LXIV. The situation indicated in this psalm is one that frequently occurs in Israel’s hymn-book. A prey to calumny, the poet for himself, or, more probably, for the community, implores the protection of God, and then suddenly takes up the prophetic strain — persuaded, from the known order of Provid... [ Continue Reading ]
MY PRAYER. — Rather, _my cry, complaint,_ as in Psalms 55:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
SECRET COUNSEL... INSURRECTION — Better, _secret league_ (_sôd_) ... _noisy gathering_ (_rigshah_). For _sôd_ see Psalms 25:14, and for _rigshah_ see Note to Psalms 2:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the figure in this and the following verse, see Psalms 10:7; Psalms 11:2; Psalms 52:2; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7. “’Tis slander. Whose edge is sharper than the sword.” SHAKESPEARE. For the ellipse in “they bend (literally, _tread_) their arrows,” see Psalms 58:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FEAR NOT. — These are utterly unscrupulous, fearing neither God nor man.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ENCOURAGE THEMSELVES. — Literally, _they strengthen for themselves an evil thing_ (or “word,” margin, LXX., and Vulg.,) which evidently means that they take their measures carefully, and are prepared to carry them out resolutely. THEY COMMUNE... — Better, _they calculate how they may lay snare... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SEARCH OUT INIQUITIES — _i.e., they plan wicked schemes._ THEY ACCOMPLISH A DILIGENT SEARCH. — See margin, which indicates the difficulty in this clause. The versions and some MSS. also suggest a corruption of the tent. Read “They have completed their subtle measures” (literally, _the planned... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning of these verses is clear. In the moment of their imagined success, their deeply-laid schemes just on the point of ripening, a sudden Divine retribution overtakes the wicked, and all their calumnies, invented with such cunning, fall back on their own heads. But the construction is most pe... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY SHALL WISELY CONSIDER. — Rather, _And they understand his work. _... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL GLORY. — Or, perhaps, _shall shine forth clear, i.e.,_ shall have their cause acknowledged just. The LXX. and Vulg. seem to have understood it so: “shall be praised.”... [ Continue Reading ]