Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 5 · Commentary on psalm 34
PSAL. CXLIII.
David praieth for favour in judgement. 3 Hee complaineth of his griefes. 5 Hee strengtheneth his faith by meditation and praier. 7 Hee praieth for grace, 9 for deliverance, 10 for sanctification, 12 for destruction of his enemies.
A Psalme of David.
IEhovah heare my praier, give eare to my supplications for grace; in thy faithfulnesse answer me in thy justice. And enter not into judgement with thy servant, for before thee shall not any living be justified. For the enemy persecuteth my soule, smiteth downe my life to the earth, maketh me sit in darknesses, as the dead for ever. And my spirit is overwhelmed in me, in midst of me my heart is wondrously amazed. I remember the daies of old, I meditate on all thy worke, I muse on the action of thy hands. I spread out my hands unto thee; my soule, as a weary land, thirsteth for thee Selah. Make speed, answer me Iehovah, my spirit faileth; hide not thy face from me, for I shall be made like to them that goe downe the pit. Cause me to heare thy mercy in the morning, for in thee doe I trust; cause me to know the way that I should walke, for unto thee doe I lift up my soule. Deliver me from mine enemies, O Iehovah; unto thee I flie for covert. Learne me to doe thine acceptable will, for thou art my God, thy good spirit shall leade me in the land of righteousnesse. For thy names sake Iehovah, thou wilt quicken me, in thy justice wilt bring forth my soule out of distresse. And in thy mercy wilt suppresse mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soule, for I am thy servant.
Annotations.
ANd enter not into judgement] or, but goe not to Law with me; by the deeds whereof no flesh shalbe justified in thy sight, Rom. 3. 20. so Iob 22. 4. & 14. 3. Esa. 3. 14. In Chaldee, go not into the judgment hall, namely, to judge with severity. not any] or, not all, that is, none living: so Matth. 24. 22. not all, that is, no flesh, 1 Ioh. 2. 21. every lie is not, that is, no lie is of the truth; so 2 Pet. 1. 20. Ps. 76. 6.
Vers. 3. my life] or, my company; the Hebrew signifieth both, Iob 33. 18. 22. Psal. 68. 11. darknesses] or, darke places: so Psal. 88. 7, 19. and 74. 20. for ever] or, of eternity, of old, meaning dead long since, and for ever after: the word respecteth time past, and to come. So Lam. 3. 6.
Vers. 4. overwhelmed] fainteth, or, is perplexed: see Psal. 77. 4. wondrously amazed] astonished, or desolate. Gr. troubled. See this word, Esa. 59. 16. and 63. 5. Dan. 8. 27. Psal. 40. 16.
Vers. 5. of old] or, of antiquity; so Psal. 77. 6.
Vers. 6. spread out] that is, pray; as the Chaldee saith, spread out my hands in praier. See Psal. 44. 21. weary] that is, drie and thirsty: in Greeke, waterlesse: see Psal. 63. 2.
Vers. 7. for I] or lest I; Hebr. and I; which may be supplied thus, left I perish, and be made like, &c. See Psal. 28. 1.
Vers. 8. in the morning] speedily: so Psal. 90. 14.
Vers. 9. I flie for covert] or, I cover (I hide) my selfe, flying unto thee: or, to thee I covertly flie, secretly disclosing to thee that which I would hide from others: so the Greeke, I flie to thee. The Chaldee expoundeth it, I have made thy Word my redeemer.
V. 10. thy good spirit shall leade me] so the Greeke translateth this, and the rest, as assured: we may also reade it praier-wise, let thy good spirit leade me; or, thy spirit is good; let it leade me, &c. and so the rest. Compare Neh. 9. 20. in the land] or, into the land of righteousnesse; in a plaine (or even) ground: see Psal. 26. 12. Esa. 26. 10.
Annotations.
HAlelu-jah] that is, Praise ye Iah; see Psalm. 135. 1.
Vers. 2. in my life] so long as I live: so Psalm. 104. 33.
Vers. 4. his spirit] mans ghost; so the soule is said to goe forth, Gen. 35. 18. to his earth] whereof he was made; earth is in Hebrew Adamah; hereof man was called Adam, Earthly; compare Gen. 2. 7. and 3. 19. Ps. 104. 29. his thoughts] or purposes, the most excellent effects of the minde or spirit of man.
Vers. 7. the bound] or prisoners; but here it may be meant more largely; for sicknesses also are Satans bonds, which our Lord Christ loosed, Luke 13. 16. See also Isa. 61. 1.
Vers. 8. openeth the eyes] or giveth sight to: compare Mat. 9. 29, 30. Ioh. 9. 6, 7, 32. uprightneth] or maketh strait; as Psal. 145. 14. see this fulfilled, Luke 13. 13.
Vers. 9. setteh upright] maketh to continue sure: so Psal. 20. 9. and 147. 6. Compare Deut. 10. 18. and 27. 19. Ezod. 22. 22, 23, 24. Psal. 68. 6. overthroweth] or turneth up-side downe: so Iob 19. 6. see also Psal. 1. 6.