EXPOSITION
THIS psalm is assigned by some to the time of Manasseh, but contains nothing that is really opposed to the superscription—"A Psalm of David"—since, before the temple was built, the tabernacle was called "the temple" (Joshua 6:24; 1 Samuel 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 12:20). It is thoroughly "Davidic in style, concise, vigorous; with rapid transitions of thought and feeling" ('Speaker's Commentary'). With respect to the time in David's life whereto it should be assigned, there are no very distinct indications. It was not while he was in exile, for he had ready access to the house of God (verse 7); nor was it in the later years of his life, when he had no open adversaries. Perhaps "a short time before the revolt of Absalom, when David was aware of the machinations of conspirators against him under a bloodthirsty and treacherous chief" is the most probable date. The psalm is not marked by any notes of division, but seems to consist of five parts:
The superscription, "To the Chief Musician upon Nehiloth," is thought to mean, either, continuously, "To the Chief Musician, for an accompaniment of wind instruments;" or, discontinuously, "To the Chief Musician: a Psalm upon inheritances.'' In the latter case, the respective "inheritances" of the wicked (verse 6) and the righteous (verses 11, 12) are supposed to be meant.