mh_parser/vol_split/19 - Psalms/Chapter 18.xml

<div2 id="Ps.xix" n="xix" next="Ps.xx" prev="Ps.xviii" progress="27.07%" title="Chapter XVIII">
<h2 id="Ps.xix-p0.1">P S A L M S</h2>
<h3 id="Ps.xix-p0.2">PSALM XVIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ps.xix-p1">This psalm we met with before, in the history of
David's life, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.1-2Sam.22.51" parsed="|2Sam|22|1|22|51" passage="2Sa 22:1-51">2 Sam.
xxii.</scripRef> That was the first edition of it; here we have it
revived, altered a little, and fitted for the service of the
church. It is David's thanksgiving for the many deliverances God
had wrought for him; these he desired always to preserve fresh in
his own memory and to diffuse and entail the knowledge of them. It
is an admirable composition. The poetry is very fine, the images
are bold, the expressions lofty, and every word is proper and
significant; but the piety far exceeds the poetry. Holy faith, and
love, and joy, and praise, and hope, are here lively, active, and
upon the wing. I. He triumphs in God, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.1-Ps.18.3" parsed="|Ps|18|1|18|3" passage="Ps 18:1-3">ver. 1-3</scripRef>. II. He magnifies the deliverances
God had wrought for him, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.4-Ps.18.19" parsed="|Ps|18|4|18|19" passage="Ps 18:4-19">ver.
4-19</scripRef>. III. He takes the comfort of his integrity, which
God had thereby cleared up, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.20-Ps.18.28" parsed="|Ps|18|20|18|28" passage="Ps 18:20-28">ver.
20-28</scripRef>. IV. He gives to God the glory of all his
achievements, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.29-Ps.18.42" parsed="|Ps|18|29|18|42" passage="Ps 18:29-42">ver.
29-42</scripRef>. V. He encourages himself with the expectation of
what God would further do for him and his, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.43-Ps.18.50" parsed="|Ps|18|43|18|50" passage="Ps 18:43-50">ver. 43-50</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Ps.xix-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18" parsed="|Ps|18|0|0|0" passage="Ps 18" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ps.xix-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.1-Ps.18.19" parsed="|Ps|18|1|18|19" passage="Ps 18:1-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.18.1-Ps.18.19">
<h4 id="Ps.xix-p1.9">David's Triumphs in God; Devout
Confidence.</h4>
<div class="Center" id="Ps.xix-p1.10">
<p id="Ps.xix-p2">To the chief musician, <i>A psalm</i> of David, the servant of
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p2.1">Lord</span>, who spake unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p2.2">Lord</span><br/>
the words of this song in the day <i>that</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p2.4">Lord</span> delivered him from the hand of all his
enemies.</p>
</div>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xix-p3">1 I will love thee, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p3.1">O
Lord</span>, my strength.   2 The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p3.2">Lord</span> <i>is</i> my rock, and my fortress, and my
deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler,
and the horn of my salvation, <i>and</i> my high tower.   3 I
will call upon the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p3.3">Lord</span>, <i>who is
worthy</i> to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
  4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of
ungodly men made me afraid.   5 The sorrows of hell compassed
me about: the snares of death prevented me.   6 In my distress
I called upon the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p3.4">Lord</span>, and cried
unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came
before him, <i>even</i> into his ears.   7 Then the earth
shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and
were shaken, because he was wroth.   8 There went up a smoke
out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were
kindled by it.   9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down:
and darkness <i>was</i> under his feet.   10 And he rode upon
a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
  11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round
about him <i>were</i> dark waters <i>and</i> thick clouds of the
skies.   12 At the brightness <i>that was</i> before him his
thick clouds passed, hail <i>stones</i> and coals of fire.  
