A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures Volume 9; Critical, Doctrinal, and Homiletical

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 Excerpt: ...will I sing: For God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. EXEGETICAL AND CRITICAL. ITS CONTENTS AHD COMPOSITION.--The Psillrn is artistically arranged, in two parts consisting of two strophes each. In each part the same expressions and thoughts are rhythmically entwined with one another, and repeated with but slight differences. The Title in its first half has the same elements as those of the preceding Psalms. The other portion of the Title refers to the period of the pursuit of Saul, an episode of which is described in 1 Sam. xix. 11 sq. For the contents and form of this Psalm do not lead us to limit that dangerous situation in Oibeah to the one night before the flight which was rendered possible by Miohal. It is particularly the recurring verses, vers. 6 and 14, which describe repeated hostile waylaying, which began with the evening. Over against them the singer puts in vers. 6 and 8 the activity of Jehovah, and vers. 9 and 17 his personal relation and behaviour towards God in the assurance of victory in faith, with words which evidently refer to one another, and yet are not entirely of the same tenor. At the same time the form of expressions excludes the supposition of a change of place. It is more appropriate therefore to think of Ibis Psalm as an evening song, originating from the experience of those dangerous times at Gibeah, (Deliizsch), than to refer it to the wearisome and dang Tous flight of David after his deliverance by Michal. and to find the occasion for the Psalm in this circumstance, and put its composition in the time after this danger was overcome (Hengst.). The universal historical conception of the Divine judgment over all the heathen (vers. 5, 8; comp. ver. 13) shows that it is not necessary to think of foreign enemies; rather this ...