Annotations on Psal. XV.

V. 4. To his own hurt] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 doth certainly sig∣nifie to do hurt, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which in Kal signifi••〈◊〉be evil, but in Hiphil, to doe evil. To whom this evil it done, is thought fit to be exprest by the Chaldee, he swears, saith the Targum, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to the afflicting or hurting himself. But the LXXII. instead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉to hurt, seem to have read 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉to his fellow, for they render it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉to his neighbour; and so the Syriack and Latine and Aethiopick: which yet, supposing the oath to be a promissory oath, made to some other, (as the context inclines it, the whole Psalm from v. 3. referring to works of justice toward other men) is no considerable change of the sense: for if he do not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (as it follows) cassate his oath made to his neighbour, (the word which conteins all o∣ther men (see Psal. 12.2.) to whom we have any relation, Superiors as well as equals) then is he this just man that is here spoken of. Only the Hebrew reading sets off his justice with some ad∣vantage, by mentioning the greatest temptation to breach of oaths and promises to others, viz. when the performance brings mischief on our selves; for then is the tryal of the mans virtue, and not when either he designs to gain, or not to lose any thing by it. The particular occasion of Davids specify∣ing in this, may, I suppose, deserve here to be con∣sidered. The Psalm was most probably penn'd af∣ter the quieting the rebellion of Absalom, in relati∣on to his return to the Ark and Tabernacle, from which he had been for some time separated. Now in that rebellion he had taken notice of the fear of worldly sufferings, that had ingaged many in that Apostasy, (see Pal. 14.3. note ^b:) and in refe∣rence to them, that for fear of men made no con∣science of their allegiance to David, their lawful, but persecuted Soveraign, he thus most fitly speci∣fies and sets it down, as a principal part of the character of a truly pious man, that whatsoever his sufferings by that means are likely to be, he makes conscience of performing all oaths that ly upon him, and so in the first place that of Allegiance to his Sovereign, (which that Subjects took in those days, appears by Solomons words, Eccles. 8.2. Keep the Kings Commandment in regard of the Oath of God) as that which is most strictly incumbent on him, how dear soever it be likely to cast him. Aben Ezra and Jarchi have another gloss, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here signi∣fies to afflict the soul, (which the LXXII. render 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to hurt the soul, to use it ill) as that belongs to some vow of self-denial, or paenance, Num. 30.13. But this is not so probable in this place, the antecedents and consequents belonging to acts of Ju∣stice and Charity to other men.