13 The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p3.5">Lord</span> also thundered in the
heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail <i>stones</i> and
coals of fire.   14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered
them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.   15
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the
world were discovered at thy rebuke, <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p3.6">O
Lord</span>, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.   16
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
  17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which
hated me: for they were too strong for me.   18 They prevented
me in the day of my calamity: but the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p3.7">Lord</span> was my stay.   19 He brought me forth
also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in
me.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p4">The title gives us the occasion of penning
this psalm; we had it before (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.22.1" parsed="|2Sam|22|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 22:1">2 Sam.
xxii. 1</scripRef>), only here we are told that the psalm was
delivered <i>to the chief musician,</i> or precentor, in the
temple-songs. Note, The private compositions of good men, designed
by them for their own use, may be serviceable to the public, that
others may not only borrow light from their candle, but heat from
their fire. Examples sometimes teach better than rules. And David
is here called <i>the servant of the Lord,</i> as Moses was, not
only as every good man is God's servant, but because, with his
sceptre, with his sword, and with his pen, he greatly promoted the
interests of God's kingdom in Israel. It was more his honour that
he was a servant of the Lord than that he was king of a great
kingdom; and so he himself accounted it (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.116.16" parsed="|Ps|116|16|0|0" passage="Ps 116:16">Ps. cxvi. 16</scripRef>): <i>O Lord! truly I am thy
servant.</i> In these verses,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p5">I. He triumphs in God and his relation to
him. The first words of the psalm, <i>I will love thee, O Lord! my
strength,</i> are here prefixed as the scope and contents of the
whole. Love to God is the first and great commandment of the law,
because it is the principle of all our acceptable praise and
obedience; and this use we should make of all the mercies God
bestows upon us, our hearts should thereby be enlarged in love to
him. This he requires and will accept; and we are very ungrateful
if we grudge him so poor a return. An interest in the person loved
is the lover's delight; this string therefore he touches, and on
this he harps with much pleasure (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.2" parsed="|Ps|18|2|0|0" passage="Ps 18:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>): "<i>The Lord</i> Jehovah <i>is
my</i> God; and then he is my <i>rock, my fortress,</i> all that I
need and can desire in my present distress." For there is that in
God which is suited to all the exigencies and occasions of his
people that trust in him. "He is my rock, and strength, and
fortress;" that is, 1. "I have found him so in the greatest dangers
and difficulties." 2. "I have chosen him to be so, disclaiming all
others, and depending upon him alone to protect me." Those that
truly love God may thus triumph in him as theirs, and may with
confidence call upon him, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.3" parsed="|Ps|18|3|0|0" passage="Ps 18:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. This further use we should make of our deliverances,
we must not only love God the better, but love prayer the
better—<i>call upon him as long as we live,</i> especially in time
of trouble, with an assurance that so we shall be saved; for thus
it is written, <i>Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.2.21" parsed="|Acts|2|21|0|0" passage="Ac 2:21">Acts ii.
21</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p6">II. He sets himself to magnify the
deliverances God had wrought for him, that he might be the more
affected in his returns of praise. It is good for us to observe all
the circumstances of a mercy, which magnify the power of God and
his goodness to us in it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p7">1. The more imminent and threatening the
danger was out of which we were delivered the greater is the mercy
of the deliverance. David now remembered how the forces of his
enemies poured in upon him, which he calls <i>the floods of
Belial,</i> shoals of the children of Belial, likely to overpower
him with numbers. They surrounded him, <i>compassed him about;</i>
they surprised him, and by that means were very near seizing him;
their snares prevented him, and, when without were fightings,
within were fears and sorrows, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.4-Ps.18.5" parsed="|Ps|18|4|18|5" passage="Ps 18:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4, 5</scripRef>. His spirit was overwhelmed,
and he looked upon himself as a lost man; see <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.116.3" parsed="|Ps|116|3|0|0" passage="Ps 116:3">Ps. cxvi. 3</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p8">2. The more earnest we have been with God
for deliverance, and the more direct answer it is to our prayers,
the more we are obliged to be thankful. David's deliverances were
so, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.6" parsed="|Ps|18|6|0|0" passage="Ps 18:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. David was
found a praying man, and God was found a prayer-hearing God. If we
pray as he did, we shall speed as he did. Though distress drive us
to prayer, God will not therefore be deaf to us; nay, being a God
of pity, he will be the more ready to succour us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p9">3. The more wonderful God's appearances are
