A Psalm of David.
This psalm was probably composed by David upon the occasion of his advancement to the throne, 1 Chron. 12, 2 Sam. 5, as Psalm 138, 75, etc. In it we have, (1.) Thankful acknowledgements of God's relation to him, and condescending kindness towards him, ver. 1-4. (2.) Supplication for divine deliverance from his enemies, who still threatened him, ver. 5-8; and for prosperity to his kingdom, ver. 11-14. (3.) Triumphant joy in God, as his and their deliverer and portion, ver. 9-10, 15.
While I sing, let me admire the relation, the kindness of God to me, who am so mean, so frail, so sinful! Let me rejoice in him, as my all in all; and commit my way to him, that he may bring it to pass. And let every external benefit lead up my heart to God himself.
1 O blessed ever be the Lord,
who is my strength and might,
Who doth instruct my hands to war,
my fingers teach to fight.
2 My goodness, fortress, my high tow'r,
deliverer, and shield,
In whom I trust: who under me
my people makes to yield.
3 Lord, what is man, that thou of him
dost so much knowledge take?
Or son of man, that thou of him
so great account dost make?
4 Man is like vanity; his days,
as shadows, pass away.
5 Lord, bow thy heav'ns, come down,
touch thou the hills, and smoke shall they.
6 Cast forth thy lightning, scatter them;
thine arrows shoot, them rout.
7 Thine hand send from above, me save;
from great depths draw me out;
And from the hand of children strange,
8 Whose mouth speaks vanity;
And their right hand is a right hand
that works deceitfully.
9 A new song I to thee will sing,
Lord, on a psaltery;
I on a ten-string'd instrument
will praises sing to thee.
10 Ev'n he it is that unto kings
salvation doth send;
Who his own servant David doth
from hurtful sword defend.
11 O free me from strange children's hand,
whose mouth speaks vanity;
And their right hand a right hand is
that works deceitfully.
12 That, as the plants, our sons may be
in youth grown up that are;
Our daughters like to corner-stones,
carv'd like a palace fair.
13 That to afford all kind of store
our garners may be fill'd;
That our sheep thousands, in our streets
ten thousands they may yield.
14 That strong our oxen be for work,
that no in-breaking be,
Nor going out; and that our streets
may from complaints be free.
15 Those people blessed are who be
in such a case as this;
Yea, blessed all those people are,
whose God Jehovah is.
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