INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PSALMS. Psalm cx. "The Lord said unto my Lord." The advent, birth, passion, priesthood, and kingdom of Christ. Probably composed by David. Psalm cxxxix. "O Lord, thou hast searched me." On the wisdom and providence of God. Psalm cxlv. "I will extol thee, my God, O King." Thanksgiving for the general benefits bestowed by God. In none of these is there any distinct notation of time. II. PSALMS composed by David while persecuted by Saul. Psalm xi. "In the Lord put I my trust." Composed by David when in the court of Saul; his friends exhorting him to escape for his life from the jealousy and cruelty of Saul. Psalm xxxi. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust." Composed when David was proscribed, and obliged to flee from Saul's court. Psalm xxxiv. "I will bless the Lord at all times." Supposed to have been composed by David when, by feigning himself to be mad, he escaped from the court of Achish, king of Gath. Psalm lvi. "Be merciful unto me, O God." Composed in the cave of Adullam, after his escape from Achish. Psalm xvi. "Preserve me, O God." David persecuted by Saul, and obliged to take refuge among the Moabites and Philistines. Psalm liv. "Save me, O God, by thy name." David, betrayed by the Ziphims, escapes from the hands of Saul. Psalm lii. "Why boastest thou thyself in mischief." Composed by David when Doeg betrayed him to Saul, who, not finding him, slew the priests at Nob. Psalm cix. "Hold not thy peace, O God." An invective against Doeg, and the rest of his enemies. Psalm xvii. "Hear the right, O Lord." When Saul carried his persecution to the highest pitch. Psalm xxii. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me." Saul's persecution of David, an emblem of the persecution of Christ by the Jews. Psalm xxxv. "Plead my cause, O Lord." Against Saul and his courtiers, who plotted his destruction. Psalm lvii. "Be merciful unto me, O God." While shut up in the cave of En-gedi; 1 Sam. xxiv. 4. Psalm lviii. "Do ye indeed speak righteousness." Against the wicked counsellors of Saul. 1 Sam. xxiv. Psalm cxl. "Deliver me, O Lord." succour. 66 with my voice." Under the same persecutions, praying for divine Psalm cxli. "Lord, I cry unto thee." Same as the preceding. Psalm vii. "O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust." by Saul. When violently persecuted III. PSALMS composed after the Commencement of the Reign of David, and after the Death of Saul. Psalm ii. "Why do the heathen rage." Written by David after he had established his throne at Jerusalem, notwithstanding the envy and malice of his enemies. A prophecy of the reign of Christ. Psalm ix. "I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart." Sung by David on bringing the ark from the house of Obed-edom. Psalm xxiv. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." Sung on the same occasion. Psalm lxviii. "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered." Sung on bringing the ark from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem. Psalm ci. "I will sing of mercy and judgment." David describes the manner in which he will form his court, his ministers and confidential servants. Psalm xxix. "Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty." Composed after the dearth which fell on the land because of Saul's unjust persecution of the Gibeonites; 2 Sam. xxi. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PSALMS. Psalm xx. "The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble." Composed when David was about to march against the Ammonites and Syrians; 2 Sam. x. 16. Psalm xxi. "The king shall joy in thy strength." Thanksgiving to God for the victory over the Ammonites, &c.; a continuation of the subject in the preceding. Psalm xxxviii. "O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath." Composed during the time of a grievous affliction, after his transgression with Bath-sheba. See Ps. vi. Psalm xxxix. "I said, I will take heed to my ways." A continuation of the same subject. Psalm xl. "I waited patiently for the Lord." Thanksgiving for his recovery. Psalm xli. "Blessed is he who considereth the poor." A continuation of the preceding subject. Psalm vi. "O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger." Supposed to be written in a time of sickness after his sin with Bath-sheba. See Ps. xxxviii. Psalm li. “Have mercy upon me, O God." Written after he received the reproof by Nathan the prophet; 2 Sam. xii. Psalm xxxii. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven." Written about the same time, and on the same subject. Psalm xxxiii. "Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous." A continuation of the preceding Psalm. IV. PSALMS composed during the Rebellion of Absalom. Psalm iii. "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me?" When David was driven from Jerusalem by Absalom. Psalm iv. "Hear me when I call." Composed at the same time. When he was flying from Jerusalem before Absalom. Psalm lxii. "Truly my soul waiteth upon God." Exercising faith and patience during Absalom's rebellion. During the same. Psalm lxx. “Make haste, O God, to deliver me." V. PSALMS written between the Rebellion of Absalom, and the Babylonish Captivity. Psalm xviii. "I will love thee, O Lord my strength." Thanksgivings for all the benefits which David had received from God. See 2 Sam. xxii. Psalm xxx. "I will extol thee, O Lord." of Ornan; 2 Sam. xxiv. 25. Composed at the dedication of the threshing-floor Psalm lxxii. "Give the king thy judgments." Composed by David when he invested Solomon with the kingdom. Psalm xlv. "My heart is inditing a good matter." Written by the sons of Korah, for Solomon's marriage. Psalm lxxviii. "Give ear, O my people." Sung by the choir of Asaph, on the victory gained by Asa over Baasha king of Israel; 2 Chron. xvi. 4, &c. Psalm lxxxii. "God standeth in the congregation." Instructions given to the judges in the days of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Psalm Ixxxiii. "Keep not thou silence, O God." Thanksgiving for the victories of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, over the Ammonites, Idumeans, and others. See 2 Chron. xx. 1, &c. Psalm lxxvi. "In Judah is God known." Sung by the choir of Asaph after the victory over Sennacherib. Psalm lxxiv. "O God, why hast thou cast us off?" Lamentation over the temple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Psalm lxxix. "O God, the heathen are come." On the same subject; composed probably during the captivity. VI. PSALMS composed during the Captivity. Psalm x. "Why standest thou afar off?" Lamentation of the Jews during the captivity. