CXLIII. This psalm is chiefly interesting as an instance of the way in which the deeper religious life of the post-exile times was upheld and cherished by the experience of past times and the faith of older generations as it had found expression in prophecy and song. For, as the Notes will show, th... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITHFULNESS... RIGHTEOUSNESS. — The first word recalls the covenant promise, the second the faith, expressed so frequently, on which the covenant rested, that the Judge of all the world must do right. St. John founds the appeal for forgiveness on the same pair of Divine qualities (1 John 1:9; comp.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ENTER NOT. — The Divine justice has just been invoked, and now the appellant suddenly seems to deprecate it. These verses really sum up the apparent paradox of the Book of Job, as also the expressions recall that Book. (See Job 4:17; Job 9:2; Job 9:32; Job 14:3, _seq.,_ Job 15:14; Job 22:4, &c)... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse explains the last. The affliction under which the psalmist suffers is evidence that God is visiting for sin. HE HATH MADE... — See Lamentations 3:6; and comp. Psalms 88:5. LONG DEAD. — Literally, either _dead of old,_ or _dead for ever,_ according as we take _‘ôlam_ of past or future ti... [ Continue Reading ]
See Psalms 142:3, and Notes. IS DESOLATE. — Or, more literally, as in Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5, &c, _wondered;_ literally, _fills itself with astonishment. _... [ Continue Reading ]
See Psalms 77:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
With the first clause comp. Psalms 44:20. THIRSTY LAND. — See Psalms 63:1, which explains this elliptical sentence. As our Lord taught, God is even more ready to send the refreshing spiritual shower than man’s heart to receive it.... [ Continue Reading ]
With the first clause comp. Psalms 69:17, with the second, Psalms 102:2, This dependence on former psalms does not detract from the reality of the feeling expressed by means of these ancient sobs and cries. The contrast of the present with former times (Psalms 143:5) with the recollection of God’s... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MORNING. — Comp. Psalms 90:14. The expression either means “early,” or is figurative of the dawn of hope and salvation. THE WAY WHEREIN I SHOULD WALK — i.e., the way at once of duty and safety. I LIFT UP MY SOUL. — Or, _my desire. _... [ Continue Reading ]
I FLEE... — Literally, _unto thee have I hidden._ A phrase which has been variously explained — (1) to Thee I have confided my troubles: (2) and, better, as in the Authorised Version, _to Thee I_ (_have fled and_)_ hid_ (_myself_). The reflexive use of the Hebrew verb is sufficiently established by... [ Continue Reading ]
THY SPIRIT IS GOOD; LEAD ME. — Or, rather, _let thy good spirit lead me._ (For the omission of the article with the adjective after the determinative noun, comp. Genesis 37:2.) LAND OF UPRIGHTNESS. — Better, _level land_ (Deuteronomy 4:43, “plain country;” comp. Jeremiah 48:21), here metaphorically... [ Continue Reading ]
QUICKEN ME, O LORD. — Comp. Psalms 138:7 and Psalms 119 frequently. OUT OF TROUBLE. — Comp. Psalms 34:17; Psalms 142:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
The last two verses are made of reminiscences of former psalm experiences. The verbs should be in the future, not the imperative. FOR THY NAME’S SAKE. — Comp. Psalms 23:3, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Pss. xviii, 40, 54:7.... [ Continue Reading ]