PSALM XXXIV _David praises God, and exhorts others to do the same_, 1-3; _shows how he sought the Lord, and how he was found of him_, 4-6. _All are exhorted to taste and see the goodness of God; with_ _the assurance of support and comfort_, 7-10. _He shows the way to attain happiness and long l... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:2. _MY SOUL SHALL MAKE HER BOAST_] Shall _set itself to_ _praise_ the Lord-shall consider this its chief work. _THE HUMBLE_] ענוים _anavim_, the afflicted, such as _David_ had been.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:3. _MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME_] גדלו ליהוה _gaddelu lavhovah_, "make greatness to Jehovah;" show his greatness; and let "us exalt his name," let us show how _high_ and _glorious_ it is.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:4. _I SOUGHT THE LORD_] This is the _reason_ and _cause_ of his gratitude. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me out of all my fears. This answers to the history; for when David heard what the servants of Achish said concerning him, "he laid up the words in his heart,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:5. _THEY LOOKED UNTO HIM_] Instead of הביטו _hibbitu_, they looked, several of Dr. _Kennicott's_ and _De Rossi's_ MSS. have הביטו _habbitu_, with the point _pathach_, "Look ye." _AND THEIR FACES WERE NOT ASHAMED._] Some MSS., and the _Complutensian Polyglot_, make this clause the be... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:6. _THIS POOR MAN CRIED_] זה עני _zeh ani_, "This _afflicted_ man," _David_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:7. _THE ANGEL OF THE LORD ENCAMPETH ROUND_] I should rather consider this angel in the light of a _watchman going round his_ _circuit_, and having for the objects of his especial care such as _fear the Lord_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:8. _O TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD_] Apply to him by faith and prayer; plead his _promises_, he will fulfil them; and you shall know in consequence, that _the Lord is good_. God has put it in the power of every man to _know_ whether the religion of the Bible be true or false.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:9. THERE IS _NO WANT TO THEM THAT FEAR HIM._] He who truly _fears_ God _loves_ him; and he who _loves_ God _obeys_ him, and to him who _fears, loves_, and obeys God, there can be no want of things essential to his happiness, whether spiritual or temporal, for this life or for that wh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:10. _THE YOUNG LIONS DO LACK_] Instead of כפירים _kephirim_, the young lions, one of _Kennicott's_ MSS. has כבירים _cabbirim_, "powerful men." The _Vulgate, Septuagint, AEthiopic, Syriac,_ _Arabic_, and _Anglo-Saxon_ have the same reading. _Houbigant_ approves of this; and indeed the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:11. _COME, YE CHILDREN_] All ye that are of an _humble,_ _teachable_ spirit. _I WILL TEACH YOU THE FEAR OF THE LORD._] I shall introduce the _translation_ and _paraphrase_ from my old Psalter; and the rather because I believe there is a reference to that very improper and unholy met... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:12. _WHAT MAN_ IS HE THAT _DESIRETH LIFE_] He who wishes to live long and to live happily, let him act according to the following directions. For a comment upon this and the _four_ ensuing verses, see the notes on 1 Peter 3:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:17. THE _RIGHTEOUS CRY_] There is no word in the present _Hebrew_ text for righteous; but all the _versions_ preserve it. I suppose it was lost through its similitude to the word צעקו _tsaaku_, they cry צעקו צדיקים _tsaaku tsaddikim_, the righteous cry.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:18. _A BROKEN HEART_] נשברי לב _nishberey leb_, the heart _broken_ to _shivers_. _A CONTRITE SPIRIT._] דכאי רוח _dakkeey ruach_, "the beaten-out spirit." In both words the _hammer_ is necessarily implied; in breaking to pieces the ore first, and then plating out the metal when it h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:19. _MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS_] No commander would do justice to a brave and skilful soldier, by refusing him opportunities to put his skill and bravery to proof by combating with the adversary; or by preventing him from taking the _post of danger_ when necessity req... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:20. _HE KEEPETH ALL HIS BONES_] He takes care of his life; and if he have _scars_, they are honourable ones.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:21. _EVIL SHALL SLAY THE WICKED_] The very thing in which they delight shall become their bane and their ruin. _THEY THAT HATE THE RIGHTEOUS_] All persecutors of God's people shall be followed by the chilling blast of God's displeasure in this world; and if they repent not, shall pe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 34:22. _THE LORD REDEEMETH_] Both the _life_ and _soul_ of God's followers are ever in danger but God is continually redeeming both. _SHALL BE DESOLATE._] Literally, _shall be guilty_. They shall be preserved from sin, and neither forfeit _life_ nor soul. This verse probably should com... [ Continue Reading ]