Preface

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,

231, 255, 286, 311, 329, 383, 405, 442, 455
Aveling, T. W. B. (1879), 131
Ayguan, M. (1340 — 1416), 221, 327, 361, 410

Baker, Sir Richard (1568 — 1645), 122, 125,

127, 130, 131, 132, 327, 340, 342, 343, 346,

349, 351

Balcanqual, W. (1642), 79, 231
Bapa Padmanji, 459
“Baptist Handbook, The” (1875), 94
“Baptist Magazine, The” (1831), 22
“Baptist Messenger, The” (1870), 348
Bardsley, J. W. (1883), 362
Barlow, G. (1879), 55
Barlow, J. (1632), 221
Barnes, Albert (1798 — 1870), 21, 35, 36, 43,

88, 159, 197, 220, 249, 275, 277, 285, 312,

319. 327. 362, 365, 392, 406, 412
Earth, T. C. (1885), 299

Bate, J. (1865), 391, 428

Bates, W. (1625 — 1699), 434

Baxter, R. (1615 — 1691), 317

Bede Venerable, 42, 86

Beecher, H. Ward (1813), 131, 271. 387, 388,

422
Bellarmine, R. (1542 — 1621), 52, 155, 179,

189, 236, 284, 304, 332, 365, 391, 412,
Bennett, J. (1774 — 1862), 352
“Ben-Tehillim “(1883), 80
Bernard (1091 — 1153), 341
Beveridge, W. (1636 — 1708), 191, 341
” Bible, The Annotated Paragraph,” 252,
“Bible Educator, The “(1875), 429
” Biblical Museum, The “(1879), 131, 154
” Biblical Treasury, The” (1873), 21, 22, 23
” Bibliotheca Sacra and Theological Review,

The” (1848), 230, 239
Binney, T. (1798 — 1874), 404, 409
Binnie, W. (1870), 449
Blackley, T. (1826), 425
Blake, W. (1757 — 1828), 331
Bloys, W. (1632), 459
Bonar Andrew (1859), 51, 74, 158, 213, 215

216, 219, 222, 223, 237, 299, 302, 351, 383,

420, 468

Bonar, Horatius (1875), 447
Boothroyd, Benjamin (1768 — 1836), 95
Boston, T. (1676 — 1732), 330, 331
Boethius (455 — 526), 213
Bouchier, B. (1794 — 1865), 19, 55, 71, 153.

193, 221, 238, 269, 299, 311, 368, 422, 442,
Bovet, F. (1824), 412
Bowdler, J. (1814), 18
Bowen, G. (1873), 128
Bowes, G. S. (1869), 66, 94, 274, 430
Bradley, C. (1788 — 1871), 142
Bridge, W. (1600 — 1670), 73, 170
Brightman, T. (1557 — 1607), 190
Brooks, T. (1608 — 1680), 90, 192, 372, 395
Browne, M. (1703 — 1787), 94
Browning, E. B. (1809 — 1861), 92
Bruce, A. B. (1882), 159, 171
Bruno of Aste (1123), 303, 311
Bryant, W. C. (1794 — 1878), 443
Buck, C. (1771 — 1815), 404
Bunyan, J. (1628 — 1688), 65, 127, 236
Burckhardt, J. L. (1784 — 1817), n
Burder, S. (1839), 283, 320, 388, 432
Burgon, J. W. (1859), 9, 42, 75, 162, 232, 255

339. 345. 443

Burroughs, J. (1599 — 1646), 252
Buxtorf, J. (1564 — 1629), 302

INDEX.

Byrom, J. (1691 — 1763), 200, 290
Bythner, V. (1670), 382

Calamy, Edward, 56

Calcott, Lady M. (1788 — 1842), 116, 234

Callimachus, 371

Calmet, A. (1672 — 1757)’ 421

Calvert, T. (1647), 345. 347

Calvin, J. (1509 — 1564)- 4. “. 20, 23, 45, 90,

102, 105, 106, 112, 113, 156, 173, 179. IQI.
196, 197, 215, 219, 224, 237, 271, 272, 273,

274, 280, 300, 311, 362, 366, 369, 393. 395.
411, 447, 458

Carpenter, G. (1527), 4°4
Carlyle, T. 455
Carne, J. (1789 — 1844), 22
Caryl, J. (1602 — 1673), 10, 19, 22, 53, 64, 65,
76, 93, 125, 129, 163. 169, 171, 254, 255,

275, 279, 282, 289, 300, 304, 316, 319, 330,
364, 365, 366, 384, 391, 405. 41°. 43°. 432,
434, 467

