XVII. For the general scope of this psalm, compare Introduction to Psalms 16; for particular points of resemblance, compare Psalms 17:8 with Psalms 16:1; Psalms 17:3 with Psalms 16:7; Psalms 17:7; Psalms 17:14 with Psalms 16:8, &c; and many linguistic analogies only seen in the Hebrew. It would be s... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR THE RIGHT. — Or (see margin), _justice._ Some ancient versions read, “Hear, Lord of righteousness.” Others make it concrete: “Hear me, the righteous; “but the Authorised Version has the true sense.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET MY SENTENCE — _i.e._, let my cause be tried before Thy tribunal, where it is sure of success, since I am innocent and Thou art just. The second clause is better in the present, “Thine eyes behold,” &c. THE THINGS THAT ARE EQUAL. — Heb., _meysharîm,_ which may be either abstract, _rectitude,_ or... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE NIGHT (as Psalms 16:7). — The time of calm reflection and self-examination. Some, however, taking this verse in connection with Psalms 17:15, think the poem was composed at night. I AM PURPOSED. — The Hebrew word presents a difficulty. It is better to take it as a noun — _counsels,_ and here... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCERNING THE WORKS OF MEN — _i.e., as regards the actions of men,_ or _in ordinary human actions;_ for the expression comp. Job 31:33; and Hosea 6:7, where the margin has _Adam._ BY THE WORD OF THY LIPS. — Some take this clause closely with the foregoing, and render, “against the word,” &c; but t... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLD UP. — Not, as in the Authorised Version, imperative, which is directly opposed to the context. The psalmist still asserts his innocence. Render: — My course kept close in thy tracks, My footsteps have not wavered. (Comp. Job 23:11; Psalms 41:12.) PATHS. — Literally, _wheel-tracks. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_(_6_)_ I — is emphatic, “As for me, I,” &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHEW. — Literally, _Separate;_ but (comp. Psalms 4:3), from its use to express God’s providential care of Israel in distinction to other nations, acquires in addition the idea of wonder and miracle (Exodus 8:22; Exodus 9:4; Exodus 11:7, &c). The LXX. and Vulgate, “make thy mercies appear wonderful.”... [ Continue Reading ]
APPLE OF THE EYE. — Literally, _little man, daughter of the eye._ The _mannikin_ is, of course, the reflection seen in the pupil. _Daughter_ is either a contraction of a word meaning cavity, or is the common Hebrew idiom which by _son_ or _daughter of_ expresses relation, as _sons of the bow = arrow... [ Continue Reading ]
DEADLY. — Literally, _with the soul,_ or _life,_ or better, as in the Syriac, “against the life,” and so _deadly._ Others take it adverbially with the verb, “eagerly compass.”... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ARE INCLOSED... — Literally, _Their fat have they shut up._ So LXX. and Vulgate, without indicating the meaning. But the “proudly” of the next clause suggests that “fat” is only a figure for the conceit of prosperity, and as that verb is active, the word _mouth_ should be joined with it as obje... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE NOW... — Evidently the meaning is, _Wherever we go they surround us like curs, i.e.,_ they dog our footsteps. But the text is confused. THEY HAVE SET. — Literally, _they fix their eyes to cast on the earth,_ which may mean, “they fix their eyes on me, ready to strike me to the ground.” Ew... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUNG LION. — Heb., _kephir._ The Hebrew has seven different names for the lion. Milton’s description of Satan naturally recurs to the reader — “About them round A lion now he stalks with fiery glare.”... [ Continue Reading ]
DISAPPOINT. — Rather, _go to meet,_ as a champion defending some one. WHICH IS THY SWORD. — This thought, making the wicked God’s weapons of wrath (Isaiah 10:5), is arbitrarily introduced by the Authorised Version, and is quite out of keeping with the context. Translate “_with_ thy sword,” either u... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE WORLD. — Literally, _of time._ Heb., _cheled,_ “that which creeps on,” an expression anticipating the New Testament use of _world._ (Comp. Job 21:7.) THEIR PORTION IN THIS LIFE — contrasts with Psalms 16:5. THY HID TREASURE. — _That which thou hast stored up,_ which is sometimes in a good s... [ Continue Reading ]
I — emphatic. The satisfaction of worldly men is in their wealth and family honours, that of the poet in the sun of God’s presence and the vision of His righteousness. (Comp. Note, Psalms 11:7.) Instead of “likeness,” render _image,_ or _appearance._ But what does the poet mean by the hope of seekin... [ Continue Reading ]