Psalm 28:9 Komentář

The former part of this psalm is the prayer of a saint militan and now in distress (Psa 28:1-3), to which is added the doom of God's implacable enemies (Psa 28:4, Psa 28:5). The latter part of the psalm is the thanksgiving of a saint triumphant, and delivered out of his distresses (Psa 28:6-8), to which is added a prophetical prayer for all God's faithful loyal subjects (Psa 28:9). So that it is hard to say which of these two conditions David was in when he penned it. Some think he was now in trouble seeking God, but at the same time preparing to praise him for his deliverance, and by faith giving him thanks for it, before it was wrought. Others think he was now in triumph, but remembered, and recorded for his own and others' benefit, the prayers he made when he was in affliction, that the mercy might relish the better, when it appeared to be an answer to them. A psalm of David.

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 28 A Psalm of David. This psalm, Aben Ezra says, David either composed himself, or one of the singers for him; the former seems most likely; and it might be made by him when he was persecuted by Saul, or when delivered from him; or at least when he had faith and hope that he should be delivered: the psalm consists of two parts, petitions and thanksgivings.

Save thy people,.... The psalmist begins the psalm with petitions for himself, and closes it with prayers for the people of God; whom God has chosen for his people, taken into covenant to be his people, and given them to his son as such; these he has resolved to save, and has appointed Christ, and sent him into the world, to be the Saviour of them; and to them he makes known and applies the great salvation by his Spirit: so that this prayer was a prayer of faith, as are also the following petitions; and bless thine inheritance; the people whom the Lord has chosen for his inheritance, and has given to Christ as his portion, and are his peculiar possession; and these he blesses with all spiritual blessings, with grace here, and glory hereafter, as is requested; feed them also; as the shepherd does his flock, by leading them into green pastures, by giving them the bread of life, by nourishing them with the word and ordinances, by the means or his ministering servants, who are under-shepherds appointed to feed the saints with knowledge and understanding; and lift them up for ever; above their enemies, and out of the reach of them; bear and carry them now, as the shepherd does his lambs, in his arms and bosom; and raise them out of their graves, and give them the dominion in the morning of the resurrection, and cause them to reign as kings and priests with Christ, as they ever will. Next: Psalms Chapter 29

"Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance" [Psalm 28:9]. I intercede therefore, after My Flesh has flourished again, because You have said, "Desire of Me, and I will give You the heathen for Your inheritance;" "Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance:" for "all Mine are Yours." [John 17:10] "And rule them, and set them up even for ever." And rule them in this temporal life, and raise them from hence into life eternal.

The prayer for the people befits the king as well: it is also admirable about mighty David that though pursued also by the people, who waged war on him along with Saul, he offered supplication on their behalf to God. He foresaw their future conversion, you see, and had regard not for the injustice but for the servitude to come.

"Save." Here he shows the continuation of the benefits or of salvation. And first he sets forth the salvation. Second, the manner, at "Bless." He says therefore: O Lord, you who are my protector, "save your people," that is, I ask that you lead them to salvation: Jn. 17: "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from evil": Is. 45: "Israel is saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation." Next he sets forth the manner of reaching salvation: for which three things are required: namely, the gift of grace, governance, and spiritual progress. As to the first he says, "And bless your inheritance," that is, confirm its gifts. Prov. 10: "The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just." And he says "your inheritance," because the elect are his inheritance: Ps. 32: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord," etc. As to the second he says, "And rule them," because even with grace, governance is necessary: Prov. 11: "Where there is no governor, the people shall fall." As to the third he says, "And lift them up," that is, advance them through progress, "forever." This can be understood in two ways. First, in the intellect, when one is raised to a clear knowledge of the truth: Is. 52: "Behold, my servant shall understand, and shall be exalted." Second, in the affections, when one desires not carnal but spiritual things: "Having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ," Phil. 1. Because one is removed from this life to the life of glory: Is. 56: "I will lift you up above the height of the clouds, and I will feed you," etc.

An earnest cry for divine aid against his enemies, as being also those of God, is followed by the Psalmist's praise in assurance of a favorable answer, and a prayer for all God's people. (Psa 28:1-9) my rock-- (Psa 18:2, Psa 18:31). be not silent to me--literally, "from me," deaf or inattentive. become like them, &c.--share their fate. go down into the pit--or, "grave" (Psa 30:3).

The special prayer for the people sustains this view. feed them--as a shepherd (Psa 23:1, &c.). Next: Psalms Chapter 29