Case, T. (1598 — 1682), 283

Cassiodorus (47° — 56°). 153. 327

Cecil, R. (1748 — 1810), 105

Chalmers, T. (1780 — 1847), 236, 252, 449

Chandler, S. (1693 — 1766), 326

Chardin, Sir J. (1643 — 1713). 344

Charnock, S. (1628 — 1680), 130, 190, 199,

271, 275, 284, 286, 422, 426, 444
Cheever. G. B. (1807), 348
Cheshire, T. (1641), 447
“Christian, The” (1876), 393
“Christian Treasury, The” (1865), 214, 318
Chrysostom, 231, 235
Cicero, 272, 273, 285, 366
Clarke, Adam 61, 87, 93. ’43. 220, 240, 280,

384, 392, 466

Clarke, E. D. (1769 — 1822), 31
Clarkson, D. (1622 — 1686), 21, 216, 286, 389

Clay, W. K. (1839), 235, 397

Clerke, R. (1634), 35, 214

Cobbin, Ingram (1837), 113, 303

Cocceius, J. (1603 — 1669), 235

Coleman, J. N. (1863). 240

Conant, J. (1608 — 1693), 427

Conder, C. R. (1878 — 80), 61

Conder, J. (1789 — 1855). 4*7

Congleton, Baron (1805 — 1883), 378

Cook, J. (1878), 115

Cooper, E. (1826), 458

Cope, Sir A. (1547), 17

Cowles, H. (1872), 73, 76, 159, 192, 272, 386

Cowper, W. (1566 — 1619), 24

Cowper, William (1731 — 1800), 234, 307,
Cox, S. (1874), 8, 32, 36, 42, 43, 87, 139, 154
Crashaw, W. (1618), 301
Cresswell, D. (1776 — 1844), 53, 95- 214, 32°.

341, 367

Dale, T. (1853), 396

Darby, J. N. (1800 — 1882), 466

Deems, C. F. (1820), 89

De Burgh, W. (1860), 215, 237, 281, 304, 449

De Dieu, Louis, (1590 — 1642), 90

Delitzsch, Franz (1871), 4, 22, 46, 64, 100,
121, 126, 138. 172, 178, 180, 197. 201, 213,
214, 230, 253, 268, 277, 320, 329, 455

De Vere, 273

Dick, T. (1774 — 1857). 218, 219, 426

Dickson, D. (1583 — 1662), 22, 33, 36, 55, 56,
75, 113, 115, 139. 157. I6°. X79. 180, 192,
200, 201, 213, 216, 220, 248, 269, 273, 284,
31 1. 315, 387, 388, 396, 426, 445, 468 469

“Dictionary of Illustrations, The” (1873), 20

Digby, Wm., 72

Diodati, J. (1576 — 1649), 432

Dionysius, 410

Disraeli, Benjamin (1880), 103

Donne, J. (1573 — 1631), 371

Drummond, Henry (1884), 344

Duncan, H. (1774 — 1846), 273

Duns, J. (1868), 196

Du Halde, J. B. (1674 — 1743). 94

Dyke, D. (1614), 53

Edersheim, A. (1877), 17, 19, 52, 86, 172, 235

Edlin, P. (1656), 412

Edwards, B. B. (1802 — 1852), 267

Edwards, Jonathan (1703 — 1758), 365, 397

Elliot, Charlotte (1871), 328

Emerson, R. W. (1803 — 1882), 115

Erskine, E. (1680 — 1754), 163, 252, 254

Euripides, 104

“Evangelical Magazine, The” 427

Evelyn, J. (1620 — 1706), 234

Everard, J. (1653), 444

Eustathius (1198), 432

Fairbairn, A. M. (1881), 36

Fairbairn, P. (1845), 312

Fairclough, S. (1650), 460, 467

Farindon, A. (1596 — 1658), 18, 31, 156, 313,

406
Faussett, A. R. (1866), 125, 200, 250, 254,

269, 282, 299, 329, 332, 339, 342, 351, 366
Fawcett, J. (1769 — 1851), 339, 343, 346
Featley, D. (1582 — 1645), 238
Fenner, C. G. (1846), 124
Fenner, W. (1560 — 1640), 397, 424
Fenton, T. (1732), 24, 36, 303, 304, 342
Field, J. (1883), 158
Finn, E. A. (1866), 116
Flavel, J. (1627 — 1691), 291
Fletcher, P. (1584 — 1650), 88
Fleury, C. (1640 — 1723), 266
Ford, J. (1871), 289
“Francis” Viscount Dillon, 390
Frank, M. (1613 — 1664), 461
Franklin, B. (1706 — 1790), 88
French, W. (1787 — 1849), 215, 285
Frisch, J. D. (1731), 271

Fuller, Andrew (1754 — *8l5). 278, 395. 397
Fuller, Thomas (1608 — 1661), 18, 79, 461

Gadsby, J. (1860), 104

Geier, M. (1614 — 1681), 44, 55, 179, 270, 272,

383, 385, 386, 392, 394- 404. 427, 43L 442

445, 466

Geikie, C. (1881), 156, 198, 35*
Gennebrard, G. (1537 — 1597)> 235, 434
Gerlach, Otto Von (1801 — 1849), 197
German Proverb, 94
Gesner, S. (1559 — 1605), 63, 104, 121, 127,
Gibson, E. T., 52

Gilfillan, G. (1813 — 1878), 267, 382
Gill, John (1697 — 1771), 4, 52, 61, 63, 80, 115,

141, 155, l6l, 172, 190, 193, 199, 201, 212,

220, 266, 271, 319, 332, 349, 393, 466

INDEX.

