The restoration of Israel from exile is a proof that God has forgiven His people and taken them back into favour as He promised (Jeremiah 33:8 ff.). Yet the present condition of Israel seems to shew that God's anger still rests upon it. Only a feeble remnant has returned. Disappointment and disaster... [ Continue Reading ]
_thou hast been favourable_ Thou art propitiated: once more Thou graciously acceptest Thy people, and receivest them back into Thy favour. The ban of Jeremiah 14:10; Jeremiah 14:12 is removed. Cp. Psalms 77:7; Psalms 106:4; Haggai 1:8. _thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob_ Or, as R.V. marg... [ Continue Reading ]
God has forgiven and restored His people.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Heb. words describe sin (1) as depravity or moral distortion; (2) as a wandering from the way, or missing the mark; and forgiveness (1) as the removal of a burden, (2) as the covering of the offence, which would otherwise meet the eye of the judge and call for punishment. Cp. Psalms 32:1-2; Psal... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast taken away_ Lit. _withdrawn_, or _drawn in_, the wrath which was let loose against us. _from the fierceness of thine anger_ Poured out upon Israel for its sin. See Jeremiah 30:24; Lamentations 1:12; Lamentations 4:11. Cp. Exodus 32:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Turn us_ I.e. Restore us. Cp. Psalms 80:3. For R.V. marg. _Turn to us_, cp. Isaiah 63:17; but the rendering of the text is preferable. _cause thine anger_&c. Lit. _break off thine indignation with us_: cease to be provoked with us. The cognate verb is constantly used of Israel's -provocation" of J... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet in spite of forgiveness and restoration, much is still lacking. Oh that God would wholly withdraw His wrath, and gladden His people with a full salvation! Cp. the prayer of Psalms 126:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the pleading question cp. Psalms 77:7 ff. _wilt thou draw out_&c. I.e. protract, prolong, continue thine anger to one generation after another (Psalms 77:8).... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wilt thou not revive us again_ Wilt not thou turn and quicken us? restoring our national life according to the promises of the prophets. See Hosea 6:2; Habakkuk 2:4; Ezekiel 37:3 ff. Cp. Psalms 71:20; Psalms 80:18. Thou is emphatic. Thou Who alone canst, Thou Who art pledged to it by Thy word.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shew us_&c. _Cause us to see thy lovingkindness_, upon which we have a claim as Thy beloved ones (Psalms 85:8).... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will hear_ Or, _Let me hear_. Cp. Psalms 62:11; and the striking parallel in Habakkuk 2:1, which the LXX makes even closer by its reading, _what the Lord God will speak with me_(lit. _in me_), from which comes the P.B.V., _what the Lord God will say concerning me_. _God the Lord_ The mighty God... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalmist listens for Jehovah's answer to His people's prayer; and conveys to them the assurance that rich abundance of blessing is in store for those who fear Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalmist expands the results of that word of peace. _them that fear him_ Those who answer to their calling as -saints." Cp. Psalms 103:11; Psalms 103:13; Psalms 103:17. _that glory may dwell in our land_ -Glory" is the manifest Presence of Jehovah, which Ezekiel saw departing from the doomed c... [ Continue Reading ]
Does this verse speak of the _divine attributes_which conspire together in the work of salvation, or of the _human virtues_which will characterise the new community? Primarily of the former. God's lovingkindness and truth the love which moved Him to enter into covenant with Israel, and the faithfuln... [ Continue Reading ]
Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven. (R.V.) Truth springs up as a natural growth in response to God's manifestation of His saving righteousness. Harmony between earth and heaven is perfected. Cp. Hosea 2:21 ff.; Isaiah 45:8. Milton must have had this pa... [ Continue Reading ]
Material prosperity will go hand in hand with moral progress. Earth responds to the divine blessing. Cp. Leviticus 26:4; Deuteronomy 28:12; Psalms 67:6. The fruitfulness of the land is a constant feature in pictures of the Messianic future; and point is given to the promise by the fact that the retu... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah Himself appears to lead His people forward. Before Him as a herald goes the righteousness which moves Him to the salvation of His people; and (it) shall make his footsteps a way (to walk in); so that His people may follow without let or hindrance; an allusion possibly to the -way" so often s... [ Continue Reading ]