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ps18.34
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1993-04-19
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EXPOSITION.
"_He teacheth my hands to war_." Martial prowess and
skill in the use of weapons are gratefully acknowledged to be the
result of divine teaching; no sacrifice is offered at the shrine
of self in praise of natural dexterity, or acquired skilfulness;
but, regarding all warlike prowess as a gift of heavenly favour,
thankfulness is presented to the Giver. The Holy Spirit is the
great Drill-master of heavenly soldiers. "_So that a bow of steel
is broken by mine arms_." A bow of brass is probably meant, and
these bows could scarcely be bent by the arms alone, the archer
had to gain the assistance of his foot; it was, therefore, a
great feat of strength to bend the bow, so far as even to snap it
in halves. This was meant of the enemies' bow, which he not only
snatched from his grasp, but rendered useless by breaking it in
pieces. Jesus not only destroyed the fiery suggestions of Satan,
but he broke his arguments with which he shot them, by using Holy
Scripture against him; by the same means we may win a like
triumph, breaking the bow and cutting the spear in sunder by the
sharp edge of revealed truth. Probably David had by nature a
vigorous bodily frame; but it is even more likely that, like
Samson, he was at times clothed with more than common strength;
at any rate, he ascribes the honour of his feats entirely to his
God. Let us never wickedly rob the Lord of his due, but
faithfully give unto him the glory which is due unto his name.
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS.
Verse 34.--"_He teacheth my hands to war_," etc. To him I
owe all that military skill, or strength, or courage, which I
have. My strength is sufficient, not only to bend "_a bow of
steel_," but to break it.--^Matthew Poole.
Verse 34.--"_Steel_." The word so rendered in the
authorised version, properly means "copper" (_nechûwshâh_
<05154>). It is doubtful if the Hebrews were acquainted with the
process of hardening iron into steel, for though the "northern
iron" of #Jer 15:12|, has been supposed by some to be steel, this
is by no means certain; it may have only been a superior sort of
iron.--^William Lindsay Alexander, in "Kitto's Cyclopaedia."
Verse 34.--The drawing of a mighty bow was a mark of
great slaughter and skill.
"So the great master drew the mighty bow,
And drew with ease. One hand aloft display'd,
The bending horns, and one the string essay'd."
^Alexander Pope, 1688-1744. (Translation of Homer).