Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 68:30

30 Rebuke the company of spear-men, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people. till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war .

To wit, really: humble and chastize those that will not bring presents to thee, as the Kings did, v. 29. till they see their error and submit themselves, as it here follows.

So this word signifies here above, v. 11. and 2 Sam. 23. 11. Psal. 74. 19. Or, the beast, or wild beast, as this word is elsewhere used. i. e. the beasts; the singular being put for the plural: so the sence is the same.

Heb. Of the reed, (i. e.) that use Spears or Arrows; which may be called reeds, either because in length and form they resemble reeds; or because anciently they were made of reeds. And this sence seems favoured by the last words of this Verse, in which he explains this and the other Metaphors of Warriors. Or the reed may be taken properly; and by the beast of the reed he may understand the King of Egypt, who then a was very potent and a most idolatrous King, and a great and old enemy to the true R[illegible: 1+ letters]ligion, and to the people of Israel, whom therefore he desires God to rebuke and humble, that he may acknowledge the true God, which is foretold that he shall do, v. 31. As for this enigmatical designation of this King, that is agreeable enough both to the usage of the Prophets in such cases, and to the rulers of prudence; and upon the same accounts the Prophet [illegible: 1 word] threatning destruction against [illegible: 1 word], calls it enigmatically [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word]. 25, 26. and 51. 41. and S. Paul calls Nero the Lion, 2 Ti[illegible: 1+ letters]. 4. 17. But then this one King, being eminent in his kind, is by an usual [illegible: 1 word] put for all of them which were enemies to God's people.

By which he doubtless understands men of War, as the following words expound it, the great and potent and fi[illegible: 1+ letters]rce and furious Adversaries of God, and of his Church, as this word is used, Psal. 22. 12. Isa. 34. 7. And consequently the calves must be their people or Soldiers depending upon them, and joining with them in these acts of hostility against thine Israel.

This he adds as a limitation of his request, Rebuke them, O Lord, not to utter destruction, but onely till they be humbled and submit themselves, and in token thereof bring pieces of silver for presents, as was foretold, v. 29. For [illegible: 1 word] himself it is in the Hebrew cast [illegible: 1 word] down, or offers himself to be trod upon. But because this supplement may seem too large, and not necessary, the words are and may be rendred otherwise, that tread upon, or walk proudly in, or with fragments or pieces of silver, wherewith eminent Captains used to adorn themselves and their very horses. And to this belongs to the bulls and calves, whose pride and wealth and power is described in this manner.

Heb. He hath scattered, (i. e.) He will certainly scatter, according to the Prophetical Style. So this may contain an answer, or his assurance of an answer to his prayer: I prayed, Rebuke the company, &c. and God hath heard my prayer, and, I doubt not, will rebuke or scatter them.

That without any necessity or provocation, and merely out of a love to mischief and spoil make war upon others, and upon us particularly. Now that thou hast given thy people rest, and settled the Ark in its place, O Lord rebuke all our m[illegible: 1+ letters]licious and bloody enemies, and give us assured peace that we may worship the Lord without disturbance. And withal David may seem to utter this for his own vindication. It is true, O Lord, I have been a m[illegible: 1+ letters]n of War, and therefore have lost the honour of building the Temple, and am now forced to lodge the Ark in a mean Tabernacle, which I have erected for it. But this thou knowest, that I have not undertaken any of my wars out of wantonness, or ambition, or love to war and mischief, but onely by constraint and necessity for the just defence of my self and of thy people: and therefore do not lay my wars to my charge.

Marginal references: Or, the beast if the reeds.; Or, [illegible: 1+ letters]e [illegible: 1 word].