5. — thou anointest my head &c.] The overflowing of a cup, and the being anointed with sweet-smelling oils, are the usual emblems of a feast, and are made use of in Scripture as the images of plenty and prosperity. Travell. 31. — he hath done this.] That is, He hath fulfilled his promises and Divine predictions. Michaelis. We are presented in this Psalm with a very plain prophetic description of our Lord's sufferings and profound humiliation. Here we read those very words which He uttered at his crucifixion, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Here we see pour-trayed the insults offered to Him by the Jews while He hung upon the cross, his hands and his feet pierced, his garments divided by lot, and the principal circumstances described of his passion and death. God was pleased that all these things should be foretold by David, to the end that, when they came to pass, we might have the clearest proof of his being the true Messiah. The contemplation therefore of this Psalm ought on the one hand to strengthen our faith in Jesus the Saviour of the world; and, on the other hand, to quicken our hopes in Him, while it sets before us the glory to which God has exalted Him after his sufferings, and which He now enjoys at the right hand of the Father. Osterwald. Psalm XXIII. The sweetness of many of the Psalms in composition, sentiment, diction, and arrangement, has never been equalled by the finest productions of heathen poetry. And I must confess I never met with any image so truly pleasing and delightful, as the following description of the Deity in the character of a shepherd. Bp. Lowth. Ver. 3. He restoreth my soul.] When I am ready to faint, He refreshes me and brings me to life again. Mudge. Ver. 2. — he hath founded it upon the seas, &c.] He hath settled it so firmly, and established it above the waters, that they cannot overwhelm it. Bp. Patrick. 3. — who shall stand in his holy place?] Who shall serve God acceptably in the place which He hath sanctified to his service? Poole. 4. — who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity.] That is, he who hath not put his trust in false gods. Bp. Lowth. 5. — righteousness] By this word here is meant a just recompense. Bp. Wilson. 6. — thy face, O Jacob.] Or rather, as in the margin, "Thy face, O God of Jacob." Bp. Hare. See the note on Psalm xvii. 15. The Israelites were required to worship at the sanctuary of God three times a year. Bp. Lowth. 7. Lift up &c.] We may now conceive the procession to have arrived at the gates of the tabernacle. While the ark is brought in, the Levites, divided into two choirs, sing alternately the remainder of the Psalm. Indeed it is not impossible that this mode of singing was pursued through every part of the ode; but towards the conclusion the fact will not admit of a doubt. Bp. Lowth. The lifting up the head is an image adapted to a porcellus; the head of which, as it is lifted, rises up conspicuous above the gate. Mudge. We learn from this Psalm, that God, who created the earth, is the supreme and Almighty King thereof, and that his glory and power ought to be celebrated for ever; also, that those only will be admitted into the presence of the Lord who walk uprightly, who are sincere and faithful in all their behaviour, who avoid fraud and deceit, who call upon the Lord and seek his face. Ostervald. Psalm XXV. David seems to have written this Psalm after the commission of some grievous sin, or in some great distress; which brought to mind all the offences of his youth, and made him earnestly beseech God to pardon them, and to deliver him from his enemies. Travell. Ver. 3. -- let them be ashamed &c.] Pour shame upon the face of those which rise up against me spitefully, without any just cause or provocation on my part. Bp. Holt. 8. — teach sinners in the way.] That is, penitent sinners. Dr. Wells. 9. The meek will he guide &c.] He will never fail to assist and direct in the ways of virtue, those who are truly humbled before Him for their sins. Dr. Hammond. 10. All the paths &c.] They, who observe and keep his commandments, will find abundant goodness and faithfulness in the ways of the Lord, who will order all things for their good. Travell, Bp. Patrick. 12. -- that he shall choose.] That he ought to choose. Dr. Kennicott. 14. The secret of the Lord &c.] The counsel and covenant of the Lord to them that fear Him, is to make known or reveal to them his will. Dr. Hammond. Or by the word "secret," may be meant, God's love and favour, which is called his "secret," Job xxix. 4; Prov. iii. 32; and that very fifty, because it is known to none but him that enjoys it. Poole. 2. Examine me, &c.] David here begs of God, who knew the secret thoughts of his mind, and the inclinations of his will, to search deeply into them, and prove his integrity. Bp. Patrick. 4. — vain persons.] False and treacherous persons. Bp. Patrick. 5. I will wash &c.] David means, that he would cleanse his heart and hands from all the impurity of his sins; and then that he would approach to God's altar, and offer his sacrifice. Bp. Hall. — wash mine hands! It was a custom among the Jews for those who brought sacrifices to be offered, to wash their hands before they laid them upon the heads of the victims. Lewis. It was a common usage for the Jews always to wash before prayers; and the priests in particular were not to perform any office in the sanctuary, till they had poured water from the laver and washed in it. It is to this that David here alludes. Fenton. — compass thine altar.] Among other ceremonies connected with the feast of tabernacles, it was usual on the seventh day for the people to compass the altar seven times, carrying branches in their hands, and singing hosannas. Lewis. 8. — the place where thine honour dwelleth.] That is, the tabernacle, where God had made his glory to dwell among them. Bp. Patrick. 12. My foot standeth in an even place:] That is, I stand in a sure place, so that I need not fear to fall. Bp. Wilson. David's earnest desire to serve God in the tabernacle, should stir us up to discharge the duties of religion with the same fervency. But the care this pious king took to purify himself before he went unto the altar of God, should convince us, that in order to appear in the presence of God, we should be pure, and lead a holy life. Lastly, we should join with David in the prayer which he offers up to God at the end of this Psalm, and beseech Him to preserve us from being like the wicked,