John Trapp on Psalms 4:1

PSAL. IV.

TO the chief Muſician] Or, [illegible: 1 word] Chro. 25. 1, 2. to the moſt excellent Muſick-maſter, to the chief Chaunter Aſaph, was this, and ſome other Pſalms, committed, that they might be ſung in the beſt manner, and with greateſt care. So Alexander on his Death-bed left his Kingdom [non-Latin text not transcribed], Optimatum optime, to him that ſhould be the beſt of the beſt. [non-Latin text not transcribed] Hoc jamdiu [illegible: 1 letter]onſecutus eſt Roſcius, ut in [illegible: 1 word] quiſ que ar [illegible: 1 letter]ficio excelle [illegible: 1 letter]t in ſuo ge [illegible: 1 letter]ere Roſcius [illegible: 1 word]. Cic. de Orat. [non-Latin text not transcribed] was Tully's Motto, that is, ſtrive to excel others, to crop off the very top of all vertues. as Scipio is ſaid to have done; to be beſt at any thing, to be careful to excel in good works, Tit. 3.8. and to bear away the bell, as we ſay, in whatſoever a man undertaketh.

On Neginoth] i.e. Inſtrumemta pulſatilia, ſtringed Inſtruments, ſuch as are to bee touched, or plaid upon with the hand. Lord, ſaith Nazianzen, I am an Inſtrument for thee to touch. Let us lay our ſelves open to the Spirits touch; and ſo make muſick.

Verſ. 1. Here me when I call, O God of my righteouſneſs] that is, O thou righteous Judge of my righteous Cauſe, and of my good Conſcience. David ſpeaketh firſt to God, and then to men: This is the right method. Wee therefore ſpeak no better to men, becauſe no more to God. It is ſaid of Charls the Fifth, that he ſpent more words with God than with men. When we are vilified, and derigrated by others, as David here was, let us make God acquainted with our condition, by his example. But why doth David beg audience, and mercy, in general only, and not lay open to God his particular grievances? Surely becauſe he looked upon the favour of God as a complexive bleſſing, that perfectly comprehendeth all the reſt; as Manna is ſaid to have had all good taſts in it. For particulars, David was content to be at Gods diſpoſe. I humbly beſeech thee, that I may finde grace in thy ſight, my Lord, O King, ſaid that falſe Ziba to David, 2 Sam. 16.4. q. d. I had rather have the Kings favour than Mephiboſheths Lands. David really had rather have Gods love and favour than all this worlds good: and therefore ſo heartily beggeth it above any thing.

Thou haſt inlarged me when I was in diſtreſs] Heb. Thou haſt made roomth for me. Hoc autem in Prophetia dictum eſt, ſaith R. David this was Prophetically ſpoken. Thou haſt, that is, thou wilt enlarge me who am now in diſtreſs. God will ſurely be neareſt unto his in their greateſt ſtraights: and becauſe they have made him the God of their Mountains, he will be the God of their valleys alſo.