A bow of steel is broken by mine arms— My arms have bent the bow of steel. Chandler. He makes my arms to be like a brazen bow. Houbigant and Mudge: but Dr. Chandler's rendering is more agreeable to the Hebrew. In the foregoing part of the verse, the Psalmist acknowledges that God taught his hands to war, of which he gives an instance in the latter; that his arms were able to bend and draw together even a brazen or steely bow, and to use it in his wars against his enemies: this was an argument of great strength. The story of Ulysses' bow, which none of the suitors were able to draw, is well known. See Odyss. lib. 21. ver. 409. Dr. Delaney, speaking of the excellency of this composition, observes, "What is very singular, David had found out the secret of most effectually perpetuating his own praise, by perpetuating that of his Maker: while he labours to make the praises of God glorious, he makes his own eminent above that of all other mortals. A single instance will evince this: we never should have known that David was one of the swiftest and strongest of mankind, if his own thanksgivings had not told us so; if he had not blessed God for giving him the swiftness of the hart, and the strength to break a bow of steel. It has been observed by writers of all times, how much dignity a graceful mien and person have always given to kings and commanders. David had these advantages added to his other accomplishments, beyond most men. We cannot help forming to ourselves some idea, however imperfect, of the persons whom we admire, and mine of David's person, continues Dr. Delaney, hath, I own, been modelled by that of Claudian's Stilico:
The moment we behold you, we admire; The radiant eye proclaims the valiant chief; The limbs so siz'd and shap'd as poets paint Heroes and demi-gods, less finish'd forms. Thro' every city as you pass rever'd, All rise respectful, and with joy give place. CLAUD. de Laude Stil. lib. 1:"
I would just observe, that the radiant eye, &c. in this version of Delaney's, by no means expresses the beauty of Claudian's Celsi nitor igneus oris;—the fiery splendor of his lofty brow.