Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. Psalms 73:1.-God is always good to the true Israel (Psalms 73:1); contrary appearances once shook his faith: the ungodly prosper in life and in dying, so they are proud, as if God knew not their wickedness (Psalms 73:2); his menta... [ Continue Reading ]
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. BUT AS FOR ME, MY FEET WERE ALMOST GONE. The "as for me" is emphatic. I say this not without personal experience of the difficulties which assail one's faith; nay, I was so shaken by temptations to doubt as to the righteous... [ Continue Reading ]
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. FOR I WAS ENVIOUS AT THE FOOLISH - Hebrew, 'the foolishly insolent' or 'haughty' [from haalal (H1984), to boast foolishly] (Psalms 5:5; Psalms 75:5). Though the world reputes them wise, their boasting in their fleeting an... [ Continue Reading ]
For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. FOR (THERE ARE) NO BANDS IN THEIR DEATH - or 'even up to [lª-: note, ] their death. The same Hebrew occurs in . Bands, which tie one, are a figure of pains: as another similar Hebrew word is used, margin, , "the cords of hell comp... [ Continue Reading ]
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. THEY ARE NOT IN TROUBLE (AS OTHER) MEN - Hebrew, 'They are not in the trouble of (other) mortals' (Hebrew, 'ªnowsh (H582)); poor, dying man in his frailty. NEITHER ARE THEY PLAGUED LIKE OTHER MEN - Hebrew, Adam: the... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. THEREFORE PRIDE COMPASSETH THEM ABOUT AS A CHAIN - as a neck-ornament. A stiff, uplifted neck is the emblem of pride (; ). "Therefore" - i:e., because of this their impunity and exemption from the ordinary ill... [ Continue Reading ]
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. THEIR EYES STAND OUT WITH FATNESS. They are so pampered with rich living that their very eyes stand out with the fatness of their bodies (). The external obesity reflects the inward self-indulging carnality (). Contrasted w... [ Continue Reading ]
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. THEY ARE CORRUPT - Hebrew [ yaamiyquw (H4167)], 'they make to melt,' either themselves by their sin (Mariana) or others by their oppression (Gejer); 'they melt the minds of the godly,' by their cruel and haughty word... [ Continue Reading ]
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. THEY SET THEIR MOUTH AGAINST THE HEAVENS. With their blasphemies they even reach up to heaven itself, denying the providence and moral government of God Himself. The same Hebrew [bª-] stands for "against" and ... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. THEREFORE HIS PEOPLE RETURN HITHER. In consequence of the prosperity attending the wicked, Yahweh's people () forsake Him, and take part with the wicked. AND WATERS OF A FULL CUP ARE WRUNG OUT TO THEM. So the He... [ Continue Reading ]
And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? AND THEY SAY, HOW DOTH GOD KNOW? - (; .) The apostates, finding that not only not punishment, but even prosperity, ensues upon their apostasy, soon deny God's providence altogether.... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. -The mental conflict which resulted in the Psalmist's mind from the anomalous prosperity of sinners. Verse 12. BEHOLD, THESE (ARE) THE UNGODLY, WHO PROSPER IN THE WORLD - rather, 'and (yet) they prosper (or are tra... [ Continue Reading ]
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. -The victory which he gained over his doubts in the sanctuary when he understood the end of the godless. Verse 17. UNTIL I WENT INTO THE SANCTUARY OF GOD: (THEN) UNDERSTOOD I THEIR END. The sanctuary was the appointed place of... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. -He condemns his past beastlike folly and expresses his assurance of God's presence and guidance, notwithstanding his folly. Verse 21. THUS MY HEART WAS GRIEVED - literally, 'was soured' or embittered. AND I WAS PRICKED IN MY REINS - wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. -His joy in God as his portion, in contrast to the final destruction of all who go from God. Verse 25. WHOM HAVE I IN HEAVEN (BUT THEE)? AND (THERE IS) NONE UPON EARTH THAT I DESIRE BESIDES THEE - in juxtapos... [ Continue Reading ]