XCII. In this psalm we seem to have the Sabbath musings (see Note to Title) of one who had met the doubt born of the sight of successful wickedness, and struggled through it to a firm faith in “the Rock in whom is no unrighteousness,” though sometimes on earth iniquity seems to flourish and prevail... [ Continue Reading ]
LOVINGKINDNESS... FAITHFULNESS. — The two most prominent features in the display of the covenant relation of God towards His people. The connection of _lovingkindness_ or _grace_ with the morning, and _faithfulness_ or _truth_ with the evening, is only a result of the Hebrew poetic style; and yet th... [ Continue Reading ]
TEN STRINGS. — See Note, Psalms 33:2. UPON THE HARP WITH A SOLEMN SOUND. — Rather, _with music of the harp._ For the Hebrew word, see Note, Psalms 9:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Vulgate rendering of this verse is quoted by Dante in a beautiful passage descriptive of the happiness which flows from delight in the beauty of the works of God in nature. But the reference is to the _works in history,_ not in _nature._ The psalmist is really expressing his gladness at God’s wo... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGHTS. — Better, _plans,_ or _purposes._ (Comp. in addition to references in margin, Psalms 36:6.)... [ Continue Reading ]
A BRUTISH MAN. — The Hebrew is apparently from a root meaning “to eat,” and so refers to the man of mere animal nature, who lives for his appetites. FOOL. — From root meaning “fat,” hence “gross,” “stupid.” In the one case the moral sense has not come into play at all, in the other it is overgrown... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse apparently introduces the statement of the truth which the sensualist does not understand, viz., that the prosperity of the wicked is only momentary, and will render their destruction all the more impressive. The Authorised Version is incorrect in introducing the second conjunction “when.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNICORN. — Better, _buffalo._ (See Numbers 23:22; Psalms 22:21.)... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE EYE ALSO. — Better, _And my eye looked upon_ (was able to look without fear) _my insidious foes, and for their rising against me as villains my ears listened_ (without alarm).... [ Continue Reading ]
PALM TREE. — This is the only place where the palm appears as an emblem of moral rectitude and beauty of character, yet its aptness for such comparison has often been noticed. (See Tristram’s _Natural History of the Bible,_ p. 384; and comp. Thomson’s _The Land and the Book,_ p. 49.) A moral use wa... [ Continue Reading ]
(See Note, Psalms 52:8, and Stanley’s _Jewish Church,_ ii. 207.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL STILL BRING FORTH. — Literally, _Still shall they sprout in hoary age, sappy and green shall they be,_ alluding to the great fruitfulness of the date palm, and to the fact that to the very last this fruitfulness continues.... [ Continue Reading ]