According to an arbitrary division by the Jews of their Psalter into five parts, supposed to have been made by Ezra after the return from Babylon, the Forty-second Psalm forms the commencement of the second book. Regarding its structure, we may remark, that it is divided into two portions or strophes, each of these closing with a refrain in verses 5 and 11.
[2] Gen. xxxii. 1.
[3] See Mr Stanley's chapter, in his "Sinai and Palestine," on "Peræa and the Trans-Jordanic Tribes," in which these different references are graphically grouped together. "The Peræan hills are the 'Pisgah' of the earlier history: to the later history they occupy the pathetic relation that has been immortalised in the name of 'the long ridge,' from which the first and last view of Granada is obtained. They are the 'Last Sigh' of the Israelite exile."—(P. 328.)
[4] As an example in modern poetry, need we refer to that noblest tribute ever penned over departed worth, the "In Memoriam" of Tennyson; or in modern song, to the exquisite and plaintive loveliness of this very Psalm, set to music by Mendelssohn, and so well known by the title, "As the hart panteth."
[5] I refer the reader to the words quoted on the title-page. They form the dying testimony and experience of one of the holiest men of any age. We have seen in the possession of a revered friend, the Bible which belonged to the great Marquis of Argyle, and which formed his constant companion during the period of his imprisonment. Almost every verse of the 42d Psalm is specially marked. Some of the verses, such as the third, are noted with a double stroke. We may well imagine him, after closing such "an afflicted man's companion," thus writing to his Marchioness—"They may shut me in prison where they please, but they cannot shut out God from me."
[6] Matthew Henry.
[7] Rom. vii. 23.
[8] Rom. vii. 24, 25.
[9] Cheever's "Windings."
[10] Ps. lxviii. 13.