in any deliverance the greater it is: such were the deliverances
wrought for David, in which God's manifestation of his presence and
glorious attributes is most magnificently described, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.7-Ps.18.15" parsed="|Ps|18|7|18|15" passage="Ps 18:7-15"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>, &amp;c. Little
appeared of man, but much of God, in these deliverances. (1.) He
appeared a God of almighty power; for he made the earth shake and
tremble, and moved even the <i>foundations of the hills</i>
(<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.7" parsed="|Ps|18|7|0|0" passage="Ps 18:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), as of old at
Mount Sinai. When the men of the earth were struck with fear, then
the earth might be said to <i>tremble;</i> when the great men of
the earth were put into confusion, then the hills moved. (2.) He
showed his anger and displeasure against the enemies and
persecutors of his people: <i>He was wroth,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.7" parsed="|Ps|18|7|0|0" passage="Ps 18:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. His wrath smoked, it burned, it
was fire, it was devouring fire (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.8" parsed="|Ps|18|8|0|0" passage="Ps 18:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), and <i>coals were kindled by
it.</i> Those that by their own sins make themselves as coals (that
is, fuel) to this fire will be consumed by it. He that ordains his
arrows against the persecutors sends them forth when he pleases,
and they are sure to hit the mark and do execution; for those
arrows are lightnings, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.14" parsed="|Ps|18|14|0|0" passage="Ps 18:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>. (3.) He showed his readiness to plead his people's
cause and work deliverance for them; for he rode upon a cherub and
did fly, for the maintaining of right and the relieving of his
distressed servants, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.10" parsed="|Ps|18|10|0|0" passage="Ps 18:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. No opposition, no obstruction, can be given to him
<i>who rides upon the wings of the wind, who rides on the heavens,
for the help of his people, and, in his excellency, on the
skies.</i> (4.) He showed his condescension, in taking cognizance
of David's case: <i>He bowed the heavens and came down</i>
(<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.9" parsed="|Ps|18|9|0|0" passage="Ps 18:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), did not send
an angel, but came himself, as one afflicted in the afflictions of
his people. (5.) He wrapped himself in darkness, and yet commanded
light to shine out of darkness for his people, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.45.15" parsed="|Isa|45|15|0|0" passage="Isa 45:15">Isa. xlv. 15</scripRef>. He is a God that hideth
himself; for he <i>made darkness his pavilion,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.11" parsed="|Ps|18|11|0|0" passage="Ps 18:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. his glory is invisible,
his counsels are unsearchable, and his proceedings unaccountable,
and so, as to us, clouds and darkness are round about him; we know
not the way that he takes, even when he is coming towards us in
ways of mercy; but, when his designs are secret, they are kind;
for, though he hide himself, he is the God of Israel, the Saviour.
And, <i>at his brightness, the thick clouds pass</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p9.10" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.12" parsed="|Ps|18|12|0|0" passage="Ps 18:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), comfort returns, the
face of affairs is changed, and that which was gloomy and
threatening becomes serene and pleasant.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p10">4. The greater the difficulties are that
lie in the way of deliverance the more glorious the deliverance is.
For the rescuing of David, the waters were to be divided till the
very channels were seen; the earth was to be cloven till the very
foundations of it were discovered, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.15" parsed="|Ps|18|15|0|0" passage="Ps 18:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. There were waters deep and
many, waters out of which he was to be drawn (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.16" parsed="|Ps|18|16|0|0" passage="Ps 18:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), as Moses, who had his name
from being drawn out of the water literally, as David was
figuratively. His enemies were strong, and they hated him; had he
been left to himself, they would have been too strong for him,
<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.17" parsed="|Ps|18|17|0|0" passage="Ps 18:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. And they were
too quick for him; for they <i>prevented him in the day of his
calamity,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.18" parsed="|Ps|18|18|0|0" passage="Ps 18:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>.
But, in the midst of his troubles, the Lord was his stay, so that
he did not sink. Note, God will not only deliver his people out of
their troubles in due time, but he will sustain them and bear them
up under their troubles in the mean time.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p11">5. That which especially magnified the
deliverance was that his comfort was the fruit of it and God's
favour was the root and fountain of it. (1.) It was an introduction
to his preferment, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.19" parsed="|Ps|18|19|0|0" passage="Ps 18:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. "He brought me forth also out of my straits into a
large place, where I had room, not only to turn, but to thrive in."
