Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

PSAL. LXI.

To the chief musician upon Neginah, a Psalm of David.

The occasion of this Psalm, was some great Distress of David's; Either by Saul, or by Absalom; though it might be Composed some time after it was past.

1 HEar my cry, O God, attend unto my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth a will I cry un∣to thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I b.

3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever c: I will ‖ trust in the covert of thy wings d, Selah.

5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows e: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name f.

6 † Thou wilt prolong the kings life g: and his years h, † as many generations i.

7 He shall abide k before God l for ever: O prepare m mercy and truth n which may pre∣serve him.

8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for e∣ver, that I may daily perform my vows o.

Notes

• a

  Or rather, of the Land: To which David was driven by the Tyranny of his Enemies.
• b

  Convey me into some high and secure Fortress, which I could not reach without thy Succour, and where mine Enemies cannot come at me. He alludes to their Custom of securing themselves in Rocks, 1 Sam. 13. 6. &c.
• c

  I shall, I doubt not, be restored to the Tabernacle; from which I am now banished, and, according to the desire of my Heart, worship and enjoy thee there all my days.
• ‖

  Or, make my Refuge.
• d

  In the mean time, whilst I am in Danger and Trouble, I will cast my self upon thy Protection with full Confidence.
• e

  My servent Prayers, attended with many Vows and Pro∣mises, as was usual, especially in Cases of great Danger or Di∣fficulty. Gen. 28. 20. Iudg. 11. 30, 31.
• f

  Thou hast allot∣ed me my Portion, with and amongst them that Fear and Worship thee, who are the Excellent ones, in whom is all my Delight: And upon that Account I must acknowledge it to thy Praise, that the Lines are fallen to me in Pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly Heritage, Psal. 16. 3. 6. Thou hast granted me this singular Mercy, to live in God's Land, and to enjoy his Pre∣sence and Favour, and to Worship in his Tabernacle; which is the Heritage that I and all that Fear thee, prize and de∣sire above all things in the World.
• †

  Heb. thou shalt add days to the days of the King.
• g

  (i. e.) My Life. He calls himself King; Either, 1. Be∣cause he was actually King, though Absalom Usurped the Throne: Or, 2. Because he was designed and anointed to be King; and by calling himself King, he supports himself un∣der his present straits, and declares his Confidence in God's promise of the Kingdom to him. Yet we must not think that David did commonly and publickly Call, or own himself to be King, which had neither been True, nor Covenient for his Affairs: But this Psalm, either was not Composed whilst Saul lived, or, at least, was Penned onely for his private use and Comfort, and not Committed to the chief Musician; which in∣deed it could not be till David had the Kingdom, and the In∣spection of the sacred Musick and service of the Tabernacle.
• h

  (i. e.) The years of my Life and Reign.
• †

  Heb. as Gene∣ration and Ge∣neration.
• i

  As long as if I had a Lease of it for many Ages. Thus he speaks; Partly, because his Kingdom was not like Saul's, a matter of one Age, expiring with his Life, but Established to him, and his Heirs for ever: and Partly, because Christ, his Son and Heir, should actually, and in his own Person possess the Kingdom for ever.
• k

  Or, sit, to wit, in the Throne, Ier: 13. 13. Living and Ruling as in God's Presence, and serving God with his Royal Power, and Worshiping him in his Tabernacle.
• m

  Or, Order or appoint, as this Word signifies, Ionah 1. 17. and 4. 6.
• Pro. 20. 28.
• n

  Ei∣ther, 1. The graces of Mercy or Compassion, and Truth or Faith∣fulness; which are the great supporters of Thrones, Prov. 20. 28. and 29. 14. Or rather, 2. Thy Mercy and Truth, (i. e.) The Effects of them. Thy Truth in giving me those Mercies, which thou hast promised to me: and thy Mercy in giving me such further Blessings, as I need, and thou •…•…eest fit to give me.
• o

  That so I may pay unto thee those Services and Sacrifices, which I vowed to thee when I was in Trouble.