XIV. With some variations (for which see Notes), this psalm appears again as Psalms 53. The most striking variation consists in the change of _Jehovah_ into _Elohim._ For this change, see General Introduction. In this poem the dramatic element blends with the lyric. In the great drama of the world,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOOL. — Heb., _nabal,_ from a root meaning “to wither;” hence flat, insipid (_insipiens_). But this is not therefore speculative atheism, but practical — a denial of the moral government of God — so that fool and wicked become almost synonymous. THEY HAVE DONE ABOMINABLE WORKS. — Literally, _they h... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOKED DOWN. — Literally, _bent forward to look as from a window._ (Comp. Song of Solomon 6:10.) DID UNDERSTAND. — Better, _any man of understanding,_ in contrast with “fool,” in Psalms 14:1, and certainly meaning one who regulates his conduct on the conviction of the existence of a holy and just G... [ Continue Reading ]
FILTHY. — Better, _corrupt_ or _putrid._ Comp. the Roman satirist’s description of his age: — “Nothing is left, nothing for future times To add to the full catalogue of crimes. The baffled sons must feel the same desires And act the same mad follies as their sires. Vice has attained its zenith.” —... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE ALL THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY NO KNOWLEDGE? — _i.e.,_ are they so senseless as not to perceive the consequences of their wrong-doing? or if we point the verb as the LXX. and Vulg., “shall they not know?” _i.e.,_ they are sure to find out _to_ what their wickedness is leading them. WHO EAT UP. — L... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WERE THEY. — Literally, _there they feared a fear, i.e.,_ terror overtook them. Psalms 53 adds, “which was no fear.” The local “there” brings the scene before us as in a picture. We see them _there_ before us, these wicked men; _there_ in the midst of their intrigues, or their exactions, or th... [ Continue Reading ]
COUNSEL. — This confidence, this piety, this appeal addressed to the supreme Protector, is in this verse called the “counsel,” the “plan” of the sufferer, and the poet asks, “Would ye then make the sufferer blush for such a thought?” “No, for Jehovah is his refuge.” The Authorised Version has here m... [ Continue Reading ]
OH THAT. — The thoughts of the exiles turn to the Holy City as the _one_ source of deliverance, as if Jehovah’s power would only manifest itself from His hallowed abode. So Daniel looked towards Jerusalem in his prayer. (Comp. the same feeling in Isaiah 40:9.) For the expression “turn the captivity,... [ Continue Reading ]