Psalms 4
DOYLYVer. 2. — Selah.] It cannot certainly be known what is meant by this word; the most probable opinion is, that it was a note in musick. Bp. Patrick.
This Hebrew word is found seventy times in the Psalms, and three times in Habakkuk. One conjecture is, that it means “the end” or a “pause,” and that the ancient musicians put it occasionally in the margin of their psalters, to shew where a musical pause was to be made, and where the tune ended. Calmet.
Psalms 4:2
- O ye sons of men, &c.] O ye wicked men, how long will ye defame my government? how long will ye carry on your vain attempts, and go on in lying and spreading false calumnies against me? Dr. Wells. Otherwise, by “my glory” he may mean, “God who is my glory:” for so God is called, Psalm iii. 3, and evi. 20. David was accustomed to glory, and with good reason, on account of his stedfast worship of the true God, and of his favour towards him. This zeal for God’s service was made a subject of disgrace and ridicule by the wicked. Le Clerc.
Psalms 4:3
- — the lifter up of mine head.] David means by this expression, that God would remove his distresses, and make him triumph over all his enemies. Dr. Chandler.
Psalms 4:4
- — out of his holy hill.] That is, out of the tabernacle or place of his religious worship, which was on Zion, called on that account his holy hill. Dr. Wells.
Psalms 4:7
- — for thou hast smitten] The Hebrew properly means, “Thou art wont to smitte,” “Thou smitest continually.”
— broken the teeth] As men of violence are frequently resembled to wild ravenous beasts, so the power or means made use of by such men to oppress others, are fitly denoted by the teeth, cheekbone, or jaws, &c.; these being the parts, whereby beasts of prey chiefly devour their prey. Hence, to break the teeth, cheekbone, &c. of an enemy, is frequently used in Scripture to denote the depriving an enemy of his power to hurt. Dr. Wells.
Psalms 4:8
- — thy blessing is upon thy people.] Rather, May thy blessing be upon thy people. Green.
The example of king David in this Psalm should
teach us, that all our security depends upon God’s protection, of which neither the power nor malice of our enemies can deprive us, if we repose our trust and confidence in Him. We should therefore pray to Him, that He would not suffer us to be misled by any worldly designs or stratagems, but that He would be our shield, our comforter, and supporter, and make the world see that salvation belongeth only to Him, and that his blessing is peculiar to his people. Lord Clarendon.
Psalm IV. When, or upon what occasion David penned this Psalm, is not certainly known, though the matter of it makes it probable, it was in the same (or the like) distress wherein he composed the foregoing. Bp. Patrick.
— chief Musician] That is, the master or director of the sacred musicians and musick of the temple: of whom see 1 Chron. vi. 31, and xv. 16. Poole.
— Neginoth.] Stringed instruments played on with a bow. Dr. Kennicott.
By these words, “To the chief Musician, &c.” he seems to mean, I recommend this Psalm to the care and ordering of the master or director of the sacred musick in the temple, and him who plays most skilfully upon stringed instruments. S. Clarke.
Ver. 1. — O God of my righteousness:] O my righteous God. Bp. Hare, Edwards. Or the expression may mean, O God, who art to do me justice, to whom I apply for justice. Mudye, Merrick. O God, the witness and defender of my righteous cause. S. Clarke.
— enlarged me] Set me free from distress. Street.