Psa 4:1, 6:1 | Clarke | e4.org | PSALM IV David prays to be heard , 1; expostulates with the ungodly , 2; exhorts them to turn to God, and make their peace with him , 3-5; shows the vain pursuits of men in search of happiness, which he asserts exists only in the approbation of God , 6, 7; commends himself to the Lord, and then quietly takes his repose , 8. NOTES ON PSALM IV This Psalm seems to have been composed on the same occasion with the preceding, viz., Absalom's rebellion . It appears to have been an evening hymn, sung by David and his company previously to their going to rest. It is inscribed to the chief Musician upon Neginoth , lamnatstseach binginoth . Probably the first word comes from natsach , to be over , or preside ; and may refer to the precentor in the choir. Some suppose that it refers to the Lord Jesus , who is the Supreme Governor, or victorious Person; the Giver of victory . Neginoth seems to come from nagan , to strike; and probably may signify some such instruments as the cymbal, drum , &c., and stringed instruments in general. But there is no certainty in these things. What they mean , or what they were , is known to no man. Verse 1. Hear me when I call ] No man has a right to expect God to hear him if he do not call. Indeed, how shall he be heard if he speak not? There are multitudes who expect the blessings of God as confidently as if they had prayed for them most fervently; and yet such people pray not at all! God of my righteousness ] Whatever pardon, peace, holiness, or truth I possess, has come entirely from thyself. Thou art the God of my salvation , as thou art the God of my life . Thou hast enlarged me ] I was in prison ; and thou hast brought me forth abroad . Have mercy on me -continue to act in the same way. I shall always need thy help ; I shall never deserve to have it; let me have it in the way of mere mercy , as thou hast hitherto done.

‏ Psalms 4:1

PSALM IV

David prays to be heard, 1;

expostulates with the ungodly, 2;

exhorts them to turn to God, and make their peace with him, 3-5;

shows the vain pursuits of men in search of happiness, which he asserts exists only in the approbation of God, 6, 7;

commends himself to the Lord, and then quietly takes his repose,

NOTES ON PSALM IV

This Psalm seems to have been composed on the same occasion with the preceding, viz., Absalom's rebellion. It appears to have been an evening hymn, sung by David and his company previously to their going to rest. It is inscribed to the chief Musician upon Neginoth, lamnatstseach binginoth. Probably the first word comes from natsach, to be over, or preside; and may refer to the precentor in the choir. Some suppose that it refers to the Lord Jesus, who is the Supreme Governor, or victorious Person; the Giver of victory. Neginoth seems to come from nagan, to strike; and probably may signify some such instruments as the cymbal, drum, &c., and stringed instruments in general. But there is no certainty in these things. What they mean, or what they were, is known to no man.

Verse 1. Hear me when I call] No man has a right to expect God to hear him if he do not call. Indeed, how shall he be heard if he speak not? There are multitudes who expect the blessings of God as confidently as if they had prayed for them most fervently; and yet such people pray not at all!

God of my righteousness] Whatever pardon, peace, holiness, or truth I possess, has come entirely from thyself. Thou art the God of my salvation, as thou art the God of my life.

Thou hast enlarged me] I was in prison; and thou hast brought me forth abroad. Have mercy on me-continue to act in the same way. I shall always need thy help; I shall never deserve to have it; let me have it in the way of mere mercy, as thou hast hitherto done.

‏ Psalms 6:1

PSALM VI

This Psalm contains a deprecation of eternal vengeance, 1;

a petition to God for mercy, 2.

This is enforced from a consideration of the psalmist's sufferings, 3;

from that of the Divine mercy, 4;

from that of the praise and glory which God would fail to receive if man were destroyed, 5;

from that of his humiliation and contrition, 6, 7.

Being successful in his supplication, he exults in God, 8, 9;

and predicts the downfall of all his enemies, 10.

NOTES ON PSALM VI

This Psalm has the following inscription: To the chief Musician on Neginoth, upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David; which the Chaldee translates, "To be sung on neginoth, a harp of eight strings." The various interpretations given to this inscription, both by ancients and moderns, show us that nothing is known concerning it. We have already seen that neginoth probably signifies all instruments which emitted sounds by strokes, or stringed instruments in general. This Psalm was to be accompanied with such instruments; but one of a particular kind is specified, viz., sheminith; so called from its having eight strings. The chief musician is directed to accompany the recital of this Psalm with the above instrument.

Verse 1. O Lord, rebuke me not] This Psalm, Which is one of the seven Penitential Psalms, is supposed to have been written during some grievous disease with which David was afflicted after his transgression with Bath-sheba. It argues a deep consciousness of sin, and apprehension of the just displeasure of God. It is the very language of a true penitent who is looking around for help, and who sees, as Bishop Horne well expresses it, "above, an angry God, ready to take vengeance; beneath, the fiery gulf, ready to receive him; without, a world in flames; within, the gnawing worm." Of all these, none so dreadful as an angry God; his wrath he particularly deprecates. God rebukes and chastens him, and he submits; but he prays not to be rebuked in anger, nor chastened in hot displeasure, because he knows that these must bring him down to total and final destruction.