Chapter XLI
Ver. 1-34. 1. leviathan Lit., the twisted animal, gathering itself in folds: a synonym to the Thannin (ch. 3. 8, Margin ; see Psalm 74. 14; type of the Egyptian tyrant; Psalm 104. 26 ; Isaiah 27. 1 ; the Babylon tyrant). A poetic tal generalizntimi for all cetacean, serpentine, and saurian monsters (Note 40. 15, hence all the description applies to no one animal); especially the crocodile; which is naturally described after t\\a river-horse, as both are found in the Nile, tongne . . . lettestdown—The crocodile has no tongue, or a very small one cleaving to the lower jaw. But as in Ashing the tongue of the fish draws the baited hook to it, God asks. Canst thou in like manner take le-
rlathaD7 8. hook—Rather, a rope of rushes, thorn—
t/ieif wander from Die way, i. e., flee away bewil lered, 343
Job's PenUeni Reply to God. JOB XLIl. God Blesses him.
l>I.AX:uFi; and Umbreit.] tiG. caimot bold—On his hard
spake thus falsely, God "reproves" them, as Job said He would (ch. 13. 10). like Job—Job had spoken rightly in relation to tJiem and their argument, denying their theory, and the fact which they alleged, tliat he was peculiarly guilty and a hypocrite; but wrongly in relation to God, when he fell into the opposite extreme of almost denying
.skill habergeon—Coat of mail: amii must be taken by
Ke.iiini;! nut ol "hold," as the verb in tlie second clause
"hold' cannot apply to the "coat of mail." 27. iron . . . 1>ras.s—viz., weapons, as. arrow Lit., son of the bow; Oriental imagery (Lamentations 3.13; Margi7i). stubWe -Arrows produce no more ett'ect than it would to throw
all guilt. This extreme he has now repented of, and therefore God speaks of him as now altogether "right." 8. seven—(See Introduction.) The number oll'ered by the Gentile prophet (Numbers 23. 1). Job plainly lived before the legal priesthood, itc. The patriarchs acted as priests for their families ; and sometimes as praying mediators (Genesis 20. 17), thus foreshadowing the true Mediator (1 Timothy 2. 5), but sacrifice accompanies, and is the groundwork on which the mediation, rests.
itiihble at him. 29. darts—Rather,ciu6«; dartshave been
alr«-adj' mentioned. 30. stones—Rather, potsherds, i.e., the sharp and pointed scales on the belly, like broken pieces of pottery. sUarp-pointed things—Ratlier, a
threshiiuj instrinnciit, but not on the fi-iiils of the earth, but "on the )iiire;" irony. When he lies on the mire, he leaves the marks of his scales so imprinted on it, that one migui fancy a threshing instrument with its sharp teeth had been drawn over it (Isaiah 28. 27). 31. Whenever he moves, sea—The Nile (Isaiah 19. 5; Nahum 3. 8). pot of ointment—The vessel in which it is mixed. Appropriate
' him — Rather, "His person (face) only" (note 22. 30). The "person" must be first accepted, before God can accept his offering and work (Genesis 4. 4); that can be only through Jesus Christ, folly—Impiety (ch. 1. 22; 2. 10). 9. The forgiving spirit of Job foreshadows tlie love of Jesus Christ and of Christians to enemies (Matthew 5. 44; Luke 23. 34; Acts 7. 60; 16.24,28,30,31). 10. turned . . . captivityProverbial for restored, or amply indemnified him for all he had lost (Ezckiel 10. .53 ; Psalm 14. 7 ; Hosea 6. 11). Thus the future vindication of man, body and soul, against Satan
to the crocodile, which emits a musky smell. 32. path— The foam on his track, hoary—As hair of the aged. 33. who—Beini; one who, &c. 34. behoMeth—As their su-
perior, children of pritle—The proud and fierce beasts. So ch. 28. 8; Hebrew, sons of pride. To humble the pride of man. and to teach implicit submission, is the aim of Jehovah's speecli and of the book: therefore with this as
to leviathan, the type of God in His lordship over crea-
(ch. 1. 9-12), at the resurrection (cli. 19. 25-27), has its earnest and adumbration in the temporal vindication of Job at last by Jehovah in person, thrice—So to the afllicted literal and spiritual Jersualem (Isaiah 40. 2; (JO. 7; 61.7; Zechariah 9. 12). As in Job's case, so in that of Jesus Christ, the glorious recompense follows the "intercession" for enemies (Isaiah 5:5. 12). 11. It was Job's complaint in his misery that his "brethren," &c., were "estranged" from him (ch. 19. 13); these now return with the return of his prosperity (Proverbs 14. 20; 19. 6, 7); the true friend loveth at all times (Proverbs 17. 17; 18.24). "Swallow frienils leave In the winter and return with the spring." [Henry.] eat bread—in token of friendship (Psalm 41. 9). piece ofmoney —Presents are usual in visitinga man of rank in the East, especially after a calamity (2 Chronicles 32.23). Ilebreiv, Kesila. Ma(;ee translates, a lamb (the medium of exchange then before money was used), as it is in Margin of Genesis 33. 1!); Joshua '24.32. But it is from the Ajabic Kasat, "weighed out" [Umhreit], not coined; so Genesis
tion, he closes.
