2 AnExpofitionofthe 27. Pfalme. Verf. z . The time when this Pfalmwas penned, may probablybe gueffed, by the matter of it , to have been , when he was perfecuted by the handof Saul and his followers, of whofe cruelty he complaines , verf. 2. and prayes againft them, verf. 12. The chief matter of it is , a notable exprefïion of affi- ance, and confidence in God, in his greater dangers, com- mending the fame, by the notable fruits and effects thereof. His godly affiance he teftifieth three wayes. Firft, by plain and expreffe profeflion thereof, in fwect variety of phrafe , and gracious application , by fundry remarkable fruits and effeas thereof, to bePeen in his godlybehaviour, in the fixe first verfes. Secondly, by humble prayer , and fapplication for audi- ence, mercy, favour, inftru'ion and preforvation , verf. y, &c. to 13. Thirdly, by a godly provocationof his own foul , upon good ground, (till towait upon God, verf. 1 z, i 4. For the first : ` Davids affiance, and confidence in God, is very elegantly, in fweet varietyof phrafe , plainly teri- fied in the kid} verfe,when he calleth the Lord his light,and his falvation, and the ftrength of his life : and there alto is amplified, by a notable effect ofgodly fecurity, in freedome from fervile fear,propoundedby way of interrogation,and allo twice repeated, for better afiùrance. In all the three titles, which he gives toGod , there is a facred trope , the effect is put for theefficient. For, to fpeak properly , God was the authour and fountain of light, falvation, and ofltrength , and not the things them - felves. Likewife, in the first word , there is another trope, a Metaphor : for light is taken in a tranflate and borrowed fenfe, for joy and gladneffe: as Efther 8. 16. which is to the heart a pleafant thing ; a$ light is to the eye. Ecclefi 1. 7. So as his meaning is, to encourage his heart againft the reproachofhis enemies, that wouldbid him be packing, to hide himfelf in mountains and deferts , as Pfal. i 1. 1. fet- ing the Kinghhnfelf did feek his life. Why (faith David ) I have The fcope and generali divifion of the whole Pfalm. Verf. t. The meaning ofthe words. Metonymic ef- fah'. r metaphora.
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