XCIX. This psalm plainly belongs to a group (see Psalms 95, Introduction) to be referred to the post-exile times, when the renewed worship and nationality made it possible for the poet to compare his age with that of the greatest saints and heroes of old. The short refrain marks the poetical form.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD REIGNETH. — See Note, Psalms 93:1. TREMBLE. — LXX. and Vulg., “be angry.” The optative in this and the following clause is after the LXX.; but the Hebrew is in the ordinary present, _the peoples tremble, the earth staggers._ HE SITTETH. — In original a participle. BETWEEN THE CHERUBIMS..... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT AND TERRIBLE NAME. — The rabbins see here the mystic tetragrammaton, whose pronunciation was kept so secret. FOR IT IS HOLY. — This is grammatically possible, but as Psalms 99:5; Psalms 99:9 repeat the expression, evidently as a refrain, and there it needs the masculine, it is better to read... [ Continue Reading ]
WORSHIP AT HIS FOOTSTOOL. — _Prostrate your. selves at His footstool._ The earth is called the “footstool” of God (Isaiah 66:1; comp. Matthew 5:35); in other places the expression is used of the sanctuary (Psalms 132:7; comp. Isaiah 60:13; Lamentations 2:1). In 1 Chronicles 28:2 it seems to refer to... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES. — Better, _a Moses and an Aaron among his friends, and a Samuel among them that call upon his name; calling upon the Lord, and he answers them; in the pillar of cloud he speaks unto them._ The poet is enhancing the sacred character of the services of his own day by likening the priests and mi... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU TOOKEST VENGEANCE OF THEIR INVENTIONS (or, _works_). — This does not refer to the personages just mentioned but to the people at large. The train of thought is as follows: — “There are great saints among us, as in olden time, but, as then, their prayers, while often procuring forgiveness, could... [ Continue Reading ]