Gill, William, 36

Gilmour, James (1883), 199

Godet, F. (1875), 163

Gogerly, G. (1870), 162

Good, J. M. (1764 — 1827), 51, 178, 195

Goodwin, J. (1593 — 1665), 252

Goodwin, P. (1658), 91

Goodwin, T. (1600 — 1679), 65, 93, 173, 201,

224, 348, 350, 383, 446, 455
Goold, W. H. (1851), 122
Gore, J. (1635), 317, 318
Gosson, T. (1554-1623), 461
Gough, J. B. (1881), 341
Graham, W. (1847), 163
Gray, A. (1805 — 1861), 341
Gray, J. C. (1879). 34*
Greenham, R. (1531 — 1591), 9
Greenhill, W. (1591 — 1677), 238, 248, 271
Gregory (342 — 389), 390
Grove, G. (1863), 198
Gurnall, W. (1617 — 1679), 34, 76, 79, 128,

222, 250, 253, 283, 304, 317, 341, 343
Guthrie, T. (1803 — 1873), 94
Guyon, Madame (1648 — 1717), 88

Hale, S. J. (1800), 422

Haley, J. W. (1875), 409

Hall, J. (1574 — 1656), 95, 216, 364, 391

Hall, Robert (1764 — 1831), 398

Halley, E. (1656 — 1742), 194

Hammond, H. (1605 — 1660), 154, 179, 249,
411, 429

Hammond, J. (1876), 239

Hardy, N. (1618 — 1670) 408, 409

Hardwick, H. (1644), 79

Hare, A. W. (1792 — 1834), 105

Hare, J. C. (1795 — 1855), 367

Harmer, T. (1715 — 1788)’ 44. 105, 196, 344

Harris, M. (1639), 75

Harris, R. (1578 — 1658), 214, 213

Hart, J. (1712 — 1768), 22

Havergal, F. R. (1836 — 1879), 19

Hawker. R. (1735 — 1827), 456

Hayward, Sir John (1560 — 1627), 132

Hengstenberg, E. W. (1848), 17, 19, 30, 201,
230, 237, 247, 248. 361, 369, 391, 469

Hemholtz, Prof. 195

Henderson, A. (1583 — 1646), 44, 78, 80, 106,
in, 113, 114

Henry, Matthew (1662 — 1714), 12, 21, 34, 52,
55, 60, 61, 74, 75, 79, 80, 94, 105, 114, 140,
143, 152, 164, 199, 213, 230, 269, 271, 273,
302, 315, 319, 326, 327, 332, 341, 342, 350,
361. 367, 384, 385, 390, 405, 406, 411, 431,
455. 456, 458, 465. 466

Henry, P. (1631 — 1696), 223

Herbert, George (1593 — 1633), 158

Herodotus, 283

Herrick, Robert (1591 — 1674), 54

Heywood, O. (1629 — 1702), 140

Hinton, J. Howard (1791 — 1873), 94

Hitchcock, E. (1793 — 1864), 276

Hodges, T. (1660). 75

Holdsworth, R. (1590 — 1649), 42, 43, 45, 368,

Homer, 240, 361

Homes, N. (1678), 372

“Homiletic Commentary on the Book of

Psalms, A” (1879), 55, 290
Hope, Lady (1884), 270
Hopkins, E. (1633 — 1690), 274, 273

Home, George (1730 — 1792), 9, 31, 143, 179,
196, 217, 238, 239, 285, 300, 303, 320, 351,
422

Horsley, S. (1733 — 1806), 410

Horton, T. (1673), 170, 171, 283

Houghton, W. (1873), 429

Howels, W. (1778 — 1832), 288

Hubbard, F. G. 428

Humboldt, F. H. A. Von (1769 — 1859), 217

Hume, J. (1628), 72, 73, 74, 80

Hurst, H. (1629 — 1690), 153

Hutcheson, G. (1678), 125

Hutton, J. (1857), 302

“Imperial Dictionary of Universal Biography, The” (1868), 405
Irons, Joseph (1786 — 1852), 36

