PSALM CXVI _The psalmist praises God for his deliverance from thraldom,_ _which he compares to death and the grave_, 1-9. _The exercises through which he had passed_, 10, 11. _His gratitude for these mercies, and resolution to live to_ _God's glory_, 12-19. NOTES ON PSALM CXVI This Psalm is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:2. _BECAUSE HE HATH INCLINED HIS EAR_] The psalmist represents himself to be so sick and weak, that he could scarcely speak. The Lord, in condescension to this weakness, is here considered as _bowing down his ear to the mouth of the feeble_ _suppliant_, that he may receive every wor... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:3. _THE SORROWS OF DEATH_] חבלי מות _chebley maveth_, the _cables_ or _cords of death_; alluding to their bonds and fetters during their captivity; or to the cords by which a criminal is bound who is about to be led out to execution; or to the bandages in which the dead were envelop... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:5. _GRACIOUS_ IS _THE LORD_] In his own nature. _AND RIGHTEOUS_] In all his dealings with men. _OUR GOD_ IS _MERCIFUL._] Of tender compassion to all penitents.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:6. _THE LORD PRESERVED THE SIMPLE_] פתאים _pethaim_, which all the Versions render _little ones_. Those who are meek and lowly of heart, who feel the spirit of little children, these he preserves, as he does little children; and he mentions this circumstance, because the Lord has a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:7. _RETURN UNTO THY REST, O MY SOUL_] God is the _centre_ to which all immortal spirits tend, and in connexion with which alone they can find rest. Every thing _separated_ from its _centre_ is in a state of _violence_; and, if intelligent, cannot be happy. All human souls, while sep... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:8. _THOU HAST DELIVERED MY SOUL FROM DEATH_] Thou hast rescued my _life_ from the _destruction_ to which it was exposed. _MINE EYES FROM TEARS_] Thou hast turned my _sorrow_ into _joy_. _MY FEET FROM FALLING._] Thou hast taken me out of the land of _snares_ and _pitfalls_, and bro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:9. _I WILL WALK BEFORE THE LORD_] אתהלך _ethhallech_, I will _set myself to walk_. I am _determined to walk_; my _eyes_ are now brightened, so that I can _see_; my feet are _strengthened_, so that I can _walk_; and my _soul_ is _alive_, so that I can _walk_ with the _living_. The _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:10. _I BELIEVED, THEREFORE HAVE I SPOKEN_] Distressed and afflicted as I was, I ever believed thy promises to be true; but I had great struggles to maintain my confidence; for my afflictions were great, oppressive, and of long standing. It is scarcely worth observing that the lette... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:11. _I SAID IN MY HASTE_] This is variously translated: _I_ _said in my flight_, CHALDEE. In my _excess_, or ecstasy, VULGATE. In my _ecstasy_, εκστασει, SEPTUAGINT. [Arabic] _tahayury_, in my _giddiness_, ARABIC. In my _fear_ or _tremor_, SYRIAC. [Anglo-Saxon], _I quoth in outgoing... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:12. _WHAT SHALL I RENDER_] מה אשיב _mah ashib_, "What shall I return?" _FOR HIS BENEFITS_] תגמולוהי _tagmulohi_, "His retributions," the returns he had made to my prayers and faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:13. _I WILL TAKE THE CUP OF SALVATION_] Literally, _The cup_ _of salvation_, or _deliverance, will I lift up_. Alluding to the action in taking the _cup of blessing_ among the Jews, which, when the person or master of the family _lifted up_, he said these words, "Blessed be the Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:14. _I WILL PAY MY VOWS UNTO THE LORD NOW IN THE PRESENCE_ _OF ALL HIS PEOPLE._] He was probably now bringing his offering to the temple. These words are repeated, Psalms 116:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:15. _PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD_] Many have understood this verse as meaning, "the saints are too precious in the Lord's sight, lightly to give them over to death:" and this, _Calmet_ contends, is the true sense of the text. Though they have many enemies, their lives are prec... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:16. _I_ AM _THY SERVANT_] Thou hast preserved me alive. I live _with, for_, and _to_ THEE. I am thy _willing domestic, the son of_ _thine handmaid _- like one born in thy house of a woman already thy property. I am a _servant_, son of _thy servant_, made free by thy kindness; but, r... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:17. _I WILL OFFER TO THEE_] As it is most probable that this Psalm celebrates the _deliverance from Babylon_, it is no wonder that we find the psalmist so intent on performing the _rites_ of his religion in the temple at Jerusalem, which had been burnt with fire, and was now revivin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 116:19. _IN THE MIDST OF THEE, O JERUSALEM._] He speaks as if present in the city, offering his vowed _sacrifices_ in the temple to the Lord. Most of this Psalm has been applied to _our Lord_ and his _Church_; and in this way it has been considered as _prophetic_; and, taken thus, it i... [ Continue Reading ]