Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Psalms 78:1.-God's address, through Asaph, to Israel to hear His law and His parabolic instruction. His past dealings with Israel are a parable of spiritual lessons for all ages, as illustrating His eternal principle of... [ Continue Reading ]
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN A PARABLE ( maashaal (H4912)) - a similitude (see note, Psalms 49:4). I WILL UTTER - literally, sputter out (cf. Psalms 19:2, note); I will give vent to. The Spirit, after being pent up, eager for utte... [ Continue Reading ]
Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. WHICH WE HAVE HEARD ... WE WILL NOT HIDE. See introductory remarks. Translate, 'What we have heard, etc., we will not hide (omit them) from their children,' etc. There is a change from the singular, in Psalms 78:1, to the plural, in Psa... [ Continue Reading ]
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: -God's appointment for Israel in the time of the Judges. God gave His law-the summary of His ordinances and deeds-in order that they and thei... [ Continue Reading ]
The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. -The Israelites failed to realize the high destination which was the very object for which God called them into national existence. Verse 9. THE CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM, BEING ARMED, AND CARRYING BOWS, TURNED... [ Continue Reading ]
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. -The unbelief of the Israelite fathers is detailed as a sad contrast to God's marvels performed in their behalf; the object is in order that the sons might see in their fathers' unbelief a vivid pi... [ Continue Reading ]
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! -The Israelites in the time of the Judges tempted God by forgetting His judgments in Egypt in Israel's behalf, which are here detailed, as also His love in bringing Israel into Canaan. Verse 40. HOW OFT DID THEY PROVOK... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: -Israel's unfaithfulness in the time of the Judges caused God to forsake the tabernacle of Shiloh, and brought down other sore judgments. Verse 56. YET THEY TEMPTED AND PROVOKED THE MOST HIGH GOD - (.) AND KEPT NOT... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. -Now Yahweh awakes as one out of sleep, and destroys His people's enemies, and restores the ark; but Shiloh of Ephraim is now no more His resting-place, but Zion, and David is His chosen king. The inf... [ Continue Reading ]