David prayeth for audience. He reproveth and exhorteth his enemies. Man's happiness is in God's favour.
To the chief musician on Neginoth.
A Psalm of David.
Title.— בנגינות למנצח lamnatseach bineginoth. I. Concerning the authenticity of these titles in general, there is great doubt among commentators. It is the opinion of the very learned Bishop of Meaux, that they were both given and preserved by divine interposition, that their arguments and the writers of them might be known: "Nor can there be any reason for expunging them, since they are found in the text and all the versions, and have been thought worthy of explanation by Jewish as well as Christian commentators. 'Tis true there are many who take these titles in different senses; but I cannot find one ancient interpreter who doubts of their authority; whence we conclude," says he, "that though the titles as well as the other texts may have different interpretations as well as various readings, yet those which are agreed to have been in the original books, were never called in question by any divine of antiquity." Mr. Fenwick has been at the pains to consider the Hebrew titles of the psalms at large; to him, therefore, we refer the reader curious on these subjects; Observing II. Concerning the musical instruments mentioned in several of these titles, that it is certain the Hebrews used in their sacred solemnities such as were either played upon by the breath, as the trumpet; or by striking, as the cymbal; or those which consisted of strings, which, from being touched or struck, were called Neginoth, and concerning some of which we shall have occasion to speak hereafter: though, for ourselves, we ingenuously own with Bishop Bossuet, that as these things are little necessary, so we are far from being certain or very solicitous about them. The most satisfactory account of them extant, that we know of, is Calmet's Dissertation upon the Hebrew Instruments, and the Univ. Hist. vol. 3: p. 194. We observe, III. On the title of the psalm before us, that the מנצח menatseach, chief musician, here mentioned, is generally supposed to have been the preceptor or chief singer in the temple worship; and that נגינות Neginoth consequently implies the stringed instruments to which the psalm was to be sung. Fenwick, however, who conceives that all the psalms immediately refer to Christ, has endeavoured to prove at large, that the words would be more properly rendered, To him who giveth the victory, or causeth us to triumph in tribulations. The versions vary extremely with respect to it. This psalm is thought to have been composed by David upon the same occasion with the former. From the 2nd to the 6th verse he expostulates with his rebellious subjects, and admonishes them for their good: in the remainder of it he prays for God's assistance, and pathetically expresses his sure dependance upon him. See more on Psalms 22, 60.
Psalms 4:1. Hear me, when I call, O God, &c.— Or, Answer me, &c. O God of my righteousness! i.e. "Who art to do me right; to whom I apply for justice."