Introduction

TITLE.—A Psalm of David. The sweet singer of Israel appears before us in this Psalm as one enduring reproach; in this he was the type of the great Son of David, and is an encouraging example to us to carry the burden of slander to the throne of grace. It is an ingenious surmise that this appeal to heaven was written by David at the time of the assassination of Ish-bosheth, by Baanah and Rechab, to protest his innocence of all participation in that treacherous murder; the tenor of the Psalm certainly agrees with the supposed occasion, but it is not possible with such a slender clue to go beyond conjecture.

DIVISION.—Unity of subject is so distinctly maintained, that there are no sharp divisions. David Dickson has given an admirable summary in these words:—“He appealeth to God, the supreme Judge, in the testimony of a good conscience, bearing him witness; first, of his endeavour to walk uprightly as a believer, verses 1, 2, 3; secondly, of his keeping himself from the contagion of the evil counsel, sinful courses, and example of the wicked, verses 4, 5; thirdly, of his purpose still to behave himself holily and righteously, out of love to the partaker of the public privileges of the Lord’s people in the congregation, verses 6, 7, 8. Whereupon he prayeth to be free of the judgment coming upon the wicked, verses 9, 10, according as he had purposed to eschew their sins, verse 11; and he closeth his prayer with comfort and assurance of being heard, verse 12.”