CHAPTEll XLII.
Ver. 1-6. Job's Penitent Reply. 3. In the first clause he owns God to be omnipotent over nature, as contrasted with his own feebleness, which God liad proved (cb. 40.
15; il. 34); in the second, that God is supremely just
(wliicli, in order to be governor of the world. He must needs.be) in all His dealings, as contrasted with his own vileness (v. (>), and incompetence to deal with the wicked
as a ,ius:it judge (cli. 40. 8-14). tUitngM—I^irpoae, as in ch.
17. 11; but it is usually apjilied to evil devices (ch. 21. 27; I'salm 10. 2) : the amljiguous word is designedly chosen to
exjircss, that, whilst to Job's finite view, God's plans wem bad, to the All-wise One they continue unhindered
in their development, and will at last be seen to be as good as they are infinitely wise. No evil can emanate from the Parent of aood (Jamc-s 1. 13, 17); but it is His prerogative to overrule evil to good. 3. I am the man! Job in God's own words (ch. 38. 2) expresses his deep and hum-
4'2. a5; 33. 19; ct". with Genesis '£i 15, makes it likely it was equal to four shekids ; Hebrew kasliat, " pure," viz., metal. The term, instead of the usual ".shekel," &c.. Is a mark of antiquity, ring-whether for the nose or ear (Genesis
ble penitence. God's word concerning our guilt .should be engraven on our hearts and form the groundwork of our contession. Most men in confessing sin palliate rather than confess. Job in omitting "by words " (ch. .'58.
35.4; Isaiah 3. 21). Much of the gold in the East, in the alisence of banks, is in the shape of ornaments. 12. I'robably by degrees, not all at once. 13. The same number as before; perhai>s by a second w fe; in ch. 19. 17 his wife is last mentioned. 14. Name.s significant of his restored prosperity (Genesis 4. 25; 5. 2!)). Jemima, day-
2), goes even further than God's accusation. Not merely my stwfii, but my whole thoughts and ways were " without knowledge." too wondei «"nl— I rashly denied that thou hast any fixed plan in governing human affairs, merely because thy plan was "too wonderful" for my comprehension. 4. When I said, "Hear," &c.. Job's demtind (ch. 13. 22) convicted him of being "without knowledge." Go<l alone could speak thus to Job, not Job to God : therefore he (juotes again God's words as the groundwork of retracting his own foolish words. 5. hearing of car iPsalm 18. 44, M<tr<)ln). Jlearing and sceinij are often in
light, after his "night" of calamity; but Maurhu, "a dove." Ke/.ia, cassia, an aromatic her ) (Psalm 4.5. 8), instead of his oll'enslve breath and ulcers. Keren-hap-
pucli, "horn of stibium," a paint with which females dyed their eyelitls; in contrast to his "horn defiled in the dust" (ch. 16. 15). The names also imply the beauty of his daughters, nl. litheritaitue among . . . bretliren—An unusual favour in the Kiist (o daughters, win-, in the Jewish law, only iiUierited, if tliere wi^re no sou^ (Numbers 27. 8), a proof of wealth and unanimity. 10, LXX. make Job live 170 years after his calamity, and '240 'u all. This would make him sevi iity at the time of his eala-nity, which added to MO in Hebrew text makes up 210; a little more than the age ('.TO) of Terah, father of Abraham, per-
antitlicsis (ch. 2i). 11 ; Psalm 18. 8). gcetli—not God's face (Exodus :i3. 20), but his presence in the veil of adark cloud
(ch. 38. 1). Job implies also that, besides this literal iee-
ing, he now .saw spiritually what he had indistinctly taken on hear.say belbre God's infinite wi.sdom. He "now" proves this; he had seen \nix Idcral sen.se before, at the beginning of God's spec(;h, but he had not seen spiril-
uallj/ till " now " at its clo.se. 0. myself-Rather, "I abhor," and retract the rash speeches I made against thee, v.
