XLVII. This is one of those psalms that tantalise by seeming to tell the story of their origin, though on closer inspection the story refuses to be satisfactorily identified. Some public rejoicing for victory evidently gave it birth, but whether it was that of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20). or of He... [ Continue Reading ]
OF TRIUMPH. — Or, _of exultation,_ as LXX. and Vulg. For the hand-clapping at a time of national rejoicing, such as the coronation of a king, see 2 Kings 11:12 (comp. Psalms 98:8); and for the “shout,” comp. Numbers 23:21, “the shout of a king”; and 1 Samuel 10:24. With the Hebrews, as with our own... [ Continue Reading ]
MOST HIGH. — Or, possibly, a predicate, _is exalted._ TERRIBLE. — Literally, _feared._ (Comp. 2 Chronicles 20:29).... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR INHERITANCE. — The LXX. read, “his inheritance,” suggesting that originally the passage may have run, _He chooses us for His inheritance,_ an even commoner thought in the Hebrew mind than that of the present text, that Jehovah chose Canaan as an inheritance for Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL SUBDUE... SHALL CHOOSE. — Rather, _subdues, chooses,_ indicating a continued manifestation of the Divine favour.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EXCELLENCY OF JACOB. — This phrase, which literally means _the loftiness of Jacob,_ is used in Nahum 2:2 of the national glory, in Ezekiel 24:21 of the Temple, but in Amos 6:8 has a bad sense, “the pride of Jacob.” Here, as the text stands, it is to be understood of the country. (Comp. Isaiah 13... [ Continue Reading ]
IS GONE UP. — Not, as in Genesis 17:22; Judges 13:20, to heaven, but, as in Psalms 24, to the Temple, as is shown by the public acclaim accompanying the ark to its resting-place after victory. (Comp. 2 Chronicles 20:28; Psalms 68:17; Amos 2:2.)... [ Continue Reading ]
SING PRAISES. — Better, _Strike the harp. _... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH UNDERSTANDING. — Rather, _play a fine tune._ (See title Psalms 32) Or perhaps as LXX., and Vulg. adverbially, _play with skill. _... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SHIELDS OF THE EARTH — _i.e._, the princes just mentioned, as in Hosea 4:18; so LXX. and Vulg. (“strong ones”), which, however, they make the subject of the verb — “have been mightily exalted.”... [ Continue Reading ]