Geneva Study Bible <<A Psalm of David.>> Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: <<A Psalm of David.>> Blessed be the LORD my strength, which {a} teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
(a) Who out of a poor shepherd has made a valiant warrior and mighty conqueror. My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who {b} subdueth my people under me.
(b) He confesses that neither by his own authority, power or policy was his kingdom quiet, but by the secret grace of God. LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! LORD, what is man, that thou {c} takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
(c) To give to God just praise, is to confess ourselves to be unworthy of so excellent benefits, and that he bestows them on us of his free mercy. Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. {d} Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
(d) He desires God to continue his graces, and to send help for the present need. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. {e} Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
(e) By these manner of speeches he shows that all the hindrances in the world cannot prevent God's power, which he apprehends by faith. Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great {f} waters, from the hand of strange children;
(f) That is, deliver me from the tumults of they who should be my people but are corrupt in their judgment and enterprises, as though they were strangers. Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand {g} of falsehood.
(g) For though they shake hands, they do not keep their promises. I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. I will sing a {h} new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
(h) That is, a rare and excellent song, as your great benefits deserve. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his {i} servant from the hurtful sword.
(i) Though wicked kings are called God's servants, as was Cyrus in Isa 45:1, for he uses them to execute his judgments: yet David because of God's promise and they who rule godly are properly so called, because they do not serve their own affections, but set forth God's glory. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: {k} That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
(k) He desires God to continue his benefits toward his people, counting the procreation of children and their good education among the chiefest of God's benefits. That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our {l} garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
(l) That the corners of our houses may be full of store for the great abundance of your blessings. That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. That our {m} oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
(m) He attributes not only the great conveniences, but even the least also to God's favour. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Happy is that people, that is (n) in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. (n) And if God does not give to all his children all these blessings, yet he replaces them with better things. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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