Jackson, A. (1593 — 1666), 154, 189, 196

Jackson, J. (1661), 10

Jackson, T. (1579 — 1640), 411

Jameson, J. (1838), 426

Janeway, J. (1637 — 1674), 404

Janeway, John (1633 — 1657), 162

Jay, W. (1769 — 1853), 34, 141, 234, 313

Jeanes, H. (1649), 387

Jebb, J. (1846), 2, 139, 268, 311, 315

Jewish Proverb, 35

Jones, W. (1879), 275

Joule, J. P. (1818), 194

Jowett, W. (1787 — 1855), 116

Judson, Dr. (1788 — 1850), 24

Kay, W. (1871), 4, ix. 73, 113, 152, 230, 235,
Keble, J. (1792 — 1866), 321
Kelly, T. (1806), 152
Ken, T. (1637 — 1711), 181
Kennedy, B. H. (1860). 136
Kent, J. (1766 — 1843), 98
Kimchi, D. (1240), 2
King, J. (1601), 406
Kingsley, C. (1819 — 1875), 393
Kinns, S. (1882). 194
Kirby, M. and E. (1873), 235
Kitto, J. (1804 — 1854), 104, 114. 189, 237, 302

456, 468, 469

Lake, A. (1550 — 1626), 159, 160

Lamartine (1790), 465

Lange, J. P. (1802 — 1884), 89, 271 410

Larkham, T. (1656), 426

Law, H. (1796 — 1882), 64, 152, 156

Lawrence, M. (1657), 332

Lawson, G. (1749 — 1820), 448

Le Blanc, T. (1599 — 1669), 43, 66, 92, 102,

115, 270, 271, 273, 383, 385, 387, 397. 4°5.

406, 412, 430. 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 459,
Le Clerc, J. (1657 — 1736), 73
Lee, S. (1625 — 1691), 327, 386
Leighton, R. (1613 — 1684), lox 126
Lightfoot, John (1602 — 1675), 4
Lillie, J. (1812 — 1867), 201, 252
Littledale. R. F. (See Neale, J. M.)
Livingstone, J. (1603 — 1672), 248
Longfellow, 68
Lorinus, J. (1569 — 1634), 300, 384, 386, 387,

392. 410, 411, 421, 427, 442, 443
Lowth, R. (1710 — 1787), a8i
Lucian, 315

Luther, Martin (1483 — 1546). 2, n, 30, 33,
42, 44, 52, 54, 61, 63, 74, 76, 103, 116, 154,
160, 172

Lye, T. (1621 — 1684), 341

Lyte, H. F. (1793 — 1847), 212

McCheyne, R. M. (1813 — 1843), 14*, 233

MacCosh, J. (1811), 445

Macdonald, R. (1879), 340

MacKellar, T. (1883). 394

Maclaren, A. (1879), 255

Maclaren, D. (1883), 281

Maclaurin, J. (1693 — 1754), 388

MacMaster, R. P. (1878), 103

McMichael, N. (1860), u, 12, 20, 23, 31, 51,

54» 55. 64, 65, 102, 106, 113, 126, 140, 180
Macmillan, H. (1871), 103, 172, 314, 428, 433,
Manning, H. E. (1850), 385
Mant, R. (1776 — 1848), 303, 443
Manton, Thomas (1620 — 1677), 43, 46, 56, 89,

13°. !39, M1. r92, 201, 215, 223, 235, 279,

315, 327. 350, 390, 427, 430. 434
Marbury, E. (1649), 238
Marshall, W. (1690), 456
Martial. 432
Martin, Samuel (1817 — 1878), 31. 178, 180,
Mason, J. (1763), 274
Mayer, J. (1653), 179, 303, 338
Mayhew, R. (1679), 9, 162, 192
Mede, J. (1586 — 1638), 157
Melville, H. (1798 — 1871), 92, 288, 290, 391,

392, 393. 394

Merrick, J. (1720 — 1769). 94- 234
Michaelis, J. H. (1668 — 1738), 466
Millington, T. S. (1873), 196
Milman, H. H. (1791 — 1868), 232
Milton, John, 205, 211, 212
Mitchell, S. S. (1884), 445
Mollerus, D. H. (1639), 63, 101, 126
Momerie, A. W. (1881), 343
Montaigne, 45

Montgomery, J. (1771 — 1854), 103, 217, 268
Moore, T. (1779 — 1852), 424
More, Hannah (1745 — 1833), 392
Morison, J. (1829), 160, 216, 253, 300, 304,

362, 366, 405, 444, 467
Mudge, Z. (1769), 220
Muis, S. de (1587 — 1644), 385, 397, 407, 410,

427, 456, 458
Murphy, J. G. (1875), 19, 43, 46, 189, 213,

388, 445

Musculus, W. (1497 — 1563), 45, 87, 88, 115
Muston, A. (1852), in

Nalton, J. (1664), 250, 253

Neale, J. M. (1818 — 1866), 3, 20, 42, 56, 86,

102, 124, 153, 171, 200, 212, 235, 302, 311,

361, 367. 383, 392, 4IQ. 443
Neil, J. (1882), 20, 61, 63, 76, 276
“New Cyclopaedia of Illustrations, The”

(1870), 201
” New Cyclopaedia of Illustrative Anecdote,

The” (1875), 200
Newman, J. H. (1801), 279
Newton, John (1725 — 1807), 328, 363
Nicholson, W. (1671), 95, 385, 421, 431
Nisbet, R. (1863), 3, 8, 10, 33, 42, 46, 61, 94,