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PSALMS. Psalm xii. "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth." Composed by the captive Jews, showing the wickedness of the Babylonians. Psalm xiii. "How long wilt thou forget me." Continuation of the preceding. Psalm xiv. "The fool hath said in his heart." A prayer of the poor captives for deliverance from their captivity. Psalm liii. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." This psalm is almost verbatim with Psalm xiv., and, like it, describes the wickedness of the Babylonians; both having been composed during the captivity. Psalm xv. "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle?" This psalm was probably intended to point out the character of those who might expect to return to their own land, and join in the temple service. Psalm xxv. "Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul." A prayer of the captives for deliverance. Psalm xxvi. "Judge me, O Lord." Continuation of the same. Psalm xxvii. "The Lord is my light and my salvation." The captives express their confidence in God. Psalm xxviii. "Unto thee will I cry." Prayers and thanksgivings of the captives. Psalm xxxvi. "The transgression of the wicked." Complaints of the captives against the Babylonians. Psalm xxxvii. "Fret not thyself." Psalm xlii. "As the hart panteth." A psalm of consolation for the captives. Composed by the sons of Korah during the captivity. Psalm xliii. "Judge me, O God." Continuation of the same. Psalm xliv. "We have heard with our ears." Same subject. Psalm xlix. "Hear this, all ye people." By the sons of Korah: comfort for the captives. Psalm 1. "The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken." God's reprehension of the Jews, showing them the cause of their captivity. Psalm lx. "O God, thou hast cast us off." restoration. The captives express their hope of a speedy Psalm lxiv. "Hear my voice, O God." The captives complain of their oppression under the Babylonians. Psalm lxix. "Save me, O God." The captive Levites complain of the cruelty of the Babylonians. Psalm lxxiii. "Truly God is good to Israel." Asaph warns the captives against the bad example of the Babylonians, and against being envious at the prosperity of the wicked. Compare this with Psalm xxxvii. Psalm lxxv. "Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks." Asaph prays for the deliverance of the people. Psalm lxxvii. "I cried unto God with my voice." duration of the captivity. Psalm lxxx. "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel." people. Jeduthun and Asaph complain of the long Asaph prays for the deliverance of the Psalm lxxxiv. "How amiable are thy tabernacles." release. The sons of Korah pray for their Psalm lxxxvi. "Bow down thine ear." The same subject. Psalm lxxxviii. "O Lord God of my salvation." The same subject. Psalm lxxxix. "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord." Ethan prays for the deliverance of the captive Jews. Psalm xc. "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling." The Levites, the descendants of Moses, request their return from captivity. Psalm xcii. "It is a good thing to give thanks." The same subject, and by the same persons. Psalm xciii. "The Lord reigneth." The same, by the same persons. Psalm xcv. "O come, let us sing unto the Lord." The same. Psalm cxix. "Blessed are the undefiled in the way." A psalm supposed to have been made by Daniel, or some other captive prophet, for the instruction of the people. Psalm cxx. "In my distress I cried." The captives pray for deliverance. Psalm cxxi. "I will lift up mine eyes." The same subject. Psalm cxxx. "Out of the depths have I cried." The same. Psalm cxxxi. "Lord, my heart is not haughty." The heads of the people pray for their return. INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PSALMS. Psalm cxxxii. "Lord, remember David." A prayer of the captive Jews in behalf of the house of David. VII. Psalms written after the Jews were permitted by the Edict of Cyrus to return to their own Land. Psalm exxii. "I was glad when they said." A psalm of thanksgiving when they heard of the edict of Cyrus, permitting their return. Psalm lxi. "Hear my cry, O God." Thanksgivings when the Jews were about to return to Jerusalem. 66 Psalm lxiii. "O God, thou art my God." Judea. A psalm of the people, now on their return to Psalm cxxiv. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side." On the same subject. Psalm xxiii. "The Lord is my shepherd." Thanksgiving to God for their redemption from captivity. Psalm Ixxxvii. "His foundation is in the holy mountains." Thanksgivings by the sons of Korah for their return from captivity. Psalm lxxxv. "Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land." Thanksgivings for their return. Psalm xlvi. "God is our refuge and strength." Sung by the sons of Korah at the dedication of the second temple. 