This psalm is also ascribed to David. It is almost entirely a compilation of passages from other psalms - particularly Psalms 18 - newly arranged. Compare Psalms 18:34, with Psalms 144:1; Psalms 18:2, Psalms 18:46, with Psalms 144:2; Psalms 18:9, with Psalms 144:5;... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED BE THE LORD MY STRENGTH - Margin, as in Hebrew, “my rock.” See the notes at Psalms 18:46, where the same expression occurs in the Hebrew. WHICH TEACHETH MY HANDS TO WAR - Hebrew, “To the war.” See the notes at Psalms 18:34. The Hebrew is not precisely alike, but the sense is the same. AND... [ Continue Reading ]
MY GOODNESS - Margin, “my mercy.” That is, He shows me mercy or favor. All the favors that I receive come from him. AND MY FORTRESS; MY HIGH TOWER, AND MY DELIVERER - See the notes at Psalms 18:2, where the same words occur. MY SHIELD - The same word which in Psalms 18:2 is rendered “buckler.” See... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, WHAT IS MAN, THAT THOU TAKEST KNOWLEDGE OF HIM? - The sentiment here is the same as in Psalms 8:4, though the language is not precisely the same. See the notes at that passage. The word rendered “that thou takest knowledge of him,” means here to take notice of; to regard. The idea is, It is am... [ Continue Reading ]
MAN IS LIKE TO VANITY - See the notes at Psalms 39:5; Psalms 62:9. The idea here is, that man can be compared only with that which is utterly vain - which is emptiness - which is nothing. HIS DAYS ARE AS A SHADOW THAT PASSETH AWAY - See the notes at Psalms 102:11 : “My days are like a shadow that d... [ Continue Reading ]
BOW THY HEAVENS, O LORD ... - Come to my aid “as if” the heavens were bent down; come down with all thy majesty and glory. See the notes at Psalms 18:9 : “He bowed down the heavens also, and came down.” What it is there declared that the Lord “had” done, he is here implored to do again. TOUCH THE M... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST FORTH LIGHTNINGS, AND SCATTER THEM - See the notes at Psalms 18:14 : “He sent out his arrows, and scattered them.” The allusion there is to lightning. The psalmist prays that; God would do now again what he had then done. The Hebrew here is, “Lighten lightning;” that is, Send forth lightning. T... [ Continue Reading ]
SEND THINE HAND FROM ABOVE - Margin, as in Hebrew, “hands.” See the notes at Psalms 18:16 : “He sent from above.” RID ME, AND DELIVER ME OUT OF GREAT WATERS - Thus Psalms 18:16 : “He took me, he drew me out of many waters.” As God had done it once, there was ground for the prayer that he would do i... [ Continue Reading ]
THOSE MOUTH SPEAKETH VANITY - Vain things; things not real and true; falsehood; lies. See the notes at Psalms 24:4. The idea is, that what they said had no foundation in truth - no reality. Truth is solid and reliable; falsehood is unreliable and vain. AND THEIR RIGHT HAND IS A RIGHT HAND OF FALSEHO... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SING A NEW SONG UNTO THEE, O GOD - There will be occasion in such a deliverance, or manifestation of mercy, for a new expression of praise. On the phrase, “a new song,” see the notes at Psalms 33:3. UPON A PSALTERY, AND AN INSTRUMENT OF TEN STRINGS - The word “and” should not have been inser... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS HE THAT GIVETH SALVATION UNTO KINGS - Margin, “Victory.” The Hebrew word means “salvation,” but it is used here in the sense of deliverance or rescue. Even “kings,” with all their armies, have no hope but in God. They seem to be the most powerful of men, but they are, like all other people, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
RID ME, AND DELIVER ME ... - See the notes at Psalms 144:7. The language is here repeated. The prayer had been interrupted by the thought that the answer to it would lay the foundation for praise, and by an acknowledgment of entire dependence on God. The psalmist now, after repeating the prayer, sug... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT OUR SONS MAY BE AS PLANTS GROWN UP IN THEIR YOUTH - That our sons - not called forth to the hardships of the tent and the field, the perils and the exposures of war - may grow up under the culture of home, of the family, in quiet scenes, as plants carefully cultivated and flourishing. Compare P... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT OUR GARNERS MAY BE FULL - That our fields may yield abundance, so that our granaries may be always filled. AFFORDING ALL MANNER OF STORE - Margin, “From kind to kind.” Hebrew, “From sort to sort;” that is, every sort or kind of produce or grain; all, in variety, that is needful for the supply... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT OUR OXEN MAY BE STRONG TO LABOUR - Margin, “able to bear burdens;” or, “laden with flesh.” The Hebrew is simply loaded or laden: that is, with a burden; or, with flesh; or, as Gesenius renders it, with young. The latter idea would best suit the connection - that of cattle producing abundantly o... [ Continue Reading ]
HAPPY IS THAT PEOPLE THAT IS IN SUCH A CASE - In such a condition; or, where these things prevail. YEA, HAPPY IS THAT PEOPLE, WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD - Whose God is Yahweh; who worship and serve Him as their God. The worship of Yahweh - the religion of Yahweh - is “adapted” to make a people happy; pe... [ Continue Reading ]