This psalm, also, purports to be a psalm of Asaph; that is, it was either composed by him or for him; or it was the composition of one of his descendants who presided over the music in the sanctuary, and to whom was given the general family name, Asaph. The psalm pertains to the same general subject... [ Continue Reading ]
O GOD, THE HEATHEN ARE COME INTO THINE INHERITANCE - The nations; a foreign people. See Psalms 2:1, note; Psalms 2:8; note; Psalms 78:55, note. The term is one that would be applicable to the Chaldeans, or Babylonians, and the probable allusion here is to their invasion of the holy land under Nebuch... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DEAD BODIES OF THY SERVANTS ... - They have slain them, and left them unburied. See 2 Chronicles 36:17. This is a description of widespread carnage and slaughter, such as we know occurred at the time when Jerusalem was taken by the Chaldeans. At such a time, it is not probable that the Chaldeans... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR BLOOD HAVE THEY SHED LIKE WATER ROUND ABOUT JERUSALEM - They have poured it out in such quantities that it seems to flow like water - not an uncommon occurrence in war. There was no event in the history of the Hebrews to which this description would be more applicable than to the Babylonian in... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE BECOME A REPROACH TO OUR NEIGHBOURS - See the language in this verse explained in the notes at Psalms 44:13. The words in the Hebrew are the same, and the one seems to have been copied from the other.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW LONG, LORD? - See Psalms 74:1, note; Psalms 74:10, note; and Psalms 77:7, notes. This is the language, not of impatience, but of anxiety; not of complaining, but of wonder. It is language such as the people of God are often constrained to employ under heavy trials - trials which continue so long... [ Continue Reading ]
POUR OUT THY WRATH UPON THE HEATHEN - Punish, as they deserve, the nations that have risen up against thy people, and that have brought; desolation upon the land. The word rendered here pour out is used with reference to a cup or vial, as containing a mixture for the people to drink - of intoxicatio... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY HAVE DEVOURED JACOB - literally, “They have eaten.” That is, they have eaten up what the land produced. AND LAID WASTE HIS DWELLING-PLACE - His home; his habitation; the residence of Jacob, or of the people of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
O REMEMBER NOT AGAINST US FORRMER INIQUITIES - Margin, The iniquities of them that were before us. The Hebrew may mean either former times, or former generations. The allusion, however, is substantially the same. It is not their own iniquities which are particularly referred to, but the iniquity of... [ Continue Reading ]
HELP US, O GOD OF OUR SALVATION - On whom our salvation depends; who alone can save us. FOR THE GLORY OF THY NAME - That thy name may be honored. We are thy professed people; we have been redeemed by thee; and thine honor will be affected by the question whether we are saved or destroyed, It is the... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE SHOULD THE HEATHEN SAY WHERE IS THEIR GOD? - The nations. Why should such a course of forbearance toward them be pursued as to lead them to ask the question whether God is able to punish them, or to come to the conclusion that he is not the God of those who profess to worship him. See Psal... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE SIGHING OF THE PRISONER COME BEFORE THEE - The sighing of him who is bound. The allusion here is, doubtless, to those among the Hebrews who had been taken captives, and who “sighed” not only on account of the sufferings which they endured in their bondage, but because they had been taken fro... [ Continue Reading ]
AND RENDER UNTO OUR NEIGHBORS - That is, the neighbors who had reproached them; the surrounding people who had seen these calamities come upon them, and who had regarded these calamities as proof that their God was unable to protect them, or that they were suffering under his displeasure. See the no... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WE THY PEOPLE, AND SHEEP OF THY PASTURE - See the notes at Psalms 74:1. WILL GIVE THEE THANKS FOR EVER - Will praise thee always; will acknowledge thee as our God, and will evermore render thee thanksgiving. WE WILL SHEW FORTH THY PRAISE TO ALL GENERATIONS - Margin, as in Hebrew, to generation a... [ Continue Reading ]