1._God is known in Judah. _In the outset, we are taught that it was not by human means that the enemies of Israel were compelled to retire without accomplishing any thing, but by the ever-to-be-remembered aid of Jehovah. Whence came _that knowledge of God and the greatness of his name _which are spo... [ Continue Reading ]
2._And his tabernacle was in Salem _Here the reason is assigned why God, putting the Assyrians to flight, vouchsafed to deliver the city of Jerusalem, and to take it under his protection. The reason is, because he had there chosen for himself a dwelling-place, in which his name was to be called upon... [ Continue Reading ]
3._There he broke the arrows of the bow. _We have here stated the particular way in which God was known in Judah. He was known by the wonderful proofs of his power, which he exhibited in preserving the city. Under these figures is described the destruction of the enemies of the chosen people. (268)... [ Continue Reading ]
It is farther added, (verse 4th,) that _God is more glorious and terrible than the mountains of prey _By _the mountains of prey, _is meant kingdoms distinguished for their violence and extortion. We know that from the beginning, he who exercised himself most in robbery and pillage, was the man who m... [ Continue Reading ]
5._The stout-hearted were spoiled, _The power of God in destroying his enemies is here exalted by another form of expression. The verb אשתוללו _, eshtolelu, _which we translate _were spoiled, _is derived from שלל, _shalal, _and the letter א, _aleph, _is put instead of the letter ה, _he. _(270) Some... [ Continue Reading ]
7._Thou, even thou, art terrible. _The repetition of the pronoun _Thou, _is intended to exclude all others from what is here predicated of God, as if it had been said, Whatever power there is in the world, it at once vanishes away, and is reduced to nothing, when He comes forth and manifests himself... [ Continue Reading ]
8._From heaven thou hast made thy judgment to be heard. _By the name of _heaven, _the Psalmist forcibly intimates that the judgment of God was too manifest to admit of the possibility of its being ascribed either to fortune or to the policy of men. Sometimes God executes his judgments obscurely, so... [ Continue Reading ]
9._When God arose to judgment. _The great object which God had in view in executing this judgment is now declared; which was, that he might furnish a proof of his fatherly love towards all his people. He is, therefore, introduced as speaking, not with his mouth, but with his hand, that he may show t... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Surely the wrath of men shall praise thee. _Some understand these words as denoting, that after these enemies shall have submitted to God, they will yield to him the praise of the victory; being constrained to acknowledge that they have been subdued by his mighty hand. Others elicit a more refin... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Vow and pay to Jehovah your God. _The faithful are now exhorted to the exercise of gratitude. As under the law the custom prevailed among the Jews of vowing sacrifices for singular blessings which God had conferred upon them, by which they solemnly acknowledged that their safety depended solely... [ Continue Reading ]
12._He will cut off _(285) _the spirit of princes. _As the Hebrew word בצר, _batsar, _occasionally signifies _to strengthen, _some think it should be so translated in this passage. But as in the two clauses of the verse the same sentiment is repeated, I have no doubt that by the first clause is mean... [ Continue Reading ]