_The Psalmist in his prayer complaineth of the miseries of the church. God's former favours are turned into judgments: he prayeth for deliverance._ To the chief musician upon Shoshannim-Eduth. A Psalm of Asaph. _Title._ מזמור ףּלאס עדות שׁשׁנים אל למנזח _lamnatseach el shoshanniim eiduth leasaph miz... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE EPHRAIM, &C.— That is, before all the tribes; in the face of all the people assembled at Jerusalem. These three in some sense included the whole; _Benjamin_ being incorporated with Judah; _Manasseh_ comprehending the country beyond Jordan, and _Ephraim_ all the rest. Mudge.... [ Continue Reading ]
TURN US AGAIN, O GOD— There are evidently _four_ parts in this psalm; all of which conclude with this verse, or with one varying very little from it. In the _first,_ the Psalmist intreats God to assist them, as he formerly did their forefathers. In the _second,_ he beseeches him to have compassion u... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW LONG WILT THOU BE ANGRY? &C.— _How long dost thou preserve thy wrath during the prayer of thy people?_ Mudge.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST BROUGHT A VINE OUT OF EGYPT— The Psalmist, whoever he was, describing the Israelites under the simile of a _vine,_ continues the metaphor to a considerable length, and carries it on very happily through the several particulars. Among the many excellencies with which this allegory abounds,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE BOUGHS, &C.— _And the stately cedars with the branches thereof._ Mudge.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE SENT OUT HER BOUGHS, &C.— That is to the Mediterranean sea, and to the river Euphrates; alluding to the extent of the Israelitish dominions. The enemies and destroyers of Israel are represented under the idea of a _boar_ or _wild beast._ Theodoret says, that Nebuchadnezzar was meant by the Psalm... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE VINEYARD WHICH THY RIGHT HAND HATH PLANTED.— _And the stock,_ &c. _and the youth thou has invigorated for thyself:_ "The stock of thy own planting, and the "man of thy own raising to keep it." So the sense will be continued onto the next verse; which should be rendered, _It is burned with fi... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THY HAND BE, &C.— _Let thy hand be over the prince; thy right arm over the young man thou hast invigorated for thyself._ Mudge. God is prayed to let his hand be _upon_ or _over him; i.e._ to support him in his attacks from the enemies of his country, to influence his counsels with his almighty w... [ Continue Reading ]