PSALM CXLIV _The psalmist praises God for his goodness_, 1, 2. _Exclamations relative to the vanity of human life_, 3, 4. _He prays against his enemies_, 5-8; _and extols God's mercy for the temporal blessings enjoyed by_ _his people_, 9-15. NOTES ON PSALM CXLIV The _Hebrew_, and all the _Ve... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:2. _WHO SUBDUETH MY PEOPLE_] Who has once more reduced the nation to a state of loyal obedience. This may refer to the peace after the rebellion of Absalom.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:3. _LORD, WHAT_ IS _MAN_] Psalms 8:4; _"_Psalms 8:5_"_. _What is Adam, that thou approvest of him_? Can he do any thing worthy of thy notice? Or _the son of feeble perishing man, that_ _thou shouldest hold him in repute_? What care, love, and attention, dost thou lavish upon him!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:4. _MAN IS LIKE TO VANITY_] אדם להבל דמה _Adam lahebel damah_, literally, _Adam is like to Abel_, exposed to the same miseries, accidents, and murderers; for in millions of cases the hands of brothers are lifted up to shed the blood of brothers. What are wars but fratricide in the g... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:5. _BOW THY HEAVENS_] Psalms 18:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:6. _CAST FORTH LIGHTNING_] Psalms 18:13; _"_Psalms 18:14_"_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:7. _DELIVER ME OUT OF GREAT WATERS_] Psalms 18:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:9. _I WILL SING A NEW SONG_] A song of peculiar excellence. I will pour forth all my gratitude, and all my _skill_, on its composition. See on Psalms 33:2; Psalms 33:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:10. HE _THAT GIVETH SALVATION UNTO KINGS_] _Monarchy_, in the principle, is from God: it is that _form of government_ which, in the course of the Divine providence, has principally prevailed; and that which, on the whole, has been most beneficial to mankind. God, therefore, has it u... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:12. _THAT OUR SONS_ MAY BE _AS PLANTS_] God had promised to his people, being faithful, THREE _descriptions_ of BLESSINGS, Deuteronomy 28:4. 1. The _fruit of the body_ - sons and daughters. 2. The _fruits of the_ _ground_ - grass and corn in sufficient plenty. 3. _Fruit of the_ _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:13. THAT _OUR GARNERS, C._] Our _garners are full_. These are not prayers put up by David _for such blessings_: but _assertions_, that such blessings were actually in possession. All these expressions should be understood in the _present tense_. _TEN THOUSANDS IN OUR STREETS._] בחצ... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:14. _OUR OXEN_ MAY BE _STRONG TO LABOUR_] We have not only an abundance of cattle; but they are of the most strong and vigorous breed. _NO BREAKING IN_] So well ordered is the _police_ of the kingdom, that there are no depredations, no robbers, house-breakers, or marauding parties,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 144:15. _HAPPY_ IS THAT _PEOPLE_] "O how happy are the people!" Such were his people; and they had not only all this secular happiness, but they had _Jehovah for their God_; and in him had a ceaseless fountain of strength, protection, earthly blessings, and eternal mercies! A people in... [ Continue Reading ]