1, A Song. A Psalm. By David. This is not an original or independent composition, but a compilation from two other psalms, which have already been explained. The introduction, ver. 2-6 (1-5), is substantially identical with Ps. lvii. 8-12 (7-11); the body of the psalm, ver. 7-13 (6-12), with Ps. lx. 7-14 (5-12), The supposition of erroneous copies, or of later corruptions, is still more improbable in this case than in those of Ps, xviii,, liii., lxx. The best solution which has been proposed is, that David himself combined these passages to be the basis of a trilogy (Ps. cviii.-cx.), adapted to the use of the church at a period posterior to the date of Ps, lvii, and lx. The comments here will be confined to the variations, as in Ps, liii. and lxx.
2 (1). Fixed is my heart, 0 Ood, fixed is my heart; I will sing and play —also my glory. See above, on Ps. lvii. 8 (7). The words here added, also my glory, correspond to the first clause of the next verse in that psalm, awake my glory!
3 (2). Awake lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn (or morning). See above, on Ps. lvii. 9 (8). The only variation is the one already mentioned, the omission here of the words awake my gloi~y, for which the last clause of ver, 2 (1) is a substitute.
4 (3). / xicill thank thee among the nations, 0 Jehovah, I u-ill praise thee among the peoples. See above, on Ps. lvii. 10 (9). The only variation is the substitution of the name Jehovah for Adhonai, a change scarcely perceptible in the English versions.
5 (4). FW great/win above the heavens (is) thy mercy, and unto the clouds thy truth. See above, on Ps. lvii. 11 (10). The only variation is the change of (Tfy) tmto into O’^D). from above, apparently intended to suggest the idea of God’s mercy as descending upon man.
6 (5). Be thou high above the heavens, 0 God, and above all the earth thy glory. See above, on Ps. lvii. 12 (11). The only variation is the introduction of the copulative and at the beginning of the second clause.
7 (6). In order that thy beloved (ones) may be delivered, save with thy right hand, and hear (or answer) us. See above, on Ps. lx, 7 (5), with which this verse agrees in all points, not excepting the keri or various reading in the last word (me for us).
8 (7). God hath spoken in his holiness (and therefore) I will triumph, I will divide Shechem., and the valley of Succoth I will measure. See above, on Ps. lx. 8 (6), with which this verse agrees exactly.
9 (8). To me (belongs) Gilead, to me 31anasseh, and Ephraim the strength of my head, Judah my lawgiver. See above, on Ps. lx. 9 (7). The only variation is the omission, in the verse before us, of the and after Gilead.
10 (9). Moab (is) my wash-pot; at Edom will I throw my shoe; over Philistia will I shout aloud. See above, on Ps. lx. 10 (8). At the end of this verse is the most material variation in the whole psalm, which, however, is evidently not fortuitous or by a later hand, but intentional and made by the original writer. I will shout aloud, as an expression of triumph over a conquered enemy.
11 (10). Who will bring me (to) the fortified city! Who leads (or has led) me up to Edom f See above, on Ps. lx. 11 (9), The only variation is the change of one synonymous word for another, to express the idea of a fortified city.
12 (11). (Is it) not God who has cast us off, and wilt not go forth with our hosts f See above, on Ps. lx. 12 (10). The only variation consists in the omission of the emphatic pronoun thou, which is expressed in the parallel passage, and only implied in the one before us. Some interpreters suppose a sudden change of construction from the third to the second person. Is it not God—(even thou who) didst cast us off, &c.
13 (12). Give tw help from the enemy (or from distress); and (the rather because) vain is the salvation of man, meaning that which he afi”ords. See above, on Ps. lx. 13 (11), which agrees with this exactly.
14 (13). In God we will make (i.e. gain or gather) strength, and he will tread down (or trample on) our adversaries (persecutors or oppressors). See above, on Ps. lx. 14 (12), between which and the verse before us there is not the slightest difference.
