CXXXVI. The recurrence in this psalm of the ancient liturgic refrain (see Notes, Psalms 106:1; Psalms 118:1), not after every verse, but after every clause, marks clearly the peculiarity of its choral use, and shows that it was composed expressly for the Temple service. It is invariably allowed to... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD OF GODS... LORD OF LORDS. — From Deuteronomy 10:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) Psalms 72:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY WISDOM. — From Psalms 104:24; Proverbs 3:19, or Jeremiah 10:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
While this section in many points recalls the account of creation in Genesis, it employs terms from other parts of Scripture. STRETCHED OUT. — A word and idea peculiar to Isaiah and this psalm (Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 44:24); properly to beat out with the feet, then to overlay with a plate of metal (Is... [ Continue Reading ]
LIGHTS. — An unusual word, meaning _light_ itself, and not _luminaries._ But possibly the poet wished in one phrase to combine Genesis 1:3; Genesis 1:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HIS MERCY. — Here the refrain, after the mention of the destruction of the Egyptian first-born, and subsequently after that of war and slaughter, sounds harsh to Christian ears. But the word mercy (_khesed_) in the Hebrew motto implies distinctly _covenant grace,_ that special favour of Jehovah... [ Continue Reading ]
SIHON. — Literally, _to Sihon._ Evidently the composer, after beginning so many verses with the preposition, placed it here inadvertently, whence it was copied in Psalms 135:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
REDEEMED. — Better, as in original, _snatched us from._ (Comp. Psalms 7:2, used of a lion suddenly seizing his prey.)... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL FLESH. — Here apparently the word _mercy_ takes a wider image and applies to all men. But only apparently so. Israel could think of Jehovah providing for the bodily wants of all as He was the creator of all, but the covenant grace was for them alone.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD OF HEAVEN. — See Nehemiah 1:4; Nehemiah 2:4. This title, though implied in Psalms 11:4 and similar passages, was not used before the exile. Away from Zion and the visible token of the Divine presence, the hearts of the faithful began more and more to dream of their God as “One that His mansion... [ Continue Reading ]