We fail to see, in the structure of this psalm, sufficient indications of its being the counterpart of the preceding one, to lead us to call it a Te Deum, to be sung on returning from battle as victor. It would equally well suit other occasions on which the grateful hearts of king and people desired to render praises in the house of God for mercies received; e.g. ver. 4: would be equally adapted to the recovery of the king from sickness. Its precise historic reference it is, however, now impossible to ascertain; but this is of comparatively small importance. That the psalm is meant for a public thanksgiving is clear; and thus, with differences of detail in application thereof according to circumstances, it may furnish a basis for helpful teaching on days of national rejoicing over the mercies of God. We must, however, carefully avoid two errors in opening up the hid treasure of this psalm. We must not interpret it as if its references were only temporal, nor as if we lost sight of the supernatural revelation and of the Messianic prophecies which lie in the background thereof; nor yet, on the other hand, may we interpret its meaning as if the religious knowledge or conceptions of Israel''s king were as advanced as the thoughts of Paul or John. E.g. "His glory is great in thy salvation." If we were to interpret this word "salvation" as meaning, primarily, the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, we should be guilty of an anachronism. Its first meaning is, rescue from impending trouble or danger. This, however, may be regarded as prophetic of the triumph awaiting the Church''s King; but our exposition will be sure and clear only as we begin with the historic meaning, an& then move carefully forward. The prayers and thanksgivings of a people cannot rise above the level of inspiration and revelation which marked the age in which they lived. We, indeed, may now set our devotions into another form than that which is represented by vers. 8-12; and, indeed, we are bound so to do. For since revelation is progressive, devotion should be correspondingly progressive too. So that if the remarks we make on the psalm are in advance of the thinkings of believers in David''s time, let us remember that this is because we now look at all events and read all truth in the light of the cross, and not because we pretend to regard such fulness of meaning as belonging to the original intention of the psalm. There are here six lines of exposition before us.

I. HERE IS THE RECALL OF A TIME OF TROUBLE- OF TROUBLE WHICH GATHERED, ROUND THE PERSON OF THE KING. (Ver. 1.) We cannot decide (nor is it important that we should) what was the precise kind of anxiety which had been felt. The word "life" in the fourth verse may indicate that some sickness had threatened the life of the king. The word "deliverance" and the allusions to "enemies' rather point to peril from hostile forces. Either way, when a monarch''s life is threatened, either through sickness or war, the burden is very heavy on the people''s heart. The first cause of anxiety was felt in Hezekiah''s time; the second, often and notably in the days of Jehoshaphat.

II. THE TROUBLE LED TO PRAYER. We gather from the contents of the psalm that the specific prayer was for the king''s life, either by way of recovery from sickness or of victory in war. Note: Whatever is a burden on the hearts of God''s people may be laid before God in prayer. Prayer may and should be specific; and even though our thought, desires, and petitions in prayer may be very defective, still we may tell to God all we feel, knowing that we shall never be misunderstood, and that the answer will come according to the Father''s infinite wisdom, and not according to our defects; yea, our God will do abundantly for us above all that we can ask or think. Hence we have to note -

III. THE PRAYER BROUGHT AN ANSWER. The trust of the praying ones was not disappointed (cf. vers. 2-7). The jubilant tone of the words indicates that the prayer had not been barely, but overflowingly answered. God''s good things had gone far ahead of the petitions, and had even anticipated the king''s wishes and wants (ver. 3). "Life" had been asked; and God had granted "length of days for ever and ever." This cannot refer to the personal earthly life of any human king; the meaning is that in the deliverance vouchsafed there had been a new confirmation of that "everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure," wherein God had promised to establish David''s throne for ever (Psalm 61:6; Psalm 132:11-14). Dr. Moll says, "I find here the strongest expression of the assurance of faith in the personal continuance of the life of those who hold fast to the covenant of grace in living communion with Jehovah." Yea, the old Abrahamic covenant has been again confirmed. "Thou hast made him to be blessings for ever" (see Revised Version margin). So that this deliverance thus celebrated in Hebrew song is at once a development of God''s gracious plan, and the answer to a king''s and a people''s prayer! "Thou settest a crown of pure gold upon his head" (ver 3; cf 2 Samuel 12:30).