(2.) It was a token of God's favour to him, and that made it doubly
sweet: "<i>He delivered me because he delighted in me,</i> not for
my merit, but for his own grace and good-will." Compare this with
<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.15.26" parsed="|2Sam|15|26|0|0" passage="2Sa 15:26">2 Sam. xv. 26</scripRef>, <i>If he
thus say, I have no delight in thee, here I am.</i> We owe our
salvation, that great deliverance, to the delight God had in the
Son of David, in whom he has declared himself to be well
pleased.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p12">In singing this we must triumph in God, and
trust in him: and we may apply it to Christ the Son of David. The
sorrows of death surrounded him; in his distress he prayed
(<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.5.7" parsed="|Heb|5|7|0|0" passage="Heb 5:7">Heb. v. 7</scripRef>); God made the
earth to shake and tremble, and the rocks to cleave, and brought
him out, in his resurrection, into a large place, because he
delighted in him and in his undertaking.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.xix-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.20-Ps.18.28" parsed="|Ps|18|20|18|28" passage="Ps 18:20-28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.18.20-Ps.18.28">
<h4 id="Ps.xix-p12.3">Devout Thanksgivings; Devout
Confidence</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xix-p13">20 The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p13.1">Lord</span>
rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the
cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.   21 For I have
kept the ways of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p13.2">Lord</span>, and have
not wickedly departed from my God.   22 For all his judgments
<i>were</i> before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
  23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from
mine iniquity.   24 Therefore hath the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p13.3">Lord</span> recompensed me according to my
righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his
eyesight.   25 With the merciful thou wilt show thyself
merciful; with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright;
  26 With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the
froward thou wilt show thyself froward.   27 For thou wilt
save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.  
28 For thou wilt light my candle: the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p13.4">Lord</span> my God will enlighten my darkness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p14">Here, I. David reflects with comfort upon
his own integrity, and rejoices in the testimony of his conscience
that he had had his conversation in godly sincerity and not with
fleshly wisdom, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.12" parsed="|2Cor|1|12|0|0" passage="2Co 1:12">2 Cor. i.
12</scripRef>. His deliverances were an evidence of this, and this
was the great comfort of his deliverances. His enemies had
misrepresented him, and perhaps, when his troubles continued long,
he began to suspect himself; but, when God visibly took his part,
he had both the credit and the comfort of his righteousness. 1. His
deliverances cleared his innocency before men, and acquitted him
from those crimes which he was falsely accused of. This he calls
<i>rewarding him according to his righteousness</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.20 Bible:Ps.18.24" parsed="|Ps|18|20|0|0;|Ps|18|24|0|0" passage="Ps 18:20,24"><i>v.</i> 20, 24</scripRef>), that is,
determining the controversy between him and his enemies, according
to the justice of his cause and the cleanness of his hands, from
that sedition, treason, and rebellion, with which he was charged.
He had often appealed to God concerning his innocency; and now God
had given judgment upon the appeal (as he always will) according to
equity. 2. They confirmed the testimony of his own conscience for
him, which he here reviews with a great deal of pleasure, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.21-Ps.18.23" parsed="|Ps|18|21|18|23" passage="Ps 18:21-23"><i>v.</i> 21-23</scripRef>. His own heart
knows, and is ready to attest it, (1.) That he had kept firmly to
his duty, and had not departed, not wickedly, not wilfully
departed, from his God. Those that forsake the ways of the Lord do,
in effect, depart from their God, and it is a wicked thing to do
so. But though we are conscious to ourselves of many a stumble, and
many a false step taken, yet if we recover ourselves by repentance,
and go on in the way of our duty, it shall not be construed into a
departure, for it is not a wicked departure, from our God. (2.)
That he had kept his eye upon the rule of God's commands (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.22" parsed="|Ps|18|22|0|0" passage="Ps 18:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>): "<i>All his judgments
were before me;</i> and I had a respect to them all, despised none
as little, disliked none as hard, but made it my care and business
to conform to them all. His statutes I did not put away from me,
out of my sight, out of my mind, but kept my eye always upon them,
and did not as those who, because they would quit the ways of the
Lord, desire not the knowledge of those ways." (3.) That he had
kept himself from his iniquity, and thereby had approved himself
upright before God. Constant care to abstain from that sin,
whatever it be, which most easily besets us, and to mortify the
habit of it, will be a good evidence for us that we are upright
before God. As David's deliverances cleared his integrity, so did
the exaltation of Christ clear his, and for ever roll away the
reproach that was cast upon him; and therefore he is said to be
<i>justified in the Spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.16" parsed="|1Tim|3|16|0|0" passage="1Ti 3:16">1 Tim.
iii. 16</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p15">II. He takes occasion thence to lay down
the rules of God's government and judgment, that we may know not
only what God expects from us, but what we may expect from him,
<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.25-Ps.18.26" parsed="|Ps|18|25|18|26" passage="Ps 18:25,26"><i>v.</i> 25, 26</scripRef>. 1.
