The Treasury of David

Posted on January 9, 2023 by brucesbiblepage

Psalm 70

Exposition
Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings
Hints to the Village Preacher

TITLE.To the Chief Musician, A Psalm of David. So far the title corresponds with Psalm 40, of which this is a copy with variations. David appears to have written the full-length Psalm, and also to have made this excerpt from it, and altered it to suit the occasion. It is a fit pendant to Psalm 69, and a suitable preface to Psalm 71. To bring to remembrance. This is the poor man’s memorial. David personally pleads with God that he may not be forgotten, but David’s Lord may be heard here also. Even if the Lord seems to forget us, we must not forget him. This memorial Psalm acts as a connecting link between the two Psalms of supplicatory expostulation and makes up with them a precious triad of the song.

EXPOSITION

(The Reader is referred for full Exposition and Notes to Ps 40:13-17, in “Treasury of David, “Vol. 2, pp 267-268.)

Verse 2. Here the words, “together, “and, “to destroy it, “which occur in Psalm 40, are omitted: a man in haste uses no more words than are actually necessary. His enemies desired to put his faith to shame, and he eagerly entreats that they may be disappointed, and themselves covered with confusion. It shall certainly be so; if not sooner, yet at that dread day when the wicked shall awake to shame and everlasting contempt. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desires my hurt: turned back and driven back are merely the variations of the translators. When men labor to turn others back from the right road, it is God’s retaliation to drive them back from the point they are aiming at.

Singing Psalms 70