HIS PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING This beautiful song of deliverance shows clearly the familiarity of the writer with earlier Psalms. It reflects very plainly the horror inspired by the sea in the minds of an inland people. It is not necessary, on the interpretation adopted, to argue whether or not it is... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE BELLY OF HELL] hell=Sheol, the realm of the dead, thought of here as a devouring monster. The phrase is purely pictorial: cp. 'from the jaws of death.' 3. Both parts of this v. are echoes from Psalms 88:6; Psalms 42:7. 4. Cp. Psalms 31:22. TOWARD THY HOLY TEMPLE] cp. 1 Kings 8:35, and f... [ Continue Reading ]
_EVEN_ TO THE SOUL] cp. Psalms 69:1. The meaning is that the waters so press in that life itself is threatened. THE WEEDS] Floating sea-weed entangles him as he sinks.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BOTTOMS OF THE MOUNTAINS] their roots or foundations lying deep in the heart of the sea: cp. Milton, 'Hymn on the Nativity:' 'While the Creator great.. Cast the dark foundations deep.' _WAS_ ABOUT] RV 'closed upon.' The thought is that as he sinks he goes far from the earth, the home of the livi... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Psalms 107:5; Psalms 142:3 mg. Psalms 18:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
LYING VANITIES] cp. Deuteronomy 32:21 = idol gods. 'Vanity,' lit. 'a breath,' means something evanescent and worthless. THEIR OWN MERCY] This is used as a name for Jehovah. In Psalms 144:2 the same word is rendered 'my goodness,' RV 'loving-kindness.' It is here a pregnant use describing Jehovah as... [ Continue Reading ]