Those that show mercy to others (even they need mercy, and cannot
depend upon the merit, no, not of their works of mercy) shall find
mercy with God, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.7" parsed="|Matt|5|7|0|0" passage="Mt 5:7">Matt. v. 7</scripRef>.
2. Those that are faithful to their covenants with God, and the
relations wherein they stand to him, shall find him all that to
them which he has promised to be. Wherever God finds an upright
man, he will be found an upright God. 3. Those that serve God with
a pure conscience shall find that the words of the Lord are pure
words, very sure to be depended on and very sweet to be delighted in.
4. Those that resist God, and walk contrary to him, shall find that
he will resist them, and walk contrary to them, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Lev.26.21 Bible:Lev.26.24" parsed="|Lev|26|21|0|0;|Lev|26|24|0|0" passage="Le 26:21,24">Lev. xxvi. 21, 24</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p16">III. Hence he speaks comfort to the humble
("<i>Thou wilt save the afflicted people,</i> that are wronged and
bear it patiently"), terror to the proud ("Thou <i>wilt bring down
high looks,</i> that aim high, and look with scorn and disdain upon
the poor and pious"), and encouragement to himself—"<i>Thou wilt
light my candle,</i> that is, thou wilt revive and comfort my
sorrowful spirit, and not leave me melancholy; thou wilt recover me
out of my troubles and restore me to peace and prosperity; thou
wilt make my honour bright, which is now eclipsed; thou wilt guide
my way, and make it plain before me, that I may avoid the snares
laid for me; thou wilt light my candle to work by, and give me an
opportunity of serving thee and the interests of thy kingdom among
men."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p17">Let those that walk in darkness, and labour
under many discouragements in singing these verses, encourage
themselves that God himself will be a light to them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ps.xix-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.29-Ps.18.50" parsed="|Ps|18|29|18|50" passage="Ps 18:29-50" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ps.18.29-Ps.18.50">
<h4 id="Ps.xix-p17.2">Grateful Remembrance of Past Deliverances;
Confidence in the Divine Goodness.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ps.xix-p18">29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and
by my God have I leaped over a wall.   30 <i>As for</i> God,
his way <i>is</i> perfect: the word of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p18.1">Lord</span> is tried: he <i>is</i> a buckler to all
those that trust in him.   31 For who <i>is</i> God save the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p18.2">Lord</span>? or who <i>is</i> a rock save
our God?   32 <i>It is</i> God that girdeth me with strength,
and maketh my way perfect.   33 He maketh my feet like hinds'
<i>feet,</i> and setteth me upon my high places.   34 He
teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine
arms.   35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy
salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness
hath made me great.   36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me,
that my feet did not slip.   37 I have pursued mine enemies,
and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were
consumed.   38 I have wounded them that they were not able to
rise: they are fallen under my feet.   39 For thou hast girded
me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those
that rose up against me.   40 Thou hast also given me the
necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
  41 They cried, but <i>there was</i> none to save <i>them:
even</i> unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p18.3">Lord</span>, but he
answered them not.   42 Then did I beat them small as the dust
before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
  43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people;
<i>and</i> thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people
<i>whom</i> I have not known shall serve me.   44 As soon as
they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit
themselves unto me.   45 The strangers shall fade away, and be
afraid out of their close places.   46 The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p18.4">Lord</span> liveth; and blessed <i>be</i> my rock; and
let the God of my salvation be exalted.   47 <i>It is</i> God
that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.   48 He
delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above
those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the
violent man.   49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee,
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ps.xix-p18.5">O Lord</span>, among the heathen, and sing
praises unto thy name.   50 Great deliverance giveth he to his
king; and showeth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed
for evermore.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p19">In these verses,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p20">I. David looks back, with thankfulness,
upon the great things which God had done for him. He had not only
wrought deliverance for him, but had given him victory and success,
and made him triumph over those who thought to triumph over him.
