the sins of others; and finally, to the faithful remnant (lxi.-lxvi.).
PERSONAL APPUCATION.-David trusted though tried. At one time or another most of the brief petitions in the psalm will find an echo in our hearts. Our hearts should ever be united, not divided or distracted hy various interests ( 11 b) ; c£ Phil. iii. 13-14. If we desire to walk in the truth, we must be taught God's way ( 1 I). However rough His way, it can never lack a song (11-12). Our praise should be from a perfect heart and that perpetually (12). In the cross of Christ God has shown us a sure token of good (17). Not signs but the Scriptures are the proper support of faith. VERSE NOTES I. "I" (emph.); "poor"= afflicted, or oppressed. 2. "godly" = favoured one, or, beloved; Heb. word connected with that translated "lovingkmdness" (5, I 3, I 5); covenant relationship pleaded; "Thou " (emph.), so also in 5, 15. e gracious unto me . . . 8. (b) hr." And there is nought like Thy works." Because (a) is true, therefore, He is willing to answer prayer; because (b), therefore He is able to do so. 9. Cf. Isa. lxvi. 23. 10. "Thou ... Thou" (emph.). 11. "fear" = revere. 12.I.e. when the prayer· (u) is answered. 13. "lowest Sheol" or, Sheol beneath. 15. "God"= El; c£ Exod. xxxiv. 6. 16. As margin; "son of Thy handmaid," syn. with "serv:l!J.t" but the term expresses a closer relationship as one bomin the house, Gen. xiv. 14; c£ Ps. cxvi. 16. 17. Br. " ... That they which hate me may be ashamed when they see that Thou ... "
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