Now these be the last words, &c.— It is supposed that these are called the last words of David, as being the last which he pronounced by the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Dr. Grey, who has taken great pains to explain this passage of Scripture, observes, that it is a point in which the learned seem now to be universally agreed, that this illustrious prophesy, introduced in so magnificent and awful a manner, is to be understood of Christ's spiritual kingdom, and his final triumph over the enemies of it. The beginning of its accomplishment may properly be dated from his entrance upon his mediatorial office; but when the time shall be of its perfect completion, is yet a secret in the hand of God. The royal Psalmist, immediately (as is probable) before his death, when the spirit of prophesy was most strongly upon him, as it had been upon Jacob and Moses in the like circumstances, being favoured by God with a clearer and more distinct revelation of this great and wonderful event, begins first with expressing the deep sense he had of the divine goodness in this gracious and comfortable communication to him, and of the certainty and powerfulness of the inspiration he was under. In the four first lines [see the following translation] this peculiar grace and favour is heightened from a consideration,—Of the person inspired; one whom, from obscure parentage and a low condition, God had exalted to be king over his chosen people, and made an instrument of establishing, or at least of considerably improving, the most delightful part of his religious worship. In the four next,—Of the author of the inspiration: the Lord Jehovah, the God and rock of Israel; whose powerful impulse is expressed by repetition of the words, He hath said, He hath spoken, and His word is upon my tongue. After this magnificent introduction, he breaks out into a kind of transport of joy and admiration at the prospect before him: 2 Samuel 23:3.
"The Just One ruleth over men!"
In the four following lines he describes the spiritual nature and glorious effects of this dominion; at line 14 his firm assurance of its perpetuity, and of the designation of it to a person of his own house and lineage; with a lively declaration of the delight and comfort which this assurance gave him, line 17. From hence to the conclusion, is a short but dreadful representation of the condition of the wicked, and of the everlasting vengeance which awaits them at that terrible day, when the wheat shall be gathered into the garner, and the chaff shall be burned with unquenchable fire. Dr. Grey observes further, that this beautiful piece of poetry consists of an agreeable mixture of iambics and trochaics, which he has reduced to metre, and given us the following translation of it:
Line 1. David the son of Jesse hath said, Even the man who was raised on high hath said, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet Psalmist of Israel.
5. The Spirit of the Lord hath spoken by me, And his word is upon my tongue. The God of Israel hath said, Even to me hath the rock of Israel spoken.
The Just One ruleth over* men! *or among 10. He ruleth in the fear of God!
As the light of the morning a sun shall rise, A morning without clouds for brightness, When the tender grass after rain springeth out of the earth.
For is not my house established with God? 15. Yea, he hath made an everlasting covenant with me, Ordered in all things, and preserved: Surely in him is all my salvation, and all my desire!
Doubtless the wicked shall not flourish: They are like thorns thrust away. 20. Which shall not be taken by the hand: But the man who shall lay hold of them, Shall be armed with iron, and the staff of a spear; And they shall be utterly burnt with fire.
The sweet Psalmist of Israel— This title seems most eminently to belong to David, as he was the person who had brought to perfection the music of the Jewish service; and this not only as he was the author of most of the Psalms, but as composer of the music they were set to; as prescribing to the performers their several parts; as having invented the instruments which accompanied them, and as bearing himself a part in the performance. Grey.