The Life of David: As Reflected in His PsalmsMaclaren, Alexander
Religion
The Life of David: As Reflected in His Psalms
Maclaren, Alexander
Bible. Psalms -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.; David, King of Israel
The army, ready drawn up for action, as we may fancy, prays for the
king, who, according to custom, brings sacrifices and offerings before
the fight. "Jehovah hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God
of Jacob defend thee, send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen
thee out of Zion, remember all thine offerings, and accept thy burnt
sacrifice." Then, as they wave their standards in the sunshine, or plant
before the ranks of each tribe its cognizance, to be defended to the
death, the hoarse shout rises from the files, "In the name of our God we
will set up (or wave) our banners." Then the single voice of the king
speaks, rejoicing in his soldiers' devotion, which he accepts as an omen
that his sacrifice has not been in vain: "Now know I that Jehovah saveth
His anointed. He will hear him from the heaven of His holiness with the
strength of the salvation of His right hand;" not merely from a God
dwelling in Zion, according to language of the previous prayer, but from
the Lord in the heavens, will the strength come. Then again the chorus
of the host exclaims, as they look across the field to the chariots and
cavalry of the foe--forces which Israel seldom used--"These (boast[V])
of chariots, and those of horses, and we, of the name of Jehovah, our
God, do we boast." Ere a sword has been drawn, they see the enemy
scattered. "They are brought down and fallen; and we, we are risen and
stand upright." Then one earnest cry to God, one more thought of the
true monarch of Israel, whom David would teach them to feel he only
shadowed; and with the prayer, "Jehovah! save! Let the King hear us in
the day when we cry," ringing like the long trumpet blast that sounds
for the charge, they dash forth to victory!
[V] Lit. "make mention of" or "commemorate."
XIII.--THE TEARS OF THE PENITENT.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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