IV. NEW ANSWERS TO PRAYER INSPIRED NEW HOPE (Ver. 7.) "Through the loving-kindness of the Most High he shall not be moved" (cf. Psalm 23:6; Psalm 63:7). He who proves himself to be our Refuge to-day, thereby proves himself our Refuge for every day.

V. THE PROVIDENTIAL INTERPOSITIONS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER AFFORDED NEW ILLUSTRATIONS OF GOD' S WORKS AND WAYS. (Vers. 8-13.) God is what he is. He remains "the same, yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." But he cannot seem the same to his enemies as to his friends; the same events which fulfil the hopes of his friends are the terror and dread of his foes. This general principle is always true: it must be (ver. 10); and side by side with the Divine provision for the continuance of good, there is the Divine provision for shortening the entail of evil (see Exodus 20:6, Revised Version margin; and Deuteronomy 7:9). But we are not bound in our devotions to single out others as the enemies in whose overthrow and destruction we could rejoice. At the same time, it is but just to the Hebrews to remember that they were the chosen people of God, and from their point of view, and with their measure of light, they regarded their enemies as God''s enemies (see Psalm 139:22). The way David sometimes treated his foes can by no means be justified. The views of truth which God''s people hold are often sadly discoloured by the conventionalisms of their time; and David was no exception thereto. We may pray for the time when Zion''s King "shall have put all enemies under his feet," and even praise him for telling us that it will be so. But we may surely leave all details absolutely with ]aim.

VI. THE EVER-UNFOLDING DISCLOSURES OF WHAT GOD IS MAY WELL CALL FORTH SHOUTS OF JOYOUS SONG. (Ver. 13.) When we have such repeated illustrations of God''s loving-kindness, mercy, and grace, we can feel unfeigned delight in singing of his power. What rapturous delight may we have in the thought that-

"The voice which rolls the stars along
Speaks all the promises;"

that the same Being who is most terrible to sin, is infinitely gracious to the sinner, and. that to all who trust him he is their "exceeding Joy"! - C.

This psalm concerns the king. But the question is which king? It may have been David. There is much that might apply to him. Perhaps on his recovery from some sickness, or on his return from some signal victory over his enemies, or on the occasion of his birthday or some great anniversary, David and his people may have rejoiced before the Lord with the voice of joy and praise. But a greater than David is here. If the psalm in part is true of David, it finds its highest and most complete fulfilment in David''s Sou and Lord, and in the glorious salvation which he has accomplished for his people. We know that Jesus is a King. As a King he was announced by Gabriel (Luke 1:32); as a King he was worshipped in his cradle by the Wise Men (Matthew 2:11); as a King he was rejected by the Jews, persecuted by the chief priests, and crucified by Pilate (John 19:19). And as a King he rose from the dead, was received up into glory, and now rules in power in heaven and upon earth (1 Timothy 6:15). To this day and everywhere Jesus receives royal honours - his people say as with one voice and one heart, in the words of the ancient hymn, "Thou art the King of glory, O Christ!" The burden of this psalm may be said to be, "Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King."

I. BECAUSE OF HIS FAVOUR WITH GOD. (Vers. 1-3.) Other kings have been honoured of God, but none like Jesus. From the cradle to the cross we find continual proof and token of the favour of God towards him (Luke 2:52; Luke 9:35; John 3:35; John 8:29). The secret was in the perfect accord between the Father and the Son, and the absolute and complete surrender of the Son to do his Father''s will. What was said of the land of Israel, and still more tenderly of the house of the Lord, is true in the higher sense of God''s dear Son, "Mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually" (Deuteronomy 11:12; 1 Kings 9:3).

II. BECAUSE OF THE GREAT SALVATION WHICH HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED. (Vers. 1, 5.)

1. This salvation was very dear to him. It was "his heart''s desire."

2. This salvation was obtained by a stupendous sacrifice. "Life" (ver. 4). We may take the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane as the true interpretation of this passage (Matthew 27:38 44). There we see Jesus in an agony. There we see him "asking life," thrice, with strong crying and tears. And there we see him submitting, with the truest faith and love, to the holy will of God, which decreed that he should die that sinners might be saved (Matthew 27:53, 54; John 10:17, 18; Hebrews 2:14, 15).