When we set ourselves to praise God for one mercy we must be led by
that to observe the many more with which we have been compassed
about, and followed, all our days. Many things had contributed to
David's advancement, and he owns the hand of God in them all, to
teach us to do likewise, in reviewing the several steps by which we
have risen to our prosperity. 1. God had given him all his skill
and understanding in military affairs, which he was not bred up to
nor designed for, his genius leading him more to music, and poetry,
and a contemplative life: <i>He teaches my hands to war,</i>
<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.34" parsed="|Ps|18|34|0|0" passage="Ps 18:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. 2. God had
given him bodily strength to go through the business and fatigue of
war: God <i>girded him with strength</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.32 Bible:Ps.18.39" parsed="|Ps|18|32|0|0;|Ps|18|39|0|0" passage="Ps 18:32,39"><i>v.</i> 32, 39</scripRef>), to such a degree that
he could break even a bow of steel, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.34" parsed="|Ps|18|34|0|0" passage="Ps 18:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. What service God designs men
for he will be sure to fit them for. 3. God had likewise given him
great swiftness, not to flee from the enemies but to fly upon them
(<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.33" parsed="|Ps|18|33|0|0" passage="Ps 18:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>): <i>He makes
my feet like hinds' feet,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.36" parsed="|Ps|18|36|0|0" passage="Ps 18:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>. "<i>Thou hast enlarged my steps
under me;</i> but" (whereas those that take large steps are apt to
tread awry) "my feet did not slip." He was so swift that he pursued
his enemies and overtook them, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.37" parsed="|Ps|18|37|0|0" passage="Ps 18:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>. 4. God had made him very bold
and daring in his enterprises, and given him spirit proportionable
to his strength. If a troop stood in his way, he made nothing of
running through them; if a wall, he made nothing of leaping over it
(<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.29" parsed="|Ps|18|29|0|0" passage="Ps 18:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>); if ramparts
and bulwarks, he soon mounted them, and by divine assistance set
his feet upon the high places of the enemy, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.33" parsed="|Ps|18|33|0|0" passage="Ps 18:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. 5. God had protected him, and
kept him safe, in the midst of the greatest perils. Many a time he
put his life in his hand, and yet it was wonderfully preserved:
"<i>Thou hast given me the shield of thy salvation</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.9" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.35" parsed="|Ps|18|35|0|0" passage="Ps 18:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>), and that has compassed
me on every side. By that I have been delivered from the strivings
of the people who aimed at my destruction (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.10" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.43" parsed="|Ps|18|43|0|0" passage="Ps 18:43"><i>v.</i> 43</scripRef>), particularly from the violent
man" (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.11" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.48" parsed="|Ps|18|48|0|0" passage="Ps 18:48"><i>v.</i> 48</scripRef>), that
is, Saul, who more than once threw a javelin at him. 6. God had
prospered him in his designs; he it was that made his way perfect
(<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.12" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.32" parsed="|Ps|18|32|0|0" passage="Ps 18:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>) and it was
his right hand that held him up, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.13" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.35" parsed="|Ps|18|35|0|0" passage="Ps 18:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>. 7. God had given him victory
over his enemies, the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, and all
that fought against Israel: those especially he means, yet not
excluding the house of Saul, which opposed his coming to the crown,
and the partisans of Absalom and Sheba, who would have deposed him.
He enlarges much upon the goodness of God to him in defeating his
enemies, attributing his victories, not to his own sword or bow,
nor to the valour of his mighty men, but to the favour of God: <i>I
pursued</i> them (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.14" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.37" parsed="|Ps|18|37|0|0" passage="Ps 18:37"><i>v.</i>
37</scripRef>), <i>I wounded them</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.15" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.38" parsed="|Ps|18|38|0|0" passage="Ps 18:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>); <i>for thou hast girded me
with strength</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.16" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.39" parsed="|Ps|18|39|0|0" passage="Ps 18:39"><i>v.</i>
39</scripRef>), else I could not have done it. All the praise is
ascribed to God: <i>Thou hast subdued them under me,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.17" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.39" parsed="|Ps|18|39|0|0" passage="Ps 18:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>. Thou hast <i>given me
their necks</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.18" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.40" parsed="|Ps|18|40|0|0" passage="Ps 18:40"><i>v.</i>
40</scripRef>), not only to trample upon them (as <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.19" osisRef="Bible:Josh.10.24" parsed="|Josh|10|24|0|0" passage="Jos 10:24">Josh. x. 24</scripRef>), but to cut them off.
