VI. The end of this plaintive poem seems to belong to a different situation from the beginning. At first it sounds like a voice from a bed of sickness, of sickness likely to terminate fatally. But at Psalms 6:8 the tone changes. We hear no longer of sickness; but of enemies and wicked men, and praye... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD, REBUKE ME NOT. — Repeated with change of one word in Psalms 38:1. The sublime thought that pain and sorrow are a discipline of love might be found in these words (as in Psalms 94:12; Proverbs 3:11; Jeremiah 10:24; Hebrews 12:3; Hebrews 12:11; Revelation 3:19), did not the context show that t... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM WEAK. — Properly, _wither,_ or _waste with disease,_ or _languish,_ as in Hosea 4:3; Isaiah 16:8. VEXED. — So LXX. and Vulg. Literally, _affrighted._ (Comp. Virgil’s _gelidusque per ima cucurrit Ossa tremor._)... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOU, O LORD, HOW LONG? — Comp. Psalms 90:13. This is “belief in unbelief.” _Domine quousque_ was Calvin’s motto. The most intense grief, it was said, could never extract from him another word. In its national form this faith amid despair is shown in Zechariah 1:12. (Comp Revelation 6:10.)... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN DEATH. — As in Psalms 30:9, the sufferer urges as a further reason for Divine aid the loss Jehovah would suffer by the cessation of his praise. The Israelite’s natural dread of death was intensified by the thought that the grave separated him from all the privileges of the covenant with God.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WATER MY COUCH WITH TEARS. — Comp. _Odyssey,_ xvii. 102: “Say, to my mournful couch shall I ascend? The couch deserted now a length of years, The couch for ever watered with my tears.” — Pope’s _trans._ Orientals indulge in weeping and other outward signs of emotion, which Western nations, or,... [ Continue Reading ]
CONSUMED — _i.e., sunken;_ literally, _fallen away._ The LXX. use the same word employed to render _vexed_ in Psalms 6:2. Grief has brought the signs of premature age (Job 17:7; Psalms 31:9, and Note there). (See Homer’s _Odyssey,_ xix. 360, “Quickly do mortals grow old from trouble.”)... [ Continue Reading ]
DEPART FROM ME. — After the night of sorrow comes the morning of revived faith and confidence, if not of joy. The poet can turn to address his maligners with the assurance that God has heard his prayer, which in his agony he poured out, as he feared at the time, into deaf and unsympathising ears.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET ALL MINE ENEMIES. — Better rendered either by the present or future. The Psalmist with the eye of faith sees the answer to his prayer. RETURN — _i.e.,_ retire discomfited and in failure. “My enemies shall all be blank, and dasht With much confusion: then grow red with shame; They shall return... [ Continue Reading ]