Ver.  3.  Since  God  cannot  be  called  on,  without  exciting  His
anger,  to  vindicate  an  unrighteous  cause,  David  therefore  pro-
tests his  innocence  before  he  proceeds  with  his  prayer.  The
apodosis  follows  in  ver.  5.  0  Lord,  my  God,  if  I  have  done  this ;
if  there  be  iniquity  in  my  hands.  Most  expositors  interpret  the
word  this,  "  that  which  my  enemies  reproach  me  with,  and  on
account  of  which  I  am  persecuted  by  Saul."  Ven. :  "  hoc  quod
mibi  impingitur,  et  in  vulgiis  notum  est."  Others  understand  by
it  the  crime,  the  mention  of  which  immediately  follows.  Sub-
stantially, both  are  the  same  ;  for  the  publicly  proclaimed  accusa-
tion against  David,  is  that  which  is  spoken  of  in  the  following
verse.  But  the  first  mode  of  explanation  is  the  more  natural
one.  The  crime  is  attributed  to  the  hands,  because  they  sei-ve
as  instniments  for  its  execution,  and  are  consequently  polluted.
So  also  purity  of  hands  is  not  rarely  taken  for  innocence.
Ver.  4.  If  I  have  rendered  evil  to  him  that  was  at  peace  with
me,  or  spoiled  him  that  without  cause  was  mine  enemy.  'D^tf  is
rendered  by  most  expositors,  him  that  is  at  peace  with  me,  that  is
my  friend.  Luther :  "  Him  who  lived  with  me  so  peacefully."
Ps.  xli.  10.  According  to  this  exposition,  David  first  clears  him-
self of  the  crime  of  neglected  gratitude  and  friendship,  as  Saul's
retainers  characterized  the  attempt  slanderously  attributed  to
him  ;  then  of  revenge  toward  one  who  had  causelessly  become


PSALM  VII.  TEit.  4.
