§  262.     In  perfect  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the  Psalms'
which  always  treat  a  particular  danger,  threatening  the  right-
eous, as  representative  of  the  entire  class,  Luther  remarks-
"This  Psalm  is  profitable  also  to  us  for  comforting  weak  and
straitened  consciences,  if  we  understand  in  a  spiritual  sense  bv
the  enemies,  and  by  the  teeth  of  the  ungodly,  the  temptations
of  sin,  and  the  conscience  of  an  ill-spent  life.    For  there  indeed
IS  the  heart  of  the  sinner  vexed,  there  alone  is  it  weak  and  for-
saken ;  and  when  men  are  not  accustomed  to  lift  their  eyes
above  themselves,  and  to  cry  to  God  against  the  raging  of  sin,
and  against  an  evil  conscience,  there  is  gi-eat  danger ;  and  it  is
to  be  feared  lest  tlie  evil  spirits,  who,  in  such  a  case,  are  ready
to  seize  upon  poor  souls,  may  at  last  swallow  them  up,  and  lead
them  through  distress  into  despaii-."

Ver.  8.  Salvation  is  the  Lord's.  He  is  the  possessor  and
sole  dispenser  thereof —He  can  give  it  to  whom  He  pleases,  even
to  the  most  helpless,  whom  the  whole  worid  considers  to  be  in  a
desperate  case.  «  Though  all  misfortune,  all  tribulation  and  evil,
should  come  at  once,  still  there  is  a  God  who  can  deliver,  in  His
hand  is  help  and  blessing."  This  thought  must  have  been  pe-
culiarly comforting  to  Dwid  when  dese'rted  by  human  helpers
and  means  of  deliverai.cw.  Since  salvation  belonged  wholly  to
the  Lord,  he  might  rest  secure,  for  the  Lord  was  his  God.     Thy


54


THE  BOOK  OP  PSALMS.
PSALM  IV.