3. This salvation has secured inestimable benefits to mankind. (Ver. 6; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:4-6.)

III. BECAUSE OF THE SURE TRIUMPH OF HIS CAUSE AND KINGDOM. (Vers. 7-13.)

1. Certain. (Ver. 8.) Might here is right. God''s word /s pledged, and what he has promised he is able to perform. The King''s strength is still in God, and through him all opposition shall be overthrown.

2. Complete. (Vers. 9-12.) The same power that is able to crush and confound the foe is arrayed in defence of God''s people. The end is as the beginning - praise. It is like an anticipation of the song of Moses and the Lamb of the Apocalypse (Revelation 15:3). - WF.

Close connection between this and the previous psalm - that a prayer for the king; this a thanksgiving that the prayer has been answered. The people speak to God (vers. 1-7); then (vers. 8-12) they speak to the king; then in ver. 13 they speak again to God. The occasion of the psalm has been disputed. Some think it is a birthday ode; some, a coronation hymn; and others, a thanksgiving for victory in battle. Let us take it first -

I. AS A BIRTHDAY ODE. "He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever."

1. This notwithstanding his sin. Which was thought in the Hebrew mind to forfeit length of days. His long life, therefore, was a special act of God''s salvation (vers. 1, 4, 6).

2. His long life had been made a prosperous one. (Ver. 2.) His heart''s desire had been granted him. How few can say this of a long life! How few feel that they have grasped the greatest good in life!

II. A CORONATION HYMN. (Vers. 3, 5.) "Thou forestallest, or surprisest him with choicest blessings; thou settest a crown of gold upon his head." "Honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him."

1. This highest earthly honour was to represent God. He was God''s vicegerent to the nation. The Lord''s anointed, who stood on earth for God in heaven; the image of the invisible King. This ought to be the idea still of all the highest earthly offices - king, statesman, teacher.

2. But the grandest crown is that of supreme moral influence. That is Christ''s crown; he is King of men, not by physical force, but by spiritual power. And this is our brightest crown when we can influence men supremely for their good.

III. THANKSGIVING FOR VICTORY IN BATTLE. (Vers. 8-12.) This may be the bearing of the whole strain of the psalm. Then from his previous victories it is prophesied in the eighth and following verses that he shall gain the victory in all future battles.

1. Trust in God is the source of all our strength in our conflicts. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith - not a passive, but an active faith.

2. Former victories show us that we can, if we will, conquer in all future conflicts. By taking unto us "the whole armour of God." - S.

What is true of Christ is true, in a sense, of his people. Here we learn -

I. THE TRUE NATURE OF PRAYER. It is the desire of the heart (ver. 2). This is frequently taught by doctrine and fact in Holy Scripture. Words are of the mouth, thoughts are of the heart. "Words without thoughts never to heaven go." It is asking of God for things agreeable to his will. While there is real "asking," there is also loving trust and acquiescence. God''s will is aye the best will.

II. SOME LIGHT AS TO THE MANNER IN WHICH GoD ANSWERS PRAYER.

1. By giving what is good. "Life."

2. In a higher sense than we thought of. "For ever."

3. In such a way as shall be for the greatest benefit to others as well as to ourselves. "Blessings" (cf. Paul, "more needful for you," Philippians 1:24). Hence faith is confirmed. Our hopes as to the future are sustained. Our hearts are soothed amidst the disappointments and trials of life, by the assurance that all is well. We ask "life" for ourselves; and God gives what he sees best. We ask "life" for our friends. Some child or loved one is in peril of death. We plead for him. We entreat that he may be spared. We continue with "strong crying and tears" to pray that his life, so precious and so dear, may be prolonged. But in vain. He dies. We are troubled. We mourn in bitterness of soul, as if God had forgotten to be gracious. But when we look at things aright, we find comfort. God has answered us in his own way. He knows what is best. Your little one has gone quickly to heaven. Your darling boy has been taken to a nobler field of service than earth. The "desire of your eyes" has been caught up into the glory of God. There they await us. Love never faileth. The fellowship in Christ endures for ever. - W.F.