_A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023._ This begins the second book of Psalms, (according to the Hebrew division,) the first part of which consists of pieces directed to the sons of Korah, to be set, or sung by them under the direction of the chief musician. Some of these were, undoubtedly, the composition of Davi... [ Continue Reading ]
_As the hart panteth_ תערג, _tagnarog, brayeth:_ “The word is strong, and expresses that eagerness and fervency of desire, which extreme thirst may be supposed to raise in an animal almost spent in its flight from the pursuing dogs. Nothing can give us a higher idea of the psalmist's ardent and inex... [ Continue Reading ]
_My tears have been my meat_, &c. That is, I am wholly given over to grief and sorrow while I hear the continual reproaches of my enemies, saying unto me, _Where is thy God?_ Of whom thou hast so often boasted, as of one so able and ready to help all that trust in him, and call upon him? and particu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why art thou cast down, O my soul_ With excessive sorrow and despair. _Why art thou disquieted within me?_ Is there any cause that anxiety of mind should put thee into a state of such perturbation, as if all hopes of this felicity were lost for ever? _Hope thou in God_ Trust in him, and patiently w... [ Continue Reading ]
_My soul is cast down within me_ I am overcome with grief, while I am forced to hide myself in this wilderness beyond Jordan, and wander up and down on these solitary mountains, far distant from thy tabernacle; _therefore_ That I may revive my drooping spirits; _I will remember thee from the land of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Deep calleth unto deep_ One affliction comes immediately after another, as if it were called for, or invited by the former. This he expresses by a metaphor taken from the old flood, when the upper deep, or collection of waters in the clouds, called for the lower deep, or abyss of waters in the sea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet the Lord will command_ Will effectually provide and confer upon me; _his lovingkindness_ His blessings, the effect of his lovingkindness, which God is often said to command. _In the day-time, and in the night_ Both day and night, that is, continually. _His song shall be with me_ I shall have co... [ Continue Reading ]
_As with a sword in my bones_ Or, _in my body_, the _bones_ being often put for the _body_, whereof they are a very considerable part. Or, as a sword which pierceth and cutteth my flesh even to the bones, and cutteth or breaketh the very bones also. So painful and vexatious are their reproaches. _Wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why art thou cast down_, &c. See note on Psalms 42:5. _Who is the health of my countenance_ Hebrew, _The salvations of my face:_ which will make my face to shine, and my countenance cheerful, which supposes the gladness of the heart and the bettering of his condition. _And my God_ As he formerly wa... [ Continue Reading ]