“Old Testament Commentary for English
Readers, The” (1884), 328, 340

Oosterzee, J. Van (1817 — 1882), 434

“Orbs of Heaven, The” (1859), 216

Ormiston, W. (1874), 230

Orton, J. (1717 — 1783), 56

Osburn, W. (1856), 219, 220

Ovid, 392

Owen, J. (1616 — 1683), 62, 124, 126, 312,
313. 3i6, 340

Page, W. H. J., 61

Palanterius, J. P. (1600), 31, 385, 397, 410

412, 431, 455, 459
Patrick, S. (1646 — 1707), 468
Paxton, G. (1762 — 1837), 369
Payne, G. (1850), 195
Payson, E. (1783 — 1827), 32
Pearson, J. N. (1830), 434
Pennefather, C. (1881), 362
Perkins, W. (1558 — 1602), 285
Perowne, J. J. S., 9, 20, 23, 44, 46, 61, 63,

104, 116, 132, 179, 180, 230, 282, 342, 409,

411. 426, 441, 449
Peters, C. (1777), 313, 320
Pett, Peter (1599), 446
Phillips, G. (1846), ii
Philpot, J. C. (1802 — 1869), 133, 248, 251,

272, 321
Pierce, S. E. (1746 — 1829), 12, 17, 23, 80,

89, 114, 179

Pierson, T. (1570 — 1633), 343
Pigot. J. (1643), 32
Pindar, 283
Pirie, A. (1804), 164
Pitcairne, A. (1664), 392
Plato, 274

Playfere, T. (1633), 161, 162, 164
Pliny, 300
Plumer, W. S. (1802 — 1880), 32, 53, 94, 157,

158, 216, 224, 299, 302, 456, 465
Plutarch, 271

Pope, A. (1688 — 1744), 218
Pool, M. (1624 — 1679), 200, 222, 272, 303,
Potter, R. (1721 — 1804), 95
Power, P. B. (1862), 249, 383, 386
Pressense, E. De (1869), 328, 365
Prideaux, H. (1648 — 1724), 234, 239, 404
Pridham, A. (1869), 79, 238, 300
Prior, M. (1664 — 1721), 237
Propertius, 231

“Pulpit Commentary, The” (1881), 198, 222
Pulsford, J. (1857), 422, 441, 465
Punshon, W. Morley (1824 — 1881), 384
Pusey, E. B. (1800 — 1882), 46, 396

Quesnel, P. (1634 — 1719), 155, 160

Raffles, T. (1788 — 1863), 365

Rayment, (1630), 449

“Religious Tract Society’s Commentary

The” 272

Reyner, E. (1600 — 1670), 9
Reynolds, E. (1599 — 1676), 420
Roberts, A. (1610), 121
Roberts, J. (1835), 300, 318
Robertson, F. W. (1816 — 1853), 9, 274, 300,

449
Robinson, E. J. (1878), 18, 65, 102

Robinson, R. (1614 — 1655), 350, 367, 397,
Robinson, T. (1876), 427
Rogers, G. (1883), 156, 266
Rolle, R. of Hampole (1340), 56, 254
Rollock, R. (1555 — 1598), I2i, 128, 230
Rothe, R. (1799 — 1867), 388
Ruffner, H. (1788 — 1861), 12
Russel, A. (1770), 195

Sanderson, R. (1587 — 1662), 469

Scott, T. (1747 — 1821), 65, 213

Scott, Sir W. (1771 — 1832), 220

Scriver, C. (1629 — 1693), 192

Seeker, W. (1660), 254, 276, 318, 363, 392

Serle, A. (1890), 21, 193

Seymour, W. D. (1882), 173, 365

Shakespere, 22, 405

Shaw, T. (1692 — 1751), 12

Shepard, T. (1671), 350

Shepherd, T. (1692), 120

Sidney, E. (1840 — 1866), 80, 195

Sidney, Sir Philip (1554 — 1586), 270

Simeon, C. (1759 — 1836), 63, 251

Simms, E. (1882), 157

Simpson, S. (1658), 73

Singleton, J. (1706), 140

Slater, W. (1704), 193

Smith, G. (1850), 219

Smith, H. (1560 — 1591), 34, 94, 170, 213,

276, 316, 422, 461

Smith, J. (1802 — 1862), 131, 132, 349, 450
Smith, J. P. (1775 — 1851), 369
“Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible” (1863),
Sophocles, 95

South, R. (1633 — 1716), 240, 272
Southey, R. (1774 — 1843), 239
“Speaker’s Commentary, The” (1871 — 1881),

4, 64, 121, 216, 218, 248, 302, 319, 321,

35L 3Go. 361, 369, 397, 410
“Spectator, The “280
Spencer, J. (1654), 45
Stainer, J. (1882), 366, 456, 467, 469
Stanford, Charles (1876), 65
Stanhope, G. (1660 — 1728), 393
Stanley, A. P. (1815 — 1881), 18, 32, 34, 62,