hajis his coiiteiiiporniy. Man's length of life grndi ally shortened, till il rea<'hed threescore and ten in Moses' time (Psalm i)0. 10). IC.. sons' sons—A proof of Divine favour (CJenesis .51). 23; Psahu 1'28. 6 ; Proverbs 17. li). 17. full of days— y'i/(/.i/ .«(/(•(/ and rontcntcd with all the happiness
3, 4 [Umhukit].
7-17. Ki'1I.o(;i;k, in prose. 7. to Ellphaz—Because he was tlio foremost of the three friends; their speeches were but the echo of his. riglit— Li/., well-grounded, sure and true. Their spirit towartls Jol) was unkindly, and to
that lil'eeoul<l give him; reallzingwhat lOlipha/. had palnteO as the lot of the godly (eh. 5. 26; Psahu ill. 16; Genesis i\.
8; :!.5. 29). LXX. adds, " It Is written, that he will rise ngftUl with those whom the Lord will raise, up." Cf. Matthew
Justify themselves in tlielr unkindliness they u.sed false arguinciils (rli. 13. 7) (viz., that calamities always prove
27. 52, i'i, from wliieli it perhujis was derived sjiuriously.
peculiar guilt;; therefore, thougli it was "for God" they 344
lutfodtuUion. PSALMS. Introduction,
THE BOOK OF PSALMS.
The Hebrew title of this book is [Tehilim] praises or hymns, for a leading feature in i ts contents is praise, though the word occurs in the title of only one Psalm (145). The Greek title (iu tlie Sepluagint, a translation made 200 years
before Christ) is psalmoi, whence our word Psalms. This corresponds to the Hebrew word mizmoi by wliich sixty-flve Psalms are designated in their inscriptions, and which the Syriac, a language like the Hebrew, uses for the whole book. It means, as does also the Greek name, an ode, or song, whose singing is accompanied by an instrument, par-
ticularly the harp (cf. 1 Chronicles 16. 4-8;. 2 Chronicles 5. 12, 13). To some Psalms, the Hebrew word ishir) a song, is
prefixed. Paul seems to allude to all these terms in Ephesians 5. 19, "singing ... in psalms, hymns, and spiritual
tontfs."
Titles.—To more than a hundred Psalms are prefixed inscriptions, wliich give one or more (and in one case, GOth,
all) of these particular.s: the direction to the musician, the name of the autlior or tlie instrument, the style of the music or of the poetry, the subject or occasion. The authority of these inscriptions lias been disputed by some
writers. They say that the earliest translators, as the Greek and Syriac, evince a disregard for their authority, by variations fi'om a proper translation of some, altering others, and, in several instances, supplying titles to Psalms
whioli, ih Hebrew, had none. It is also alleged, that the subject of a Psalm, as given in tlie title, is often inconsistent with its contents. But those translators have also varied from a right translation of many passages in ttie Bible, which all agree to be of good authority ; and the alleged inconsistency may be sliown, on more accui-ate investigation, not to exist. The admitted antiquity of these inscriptions, on the other hand, and even their obscuritj', raise a presumption in their favour, while such prefaces to a composition accord witli the usages of that age and part of the world, cf. Isaiah 38. 9.
" T/ie Chief Musician" was the superintendent of the music, cf. 1 Chronicles lo. 21, Marg. To prefixed to this, means, pertaining to in his official character. This inscription is found iu 53 Psalms, and is attached to Habakkuk's prayer, Habakkuk 3. Tlie same Hebrew preposition is prefixed to tlie name of tlie author, and translated of, as "a Psalm
o/ David," "o/ Asaph," except that t6 " tlie sons of Korah," it is translated /o»-, which is evidently wrong, as the usual direction, " lo the chief musician," is given, and no other authorship intimated. On the apparent exception to
tliis last remark, see below, and Psalm 88., title. The explanations of other particulars in the titles will be given as they occur.
