PSALM CXLVI _The psalmist, full of gratitude, purposes to praise God for_ _ever_, 1, 2; _and exhorts not to trust in man, not even the most powerful;_ _for which he gives his reasons_, 3, 4. _The great advantage of trusting in God_, 5. _The mercies which they who trust in God may expect_, 6-9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 146:2. _WHILE I LIVE WILL I PRAISE_] The true feeling of a heart overpowered with a sense of God's goodness. _WHILE I HAVE ANY BEING._] בעודי _beodi_, in my continuance, in my progression, my eternal existence. This is very expressive.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 146:3. _PUT NOT YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES_] This may refer, as has been stated above, to Cyrus, who had revoked his edict for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Perhaps they had begun to suppose that they were about to owe their deliverance to the Persian king. God permitted this change in the di... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 146:4. _HIS BREATH GOETH FORTH_] His existence depends merely, under God, on the _air_ he breathes. When he ceases to _respire_ he ceases to _live_; his body from that moment begins to claim its affinity to the earth; and all his thoughts, purposes, and projects, whether good or evil, c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 146:5. _HAPPY_ IS HE _THAT_ HATH _THE GOD OF JACOB FOR HIS HELP_] While he that trusts in man is _miserable_, he that trusts in God is _happy_. _In the son of man_, בן אדם ben Adam, there is no help, תשועה teshuah, no _saving principle_. Every _son of Adam_ naturally comes into the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 146:7. _WHICH EXECUTETH JUDGMENT FOR THE OPPRESSED_] For those who suffer by violence or _calumny_. This may refer to the Israelites, who suffered much by _oppression_ from the _Babylonians_, and by _calumny_ from the _Samaritans_, c., who had prejudiced the king of Persia against them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 146:8. _OPENETH_ THE EYES OF _THE BLIND_] He brings us out of our prison-house, from the _shadow of death_, and _opens our eyes_ that we may behold the _free light_ of the day. And it is the Lord only that can open the eyes of any son of Adam, and give him to see his wretchedness, and w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 146:9. _PRESERVETH THE STRANGERS_] He has _preserved you_ _strangers_ in a strange land, where you have been in captivity for _seventy_ years; and though in an _enemy's country_, he has provided for the _widows_ and _orphans_ as amply as if he had been in the promised land. _THE WAY OF... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 146:10. _THE LORD SHALL REIGN FOR EVER_] Therefore he can never fail; and he is _thy God, O Zion_. Hitherto he has helped _you_ and your _fathers_; and has extended that help from _generation to_ _generation_. Therefore trust in him and bless the Lord. ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND FORTY... [ Continue Reading ]