among them--or, "within them," in their hearts ([Psa 5:9]; ).
16-18. God answers his constant and repeated prayers.
19. God hears the wicked in wrath.
abideth--or, "sitteth."
of old--enthroned as a sovereign.
Because ... no changes--Prosperity hardens them ([Psa 73:5]).
20-21. The treachery is aggravated by hypocrisy. The changes of number, [Psa 55:15], , and here, enliven the picture, and imply that the chief traitor and his accomplices are in view together.
22. thy burden--literally, "gift," what is assigned you.
he shall sustain--literally, "supply food," and so all need ([Psa 37:25]; [Mt 6:11]).
to be moved--from the secure position of His favor (compare [Psa 10:6]).
23. bloody ... days--(compare [Psa 5:6]; ), deceit and murderous dispositions often united. The threat is directed specially (not as a general truth) against the wicked, then in the writer's view.
Psalm 56
Psa 56:1-13. Upon Jonath-elem-rechokim--literally, "upon the dove of silence" of distant places; either denoting a melody (see on Psa 9:1) of that name, to which this Psalm was to be performed; or it is an enigmatical form of denoting the subject, as given in the history referred to (1Sa 21:11, &c.), David being regarded as an uncomplaining, meek dove, driven from his native home to wander in exile. Beset by domestic and foreign foes, David appeals confidently to God, recites his complaints, and closes with joyful and assured anticipations of God's continued help
1-2. would swallow--literally, "pants as a raging beast" ([Ac 9:1]).
3. in--or literally, "unto."
thee--to whom he turns in trouble.
4. in God ... his word--By His grace or aid ([Psa 60:12]; ), or, "I will boast in God as to His word"; in either case His word is the special matter and cause of praise.
flesh--for mankind ([Psa 65:2]; [Is 31:3]), intimating frailty.
5-6. A vivid picture of the conduct of malicious enemies.
7. Shall they escape? &c.--or better, "Their escape is by iniquity."
cast ... people--humble those who so proudly oppose Thy servant.
8. God is mindful of his exile and remembers his tears. The custom of bottling the tears of mourners as a memorial, which has existed in some Eastern nations, may explain the figure.
9. God is for me--or, "on my side" ([Psa 118:6]; , 2); hence he is sure of the repulse of his foes.
12. I will render praises--will pay what I have vowed.
13. The question implies an affirmative answer, drawn from past experience.
falling--as from a precipice.
before God--in His favor during life.
Psalm 57
Psa 57:1-11. Altaschith--or, "Destroy not." This is perhaps an enigmatical allusion to the critical circumstances connected with the history, for which compare 1Sa 22:1; 26:1-3. In Moses' prayer (De 9:26) it is a prominent petition deprecating God's anger against the people. This explanation suits the fifty-eighth and fifty-ninth also. Asaph uses it for the seventy-fifth, in the scope of which there is allusion to some emergency. Michtam--(See on Psa 16:1, title). To an earnest cry for divine aid, the Psalmist adds, as often, the language of praise, in the assured hope of a favorable hearing
1. my soul--or self, or life, which is threatened.
shadow of thy wings--([Psa 17:8]; ).
calamities--literally, "mischiefs" ([Psa 52:2]; ).
2. performeth--or, completes what He has begun.
3. from ... swallow me up--that pants in rage after me ([Psa 56:2]).
mercy and ... truth--([Psa 25:10]; ), as messengers ([Psa 43:3]) sent to deliver him.
4. The mingled figures of wild beasts ([Psa 10:9]; ) and weapons of war ([Psa 11:2]) heighten the picture of danger.
whose ... tongue--or slanders.
5. This doxology illustrates his view of the connection of his deliverance with God's glory.
6. (Compare [Psa 7:15]; , ).
7. I will ... praise--both with voice and instrument.
8. Hence--he addresses his glory, or tongue ([Psa 16:9]; ), and his psaltery, or lute, and harp.
I myself ... early--literally, "I will awaken dawn," poetically expressing his zeal and diligence.
9-10. As His mercy and truth, so shall His praise, fill the universe.