_A.M. 2944. B.C. 1060._ The matter of this Psalm plainly declares the occasion of it to have been the oppressions and persecutions of God's people by wicked and cruel enemies, against whom the psalmist prays for divine aid. The latter Greeks ascribe it to David, and it is thought to be an exact des... [ Continue Reading ]
_O God, to whom vengeance belongeth_ To whom, as the supreme Judge of the world, the patron and protector of the righteous, and the declared enemy of all wickedness and wicked men, and to whom alone it belongs to take revenge on those who oppress thy people when they should protect them; _show thyse... [ Continue Reading ]
_They afflict thy heritage_ Those righteous persons whom thou hast chosen for thy portion or inheritance. _They slay the widow_, &c. Whom common humanity obliged them to spare, pity, and relieve. _Yet they say, The Lord shall not see_ Their meeting with impunity and prosperity in their impious and b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Understand, ye brutish_ Hebrew, בערים, _bognarim;_ ye who are governed by your lusts and appetites, as the word signifies; who have only the shape, but not the understanding, reason, or judgment of men in you, or are not directed and governed thereby; who, though you think yourselves the wisest of... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that chastiseth_ Or, _He that instructeth_, or _teacheth_, or _reproveth_ (as the word יסר, _jasar_, often signifies, and is rendered Proverbs 9:7; Isaiah 8:11, &c.) _the heathen_, the Gentiles, or nations of the world: not only the Jews, but all other people, all mankind, as the next clause exp... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man_ This is an answer to the foregoing question, _Shall not he know?_ Yes, he knoweth all things, yea, even the most secret things, as the thoughts of men; and in particular your thoughts, and much more your practices, which you supposed he did not see, Psalms 94:6... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest_ Not he that prospers in his wickedness is happy, but he whom the Lord chasteneth when he acts amiss, and thereby teaches to study and obey his law with the greater care and diligence. _That thou mayest give him rest_, &c. For the present and short troubles o... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord will not cast off his people_ Though he may for a time correct, yet he will not utterly destroy, his true and obedient people, as he will their enemies, but will, in due time, put an end to all their calamities. _But judgment shall return unto righteousness_ Although the world is now full... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers?_ Have I any friend that, in love to me, will appear for me? Hath justice any friend that, in a pious indignation at unrighteousness, will plead my injured cause? He looked, but there was none to save, there was none to uphold. On the side of the oppre... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I said, My foot slippeth_ I am now upon the point of falling into mischief and utter destruction; _thy mercy, O Lord, held me up _ A merciful, gracious, and powerful hand was immediately stretched out to support my steps, and establish my goings. Observe, reader, we are beholden, not only to G... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the multitude of my thoughts within me_ While my heart is filled with various and perplexing thoughts, as the original word signifies, and tormented with cares and fears about my future state; _thy comforts delight my soul_ Thy promises, contained in thy word, and the remembrance of my former ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee?_ Wilt thou take part with the unrighteous powers of the world, who oppress thy people? Wilt thou countenance and support these tyrants in their wickedness? We know thou wilt not; but wilt manifest thy justice and displeasure against them. A th... [ Continue Reading ]
_They gather themselves against the soul of the righteous_ Against the _life_, as the word here rendered _soul_ commonly signifies, and as the next clause explains it. They are not satisfied with the spoils of the estates of the righteous, but do also thirst after their lives. _And condemn the innoc... [ Continue Reading ]