The cloud is passed Godward; and as to the persecutor, he can plead uprightness and practical guiltlessness before the righteous Judge, now ready to interfere.
Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto Jehovah, about the words of Cush the Benjamite.
O Jehovah, my God! in Thee have I taken refuge:save me from all my pursuers, and rescue me!
2. Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, and there be none to rescue!
3. Jehovah, my God, if I have done this,-if there be iniquity within my palms,- . 4. If I have recompensed evil unto him that was at peace with me, (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is my oppressor,)-
5. Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yea, let him tread down my life to the earth, and make my honor dwell in dust. Selah.
6. Arise, Jehovah, in Thine anger! lift up Thyself amid the rage of mine oppressors, and awake for me to the judgment Thou hast commanded;
7. And the assembly of the nations shall compass Thee about; and over it do Thou return on high!
8. Jehovah shall govern the peoples:judge me, Jehovah, according to my righteousness, even according to mine integrity upon me.
9. Oh let the evil of the wicked cease; and establish the righteous; even Thou who triest the hearts and reins,-a righteous God!
10. My shield is with God, who saveth the upright in heart.
11. God is a righteous Judge; and God hath indignation every day.
12. If one turn not, He will whet His sword:He hath bent His bow, and made it ready.
13. For him hath He made ready also instruments of death:He maketh His arrows burning.
14. Behold, he travaileth with vanity; yea, he hath conceived labor, and brought forth falsehood.
15. He hath digged a pit, and holloweth it out, and falleth into the pit he is making.
16. His labor returneth upon his own head, and upon the crown of his head doth his violence come down.
17. I will celebrate Jehovah according to His righteousness; I will sing psalms to the name of Jehovah most high.
Text.-"Shiggaion" means, probably, "A Wandering Ode;" or, "An Ode composed on occasion of Wandering." DeWette gives "A Song of Lamentation ;" Conant, "A Plaintive Song ; " Gesenius, on the other hand,"A Song of Praise," and Paulus,"A Responsive Song."
(6) "To the judgment:" "to" is omitted in the Hebrew, but is not always expressed. "Thou hast commanded judgment to be executed; therefore execute judgment Thyself."
(7) "Over it:" "Take Thy rightful place of supremacy at its head." This agrees with the next verse.
(9) "And establish" is literally future, but after the imperative becomes an imperative.
(11) "God," the second time, is "El," the Mighty.