Philistines from the unrelenting persecution of Saul; who, in express defiance of his promise, pursued David in in every part of the land of Israel. 1 Sam. xxvii. 1.

SECTION IX.

Psalms composed by David during his second retreat amongst the Philistines.

Psalm 43. XVI. Prayer of David when he retired to Gath, to the court of Achish, the second time; and when this prince urged him to fix his abode there. 1 Sam. xxvii. and xxviii. 1, 2.

Psalm 44. XXVI. Prayer of David on hearing that his enemies published, at the court of Saul, that he had united himself to the Philistines. 1 Sam. xxvii. 3, 4.

Psalm 45. LXXVII. David wearied by seven years persecution from Saul, and by his exile of a year and four months amongst the heathen Philistines, composes this Psalm. 1 Sam. xxvii. 7.

Psalm 46. CXXIII. David appeals to God that he looks continually unto him during his long exile; he describes the bitterness of his affliction, both from Jews

and Philistines.

and xxix. 1-11.

1 Sam. xxviii. 1, 2.

Psalm 47. VI. Prayer of David when his followers mutinied and threatened to stone him, on occasion of the Amalekites having made an incursion and destroyed the city of Ziklag, which Achish, king of Gath, had given him, and carried away all their wives and daughters. 1 Sam. xxx. 1-6.

Psalm 48. Cl. David, having recovered all the captives and spoil of Ziklag from the Amalekites, and having three days afterwards heard of the death of Saul and his sons in mount Gilboa, and being now called to the throne, composes this Psalm, both as an anthem of praise, and as a vow solemnly declaratory to God of the principles on which he proposes to establish his throne and to guide his kingdom. See Sam. xxix. xxx. and xxxi. and 2 Sam. i.

Lamentation of David over Saul and Jonathan.

2 Sam. i. 19-27.

CLASS IV.

Psalms composed by David after he ascended the throne, until the removal of the ark from Kirjath Jearim to Jerusalem; comprehending a period of ten years. David was thirty years old when he ascended the throne. Year of the world 2949 to 2959. Year before Christ 1051 to 1041. Year of David 30 to 40.

SECTION I.

Psalms composed by David after he was anointed king; first by the tribe of Judah; and then by all the tribes; until the capture of Mount Zion from the Jebusites.

Psalm 49. LXXV. Anthem of praise to God, and of instruction to his subjects, uttered by David after his consecration at Hebron by the single tribe of Judah. 2 Sam. ii. 1-4.

Psalm 50. LXXIII. David's confession of the doubts and discouragements he had experienced during his persecution by Saul; reflections on the tragical and sudden end of that prince; and on his own exaltation; and his determination to be guided by the divine counsel.

Psalm 51. CXXXIII. Anthem of praise of David, when the elders of all the tribes of Israel united with that of Judah in electing and anointing him king, in Hebron. 2 Sam. v. 1-5. 1 Chron. xi. 1-3.

Psalm 52. CXXXVIII. Thanksgiving and prayer of David, after he was anointed king of all Israel; but was troubled by the annoyances of their heathen neighbours.

SECTION II.

Psalms composed by David on the conquest of Mount Zion from the Jebusites, and his first wars against the Philistines.

Psalm 53. CXLIX. Psalm of praise and thanksgiving of David on taking the fortress of Zion; which he afterwards called the city of David, and where he established his abode. 2 Sam. v. 6-9. 2 Chron. xi. 4–9.

Psalm 54. CXLIV. Prayer of David previously to his marching against the Philistines, who declared war against him when they heard he was consecrated King of Israel. 2 Sam. v. 17-24. 1 Chron. xi. 13-18.

Psalm 55. XLIV. Complaint and prayer of David during his concealment in the

cave of Adullam, whither he sought a refuge from the Philistines, who were greatly superior to him in number. 2 Sam. v. 17, 18. and xxiii. 13, 14. and 1 Chron. xi. 15-18.

Psalm 56. CXXIX.

Thanksgiving of David for his victory over the Philistines. 2 Sam. V. 19-21.

Psalm 57. XXXIII. Anthem of thanksgiving of David, a second time victorious over the Philistines; who had rallied their forces and again attacked him in the valley of Rephaim. 2 Sam. v. 22–25. and 1 Chron. xiv. 13-17.

SECTION III.

Psalms composed by David on the edifices which he constructed in Jerusalem and on Mount Zion. 2 Sam. v. 9-12. 1 Chron. xi. 8.

Psalm 58. CXLVII. (Verses 1 to end at 11.) Hymn of thanksgiving of David during the erection of the various buildings he undertook on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. 2 Sam. v. 11.

Psalm 59. CXXVII.

Instruction by David to

those occupied in building his palace