XXVII. The opening of this ode reads like the expression of a warrior’s faith. On the other hand, Psalms 27:4 and G point to a Levitical origin. Probably a priest or Levite speaks here for the nation at large, deprived for the present, by foreign persecution, of the regular Temple services. The tone... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT. — This noble thought appears nowhere else so grandly, though we may compare Isaiah 60:1. The Latin of the Vulgate, “Dominus illuminatio mea,” is the motto of the University of Oxford, and expands in a new but true direction the thought of the ancient bard. To him, Jehovah was t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN... — Literally, _In the coming against me_ (_of_)_ the wicked to devour my flesh_ — _my enemies and my foes to me_ — _themselves stumbled and fell._ Job 19:22 would allow us to understand those who eat up flesh, as a figure for calumniators and detractors; but the context marks out the situatio... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH AN HOST. — Literally, _Though a camp should encamp._ IN THIS. — Either _in this circumstance_ or _in spite of this._ (Comp. Psalms 78:32.) The LXX. ἐν ταύτῃ, followed by μίαν in the next clause, seems to refer it to the hope about to be expressed. The Rabbinical commentators (_e.g.,_ Aben Ez... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BEHOLD THE BEAUTY. — Literally, _to see into the favour_ — _i.e., to_ meditate on the graciousness of God. TO ENQUIRE ... — Literally, _to look into,_ either judicially or critically; here, “to _ponder_ or _meditate”_ Ewald, however, and others add with notion of pleasure, “refresh myself,” but... [ Continue Reading ]
PAVILION. — A _booth_ or _hut;_ also of the lair of wild beasts (Psalms 10:9; Jeremiah 25:38). (Comp. Job 38:40.) SECRET OF HIS TABERNACLE. — Better, _hiding place of his tent_ (_ôhel_)_,_ the regular word for the tent of the congregation, but also used generally of a habitation of any kind — not ne... [ Continue Reading ]
SACRIFICES OF JOY. — Literally, _of shouting;_ so LXX. and Vulg., _hostiam vociferationis._ The custom of blowing trumpets (Numbers 10:10; comp. Sir. 1:16-18) at the time of the burnt offering illustrates this expression even if there is no direct allusion to it. I WILL SING, YEA. — Better, _I will... [ Continue Reading ]
The change of tone so marked here, from the warlike to the plaintive, leads to the supposition that Psalms 27:7 are interpolated from another song of quite another kind in contents, art, and period. I CRY WITH MY VOICE — _i.e., aloud. _... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THOU SAIDST. — The margin rightly rejects these words, and restores the order of the Hebrew; but the text of the Authorised Version really gives its meaning. The thought seems borrowed from seeking admission to a royal personage to ask a favour.... [ Continue Reading ]
FAR. — This is unnecessary and misleading.... [ Continue Reading ]
ENEMIES. — Comp. Psalms 56:2; Psalms 54:7; Psalms 59:10. Ewald, “malignant liers in wait”; so Aquila.... [ Continue Reading ]
By slightly changing a letter, we avoid the awkward ellipse in Psalms 27:13, and get “Such as breathe out cruelty _against me,_ So that I did not believe to see,” &c... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL STRENGTHEN. — Better, _let thy heart be strong._ WAIT... — Heb., _wait for Jehovah, and wait for Jehovah._... [ Continue Reading ]