This psalm is entitled merely “A Song of Degrees.” Its author is unknown; and the occasion on which it was written cannot now be ascertained. It is a psalm which would be applicable to many periods of the Jewish history, and it is not of such a nature that it can with certainty be referred to any on... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY A TIME - Margin, as in Hebrew, “much.” Probably, however, the idea is, as expressed in our translation, “many a time;” “often.” So it is in the Latin Vulgate and the Septuagint; and this accords better with the connection. HAVE THEY AFFLICTED ME FROM MY YOUTH - Have I been afflicted; have othe... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY A TIME ... - This repetition is designed to fix the thoughts on the fact, and to impress it on the mind. The mind dwells on the fact as important in its bearing on the present occasion or emergency. The idea is, that it is no new thing to be thus afflicted. It has often occurred. It is a matter... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PLOWERS PLOWED UPON MY BACK - The comparison here is undoubtedly taken from the “plowing” of land, and the idea is that the sufferings which they had endured were such as would be well represented by a plow passing over a field, tearing up the sod; piercing deep; and producing long rows or furro... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS - Righteous in permitting this; righteous in what he has done, and will do, in the treatment of those who inflict such wrongs. We may now safely commit our cause to him in view of what he has done in the past. He was not indifferent then to our sufferings, or deaf to the eries... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THEM ALL BE CONFOUNDED AND TURNED BACK ... - This might be rendered in the indicative, “they are ashamed,” but the connection seems to require the rendering in our version. It is a prayer that God would now interpose as he had done in former times, and that he would cause all the haters of Zion... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THEM BE AS THE GRASS UPON THE HOUSETOPS - The housetops, or roofs of houses, covered with sand or earth, in which seeds of grass may germinate and begin to grow, but where, as there is no depth of earth, and as the heat of the sun there would be intense, it would soon wither away. See the notes... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREWITH THE MOWER FILLETH NOT HIS HAND - It cannot be gathered and laid up for the use of cattle, as grass can that grows in the field. It is valueless for any such purpose; or, is utterly worthless. The phrase “filleth not his hand” seems to be derived from the idea of reaping, where the reaper w... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER DO THEY WHICH GO BY SAY, THE BLESSING OF THE LORD,... - As in a harvest-field, where persons passing by express their joy and gratitude that their neighbors are reaping an abundant harvest. The phrase “The blessing of the Lord be upon you,” was expressive of good wishes; of pious congratulat... [ Continue Reading ]