Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 2 · Commentary on psalm 16
PSAL. LVII.
David in prayer flying unto God, complaineth of his dangerous case. 8 He encourageth himselfe to praise God.
To the master of the musicke, Corrupt not, Michtam of David, when he fled from the face of Saul into the cave.
BE gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for in thee my soule hopeth for safety, and in the shadow of thy wings will I hope for safetie, till the wofull evils passeth over. I will cal unto God most high, to the God that perfectly accomplisheth towards me. He will send from heavens, and save me; he hath put to reproach him that would swallow me up Selah: God will send his mercy and his truth. My soule is among Lions; I lie among inflamers, the sonnes of Adam; their teeth are speares and arrowes, and their tongue a sharpe sword. Be exalted over the heavens, O God, over all the earth be thy glory. They prepared a net for my steps, he bowed downe my soule; they digged a pit before me; they are fallen into the midst of it Selah. Firmely prepared is my heart, O God, firmely prepared is my heart; I will sing and praise with Psalme. Raise up my glorie, raise up Psalterie and Harpe, I will raise up at the day dawning. I will confesse thee among the peoples, O Lord, I will praise thee with Psalme among the nations. That thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the skies. Be exalted over the heavens, O God, over all the earth be thy glory.
Annotations.
COrrupt not] or, Bring not to corruption, or perdition. This word sometime importeth corruption of faith and manners, by sinne, as is noted on Psal. 14. 1. sometime perdition, or utter destruction, the punishment of sin, Ps. 78. 38. 45. Gen. 6. 13 and 9. 11. 15. it is a more vehement word than killing, Ezek. 9. 6, 8. This word is also in the title of the 58, 59, and 75. Psalmes. Michtam] a golden song. See Psal. 16. 1. from face] or, for feare of Saul. See Psal. 3. 1. into the cave] Saul sought David in the wildernesse of Engedi, upon the rocks, among the wilde goats; and being there in a cave, David cut off the lap of Sauls coat, and would not kill him. Which when Saul after perceived, his heartrelented for Davids kindnesse, and hee wept, acknowledging his fault. And taking an oath of David that hee should not destroy his seed, hee ceased his persecuting for a time, 1 Sam. 24. David in that distresse made this Psalme.
Vers. 2. evills passeth] that is, every evill; or, the whole heape of evills passeth.
Vers. 3. perfectly accomplisheth] or performeth, to wit, his grace, or his promise; or my affaires, bringing them to a full end and stay. So Psal. 138. 8. A like speech the Apostle useth, Phil. 1. 6.
Vers. 4. He will send] or usually sendeth, to wit, his hand, as Psal. 144. 7. or, his Angell, as Dan. 3. 27. and so the Chaldee explaineth it; or, his mercy and truth, as after here followeth. swallow mee] or, breatheth after mee. See Psalm. 56. 2.
Vers. 5. Lions] called here Lebaim, …eartie, stout, couragious Lions; of Leb, that is, heart, courage. As there be sundry sorts of Lions, so have they sundrie names; see Psal. 7. 3. Lions are mentioned in the Scriptures for the stoutnesse of their heart, 2 Sam. 17. 10. boldnesse, Prov. 28. 1. and grimnesse of their countenance, 1 Chron. 12. 8. Saul and his Courtiers are here Lions to David, as were the Kings of Asshur and Babel after unto Israel, Ier. 50. 17. the Roman Emperour to Paul, 2 Tim. 4. 17. and all wicked rulers over the poore people, Prov. 28. 15. inflamers] boutefeus, meaning fiery, fierce, and raging persons, that flamed wirh wrath and envie, and inflamed others. Of such David did complaine to Saul, 1 Sam. 24. 10. speares] Hebr. the speare; as chariot for chariots, Psal. …8. 18. So Agur speaketh of a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jawes knives, to eat up the afflicted out of the earth, Prov. 30. 14. See also Psalm. 55. 22. and 59. 8.
Vers. 6. over the heavens] the Chaldee expoundeth it, over the Angels of heaven: so in vers. 12.
Vers. 9. Raise up] or Stirre up, to wit, thy selfe, or Awake. A word of exciting, Iudg. 5. 12. Compare this with Psal. 108. 2, 3, &c. my glory] my tongue or soule. See Psal. 16. 9. and 30. 13. at the day dawning] I will rouse up my selfe with my instruments. Or, I will raise up the day dawning, that is, I will prevent the early morning, and be up before it, and so stirre it up. A figurative speech.
Vers. 11. That thy mercy] or, For thy merciemercy is great, &c. Compare Psal. 36. 6.