173. 222

Starke, C. (1740), 152, 201, 248

Steele, R. (1692), 104

Stier, R. (1859), 421

Stint, T. (1621), 53, 56, 57, 71

Stoughton, J. (1639), 35, 431

Street, S. (1790), 42

“Sunday at Home, The,” 44

Swinnock, G. (1627 — 1673), 94, 106, 127,

i?3. 317. 329, 364
Symson, A. (1631), 123, 126, 130, 339, 340,

344, 346, 349, 350, 351

Tasso, T. (1544 — 1595), 32

Taube, E. H. (1858), 329

Taylor, F. (1650), 282

Taylor, J. (1868), 405

Taylor, Jeremy, (1613 — 1667), 114

Taylor, T. (1576 — 1632), 75

Taylor, W. (1873), 459

Tennyson, A. (1809), 230
Theodoret, 153

Tholuck, F. A. (1799 — 1877), 71, 101, 159
Thomson, J. (1700 — 1748), 276, 429
Thomson, W. M. (1881), 3, 62, 77, 116, 327
Toplady, A. M. (1740 — 1778), 247
Trapp, John (1601 — 1669), 8, 9, 30, 42, 43,
54, 61, 64, 100, 112, 162, 179, 191, 192, 199,

201, 220, 221, 223, 224, 237, 255, 273, 274,

304, 311, 315, 320, 341, 343, 351, 362, 365,
366, 369, 392, 404, 405, 434, 442

Tremellius, E. (1510 — 1580), 255

Tristram, H. B. (1867), 173

Tucker, W. H. (1840), 303

Tyndall, John (1872), 433

Uhlhorn, G. (1883), 412

“United Presbyterian Selection of Hymns ’
(1858), 206

Van de Velde, C. W. M. (1854), 172

Vaughan, C. J. (1817), 230, 236

Vaughan, J. (1878), 121, 124, 126, 129, 131,

142, 288
Venema, H. (1697 — 1787). 87> 114. 153. 385,

386, 387, 404, 426, 442, 443, 445, 456
Yenning, R. (1620 — 1673), 223
Virgil, Polydore, (1555), 237
Volney, C. Comte de (1755 — 1820), 411

Walford, W. (1773 — 1850), 155, 316, 365

Walker, G. (1581 — 1651), 194

Wallace, T. (1879), 290

Warner, R. (1828), 279

Watson, T. (1690), 78, 171, 231, 253, 254, 255.

320, 352, 389, 405, 409, 431, 435
Weiss, B. (1858), 303
Wesley, C. (1708 — 1788), 18
Wesley, J. (1703 — 1791), 103
Whewell, W. (1795 — 1866), 195
Whincop, J. (1645), 231
White, F. H. (1877), 157
White, G. (1720 — 1793), 429
White, H. K. (1785 — 1806), 269
Wilcocks, T. (1549 — 1602), 200, 217, 304,
Willett, A. (1562 — 1621), 35
Williamson, T. (1630), 407
Wilson, G. (1862), 219
Wilson, J. (1847), ii, 163
Wilson, W. (1783 — 1873), 116, 198, 238, 320
Winslow, Octavius (1874), 129, 133
Winterbotham, R. (iSSi), 198
Wood, J. G. (1827), 163, 302, 321, 429
Wordsworth, Charles (1846), 280
Wordsworth, Christopher (1807 — 1885), 4, 64,

90, 128, 156, 189, 213, 237, 247, 328, 360,

383, 410, 434, 465, 468
Wordsworth, William (1770 — 1805), 387
Wright, A. (1611 — 1690), III, 153, 180, 215,

220, 281, 282, 327

Young, E. (1684 — 1765), 277

Zigabenus, E. (1125), 248
Zollikofer, G. J. (1730 — 1788), 388

THE

SONGS OF DEGREES,

OR,

THE GRADUAL PSALMS,

PSALM CXX. TO CXXXIV.

THE SONGS OF DEGREES AS A WHOLE.

This little Psalter within the Psalter consists of fifteen brief songs. Why they are grouped together and what is meant by their generic name it would be hard to tell. The conjectures are very many, but they are mere suppositions. Out of them all the conjecture of Dr. Jebb best commends itself to my own mind, though it would be quite consistent with this suggestion to believe that the series of songs arranged by David became the Pilgrim Psalms of after ages, and were chanted by the Lord’s people as they went up to the temple. They are “Songs of the Goings Up;” so some read the word. Those who delight to spiritualize everything find here Ascents of the Soul, or language fitted to describe the rising of the heart from the deepest grief to the highest delight. I have thought it well to indicate the methods by which learned men have tried to explain the term “Songs of Degrees,” but the reader must select his own interpretation. — C. H. S.

