Introduction
A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.
Another alphabetical psalm, (see introduction to Psalms 25:0,) whose twenty-two verses answer to the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet, each verse beginning with a letter of that alphabet in serial order, except the omission of vauv, ( ו ) for which a repetition of pe ( פ ) is added in the last verse. The didactic strain prevails, after the opening, so that it is rather a poem than a lyric. The theme is the special providence of God over his children, which is always accompanied with the certainty of punishment to the wicked. The psalm is ascribed to David, and, though some have doubted the historic accuracy of the title, there is no evidence against its correctness. But it is clear that whatever may have been the specific occasion, it belongs to the period of the Sauline persecutions, to which eight psalms in all are assigned by their titles. The present is a companion piece to Psalm lvi, the latter being written during David’s detention in Gath, this after his escape. 1 Samuel 21:10-15. TITLE:
Abimelech As the king of Gath in the time of David is called Achish, (1 Samuel 21:10,) and the name or title Abimelech (father king) belongs to the Philistine kings in the patriarchal age, (Genesis 21, , Genesis 21:26,) it is thought by some that the discrepancy invalidates the historical worth of the title; but if Abimelech is accepted as a title assumed in common by their kings, as Pharaoh by the Egyptians or Caesar among the Romans, the difficulty vanishes.
Changed his behaviour Literally, changed his reason, or discernment; feigned himself idiotic, or in a state of mental aberration.
Drove him away Expelled him by authority, without the formality due to his rank as son-in-law to Saul.
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