Will build the cities of Judah ] This refers to the return from the captivity, when all the destroyed cities should be rebuilt, and the Jews repossess their forfeited heritages. Some apply this to the redemption of the human race; and suppose that Zion is the type of the Christian Church into which the Gentiles were to be called. What evangelists and apostles apply to our Lord, we safely may. What others see so clearly in this Psalm relative to Gospel matters, I cannot discern.

ANALYSIS OF THE SIXTY NINTH PSALM

There are three parts in this Psalm: - I. The psalmist's prayer, and the reasons for it, ver. 1-21.

II. Declaration of God's judgments against his enemies, ver. 22-28.

III. His profession of thanks, ver. 29-36.

I. His prayer: "Save me, O God!" And then his reasons.

1. His present condition: "The waters are come in unto my soul." 2. "I sink in deep mire." 3. "I am come into deep waters." 4. "I am weary of my crying." 5. "My throat is dried" with calling on thee.

6. "Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God." When he considered his enemies, he found reason to cry. They were, 1. Malicious: "They hate me without a cause." 2. Numerous: "More than the hairs of my head." 3. Powerful: "My enemies are mighty," ver. 1-4.

1. He declares his innocence with respect to their accusations, and the oppression he suffered: "I restored that which I took not away." 2. Begs to be heard, lest he should be confounded before his enemies.

3. Shows that he suffers for God's cause.

4. He was zealous for the Divine worship.

5. He was a deep penitent.

On which account he was a subject of reproach: - 1. To the high-those who sat in the gate.

2. To the low and base: "I was the song of the drunkards." He renews his petition, and presses on God to hear him: - 1. Because of his being ready to sink. ver. 13-15.

2. Because of God's goodness, mercy, and truth: "In the multitude of thy mercies," &c.

3. Because he was God's servant, and would not desert his Master.

4. Because of his enemies, who would have a sinful triumph if he was not delivered.

And he pleads their ill usage as a reason why God should help him.

1. They were scorners, and God knew it: "They are all before thee," ver. 19.

2. Reproach had almost broken his heart.

3. His friends had abandoned him, ver. 20.

4. His enemies were inhuman: "They gave me gall," &c., ver. 22.

II. Prophetic declaration of God's judgments against them: - 1. Their "table should be a snare to them," ver. 22.

2. They should be given up to judicial blindness, ver. 23.

3. They should be enfeebled in their bodies: "Make their loins shake," ver. 23.

4. God's "wrath should be poured out upon them," ver. 24.

5. Their country should be wasted, ver. 25.

6. They should have the punishment due to their iniquity, ver. 27.

7. They should come to an untimely death: "Let them be blotted out," ver. 28.

III. His profession of thanks. Having spoken of his own condition, that he was poor and sorrowful, he now breaks out into praise: - 1. "I will praise the name of God," ver. 30.

2. This will be the most acceptable sacrifice, ver. 31.

The effect of his deliverance would be double: - 1. It would "gladden the poor," ver. 32, 33.

2. All "creatures would take an interest in it," ver. 34. All shall praise God.

And for this he gives the following reasons: - 1. God's goodness to his Church: "He will save Zion." 2. He will confirm his kingdom among them: "He will build," &c.

3. They shall have peace and security: "That they may dwell there, and have it in possession," ver. 35.

4. All that love his name should have it perpetually, ver. 36.