66 Psalm xlvii. "O clap your hands, all ye people." The same. This and the three preceding all sung Psalm xlviii." Great is the Lord." A continuation of the preceding. Psalm xcvi. "O sing unto the Lord a new song." at the dedication of the second temple. Psalm xcvii. "The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice." Thanksgivings of the Jews for their deliverance; sung at the dedication of the second temple. Psalm xcviii. "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things." A continuation of the above. Psalm xcix. "The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble." Sung on the same occasion. Psalm c. "Make a joyful noise." On the same occasion. Psalm cii. "Hear my prayer, O Lord." A description of the sufferings of the captives while in Babylon; and thanksgivings for their deliverance. Psalm ciii. "Bless the Lord, O my soul." On the same subject. Psalm civ. "Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God." On the same. Psalm cv. "O give thanks unto the Lord." Thanksgivings for deliverance from Babylon. Psalm cviii. "O God, my heart is fixed." The Jews, delivered from captivity, pray for their brethren yet beyond the Euphrates. Psalm cxi. "Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart." Thanksgivings of the Jews after their captivity. Psalm cxii. "Praise ye the Lord. same subject. Blessed is the man that feareth." A continuation of the Psalm cxiii. "Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants." A continuation of the above. Psalm exiv. "When Israel went out of Egypt.' The same subject. Psalm cxvi. "I love the Lord." The same subject. Psalm exvii. "O praise the Lord, all ye nations." The same subject Psalm cxxvi. "When the Lord turned again our captivity." A prayer for the remnant still remaining in captivity. Psalm cxxxiii. "Behold, how good and how pleasant." Happy union of the priests and Levites in the service of God, after the captivity. Psalm cxxxiv. "Behold, bless ye the Lord." An exhortation to the priests and Levites properly to discharge their duties in the temple, after they had returned from their captivity. Psalm cxxxv. preceding. 66 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord." Same as the INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF PSALMS. Psalm cxxxvi. "O give thanks unto the Lord." Same as before. Psalm cxxxvii. "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down." The Levites, on their return, relate how they were insulted in their captivity. Psalm cxlviii. "Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens." Thanksgiving for deliverance from the captivity; and an invitation to all creatures to celebrate the praise of the Lord. Psalm cxlix. "Praise ye the Lord. subject. Sing unto the Lord a new song." On the same Psalm cl. "Praise ye the Lord. preceding psalms. Psalm cxlvi.Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul." Supposed to have been composed by Haggai, and Zechariah, to comfort the people when the edict of Cyrus was revoked. See the notes on this psalm. Praise God in his sanctuary." A continuation of the Psalm cxlvii." Praise ye the Lord: for it is good." Thanksgiving of the same prophets after Psalm lix. "Deliver me from mine enemies." Psalm lxv. "Praise waiteth for thee, O God." The whole psalm is suitable to the occa Probably sung about the same time. See Composed by Haggai and Zechariah, after the Lord had sent the rain promised by Haggai, chap. i.; and when they had begun the repairs of the temple. See Psalm cxlvii. Psalm Ixvi. "Make a joyful noise." A continuation of the above. Psalm lxvii. "God be merciful unto us." The same subject. Psalm exviii. "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good." A song of praise after the death of Cambyses, or probably after the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem. Supposed to have been written by Nehemiah. Psalm cxxv. "They that trust in the Lord." The Jews encouraging each other to resist Sanballat and Tobiah, and their other enemies. Psalm cxxvii. " Except the Lord build the house." Composed to encourage the people to labour at the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem; and to put their confidence in the Lord. Psalm cxxviii. "Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord." A continuation of the preceding. Psalm cxxix. "Many a time have they afflicted me." A description of the peace and comfort enjoyed by the Jews under the reign of Darius. Psalm cxxxviii. "I will praise thee with my whole heart." A continuation of the same subject. For the reasons of the above chronological arrangement the reader may refer to the notes; and see also another Table, page 1924. This arrangement is better than none; and I hope will in the main be found as correct as can reasonably be expected, and a great help to a proper understanding of the Psalms. SECTION VI. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE GREAT DifferencE OF CHARACTER BETWEEN THE HEBREW POETS, AND THOSE OF GREECE AND ITALY. The Hebrew Psalter is the most ancient collection of poems in the world; and was composed long before those in which ancient Greece and Rome have gloried. Among all the heathen nations Greece had the honour of producing not only the first, but also the most sublime, of poets: but the subjects on which they employed their talents had, in general, but little tendency to meliorate the moral condition of men. Their subjects were either a fabulous theology, a false and ridiculous religion, chimerical wars, absurd heroism, impure love, agriculture, national sports, or hymns in honour of gods more corrupt than the most profligate of men. Their writings served only to render vice amiable, to honour superstition, to favour the most dangerous and most degrading passions of men, such as impure love, ambition, pride, and impiety. What is said of the Greek poets may be spoken with equal truth of their successors and imitators, the Latin poets; out of the whole of whose writings it would be difficult to extract even the common maxims of a decent morality. I am well |