Was composed by David (as some think) at his Coronation,* 1.1 after his eight years Civil War, to exhort the People to Love and Amity, according to the exhortation of the Apostle, for those were the Graces which did most adorn his Life, both when a public and a private Person; and so this Psalm, as the next,* 1.2 was fitted for the most Solemn Times of Worship, and the happy Return from Bondage and Captivity, because it magni∣fies the pious Accord, Uniformity, and Blessed Communion of the Church of God in all Times.
It Celebrates the Excellencies of Love, both in and towards God and Man; it reflects much Joy from the Consideration of the Mysti∣cal Union between Christ and his Members, whom he owns as Bre∣thren, who shall live, and live together also with him, though he is their High Priest, Rock, and Prince, according to the most apt Comparisons of the holy Oyl, and high-born Dew; which Similies,* 1.3 as well as the Subject, were so well calculated to the Time, when there was a Prince and an High Priest restored again to Israel, that it is no wonder we find it placed among the Graduals.
Some apply it to all the Israelites Love one towards another, who were Brethren of the same Stock (as we are all in Adam;) and likewise to their Love of their Ruler, who was higher than the rest, (as was shewn in Saul) like Mount Hermon and Sion, more advancing than other Hills: Therefore to animate us with the like affections towards our Brethren, Parents, and Superiours, they say, the Priest's Blessing is compared to the Sacred Oyl, and the Prince's Favour to the fruitful Dew, (according to that expression of the Wisest of Kings) which descends from the highest to the lowest, and is both pleasant and profitable to all;* 1.4 as the Heathen Poet Meander (once quoted by St. Paul himself) could say, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.