Of the author of this psalm nothing is certainly known. It is, however, ascribed to David in the Latin Vulgate and in the Septuagint; and in Hebrews 4:7, it is referred to as a psalm of David: “Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, ‘Today, if ye will hear his voice,’” etc. This language... [ Continue Reading ]
O COME, LET US SING UNTO THE LORD - The word here rendered come, means properly “go;” but it is used here, as it often is, as a formula of invitation, in calling on others to share in what is done by the speaker. It is here to be understood as used by one portion of an assembly convened for worship... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE - Margin, as in Hebrew, “prevent his face.” The word in Hebrew means literally to come before; to anticipate. It is the word which is commonly rendered “prevent.” See Job 3:12, note; Psalms 17:13, note; Psalms 59:10, note; 1 Thessalonians 4:15, note. Here it means to... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD IS A GREAT GOD - For Yahweh is a great God. The object is to exalt Jehovah, the true God, as distinguished from all who were worshipped as gods. The first idea is that he is “great;” that he is exalted over all the universe; that he rules over all, and that he is to be worshipped as suc... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HIS HAND - In his power, or under his control as his own. That is, he so possesses all things that they can be claimed by no other. His right over them is absolute and entire. ARE THE DEEP PLACES OF THE EARTH - The word used here - מחקר _mechqâr_ - means the interior, the inmost depth; that whic... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SEA IS HIS - Margin, as in Hebrew, “Whose the sea is.” That is, The sea belongs to him, with all which it contains. AND HE MADE IT - It is his, “because” he made it. The creation of anything gives the highest possible right over it. AND HIS HANDS FORMED THE DRY LAND - He has a claim, therefore... [ Continue Reading ]
O COME, LET US WORSHIP AND BOW DOWN - Let us worship him by bowing down; by prostrating ourselves before him. The word here rendered “come” is not the same which is used in Psalms 95:1. Its literal meaning is “come,” and it is an earnest exhortation to come and worship. It is not a particle merely c... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE IS OUR GOD - Not only the God whom we worship as the true God, but One who has revealed himself to us as our God. We worship him as God - as entitled to praise and adoration because he is the true God; we worship him also as sustaining the relation of God to us, or because we recognize him as... [ Continue Reading ]
HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART - See this verse explained in the notes at Hebrews 3:8. AS IN THE PROVOCATION ... - Margin, “contention.” The original is “Meribah.” See Exodus 17:7, where the original words Meribah, rendered here “provocation,” and “Massah,” rendered here “temptation,” are retained in the tr... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN YOUR FATHERS - Your ancestors. See this verse explained in the notes on Hebrews 3:9. TEMPTED ME - Tried me; tried my patience, to see how much I would bear. This does not mean, as it commonly does now with us, to place inducements before one to lead him into sin, but to try one - to put his pa... [ Continue Reading ]
FORTY YEARS LONG - All the time that they were in the wilderness. During this long period their conduct was such as to try my patience and forbearance. WAS I GRIEVED - The word used here - קוט _qûṭ_ - means properly to loathe, to nauseate, to be disgusted with. It is translated “loathe” in Ezekiel... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO WHOM I SWARE IN MY WRATH - See the notes at Hebrews 3:11. THAT THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER INTO MY REST - Margin, as in Hebrew, “If they enter into my rest.” The “rest” here referred to was the land of Canaan. They were not permitted to enter there as a place of “rest” after their long and weary wand... [ Continue Reading ]