PSALM LXXIX _The psalmist complains of the cruelty of his enemies and the_ _desolations of Jerusalem, and prays against them_, 1-7. _He prays for the pardon and restoration of his people, and_ _promises gratitude and obedience_, 8-13. NOTES ON PSALM LXXIX The _title, A Psalm of Asaph_, must b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:2. _THE DEAD BODIES OF THY SERVANTS_] It appears that in the destruction of Jerusalem the Chaldeans did not bury the bodies of the slain, but left them to be devoured by birds and beasts of prey. This was the grossest inhumanity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:3. THERE WAS _NONE TO BURY_ THEM.] The Chaldeans would not; and the Jews who were not slain were carried into captivity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:4. _WE ARE BECOME A REPROACH TO OUR NEIGHBOURS_] The Idumeans, Philistines, Phoenicians, Ammonites, and Moabites, all gloried in the subjugation of this people; and their insults to them were mixed with blasphemies against God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:5. _HOW LONG, LORD?_] Wilt thou continue thine anger against us, and suffer us to be insulted, and thyself blasphemed?... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:6. _POUR OUT THY WRATH_] Bad as we are, we are yet less wicked than they. We, it is true, have been unfaithful; but they never knew thy name, and are totally abandoned to idolatry.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:7. _LAID WASTE HIS DWELLING-PLACE._] The _Chaldee_ understands this of the _temple_. This, by way of eminence, was Jacob's _place_. I have already remarked that these two verses are almost similar to Jeremiah 10:25, which has led many to believe that _Jeremiah_ was the author of this... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:8. _REMEMBER NOT AGAINST US FORMER INIQUITIES_] Visit us not for the sins of our forefathers. _SPEEDILY PREVENT US_] Let them _go before us_, and turn us out of the path of destruction; for there is no help for us but in _thee_. _WE ARE BROUGHT VERY LOW._] Literally, "We are greatl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:9. _PURGE AWAY OUR SINS_] כפר _capper_, be _propitiated_, or _receive an atonement_ (על חטאתינו al chattotheynu) _on_ _account of our sins_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:10. _WHERE_ IS _THEIR GOD?_] Show _where_ thou art by rising up for our redemption, and the infliction of deserved punishment upon our enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:11. _THE SIGHING OF THE PRISONER_] The poor captive Israelites in Babylon, who sigh and cry because of their bondage. _THOSE THAT ARE APPOINTED TO DIE_] בני תמותה _beney themuthah_, "sons of death." Either those who were condemned to death because of their crimes, or condemned to be... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:12. _SEVENFOLD INTO THEIR BOSOM_] That is, Let them get in this world what they deserve for the cruelties they have inflicted on us. Let them suffer in captivity, who now have us in bondage. Probably this is a _prediction_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 79:13. _WE THY PEOPLE_] Whom thou hast chosen from among all the people of the earth. _AND SHEEP OF THY PASTURE_] Of whom thou thyself art the _Shepherd_. Let us not be destroyed by those who are thy enemies; and we, in all our generations, will give thanks unto thee for ever. ANALYSI... [ Continue Reading ]