Psalms 14:7

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 period of the Exile (Psalms 126:1). Nor does the first line of the verse exclude such a view. For the exiled turned to Zion even in her desolation (Daniel 6:10; 1 Kings 8:44), and from thence Jehovah might be expected to restore His people. But (1) it is very probable that the phrase rendered bring back the captivitymeans rather restore the fortunes. This meaning suits all the passages in which it occurs, while turn the captivitydoes not, except in the figurative sense of restoring prosperity. See e.g. Job 42:10; Ezekiel 16:53; Zephaniah 2:7. And (2) even if turn the captivityis the true meaning, the phrase is used by Amos (Amos 9:14) and Hosea (Hosea 6:11) long before the Babylonish Captivity.

Psalms 14:7 is frequently regarded as a later liturgical addition; and certainly it does not cohere very closely with the rest of the Psalm. But some conclusion is needed. The Psalm can hardly have ended abruptly with Psalms 14:6.

Jacob shall rejoice, &c. Properly a wish or prayer (cp. Psalms 13:5-6): let Jacob rejoice, and Israel be glad.