Introduction
A Psalm of David.
The occasion of this psalm is the defeat of Absalom. It has been, by a few writers, supposed to be the victory over Goliath, as is certainly suggested by “the hurtful sword,” “strange children whose mouth speaketh vanity,” and some other phrases. Other writers have placed this psalm among the victories after the captivity. It is, however, seen to be the language of one who is already a king, and has received a king’s “salvation” in victory over the enemies of his kingdom, and deliverance from their hurtful sword. Absalom was peculiarly a “strange” child, of a heathen mother, and moulded after his grandfather, with whom he had spent much time, rather than after his father. Specially is it to be noticed that the element of remorse and self-abasement, noticed in Psalms 144:3-4, comports with David’s feelings in the matter of Absalom. It is thought that the psalm originally ended with Psalms 144:11. There is no necessary connexion of the following verses with the preceding, but they fit this psalm as well as any other.
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