Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 43

1. JUdge me , O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation : O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man .

Or▪ Iudge, or give Sentence for me, as this Phrase is used, Psal. 26. 1. and elsewhere.

Or, unmerciful, (i. e.) Cruel or inhumane; for it is a Meiosis.

So he calls the Company of his Enemies for their great Numbers, and because they were the far greatest part, and almost the whole Body, of the Nation.

Who covereth his wicked Designs, with fair and false Pretences: Which sort of men are hateful to thee, and to all good Men.

Either Saul: Or rather, Achitophel, or Absalom. For he speaks of the holy Hill of Zion, v. 3. which was not so till after Saul's time. Or, Man may be put Collectively, for the Men of that time.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word]; [illegible: 1 word] from a [illegible: 1 word] deceit; [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

3. O send out thy light and thy truth g; let them lead me, let them bring me unto thy holy hill , and to thy tabernacles .

(i. e.) Actually impart and discover them: for at present thou seemest to Conceal and with-hold them from me. (i. e.) Thy Favour, or the Light of thy Countenance, and the Truth of thy Promises made to me, as God's Mercy and Truth oft go together, as, 2 Sam. 15. 20. Psal. 61. 7. and 89. 14. &c. Or this may be a Figure called Hendiaduo, whereby Light and Truth is put either for the Light of Gods Truth; Or rather, for true Light, the Illumination of Gods Spirit, and the direction of his gracious Providence, whereby he might be led (as it follows) in the right way, which would bring him to God's holy Hill.

To wit, of Zion, the place of God's Presence and Worship.

(i. e.) Tabernacle. Which he calls Tabernacles, Either, 1. Because there were now two Tabernacles, one at Zion, where the Ark was; and another at Gibeon, 1 Chron. 16. 37. 39. Although he here seems to speak but of one of them, even of that which was upon God's holy Hill. Or, 2. Because of the several parts of it, the most Holy, and the Holy place, and the Church. These indeed were in that of Gibeon, but not in that of Zion. Or rather▪ 3. By a meer Enal[illegible: 1+ letters]age of the Number, the plural for the singular; which is frequent as in other Words, so in those which belong to this Matter, as Tabernacles, Psal. 46. 4. and Sanctuaries, Levit. 26. 31. Psal. 73. 17. &c. and 74. 7. Ier. 51. 51. Nay the most Holy place, though but one simple part is by the Greeks called Holies. So in other Authors, we Read the Rivers of Nilus, of that one River, and Right hands, for one Right hand, and many like Phrases.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 57. 3▪

4. Then will I go unto the altar of God , unto God my exceeding joy : yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.

To offer Sacrifices of Thanksgiving for my Deliverance.

The principal Author and Matter of all my Joy and Comfort.

Marginal references: Heb. the gladness of my joy.