The Treasury of David, Volume 6

At the end of all these years the last page of this Commentary is printed, and the final preface is requested. The demand sounds strangely in my ears. A preface when the work is done? It can be only nominally a preface, for it is really a farewell. I beg to introduce my closing volume, and then to retire with many apologies for having trespassed so much upon my reader’s patience.

A tinge of sadness is on my spirit as I quit “The Treasury of David,” never to find on this earth a richer storehouse, though the whole palace of revelation is open to me. Blessed have been the days spent in meditating, mourning, hoping, believing, and exulting with David! Can I hope to spend hours more joyous on this side of the golden gate. Perhaps not; for the seasons have been very choice in which the harp of the great poet of the sanctuary has charmed my ears. Yet the training which has come of these heavenly contemplations may haply go far to create and sustain a peaceful spirit which will never be without its own happy psalmody, and never without aspirations after something higher than it yet has known. The Book of Psalms instructs us in the use of wings as well as words: it sets us both mounting and singing. Ofter have I ceased my commenting upon the text, that I might rise with the Psalm, and gaze upon visions of God. If I may only hope that these volumes will be as useful to other hearts in the reading as to mine in the writing, I shall be well rewarded by the prospect.

The former volumes have enjoyed a singular popularity. It may be questioned if in any age a commentary so large, upon a single book of the Bible, has enjoyed a circulation within measurable distance of that which has been obtained by this work. Among all orders of Christians “The Treasury” has found its way unrestrained by sectarian prejudice — another proof of the unity of the spiritual life, and the oneness of the food upon which it delights to feed. The author may not dare to be proud of the generous acknowledgments which he has received from men of all sections of the church; but, on the other hand, he cannot pass over them in ungrateful silence. Conscious as he is of his many literary sins of omission and of commission in these volumes, he is yet glad to have been permitted to do his best, and to have received abundant encouragement in the doing of it. Of all its good the glory is the Lord’s; of all its weakness the unworthy author must bear the blame.

This last portion of the Psalms has not been the easiest part of my gigantic task. On the contrary, with the exception of The Songs of Degrees, and one or two other Psalms, these later hymns and hallelujahs have not been largely expounded, nor frequently referred to, by our great divines. Failing the English, a larger use has been made of the Latin authors; and my esteemed friend, W. DURBAN, B.A., has rendered me great service in their translation. It would astonish our readers if they could see what tomes have been read..

VI PREFACE.

what folios have been covered with translations, and in the end what tiny morsels have been culled from the vast mass for incorporation with this Treasury. Heaps of earth have been sifted and washed, and have yielded only here and there a little “dust of gold.” No labour has been spared; no difficulty has been shirked. May the good Lord accept my service, and enrich his church by it this day, and when I am gathered to my fathers!

My friend and amanuensis, Mr. J. L. KEYS, has continued to search the British Museum and public Libraries for me; and to him and many other kind friends I owe many a quotation which else might have been overlooked. Of the extracts I am editor in chief, and not much more; for brethren such as Mr. HENSON, of Kingsgate Street, have at sundry times, of their own accord, sent me material more or less useful. In the homiletical department my obligations are exceedingly great, and are duly acknowledged under initials. My venerable friend, the Rev. GEORGE ROGERS, leads the way; but several other brethren, hailing from the Pastors’ College, follow with almost equal steps. Thanks are hereby tendered to them all, and to the multitude of authors from whom I have gathered flowers and fruits, fragrant and nourishing.

And now the colossal work is done! To God be all glory. More than twenty years have glided away while this pleasant labour has been in the doing; but the wealth of mercy which has been lavished upon me during that time my grateful heart is unable to measure. Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all those years, and made my heart to sing new Psalms for new mercies. There is none like the God of Jeshurun. To him be all glory for ever and ever.

In these busy days, it would be greatly to the spiritual profit of Christian men if they were more familiar with the Book of Psalms, in which they would find a complete armoury for life’s battles, and a perfect supply for life’s needs. Here we have both delight and usefulness, consolation and instruction. For every condition there is a Psalm, suitable and elevating. The Book supplies the babe in grace with penitent cries, and the perfected saint with triumphant songs. Its breadth of experience stretches from the jaws of hell to the gate of heaven. He who is acquainted with the marches of the Psalm-country knows that the land floweth with milk and honey, and he delights to travel therein. To such I have aspired to be a helpful companion.

Reader, I beseech David’s God to bless thee; and I pray thee, when it is well with thee, breathe a like prayer for

Thine heartily,

INDEX

OF AUTHORS QUOTED OR REFERRED TO.

Abbot, W. (1870), 348

Aben-Ezra, 20, 162

Adam, T. (1701 — 1784), 313

Adams Thomas (1614), 55, 63, 64, 78, 104,

127, 172, 193, 239, 274, 277, 282, 431
Addison, J. (1672 — 1719), 231, 289
Agellius, (1532 — 1608), 320
Aglen, A. S. (1884), 328, 340, 364, 371, 387,

397. 434. 444. 44^

Ainsworth Henry, (1622), 142, 272, 290
Alexander, J. W. (1804), 274
Alexander, J. A. (1809 — 1860), 65, 72, 80,

94, 140, 156, 158, 161, 163, 169, 180, 192,

198, 200, 212, 247, 253, 268, 269, 273, 276,
282, 285, 304, 311, 313, 316, 319, 320, 329,
330, 362, 367, 368, 369, 382, 407, 469

Alexander, W. L. (1808 — 1884), 276

Alleine, J. (1633 — 1668), 435

Allon Henry (1852), 386

Alsop, V. (1703), 350

“American Sunday School Times, The,”

(1878), 413
Anderson, J. (1849), 3, 22, 152, 248, 311,

329, 44L 467
Andrewes, L. (1555 — 1626), 72, 74, 285, 383,
Angus, J. (1862), 152
Annesley, S. (1620 — 1696), 266, 268
Aristophanes, 432
Armfield, H. T., 2, 8, n, 52, 60, 71, 80, 86,

93, in, 121, 152, 154. 155
Arnold, T. (1795 — 1842), 197
Arnot, W. (1808 — 1875), 287
Arrowsmith, J. (1602 — 1659), 274
Attersoll, W. (1618), 197
Augustine (354 — 430), 124, 191, 193, 215,

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