Authors.—This book is usually called "The Psalms of David," he being the only author mentioned in the New Testament, Luke 20. 42, and his name appearing in more titles than that of any other writer. Besides about one-half of the Psalms in which it thus appears, the 2d and 95th are ascribed to him. Acts 4. 23, and Hebrews 4. 7. He was pi-obably the author of many others which appear without a name. He used great efforts to beautify the worship of the sanctuary. Among the 288 Levites he appointed for. singing and performing instrumental music, we find mentioned the "sons of Korah," 1 Chronicles 9. 19; including Heman, 1 Chronicles 6. 33-38; and also Asaph, 39^; and Ethan, 1.5-lf). Ood was doubtless pleased to endow these men with the inspiration of His Spirit, so that they used those poetic talents which their connection with the kindred art of music had led them to cultivate, in the production of compositions like tlioseof their king and patron. To Asaph are ascribed twelve Psalms; to the sons of Korah, eleven, including the 88th, which is also ascribed to Heman, that being tlie only instance in which the name of the "son" (or descendant) is mentioned ; and to Ethan, one. Solomon's name appears before the 72d and 127th ; and that of Moses before the 90th. Special questions respecting authorship will be explained as they arise. Contents.—As the liook contains 150 independent compositions, it is not susceptible of any logical analysis. The Jews having divided it into five books, corresponding to the Five Books of Moses (1st, 1-42 ; 2d, 43-72; 3il, 73-89; 4th,
90-100 ; 5tli, 107-150), many attempts have lieen made to discover, in this division, some critical or practical value, but in vain. Sundry efforts have been made to classify the Psalms by subject. That of " Angus' Bible Hand-Book" is perliaps the most useful, and is appended.
Still tlie Psalms have a form and character peculiar to themselves; and with individual diversities of style and subject, they all assimilate to that form, and together constitute a consistent system of moral trutli. They are all poetical, and of that peculiar parallelism (Introduction to Poetical Books) which distinguished Hebrew poetry. They
ar(» all lyrical, or songs adapted to musical instruments, and all religious lyrics, or such as were designed to be used In the sanctuary worship.
Tlie distinguishing feature of the Psalms is their devotional character. Whether their matter be didactic, histori-
cal, proplietical, or practical, it is made the ground or .subject of prayer, or praise, or both. The doctrines of theology and precepts of pure morality are here inculcated. God's nature, attributes, perfections, and works of creation, providence, and grace, are unfolded. In the sublimest conceptions of the most exalted verse, Ifis glorious supremacy over the principalities of heaven, earth, and hell, and His holy, wise, and powerful control of all niatei ial and immaterial agencies, are celeljrated. The great covenant of grace resting on the fundamental promise of a Redeemer, both alike the provisions of God's exhaustless mercy, is set forth in respect of the doctrines of regeneration by the Spirit, forgiveness of sins, repentance toward God, and faith toward Jesus Christ, while its glorious results, involving the ealvation of men "from the ends of the earth," are proclaimed in believing, prophetic prayer and thankful praise. The personal history of the authors, and especially David's in its spiritual aspects, Is that of God's people generally. Onistian biography is edifying only as it is truth illustrated in experience, such as (iod's Word and Spirit produce. It may be factitious in origin and of doubtful authenticity. But here the experience of the truly pious is detailed, nnder Divine influence, and "In words wliich the Holy Ghost" taught. The whole inner life of the pious man is laid open, and Christians of all ages have here the temptations, conllicts, perplexities, doubts, fears, penitent moanlngg, and overwhelming griefs on the one hand, and the joy and hope of pardoning mercy, the victory over the seductloM
riie Happiness of the Godly, PSALM I and the Unhappiness of the Ungodly.
of false-hearted fliitterers, and deliverance fi oni the power of Satan on the other, with which to compare their own spiritual exercises. Here, too, are the fruits of that sovereign mercy, so often sought in earnest pi'ayer, and when found, so often sung in rapturous joy, exhibited by patience in adversity, moderation in prosperity, zeal for God's glory, love for man, justice to the oppressed, holy contempt for the proud, magnanimity towards enemies, faithfulness towards friends, delight in the prosperity of Zion, and believing prayer for her enlargement and perpetuity.
