1The Psalmist praiseth God: 2he promiseth to judge uprightly: 4he rebuketh the proud by a display of God's superintending providence: 9he promiseth to praise God, and execute justice.
0To the 1chief Musician, 2Al-taschith, A Psalm or 3Song 4of Asaph.
1 See the first annotation at Psalm 4 in the title.
2 See the first annotation at Psalm 57 in the title.
3 See the first annotation at Psalm 48 in the title.
4 Other, for Asaph, but it appears entirely that the opinion of those is the most plain, who, by comparing the content of this psalm with 2 Samuel 2; 3; 4; 5, infer that David himself did make this psalm and gave it to Asaph, at the time when he, after Saul’s death, was made king over Judah; and after the death of Ishbosheth the affairs was such that he would receive the promised kingdom over all Israel, to give God praise and thanks for this wonderful and gracious change of things, promising to restore, according to the will of God, everything that was decayed in the land, and to carry himself suitably as a type of Jesus Christ. Compare this psalm likewise with Psalm 101.
1UNTO thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy 5name is near thy wondrous works 6declare.
5 That is, Thyself, with the performance or accomplishment of Thy promises which Thou hast made unto me. Other, and thy name is nigh, namely, in our mouths.
6 Hebr. they relate, namely, I, myself, and all those who adhere to me and have waited for this time with much patience, and praise Thee now, as was said in verse 1.
2When I shall receive the 7congregation I will judge 8uprightly.
7 That is, the kingdom which Thou hast promised me, and all the tribes have consented to me. Some apply it to the appointed time of the kingdom. Likewise to the assembly of the elders, as a diet or parliament appointed for this purpose, or the appointed place of holy assemblies, namely, Zion, which David, being made king, presently went about to subdue, and to make it the place of God’s worship and of his regal throne; the matter being all one and the same.
8 Hebr. rightnesses, judge exactnesses; that is, I shall rule and govern with all right and equity, fairly and squarely; and so elsewhere frequently.
3The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are 9dissolved: I 10bear up the pillars of it. 11Selah.
9 By reason of the previous troubles, all manner of licentiousness, fear and terror; so Joshua 2:9; compare Deut. 1 on verse 28.
10 Or, set right, straighted. I have begun to restore in Judah all things into good order, matters of religion, government and justice, and I will proceed thus, by the grace of God.
11 See Psalm 3 on verse 2.
4I said unto the 12fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the 13horn:
12 See of the Hebrew word, Psalm 5 on verse 5.
13 That is, be not insolent and high-minded in your power and greatness. See verse 10. Deut. 33 on verse 17.
5Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a 14stiff neck.
14 That is, proudly and stubbornly. Compare Exod. 32 on verse 9; Job 15:26.
6For 15promotion cometh neither from the 16east, nor from the west, nor from the 17south.
15 That anyone is exalted to great honor and dignity.
16 Hebr. from the going forth, that is, from the rising of the sun. See Psalm 19:5.
17 That is, as some perceive, from the south and from the north; for, the land of the Jews had deserts on both sides, according to the descriptions of some.
7But God 18is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
18 This, and the following, refers particularly to the exaltation of David unto the kingdom, according as God, (after his sufferings under Saul), had promised him by Samuel, and to the humbling and rejecting of Saul from the kingdom, as God had likewise foretold him by Samuel.
8For in the hand of the LORD there is a 19cup, and the wine is 20red; it is full of 21mixture; and he 22poureth out of the same: but the 23dregs 24thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall 25wring them out, and drink them.
19 Of this comparison, see Job 21 on verse 20, etc.; Psalm 11 on verse 6.
20 Hebr. to glow with redness. See of the Hebrew word Job 16 on verse 16; Psalm 46:3. Other, troubled, strong, red.
21 That is, fully prepared to be drunk, as in those countries they used to mingle their strong wines with water. Compare Prov. 9:2; Rev. 14:10, etc.
22 Or, he hath poured forth out of it, namely, first of all to His own people, as occurred to David and his devout companions. Compare Psalm 73:10; Jer. 25:17, 18; 1 Peter 4:17.
23 That is, the heaviest punishments, endless and everlasting destruction.
24 Namely, from that cup.
25 Hebr. pressing out. Compare Isa. 51:17; Ezek. 23:34.
9But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10All the 26horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the 27horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
26 That is, the violence wherewith they injure the godly. See verse 4.
27 That is, power and glory.