On the phrases in the title, “To the chief Musician” and “on Neginoth,” see the notes at the Introduction to Psalms 4:1. On the words “psalm” and “song,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 48:1. Four of the psalms Psalms 4:1; Psalms 6:1; Psalms 54:1; Psalms 55, where the phrase “on Neginoth” occur... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD BE MERCIFUL UNTO US, AND BLESS US - There is, perhaps (as Prof. Alexander suggests), an allusion, in the language used here, to the sacerdotal benediction in Numbers 6:24 : “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up hi... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THY WAY MAY BE KNOWN UPON EARTH - The law of God; the principles and methods of the divine administration; the way in which God rules mankind and in which he bestows his blessings on people. The prayer is, that all the earth might be made acquainted with the methods in which God deals with his... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE PEOPLE PRAISE THEE, O GOD - Do thou incline them to praise thee: a prayer that all people might so understand the character and ways of God, and might have such a sense of his claims upon them, as to lead them to praise him. LET ALL THE PEOPLE PRAISE THEE - The people of all lands. See the... [ Continue Reading ]
O LET THE NATIONS BE QLAD, AND SING FOR JOY - All the nations of the earth. Let them all be made acquainted with thee; with thy character; with the principles of thy govermnent; with the methods by which thou dost bestow thy favors, that they all may be made glad. These things pertain to them all. T... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE PEOPLE PRAISE THEE ... - See Psalms 67:5. The repetition shows that this was the principal thought in the mind of the author of the psalm. It expresses an earnest - an intense - desire, that all nations should acknowledge God as the true God, and praise him for his mercies.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL THE EARTH YIELD HER INCREASE - The word rendered “increase” - יבול _y__e__bûl_ - means properly produce, or that which the earth produces when properly cultivated. It is rendered “increase,” as here, in Leviticus 26:4, Leviticus 26:20; Deuteronomy 32:22; Judges 6:4; Job 20:28; Psalms 78:... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD SHALL BLESS US - That is, with prosperity, peace, salvation. The making of his name known abroad will be the means of blessing the world; will be the highest favor that can be conferred on mankind. AND ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL FEAR HIM - All parts of the earth. See the notes at Psalms 22:... [ Continue Reading ]