6. — from the hill Mizar.] The word "Mizar" signifies little. It might be the name of some hill beyond Jordan, or possibly some little hill now in view. The general sense of the verse is, "I will remember Thee, whatever dangers surround me, and whithersoever I am driven." Archdeacon Rondolph. 7. Deep calleth unto deep. That is, one calamity invites and brings on another. Roseemuller. There is no metaphor more frequent in the sacred poems, than that by which sudden and great calamities are expressed under the figure of a deluge of waters. This metaphor seems to have been remarkably familiar to the Hebrews, as if directly taken from the nature and state of their country, which was subject to sudden and heavy floods. Bp. Lowth. 10. As with a sword &c.] The reproaches of my enemies are as cutting as a sword. Bp. Patrick. 11. — the health of my countenance.] The restorer of my drooping spirits. Bp. Wilson. In the first verse of this Psalm, the thirst, which the "hart" experimenteth, when chased in sultry weather over the dusty plains, is set before us as a representation of that ardent desire after the waters of eternal comfort, which the temptations, the cares, and the troubles of the world, produce in the believing soul. Bp. Horne. By due reverence and affection to God's worship, and to his church, we bring ourselves by degrees to that true and entire love of God Himself, to which so many pretend, and so few attain; to that high value and estimation of Him and of his presence, that we really conteem and despise all the pleasure and profit of this world, and the world itself, for interposing and obstructing our immediate resort to his heavenly mansion. Lord Clarendon. JUDGE me, O God, and plead my cause against an || ungodly nation: O deliver me + from the deceitful and unjust man. Ver. 3. O send out &c.] In other words, O let thy gracious favour, and the truth of thy promises, be my sure guide to conduct me to thy holy mountain, where Thou hast fixed thy dwelling-place. Bp. Patrick, Travell. We learn from this Psalm, that if the Prophet begged of God to deliver him from the malice of his enemies, it was chiefly with a view to return to the tabernacle, that he might praise God, and express his joy, love, and gratitude. And the complaints and sighs which he uttered, because he could not come into the house of God, should engage those who have the liberty to serve God in religious assemblies, gladly to improve so inestimable a blessing. Ostervald. Psalm XLIV. This Psalm appears to have been composed at a time when the Jewish state suffered grievously from their enemies, and many were carried into captivity; though the state itself still subsisted, and the public worship of God was maintained. It is not unlikely that Hezekiah was the author of it; and that perhaps, soon after the blasphemous message of Rabshaketh, 2 Kings xviii. 13, &c. Mudge. The church complaineth of her present evils. WE have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. Ver. 2. — the heathen] That is, the Canaanites. 3. — the light of thy countenance.] That is, thy gracious and glorious presence, which went along with them. Poole. 9. But thou hast cast off.] But yet at present thou permittest us to be dealt with, as if thou hadst cast us off. Dr. Wells. All that is contained from this verse to the fifteenth, was expressly foretold, Deut. xxviii. Bp. Wilson. 11. Thou hast given us &c.] Like sheep for the slaughter. Green. 12. Thou sellest thy people &c.] That is, thou permittest them to be held cheap and vile, and to be sold into slavery by their enemies, for little or nothing; a situation far more to be dreaded than the sword of the executioner. Bp. Horne. 14. Thou makest us a byword &c.] A proverb of wretchedness among the heathen, who shook their heads at them in mere contempt and derision. Bp. Patrick. 15, 16. My confusion is &c.] I am confounded with the continual marks of our disgrace, and am so ashamed, that I am unwilling to shew my face: nor do I hear any thing but reproachful words against us, and blasphemy against Thee, O God; such is the insolence of the 19. — in the place of dragons.] That is, in the wilderness; in a wild desolate place, where were serpents and other noxious animals. The inspired author seems here to refer to some former distress of the Jewish nation. Edwards. — covered us with the shadow of death.] That is, deprived us of all hope of escaping from our misery. Rosenmuller. 