CXXIV. In this psalm we have a reminiscence of a catastrophe so tremendous, that all the combined images under which the poets of past times had figured the many vicissitudes of Israel appear insufficient. Nothing but the total ruin of the city and Temple, and the captivity of the nation, could hav... [ Continue Reading ]
IF IT HAD NOT BEEN. — For this motto of the covenant, see Psalms 94:17. MEN. — Better, _man._ In this use of the general term, we must, as Reuss points out, see an indication of the time of composition of the psalm. One who could so speak of the whole world as separated into two parts (_Jews_ and _... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN. — Critics are at issue both as to the form and meaning of the word — whether it is an archaism or an aramaism, expressing _time_ or logical sequence. SWALLOWED... QUICK (alive). — No doubt an allusion to the fall of Korah (Numbers 16:32), where the same verb and adjective occur together. (See... [ Continue Reading ]
WATERS. — The sudden transition in the imagery from the earthquake to the flood is characteristic of Hebrew poetry. (For the flood, see Psalms 18:4; Psalms 18:16; Psalms 69:14; Psalms 144:7.) STREAM. — The torrent swollen with the winter rain. (Comp. Isaiah 8:7.)... [ Continue Reading ]
PROUD. — The Hebrew presents a rare form, which is considered indicative of later composition. For the epithet, comp. _Æ_schylus, _Prom. Vinct._ 717: “And you will reach the scornful river — well it deserves the name.”... [ Continue Reading ]
SNARE. — Another rapid transition to a favourite figure, that of the hunter’s net. (Comp. Psalms 10:9, &c)... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO MADE. — See Note on Psalms 121:2.... [ Continue Reading ]