In the thirteenth chapter of the First Book of Chronicles, it is related, that David brought up the Ark from Kirjath-jearim to the house of Obed-edom. The word (nob) used in the seventh verse, for “bringing up” the Ark, is of the same etymology with, and cognate to that which is translated “degrees.” And upon this occasion the great event was celebrated by the accompaniment of sacred music. “And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.” Again, in the fifteenth chapter of the same book, in the fourteenth verse, the same term is employed for bringing up the Ark to Jerusalem; and the choral services of the Levites are mentioned in immediate connection. And in the fifth chapter of the Second Book of Chronicles (fifth verse), we are told that Solomon assembled the people at the dedication of the Temple, to bring up the Ark from Sion to the Temple of the Lord. — John Jebb.

I abide in the simple and plain sense as much as I may, and judge that these Psalms are called The Psalms of Degrees because the Levites or priests were wont to sing them upon the stairs or some high place; even as with us he that beginneth the Psalms or preacheth, standeth in a place above the rest, that he may be the better seen and heard. For it seemeth not that these Psalms were sung of the multitude which were in the Temple, or of the rest of the choir, but of certain which were appointed to sing them, or at least to begin them on the stairs to the rest, and so have their name; like as some other of the Psalms have their name and title from the singer. But how should a man know all their rites and ceremonies, especially after so long a time, whereby they are now clean worn out of the memory of all men? Seeing therefore among such a multitude of Psalms, when the law was yet in his full force and power, some were wont to be sung with one manner of ceremony, and some with another, according to the time and place, as the use and custom then was, let this suffice us to think that this title pertaineth to no point of doctrine, but only to the ceremony of the singers, what manner of ceremony soever it was. — Martin Luther, in “A Commentarie upon the Psalmes of Degrees,” 1577.

There were fifteen steps by which the priests ascended into the Temple, on each of which they sang one of these fifteen Psalms. — David Kimchi.

Whatever view of the Songs of Degrees you may take besides, you cannot leave out some association of them with the steps, without ignoring the unanimous belief about them handed down from time immemorial amongst the people who gave them to us; without, in fact, implying that at some epoch or other this strange association of the steps with the Psalms was gratuitously invented, and, being invented, secured general acceptance in the sacred literature of the Hebrew nation. It is quite impossible to believe such a thing, when we are dealing with a people so jealous of precedent and authority in religion as the Hebrews have always been. I see, in fact, no sufficient reason why we should not follow the leading of the Mischna and feel that Songs of Degrees, Songs of the Steps, is as much as to say Songs in the sacred Orchestra. — H. T. Armfield, in “The Gradual Psalms,” 1874.

The great Carmelite expositor, Michael Ayguan, alleges that the fifteen Psalms were divided by the Jews into three portions of five, with prayers intercalated, much as the Gregorian division of matins into three nocturns; and that each of the three grades of advance in the spiritual life is betokened by each quinary; the beginners,

the progressors, and the perfect; or, in other terms, those who are severally in the purgative, the illuminative, and the unitive way. And thus it will be noticed that in Psalms cxx. — cxxiv. there is constant reference to trouble and danger; in cxxv.- — cxxix. to confidence in God; in cxxx. — cxxxiv. to direct communion with him in his house. And Genebrardus, a later commentator, defines the fifteen degrees of going up out of the valley of weeping to the presence of God to be (1) affliction, (2) looking to God, (3) joy in communion, (4) invocation, (5) thanksgiving, (6) confidence, (7) patient waiting for deliverance, (8) God’s grace and favour, (9) fear of the Lord, (10) martyrdom, (11) hatred of sins, (12) humility, (13) desire for the coming of Christ, (14) concord and charity, (15) constant blessing of God. — Neale and Littledale.

No trace in history, or authentic tradition, can be found of these steps, which owe their construction solely to the accommodating fancy of the Rabbins, who, as usual, imagined facts, in order to support their preconceived theories. — John Jebb.

It is an additional objection to this Rabbinical conceit, that David, whose name several of these Psalms bear — and others of which have evident reference to his time and circumstances — lived in the time of the tabernacle which had no steps. — James Anderson’s Note to Calvin in loc.

In the version of Theodotian, executed in the early part of the second century, with the express view of correcting the errors of the Septuagint, as well as in the translations by Aquila and by Symmachus, these Psalms are rightly described as songs for the journeys up, and are thus at once referred to the stated pilgrimages to the Temple. The expressions, “Thou shalt go up to appear before the Lord thy God thrice in the year” (Exod. xxxiv. 24), “If this people go up to do sacrifice” (1 Kings xii. 27) — a form of expression constantly employed as often as these sacred journeys are mentioned — is precisely that which the Psalms themselves exhibit: “I was glad when it was said unto me, Go up unto the house of the Lord “; and while we may well adopt this view, for the additional reason that it is in harmony with the whole spirit and sentiment which they breathe throughout, we shall find these Psalms to form at the same time one of the most admirable and instructive manuals of devotion with which the love of our heavenly Father, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, has been pleased to bless us. — Robert Nisbet, in “The Songs of the Temple Pilgrims,” 1863.

