LXXXI. This is plainly a festival song, but by no means one of that jubilant class of festival songs that conclude the Psalter. The poet is in the truest sense a prophet, and, while calling on all the nation to join in the music of the feast, he tries to convince them of the sad lapse in religion fr... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE A PSALM. — Rather, _Strike up a tune_ (_with voice and harp_). BRING HITHER THE TIMBREL. — Literally, _Give a timbrel_ (or, _drum_)_,_ which evidently means “sound the timbrel,” and may, perhaps, be explained by a phrase sometimes found in Hebrew — “Give a voice,” _i.e.,_ speak. Such phrases a... [ Continue Reading ]
TRUMPET. — Heb., _shôphar._ (See Exodus 19:16; Psalms 47:5.) In connection with this festival psalm the mention of the _shôphar_ is especially interesting as being the only ancient Hebrew instrument of which the use is still on solemn occasions retained. (See _Bible Educator,_ Vol. ii. 242.) IN THE... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS. — Better, _for it is a statute._ Referring either to the feast itself or to the mode of celebrating it. LAW. — Literally, _judgment,_ as LXX. and Vulg.... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSEPH. — The prominence given to this name indicates, according to some critics, that the author belonged to the northern kingdom:. but when a poet was wishing to vary his style of speaking of the whole people — the names _Israel_ and _Jacob_ have just been used — the name _Joseph_ would naturally... [ Continue Reading ]
POTS. — Deriving from a root to _boil,_ and with allusion to _potteries,_ which, probably, together with the _brick-kilns,_ formed the scene of the forced labour of Israel. The LXX. and Vulg. have “slaved in the basket,” but the basket, which is represented on Egyptian monuments, is doubtless meant... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU CALLEDST. — The recital of God’s past dealings with the people usual at the Feast of the Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:10; Nehemiah 8:18) appears to follow here as if the feast were actually in progress and the crowd were listening to the psalmist. I ANSWERED THEE IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THUNDER.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR, O MY PEOPLE. — The Divine voice here repeats the warnings so frequently uttered during the desert-wandering.... [ Continue Reading ]
OPEN... — A condensed statement of God’s gracious promise (Deuteronomy 7:12; Deuteronomy 8:7; Deuteronomy 8:9; Deuteronomy 11:13; Deuteronomy 11:16, &c). It is said to have been a custom in Persia, that when the king wishes to do a visitor especial honour he desires him to open his mouth wide, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
LUST. — Rather, _stubbornness,_ or _perversity,_ from root meaning “to twist.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HEARKEN... SUBDUE. — The verbs should be taken in a future sense, “Oh that my people would hearken ... I should soon subdue,” &c. The poet changes from reminiscences of the past to the needs of the present.... [ Continue Reading ]
SUBMITTED. — See Note, Psalms 18:44. HIM — _i.e.,_ Israel; Jehovah’s enemies being also Israel’s enemies. THEIR TIME — _i.e.,_ Israel’s. One of the sudden changes of number so frequent in Hebrew poetry. As a nation Israel would continue to live and prosper.... [ Continue Reading ]
FINEST OF THE WHEAT. — See margin, and comp. Psalms 147:14. The construction of this verse is matter of difficulty. Properly we should render, _And he fed them with the finest of the wheat, and with honey out of the rock satisfied thee._ The change of person is harsh, though perhaps it may be illust... [ Continue Reading ]