PSALM LXI _The psalmist's prayer for those who were banished from their_ _own land, and from the ordinances of God_, 1, 2. _He praises God for his past mercies_, 3; _purposes to devote himself entirely to his service_, 4, 5. _He prays for the king_, 6, 7; _and promises to perform his vow to th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 61:2. _FROM THE END OF THE EARTH_] ארץ _arets_ should be here translated _land_, not _earth_, and so it should be in numerous places besides. But here it seems to mean the _country beyond the_ _Euphrates_; as it is thought to do, Psalms 65:5; Psalms 65:8, called there also _the ends of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 61:3. _THOU HAST BEEN A SHELTER FOR ME_] During the whole duration of the captivity God marvellously dealt with the poor Jews; so that, although they were cast down, they were not utterly forsaken.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 61:4. _I WILL ABIDE IN THY TABERNACLE_] The greater portion of those Psalms which were composed during and after the captivity, says _Calmet_, had _Levites_ and _priests_ for their authors. Hence we find the ardent desire so frequently expressed of seeing the _temple_; of _praising God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 61:5. _HAST HEARD MY VOWS_] Often have I purposed to be wholly thine, -to serve thee alone, - to give up my whole life to thy service: and thou hast heard me, and taken me at my word; and given me that heritage, the privilege of enjoying thee in thy ordinances, which is the lot of them... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 61:6. _THOU WILT PROLONG THE KING'S LIFE_] The words are very emphatic, and can refer to no ordinary person. Literally, "Days upon days thou wilt add to the king; and his years shall be like the generations of this world, and the generations of the world to come." This is precisely the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 61:7. _HE SHALL ABIDE BEFORE GOD FOR EVER_] Literally, "He shall sit for ever before the faces of God." He shall ever appear in the presence of God for us. And he ever _sits at the right hand_ _of the Majesty on high_; for he undertook this office after having, by his sacrificial offeri... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 61:8. _SO WILL I SING PRAISE UNTO THY NAME FOR EVER_] For the benefits which I have received, and hope to receive endlessly from thee, I will to all perpetuity praise thee. _THAT I MAY DAILY PERFORM MY VOWS._] While I live, I shall יום יום _yom, yom_, "day by day," each day as it succe... [ Continue Reading ]