The song falls into four parts. First, there is an elaborate introduction, descriptive of the singer and the inspiration which gave birth to his song; secondly, the main subject of the prophecy, a Ruler among men, of wonderful brightness and glory; thirdly, a reference to the Psalmist's own house and the covenant God had made with him; and finally, in the way of contrast to the preceding, a prediction of the doom of the ungodly. I. In the introduction, we cannot but be struck with the formality and solemnity of the affirmation respecting the singer and the inspiration under which he sang. "David, the son of Jesse, saith, And the man who was raised on high saith, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, And His word was upon my tongue; The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me" (R.V.). The first four clauses represent David as the speaker; the second four represent God's Spirit as inspiring his words. The introduction to Balaam's prophecies is the only passage where we find a similar structure, nor is this the only point of resemblance between the two songs. "Balaam, the son of Beor, saith, And the man whose eye was closed saith; He saith which heareth the words of God, And knoweth the knowledge of the Most High; Which seeth the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open" (Num. xxiv. 15, 16, R.V.).