CXXVI. The two stanzas, marked so plainly by the changes of tense and tone, of this exquisite little poem, though telling with the distinctness of actual description the nature of the circumstances amid which it was written, give no indication of an exact date. All we can see with certainty is that... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE LORD... — Literally, _In turning by Jehovah the turning of Zion._ The phrase is not precisely the same as that in Psalms 126:4, which is usual, and offers no difficulty. Here the form of the noun “turning” presents some difficulty; but, after the analogy of a few other words, it can bear th... [ Continue Reading ]
SINGING. — As frequently of the restoration in Isaiah — 42:11, 44:23, 54:1, &c. HATH DONE. — See margin, and comp. Joel 2:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAPTIVITY. — Here there is a change. The joy of the great Return was too great not to last on through many vicissitudes. But the poet now thinks of the many exiles still dispersed among the nations, and prays for another manifestation of Divine favour and power. THE STREAMS IN THE SOUTH. — Rather,... [ Continue Reading ]
JOY. — Rather, _singing,_ as in Psalms 126:2. The harvest-home songs are contrasted with the anxiety of the seed-time. Probably the poet found the proverbial saying already current, but he has touched it with the consecrating hand till it has become only less precious than the saying of Divine lips,... [ Continue Reading ]
The original is very expressive, by the idiom of infinitive combined with finite verb. “He shall walk, and walk and weep, Bearing the handful of seed: He shall come, and come with singing, Bearing his sheaves,” where we must certainly see an extension and not a mere repetition of the former figure,... [ Continue Reading ]