XCV. The LXX. prefix a title ascribing this psalm to David, and in quoting it the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:7) uses the expression “in David.” This, however, is only a mode of saying “in the Psalms.” We may conjecture, from the contents, that some danger to religion was observed by the auth... [ Continue Reading ]
O COME. — The invitation is general, and may be contrasted with the heathen warning to the uninitiated, _procul este profani._ This exhortation to worship God, not with penitence, but with loud thanksgiving, is, as Perowne notes, the more remarkable considering the strain in which the latter part of... [ Continue Reading ]
COME BEFORE. — Literally, _go to meet._ It is the word rendered “prevent” in Psalms 18:5, where see Note.... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOVE ALL GODS. — Not here angelic beings, but the gods of surrounding tribes, as accurately explained in Psalms 96:4. (Comp. Exodus 15:11; Exodus 18:11.) Commentators vex themselves with the difficulty of the ascription of a real existence to these tribal deities in the expression,” King above all... [ Continue Reading ]
DEEP PLACES. — From a root meaning “to search,” perhaps by digging. Hence either “mines” or “mineral wealth.” STRENGTH OF THE HILLS. — The Hebrew word rendered “strength” is rare, found only here and Numbers 23:22; Numbers 24:8 (“strength of an unicorn”), and Job 22:25 (“plenty of silver;” margin, “... [ Continue Reading ]
WORSHIP. — Properly, _prostrate ourselves._ KNEEL. — The practice of kneeling low in the East, only used in moments of deep humiliation, is first mentioned in 2 Chronicles 6:13. It was also Daniel’s practice (Daniel 6:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
TO-DAY IF... — In joining this clause with Psalms 95:8 the Authorised Version follows the LXX. The Masoretic text connects it with the preceding part of the verse, and there seems no good reason for departing from that arrangement. Indeed, the change from the third person, “his voice,” to the first,... [ Continue Reading ]
The mention of the guiding voice suggests to the poet to make God Himself address His people, and with this verse the Divine warning begins. PROVOCATION... TEMPTATION. — It is better to keep here the proper names _Meribah_ and _Massah_ (Exodus 17:1; Numbers 20:13 : comp. Deuteronomy 33:8).... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVED ME. — Properly, of trying metals. This term is used of man’s attitude towards Providence, both in a good and bad sense (Malachi 3:10; Malachi 3:15). AND SAW MY WORK. — Better (as in Isaiah 49:15), _Yea, they saw my works,_ watched, that is, God’s dealings with ever the same readiness to murm... [ Continue Reading ]
See Notes, Hebrews 3:17, _New Testament Commentary._ I GRIEVED. — Better, _I loathed._ A PEOPLE THAT DO ERR. — Literally, _a people of wanderers in heart._ They are morally astray through ignorance of God’s paths.... [ Continue Reading ]
I SWARE. — Numbers 14:21. REST. — This is, of course, the Promised Land, as the context unmistakably shows. The freedom taken with the passage by the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, in order to make the psalm point us to a “future” rest, was such as Jewish doctors ordinarily used, and of whic... [ Continue Reading ]