If the traditionary interpretation of the title, Song of Degrees, be accepted, that they were sung by devout pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem to keep the great feasts of the Lord, we may suppose that companies toiling up this long ascent would relieve the tedium of the way by chanting some of them.

From the customs of Orientals still prevalent, I think it highly probable that such an explanation of the title may be substantially correct. Nothing is more common than to hear individuals and parties of natives, travelling together through the open country and along mountain-paths, especially during the night, break out into singing some of their favourite songs. Once, descending from the top of Sunnln, above Beirut, with a large company of natives, they spontaneously began to sing in concert. The moon was shining brightly in the clear sky, and they kept up their chanting for a long time. I shall not soon forget the impression made by that moonlight concert, as we wound our way down the eastern side of Lebanon to the Buka’a, on the way to Ba’albek. Through the still midnight air of that lofty region the rough edge of their stentorian voices, softened into melody, rang out full and strong, waking the sleeping echoes far and wide down the rocky defiles of the mountain. Something like this may have often rendered vocal this dreary ascent to Jerusalem. It is common in this country to travel in the night during the summer, and we know that the Hebrew pilgrims journeyed in large companies. On his ascent along this road from Jericho to the Holy City, Jesus was attended not only by the twelve apostles, but by others, both men and women; and it would be strange indeed if sometimes they did not seek relief from this oppressive solitude by singing the beautiful songs of Zion. — William M. Thomson, in “The Land and the Book,” 1881.

When we consider the place in the Psalter which these “Songs of Degrees, or of the goings up” occupy, we see good reason to accept the statement (of the Syriac version, and of S. Chrysostom, Theodoret, Euthymius, and other Fathers, and also of Symmachus, Aquila, and of Hammond, Ewald, and many moderns), that these Psalms describe the feelings of those Israelites who went up with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and afterwards with Ezra, and still later with Nehemiah, from the land of their captivity and dispersion at Babylon, Susa, and other regions of the East, to the home of their fathers, Jerusalem. Hence, in some of the foregoing Psalms, we have seen a reference to the dedication of the Second Temple (Ps. cxviii.), and of the walls of Jerusalem (Ps. cii.), and to the building up of the nation itself on the old foundation of the law of God, given to their fathers at Sinai (Ps. cxix.) — Christopher Wordsworth.

Gesenius has the merit of having first discerned the true meaning of the questioned inscription, inasmuch as first in 1812, and frequently since that time, he has taught that the fifteen songs have their name from the step-like progressive rhythm of their thoughts, and that consequently the name, like the triolet (roundelay) in Western poetry, does not refer to the liturgical usage, but to the technical structure. The correctness of this view has been duly appraised more particularly by De Wette, who adduces this rhythm of steps or degrees, too, among the more artificial rhythms. The songs are called Songs of Degrees or Gradual Psalms as being songs that move onward towards a climax, and that by means of TTOK^ (eTmrloK’o), i.e., a taking up again of the immediately preceding word by way of giving intensity to the expression; and they are placed together on account of this common characteristic, just like the Michtammim, which bear that name from a similar characteristic. — Franz Delitzsch.

“Go up, go up, my soul 1” must be the motto of one who would enter into the meaning of these Psalms. They are a Jacob’s ladder whose foot is fixed on the earth, but the top reaches up to the “heavenly Jerusalem.”

The rhythmical structure of these Psalms (in which one line is built up upon another stair-wise) is a suitable outward accompaniment of the interior character of the Psalms. Short, pointed lines fall in well with the flow of mystico-allegorical thought: — as in “Nearer, my God, to thee,” or, “Jerusalem the golden.” — William Kay.

We may notice the following characteristics of nearly all these Psalms: sweetness and tenderness; a sad pathetic tone; brevity; an absence generally of the ordinary parallelism; and something of a quick, trochaic rhythm. — “The Speaker’s Commentary.”

Though it may be they are so called because Of their excellency; a song of degrees being an excellent song, as an excellent man is called a man of high degree (1 Chron. xvii. 17); these being excellent ones for the matter of them, their manner of composure, and the brevity of them. — John GilL

This being a matter of small moment, I am not disposed to make it the subject of elaborate investigation; but the probable conjecture is, that this title was given to these Psalms because they were sung on a higher key than others. The Hebrew word for degrees being derived from the word, .I1?*-, tsalah, to ascend or go up, I agree with those who are of opinion that it denotes the different musical notes rising in succession. — John Calvin.

Hezekiah liveth, these fifteen years, in safety and prosperity, having humbled himself before the Lord for his pride to the ambassadors of Babel. The degrees of the sun’s reversing, and the fifteen years of Hezekiah’s life prolonging, may call to our minds the fifteen Psalms of Degrees; viz. from Psalm cxx. and forward. There were Hezekiah’s songs that were sung to the stringed instruments in the house of the Lord (Isa. xxxviii. 20): whether these were picked out by him for that purpose may be left to conjecture. — John Lightfoot, 1602 — 1675.