PSALM XVI _The contents of this Psalm are usually given in the following_ _manner: David, sojourning among idolaters, and being obliged_ _to leave his own country through Saul's persecution, cries to_ _God for help; expresses his abhorrence of idolatry, and his_ _desire to be again united to G... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 16:2. _THOU HAST SAID UNTO THE LORD, THOU_ ART _MY LORD_] Thou hast said ליהוה _layhovah_, to Jehovah, the supreme, self-existing, and eternal Being; _Thou_ art _my Lord_, אדני אתה adonai attah, Thou art my _prop, stay_, or _support_. As the Messiah, or Son of God, Jesus derived his bei... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 16:4. _THEIR SORROWS SHALL BE MULTIPLIED_ THAT _HASTEN_ AFTER _ANOTHER_ GOD] The Chaldee has: "They multiply their idols, and afterwards hasten that they may offer their gifts." In the Hebrew text there is no word for _God_, and therefore _Messiah_ or _Saviour_ might be as well substitu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 16:5. _THE LORD IS THE PORTION OF MINE INHERITANCE_] The Messiah speaks. Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance; I seek no earthly good; I desire to do the will of God, and that only. It is God who has given me this lot-to redeem mankind-to have them for mine inheritance. From him I... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 16:6. _THE LINES ARE FALLEN UNTO ME IN PLEASANT PLACES_] Here is an allusion to the ancient division of the land by lot among the Israelites, the breadth and length being ascertained by lines which were used in measuring. I have got a rich inheritance of immortal spirits; and I myself,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 16:7. _WHO HATH GIVEN ME COUNSEL_] Jesus, as _man_, received all his knowledge and wisdom from God; Luke 2:40. And in him were hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. _MY REINS ALSO INSTRUCT ME_] כליותי _kilyothai, reins_ or _kidneys,_ which from their _retired_ situation in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 16:8. _I HAVE SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE ME_] This verse, and all to the end of Psalms 16:11, are applied by St. Peter to the _death and resurrection of Christ_. Acts 2:25, c. In all that our Lord _did, said_, or _suffered_, he kept the glory of the Father and the accomplishment of his... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 16:9. _THEREFORE MY HEART IS GLAD_] Unutterably happy in God; always full of the Divine presence; because whatsoever I do pleaseth him. The _man_ Christ Jesus must be constantly in communion with God, because he was without spot and blemish. _MY GLORY REJOICETH_] My _tongue_, so called... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 16:10. _THINE HOLY ONE_] This is in the plural number, חסידיך _chasideycha, thy Holy Ones_; but none of the _versions_ translate it in the _plural_; and as it is in the singular number, חסידך _chasidecha_, in several _ancient editions_, among which is the _Complutensian Polyglot_, and n... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 16:11. _THOU WILT SHOW ME THE PATH OF LIFE_] I first shall find the _way out of the regions of death_, to _die no more_. Thus Christ was the _first fruits_ of them that slept. Several had before risen from the dead, but they _died again_. Jesus rose from the dead, and is alive for everm... [ Continue Reading ]