9. — trieth the hearts and reins.] That is, knoweth intimately the very thoughts and desires of all men. Bp. Horne. 11. God judgeth the righteous.] The meaning is, God will maintain the cause of the righteous. Dr. Wells. 12. If he turn not, he will whet &c.] If the wicked will not repent, God will whet &c. Dr. Wells. "Whet his sword," prepare and speedily execute his judgments upon him. S. Clarke. 14. Behold, he travaileth &c.] See the folly of these wicked plots and contrivances against my life, which shall all miscarry, and deceive the expectation of this wicked slanderer. Travell. 15. He made a pit. This alludes to the method of catching wild beasts in pits covered over slightly with reeds or small branches of trees. Dr. Shaw. We learn from this Psalm, that the wickedness of the ungodly shall come to an end; that God lets them alone, and bears with them for a tune; but if they persist in their wickedness, He prepares for them the punishments they deserve, and will make the evil which they design for others fall upon their own heads. These are powerful motives to induce us to adore the justice of God; to improve by his forbearance and longsuffering; and to avoid every thing that may expose us to his vengeance. Ostervald. Psalm VIII. The scope and meaning of this Psalm seems plainly to be this: to display and celebrate the great love of God to man, not only in his creation, but especially in his redemption by Jesus Christ; whom, as He was man, He advanced to the honour and dominion here mentioned, that He might carry on that great and glorious work. Thus Christ is the principal subject of this Psalm, of whom it is interpreted, both by Christ Himself, Matt. xxi. 16, and by his holy Apostle, 1 Cor. xv. 27; Hebr. ii. 6, 7. Poole. In a prophetic sense, it is understood of Christ's victory over Satan. Reeves. This Psalm is suited to the service of the Ascension-day, when we commemorate so signal a proof of the Divine love, as the exaltation of our nature, in the second Adam, to the right hand of the Majesty on high. Travell. — upon Git-tith.] Some have supposed this expression to denote, that this Psalm was to be sung to a harp which David brought with him from Gath: others, to a musical instrument used at the time of the vintage. Both may be true: the instrument bearing this name might have been used by the people of Gath; and the Jews might have adopted it from them, and afterwards it might have become the favourite instrument amidst the festivity and dances of the vintage. Street. Ver. 2. Out of the mouth &c.] Thou art pleased to make choice of the meanest and most humble persons, and even very children in age, to sing hosannas to the Son of David, Matt. xxi. 16, to acknowledge thy power and majesty. And this Thou hast done, that they whose pride makes them resist and despise Thee, may be thus visibly punished; and the power of the devil destroyed. Dr. Hammond. — Muth-labben.] Some suppose Labben to be the name of a prince or chief in the enemy's army; and Muth-labben to mean "the death of Labben," in celebration of which this Psalm may have been composed. Dimock. Or it may be the title of a tune or instrument. S. Clarke. Ver. 3. When mine enemies &c.] Rather, It was Thou who madest my enemies turn their backs, and through the dread of Thee they fell and were destroyed. Bp. Patrick. 3-6. When I consider &c.] When, on the one hand, I survey the glorious bodies in the heavens, and compare them with man, I am induced to think degradingly of him, and to wonder why he should be the object of thy care. When, on the other hand, I consider the rank of being in which Thou at first placedst man, making him but a little below the angels, I correct myself for having made too degrading a comparison of him, and adore Thee for thy providential care of him at present, and for the dignity to which Thou didst advance him, when Thou madest him the head of the visible creation. Green. 4. — visitest him? With thy presence and protection. Bp. Wilson. The following prayer is so well adapted to the sentiments contained in this Psalm, that it may be added in the place of practical reflection. O our God, since Thou hast been so mindful of us, never suffer us to be un- 6. O thou enemy, &c.] As for the enemy, they are utterly destroyed; they are become everlasting deso- Ver. 2. — the poor: ] This word here means, the humble, the afflicted, and helpless. Bp. Wilson. 3. For the wicked boasteth &c. The first part of this verse points out that alarming symptom of a reprobate mind, a disposition to exult and glory in those lusts which are the shame and disgrace of human nature, whether the world or the flesh be their object. The latter clause is differently rendered, as implying either that "the wicked blesseth the covetous, whom God abhorreth," or, that "the wicked, being covetous, or oppressive, blesseth himself, and abhorreth the Lord." Either way, an oppressing, griping, worldly spirit is characterized, with its direct opposition to the Spirit of God, which teaches that sin is to be confessed with shame and sorrow; that in God alone man is to make his boast; and that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Bp. Horne. 5. His ways are always grievous; &c.] That is, always troublesome and injurious to all about him. 12. When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: ] When He calls his enemies to account for the blood of his people, which they unjustly shed or coveted. S. Clarke. To "make inquisition for blood," is not to enquire after blood spilt, but to sit as inquisitor or judge on all capital crimes, where the blood of the offender is due to justice. "Them" refers to the "humble" or afflicted, at the end of the verse. Mudge. 14. — in the gates of the daughter of Zion: ] That is, in the solemn assemblies of thy people, the inhabitants of Zion. S. Clarke. 15. — in the pit] See the note on Psalm vii. 15. 16. — Higgaion.] A meditation, or a fit subject of meditation. Fenwick. Or possibly the word here means an interlude of soft whispering notes, as Selah another of bolder and louder ones. Mudge, Dr. Kennicott. 17. — into hell.] By the word "hell" in this place is meant the region of the dead; and the Psalmist seems to foretel that the wicked will descend to the grave by some great and signal overthrow. Mudge, Edwards. The Psalmist here teaches us, that God will reign for ever, and will judge the world with righteousness; that He will render to the wicked according to their works; that all those who forget Him shall perish; that He will not suffer the wicked always to prevail; that He is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. 4. The Lord is in his holy temple, &c.] The meaning is, that the Lord is the supreme and righteous Ruler of all affairs; that He knows the most secret designs