_A.M. 2962. B.C. 1042._ It is probable that this Psalm was composed in some time of great distress, when the pagan enemies of the Israelites began to boast, as if their gods were too hard for the God of Israel. But by whom it was made, or on what particular occasion, remains perfectly uncertain, no... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us_ By the repetition of these words the psalmist humbly expresses his sense of the unworthiness of the Jews to receive the signal blessings with which the Lord had favoured them; or rather, which they were now entreating him to bestow upon them, and which they expecte... [ Continue Reading ]
_But our God_ He whom, notwithstanding their reproaches, we are not ashamed to own for our God, _is in the heavens_ Although he has no visible shape, nor is present with us in a corporeal form, nor have we any image of him, such as they have of their idols, yet he hath a certain and glorious place o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their idols_ The objects of their idolatrous worship, _are silver and gold_ That is, images made of silver and gold, dug out of the earth. Their gods are so far from being the makers of all things, or of any thing, that they themselves are the work of those that adore them. As the matter of them is... [ Continue Reading ]
_They that make them_ And trust in, or worship them as gods, _are like unto them_ Are as ignorant and stupid, and void of all sense and reason, as those images themselves, inasmuch as they do not make a proper use of those faculties which God hath given them, but, _having eyes, see not, having ears,... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Israel, trust in the Lord_ Do not you follow the example of these infatuated idolaters, but trust in, worship, and serve the Lord only. _He is their help and their shield_ The shield to defend, and the help to support and strengthen those that trust in and cleave to him. _O house of Aaron, trust... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord hath been mindful of us_ In our former straits and calamities, and therefore we trust he will still bless us, for he is still the same; his power and goodness are the same, and his promises inviolable; so that we have reason to hope he that hath delivered, and doth deliver, will yet delive... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord shall increase you more and more_ In number, power, and in all temporal and spiritual blessings, notwithstanding the efforts of your many enemies to diminish, weaken, and distress you. Hebrew, יס Š עליכם, _the Lord shall add to you_, namely, further and greater blessings. Here the psalmist... [ Continue Reading ]
_The heavens are the Lord's_ Namely, in a peculiar manner, where he dwelleth in that light and glory to which no man can approach, and whence he beholdeth and disposeth of all persons and things upon earth. _But the earth_ Or, _and the earth; he hath given to the children of men_ For their habitatio... [ Continue Reading ]
_The dead praise not the Lord_ See note on Psalms 6:5. _Neither any that go into silence_ Into the place of silence, the grave. _But we will bless the Lord_ But we hope for better things; that, notwithstanding our present and urgent danger, yet God will deliver us, and so give us occasion to bless h... [ Continue Reading ]