Is an Act of Acquiescence and Trust in God's Power and Presence, made by David (as it is thought) when hunted like a Partridg on the Mountains; and pursued by Saul, when he made the 54th, 55th, and 57th Psalm: And this, being much used by the Jews in Babylon, (as most suitable for times of Persecution or Sick∣ness) was at their going up from thence appointed to be one of their Psalms of Ascents, and therefore to be sung frequently, loudly, and by Responses; which occasioned this Composing it like an Anthem, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: The Stanza's being so pointed and divided as to answer alternately by Disticks (if it may better suit the Musick.)
The Title of it hath a difference from the rest, (as the Rabbins observe) being 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and not as in others 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉:
It may be stiled David's March, made by him (or some other considerable Person) while he kept the Field, either for the safety of his Flocks (as Jacob did), or of his Friends (as Abram): Thus did the Royal Shepherd, and sweet Singer of Israel exercise, and employ his Mind in the grateful Memory of the Divine Goodness. Well might he then here pray and hope like a Souldier, that God would be his Shade (as well as his Shield) as near to him as his shadow; that the Sun might not hurt him by Day, nor the Moon by Night, (as Absalom, and Achitophel, the one by Day, and the other by Night, intended to have done.)
And if we look on David, as he went up the Ascent of Mount Olivet: This Psalm was very proper for his Condition then, as it is for any Person's now, in the interval of War; the Phrases being throughout the whole Psalm Military; and allusive to Souldiers besieged, as in the first Verse; relieved, as in the second; all-arm'd, as in the third; secured, watched, and guarded, as in the fourth; shielded and surrounded, as in the fifth and sixth; in the seventh and eighth hemm'd in, and convoy'd out for Victory and Triumph.