22. Yea, for thy sake &c.] But our sufferings for the truth testify our fidelity to thee; for it is our perseverance in religion which daily exposes us to the horrors of death. Bp. Patrick, Travell. 25. — our soul is bowed down &c.] The weight of our misery is so great, that it hath sunk us into this dejected condition, so that we have no strength left to help ourselves. Bp. Patrick, Travell. Like the Israelites of old, we should in our afflictions comfort ourselves with the consideration of the goodness of the Lord, and the evident proofs He has in all ages given of his power and mercy. As they acknowledged that their fathers had become masters of the land of Canaan, not by their own strength, but by the power — Shoshannim.] By this term we may understand all those instruments which had six strings. Bp. Patrick. Ver. 1. My heart is inditing &c.] My heart is full and ready to overflow with an important and glorious subject, which I have meditated, and am ready to utter in honour of king Solomon; who is but a shadow of that great King whom we expect. Travell. — a ready writer.] That is, a well-instructed writer; a writer prepared and ready, by a perfect knowledge of the subject he undertakes to treat. Bp. Horsley. 2. Thou art fairer &c.] Thou, O king, art lovely above all other persons, thy speech is most acceptable and persuasive, because the Lord loves thee, and has poured his choicest blessings upon thee: yet do these but faintly represent the eternal blessings, which He will bestow on that great King, who shall be "in favour with God and man," and who shall make all men "wonder at the gracious words which proceed out of his mouth." Bp. Patrick. 3. Gird thy sword &c.] Put on thy royal ornaments, and the ensigns of thy power, that thou mayest appear with such splendour and majesty, as may serve for an emblem of that sovereign authority, in which the Lord of all the world shall hereafter appear among men. Bp. Patrick. 4. And in thy majesty &c.] May thy kingdom be every 5. Thine arrows are sharp &c.] Thy power shall be sufficient to subdue thy greatest enemies; so shall the grace of Christ be mightily successful in bringing the Gentile world into subjection to his kingdom. Dr. Hammond. 6. Thy throne, O God, &c.] The kingdom of the Messiah is never to have an end. And herein is Solomon a type of Him: the kingdom of Judah, now settled on him, shall endure till the time of the Messiah's coming, and entering on his immutable kingdom. Dr. Hammond. 7. Thou lovest righteousness, &c.] Thou, O Christ, lovest righteousness and hatest iniquity; therefore God the Father hath advanced Thee above all angels and men, and exalted Thee to reign for ever at his own right hand. And herein also was Solomon a type of the Messiah, whose preference of wisdom to wealth was highly rewarded by God, beyond all other men. Dr. Hammond. 8. All thy garments &c.] Thy wedding garments, worn by thee on this joyful occasion, scatter through the royal apartments, richly inlaid with ivory, a fragrance of the sweetest perfumes: in like manner shall the heavenly graces of Christ be diffused, as a sweet odour over his faithful servants. Travell. — myrrh, and aloes, and cassia.] Perhaps these were the drugs, with which the oil for the anointing the kings of Israel and Judah was prepared. Two of them, the myrrh and cassia, are the same with those from which the oil for the consecration of Aaron and his sons was commanded to be made. See Exod. xxx. 23, 24. Street. 9. Kings' daughters &c.] Thy court was attended by —for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.] The word Alamoth has by some been understood to specify the musical instrument, which was used to accompany the singing of the Psalm. But it also signifies virgins or maidens. The meaning of the title therefore may be, "An ode by the sons of Korah together with virgins." Street. 10. Hearken, O daughter, &c.] Understand, and consider seriously, O royal bride, the happiness of being married to such a prince; and let not the thoughts of thy own country and family dwell too much upon thy mind: in like manner must the true Christian, when brought to Christ, renounce the world, and even his dearest connexions, for his sake. Bp. Patrick, Travell. 12. And the daughter of Tyre &c. The people of the rich and neighbouring city of Tyre shall come and bring presents; the most powerful among them shall solicit thy favour; as the kings of the earth shall hereafter bring their glory and honour into the church, Rev. xxi. 24. Bp. Patrick.