445


water ;  compare  Ps.  Ixxii.  13,  where  the  ivashing  of  the  hands
in  innocency  corresponds  to  cleansing  the  heart;  Job  ix.  30,  where
instead  of  innocency  there  stands  "  potash ;"  and  Deut.  xxi.  6,
and  Matt,  xxvii.  34,  where  the  hands  were  washed  in  protesta-
tion of  innocence.  The  Psalmist  describes  himself  as  one  inte-
ger vita3  scelerisque  purus. — The  second  clause  is  translated  by
Gesenius  and  others  :  "  I  go  round  about  Thy  altar."  But  331D
never  occurs  in  the  sense  of  "to  go  round  anything."  And
besides,  there  is  no  mention  elsewhere  of  processions  round  the
altar.  Luther  seized  the  true  sense i  "I  hold  fast  by  Thine
altar,  O  Lord."  To  encompass,  is  used  of  a  single  individual,
to  denote  a  clinging  to,  or  strong  attaclmient  to  :  compare  Jer.
xxxi.  22 ;  see  on  the  passage  the  Christology,  P.  III.  p.  567.
The  altar  of  the  Lord,  which  the  Psalmist  approaches,  is  placed
in  opposition  to  the  assembly  of  the  wicked,  which  he  slums.
The  Fut.  parag.  may  very  suitably  be  taken  in  its  usual  sense :
"  I  will  encompass."  As  the  Psalmist  had  done  it  hitherto,  so
is  he  determined  to  continue  to  do  it  in  future.  The  changes
of  the  Preterite,  of  the  common  Future,  and  of  the  paragogic
Future,  are  assuredly  not  accidental,  and  must  not  be  overlooked.