Even those who hated David whom God loved, and were enemies to the
Israel of God, in their distress cried unto the Lord: but in vain;
he answered them not. How could they expect he should when it was
he whom they fought against? And, when he disowned them (as he will
all those that act against his people), no other succours could
stand them in stead: <i>There was none to save them,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.20" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.41" parsed="|Ps|18|41|0|0" passage="Ps 18:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>. Those whom God has
abandoned are easily vanquished: <i>Then did I beat them small as
the dust,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.21" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.42" parsed="|Ps|18|42|0|0" passage="Ps 18:42"><i>v.</i> 42</scripRef>.
But those whose cause is just he avenges (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.22" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.47" parsed="|Ps|18|47|0|0" passage="Ps 18:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>), and those whom he favours will
certainly be <i>lifted up above those that rise up against
them,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.23" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.48" parsed="|Ps|18|48|0|0" passage="Ps 18:48"><i>v.</i> 48</scripRef>. 8.
God had raised him to the throne, and not only delivered him and
kept him alive, but dignified him and made him great (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.24" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.35" parsed="|Ps|18|35|0|0" passage="Ps 18:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>): <i>Thy gentleness has
increased me</i>—thy <i>discipline</i> and <i>instruction;</i> so
some. The good lessons David learned in his affliction prepared him
for the dignity and power that were intended him; and the lessening
of him helped very much to increase his greatness. God made him not
only a great conqueror, but a great ruler: <i>Thou hast made me the
head of the heathen</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.25" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.43" parsed="|Ps|18|43|0|0" passage="Ps 18:43"><i>v.</i>
43</scripRef>); all the neighbouring nations were tributaries to
him. See <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p20.26" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.8.6 Bible:2Sam.8.11" parsed="|2Sam|8|6|0|0;|2Sam|8|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 8:6,11">2 Sam. viii. 6,
11</scripRef>. In all this David was a type of Christ, whom the
Father brought safely through his conflicts with the powers of
darkness, and made victorious over them, and gave to be head over
all things to his church, which is his body.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p21">II. David looks up with humble and reverent
adorations of the divine glory and perfection. When God had, by his
providence, magnified him, he endeavours, with his praises, to
magnify God, to bless him and exalt him, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.46" parsed="|Ps|18|46|0|0" passage="Ps 18:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>. He gives honour to him, 1. As a
living God: <i>The Lord liveth,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.46" parsed="|Ps|18|46|0|0" passage="Ps 18:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>. We had our lives at first from,
and we owe the continuance of them to, that God who has life in
himself and is therefore fitly called <i>the living God.</i> The
gods of the heathen were dead gods. The best friends we have among
men are dying friends. But God lives, lives for ever, and will not
fail those that trust in him, but, because he lives, they shall
live also; for he is their life. 2. As a finishing God: <i>As for
God,</i> he is not only perfect himself, but <i>his way is
perfect,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.30" parsed="|Ps|18|30|0|0" passage="Ps 18:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>.
He is known by his name <i>Jehovah</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.6.3" parsed="|Exod|6|3|0|0" passage="Ex 6:3">Exod. vi. 3</scripRef>), a God performing and perfecting
what he begins in providence as well as creation, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.2.1" parsed="|Gen|2|1|0|0" passage="Ge 2:1">Gen. ii. 1</scripRef>. If it was God that made
David's way perfect (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.32" parsed="|Ps|18|32|0|0" passage="Ps 18:32"><i>v.</i>
32</scripRef>), much more is his own way so. There is no flaw in
God's works, nor any fault to be found with what he does, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.7" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.3.14" parsed="|Eccl|3|14|0|0" passage="Ec 3:14">Eccl. iii. 14</scripRef>. And what he undertakes
he will go through with, whatever difficulties lie in the way; what
God begins to build he is able to finish. 3. As a faithful God:
<i>The word of the Lord is tried.</i> "I have tried it" (says
David), "and it has not failed me." All the saints, in all ages,
have tried it, and it never failed any that trusted in it. It is
tried as silver is tried, refined from all such mixture and alloy
as lessen the value of men's words. David, in God's providences
concerning him, takes notice of the performance of his promises to
him, which, as it puts sweetness into the providence, so it puts
honour upon the promise. 4. As the protector and defender of his
people. David had found him so to him: "<i>He is the God of my
salvation</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.46" parsed="|Ps|18|46|0|0" passage="Ps 18:46"><i>v.</i>
46</scripRef>), by whose power and grace I am and hope to be saved;
but not of mine only: he is <i>a buckler to all those that trust in
him</i> (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.9" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.30" parsed="|Ps|18|30|0|0" passage="Ps 18:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>); he
shelters and protects them all, is both able and ready to do so."
