The deep and universal corruption of mankind is traced to its source in their failure to seek after God (Psalms 14:1-3). This corruption is illustrated by the cruel treatment to which -the people of Jehovah" have been subjected (Psalms 14:4). But He proves Himself their defender (Psalms 14:5-6); and... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fool_ A class of men, not a particular individual. The word _nâbâl_here used for _fool_denotes moral perversity, not mere ignorance or weakness of reason. -Folly" is the opposite of -wisdom" in its highest sense. It may be predicated of forgetfulness of God or impious opposition to His will (De... [ Continue Reading ]
The universal depravity of mankind, and its cause.... [ Continue Reading ]
For a while Jehovah as it were overlooked the growing corruption. At length He -looked down" (Psalms 33:13-14). So in the yet simpler language of the Pentateuch He is said to have -come down to see" the wickedness of Babel and Sodom (Genesis 11:5; Genesis 18:21; and note the use of -look down" in th... [ Continue Reading ]
The result of the investigation. All were turned aside from the path of right (Exodus 32:8; Judges 2:17): together had they become tainted, a word which in Arabic means _to go bad_or _turn sour_, but in Hebr. is used only in a moral sense, here and in Job 15:16. Three verses follow here in the P.B.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah Himself speaks. The first clause may be taken as in A.V., -Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge?" Are they so ignorant that they cannot distinguish between right and wrong? Cp. Psalms 14:2 and Psalms 82:5. But a much better connexion with Psalms 14:5 is gained by rendering, _Were no... [ Continue Reading ]
The corruption of men exemplified in their oppression of Jehovah's people. Its condign punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse is commonly explained to refer to the future, the perfect tense expressing the certain assurance of the Psalmist that judgement will be executed. Cp. Psalms 36:12. But it is more natural to refer it to the past. -There" points emphatically to some signal instance in which panic terror and... [ Continue Reading ]
_You have shamed_ R.V., Ye put to shame. You deride the resort of the afflicted to Jehovah as mere folly. But the word usually means to _frustrate_or _confound_: and the line maybe explained, -Would ye frustrate the counsel of the poor! Nay! for Jehovah" &c. Cp. R.V. marg., which gives _But_for _Bec... [ Continue Reading ]
Concluding prayer for the deliverance of Israel. _out of Zion_ The dwelling-place of Jehovah. See note on Psalms 3:4. _When the Lord bringeth back_&c. Or, as R.V. marg., _when the Lord returneth to the captivity of his people_. At first sight these words appear to fix the date of the Psalm in the p... [ Continue Reading ]