The title prefixed to this Psalm ascribes it to David, and connects it with the occasion when Doeg informed Saul that David had been received by Ahimelech at Nob, and assisted with the means for his flight (1 Samuel 21, 22). The character denounced in the Psalm is in some respects such as we may sup... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse states the theme of the Psalm; the contrast between man's wrongdoing and God's lovingkindness. The two halves of the verse correspond to the two divisions of the Psalm. The statement of the second line is abruptly introduced, but it is virtually the answer to the question of the first. Wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Denunciation of the evil-doer and prediction of his fate.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy tongue deviseth_ Cp. Psalms 35:20. Sins of the tongue falsehood, slander, false witness, and the like are frequently denounced in the Psalms and by the Prophets. See Psalms 5:9; Psalms 10:7; Psalms 12:2 ff; Micah 6:12; Jeremiah 9:3; &c. _mischiefs_ R.V., very wickedness (as in Psalms 5:9); or _... [ Continue Reading ]
_evil more than good_ Evil rather than good, evil and not good. The meaning is not merely that he has a preference for evil, but that he chooses evil instead of good, like the nobles censured in Micah 3:2, "who hate the good and love the evil." _righteousness_ Not merely truth, but truth regarded a... [ Continue Reading ]
_devouring words_ Lit., _words of swallowing up_. Cp. the use of the verb in Psalms 35:25, "We have swallowed him up": and Psalms 53:4. _O thou deceitful tongue_ This rendering is certainly preferable to that of the margin, -and _the deceitful tongue_." The bold identification of the offender with... [ Continue Reading ]
_likewise_ We might have expected _therefore_, as P.B.V. following Vulg. loosely renders: but _likewise_is significant. There is a correspondence and equivalence between the sin and its punishment Cp. Micah 2:1-10, where the idea is worked out that the heartless oppressors who have driven the poor f... [ Continue Reading ]
And the righteous shall see, and fear, And shall laugh at him, (saying), Lo, &c. The first impression produced by the sight is that of _fear_; not alarm, but awe; a deeper reverence for God and His government of the world: the next impression that of scorn and derision (Psalms 2:4) for the bragga... [ Continue Reading ]
The sight of his fall inspires the righteous with awe, and gives occasion for rejoicing at this proof of God's just government of the world, for trustful hope, and grateful thanksgiving.... [ Continue Reading ]
The words of the righteous. There is a touch of sarcasm in the use of the word _geber_(akin to _gibbor, Psalms 52:1_) for _man_(as perhaps in Isaiah 22:17, see R.V. marg.), denoting a man in his full vigour. that _made not God his strength_ Or, _stronghold_. The tense implies that it was the consta... [ Continue Reading ]
_But I_am _like a green olive tree_ R.V., But as for me, I am like a green olive tree, rightly emphasising the contrast between the fate of the wicked man and the hopes of the speaker. But who is the speaker? Is it, as is commonly supposed, the Psalmist? or is the speech of the righteous in Psalms 5... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will praise thee_ R.V., I will give thee thanks, "the sacrifice of thanksgiving," Psalms 50:23. _because thou hast done it_ For this emphatic absolute use of the verb cp. Psalms 22:31; Psalms 37:5. _I will wait_&c. R.V., I will wait on thy name, for it is good, in the presence of thy saints. Cp.... [ Continue Reading ]