5. As a non-such in all this, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.10" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.31" parsed="|Ps|18|31|0|0" passage="Ps 18:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>. There is a God, and <i>who is
God save Jehovah?</i> That God is a rock, for the support and
shelter of his faithful worshippers; and <i>who is a rock save our
God?</i> Thus he not only gives glory to God, but encourages his
own faith in him. Note, (1.) Whoever pretends to be deities, it is
certain that there is no God, save the Lord; all others are
counterfeits, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p21.11" osisRef="Bible:Isa.44.8 Bible:Jer.10.10" parsed="|Isa|44|8|0|0;|Jer|10|10|0|0" passage="Isa 44:8,Jer 10:10">Isa. xliv. 8;
Jer. x. 10</scripRef>. (2.) Whoever pretends to be our felicities,
there is no rock, save our God; none that we can depend upon to
make us happy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p22">III. David looks forward, with a believing
hope that God would still do him good. He promises himself, 1. That
his enemies should be completely subdued, and that those of them
that yet remained should be made his footstool,—that his
government should be extensive, so that even a people whom he had
not known should serve him (<scripRef id="Ps.xix-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.43" parsed="|Ps|18|43|0|0" passage="Ps 18:43"><i>v.</i>
43</scripRef>),—that his conquests, and, consequently, his
acquests, should be easy (<i>As soon as they hear of me they shall
obey me,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.44" parsed="|Ps|18|44|0|0" passage="Ps 18:44"><i>v.</i> 44</scripRef>),
—and that his enemies should be convinced that it was to no
purpose to oppose him; even those that had retired to their
fastnesses should not trust to them, but be afraid out of their
close places, having seen so much of David's wisdom, courage, and
success. Thus the Son of David, though he sees not yet all things
put under him, yet knows he shall reign till all opposing rule,
principality, and power shall be quite put down. 2. That his seed
should be forever continued in the Messiah, who, he foresaw, should
come from his loins, <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.50" parsed="|Ps|18|50|0|0" passage="Ps 18:50"><i>v.</i>
50</scripRef>. He <i>shows mercy to his anointed,</i> his Messiah,
<i>to David</i> himself, the anointed of the God of Jacob in the
type, <i>and to his seed for evermore. He saith not unto seeds, as
of many, but to his seed, as of one, that is Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p22.4" osisRef="Bible:Gal.3.16" parsed="|Gal|3|16|0|0" passage="Ga 3:16">Gal. iii. 16</scripRef>. It is he only that shall
reign for ever, and of the increase of whose government and peace
there shall be no end. Christ is called <i>David,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p22.5" osisRef="Bible:Hos.3.5" parsed="|Hos|3|5|0|0" passage="Ho 3:5">Hos. iii. 5</scripRef>. God has called him <i>his
king,</i> <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p22.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.6" parsed="|Ps|2|6|0|0" passage="Ps 2:6">Ps. ii. 6</scripRef>. Great
deliverance God does give, and will give to him, and to his church
and people, here called <i>his seed, for evermore.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ps.xix-p23">In singing <scripRef id="Ps.xix-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.29-Ps.18.50" parsed="|Ps|18|29|18|50" passage="Ps 18:29-50">these verses</scripRef> we must give God the glory of
the victories of Christ and his church hitherto and of all the
deliverances and advancements of the gospel kingdom, and encourage
ourselves and one another with an assurance that the church
militant will be shortly triumphant, will be eternally so.</p>
</div></div2>