The historical summaries of the Psalms are richly instructive. God's choice of the patriarchs, the sufferings of 1 he
Israelites in Egypt, their exodus, temptations of God, rebellions and calamities in the wilderness, settlement iu Canaan, baokslidings and reformations, furnish illustrations of God's providential government of His people, individually and collectively, tending to exalt His adorable grace and abase human pride. But the promises and proph-
'><'ies connected with these summaries, and elsewhere presented in the Psalms, have a far wider reach, exhibiting the relations of the book to the great theme of promise and prophecy:
The Messiah and his Kingdom.—David was God's chosen servant to rule His people, as the head at once of the
s^tate and the Cluuch, the lineal ancestor, "according to the flesh," of His adorable Son, and His type, in His oJlii iaf
relations, both in suffering and in triumph. Generally, David's trials by the ungodly depicted the trials of Christ, and
his final success the success of Christ's kingdom. Typically, he uses language describing his feelings, which only finds its full meaning in the feelings of Christ. As such it is quoted and applied in the New Testament. And farther, In view of the great promise (2 Samuel 7.) to him and his seed, to which such frequent reference is made in tlie Psalms,
David was inspired to know, that though his earthly kingdom should perish, his spiritual would ever endure, in the power, beneflcenoe, and glory of Christ's. In repeating and amplifying that promise, he speaks not only as a type, but "being a projihet, and knowing that God had sworn witli an oath to him, that of the fruit of liis loins, according to the tlesli, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne," he " foretold the sutl'erings of Christ and the glory that should
follow. His incarnation, humiliating sorrows, persecution, and cruel death are disclosed in the plaintive cries of a despairing sufferer; and His resurrection and ascension. His eternal priesthood, His royal dignity, His prophetical
office, the purciiase and bestowal of the gifts of the Spirit, tlie conversion of the nations, the establishment, incrf ase, and perpetuity of the Church, the end of time, and the blessedness of the righteous who acknowledge, and the ruin
of the wicked who reject, this King in Zion, are predioteil in the language of assured confidence and joy." W hile these great t'henies have supplied the people of God with a i)oi)ular theology and a guide in religious experience and Christian -lorality, clothed in the language of devotion, they have provided an inspired liturgy in which the pioufl, of all creeds and sects, have, for nearly three thousand years, poured out their x>rayers and praises. The pious Jew, before the coming of Christ, mourned over the adversity, or celebrated the future glories, of Zion, in the words of her ancient king. Our Saviour, with his disciples, sung one of these hymns on the night on which he was betrayed : he took from one the words in which he uttered the dreadful sorrows of his soul, and died with those of another on liis
lips. Paul and Silas in the dungeon, primitive Christians in their covert places of worship, or the costly churches of a later day, and the .scattered and feeble Christian flocks in the prevalence of darkness and error through theMiddle Ages, fed their faith and warmed their love with these consoling songs. Now, throughout the Christian world,
la untold forms of version, paraphrase, and imitation, by I'apists and Protestants, Prelatists and Presbyterians—Independents, Haptists, Methodists—men of all lands and all creeds, in pul)Iic and private worship, God is still adored
in the sentiments expressed in these venerable Psalms. From the tone of sorrow and sufl'ering which pervade their
earlier portions we are gradually borne on amid alternate confliitts and triumphs, mournful complaints and awakening conlidence ; as we approach the close the tones of sorrow grow feebler, and those of praise wax louder and stronger —till, in the exulting strains of the last Psalm, the chorus of earth mingles with the hallelujahs of the multitudi>, which no man can number, in the sanctuary above.
Angus' or Bickersteth's arrangement may be profitably used as a guide for finding a Psalm on a special topic. I' is a little modifieil, as follows:
1. Didactic—Good and l>ad men, Psalm 1, 5, 7, 0-12, U, 15, 17, 21, 2.1, 32, 31, 3(i, 37, 50, 52, 53, 58, 73, 75, 84, 91, 92, 94, 112, 121,
12.S, lis, l.iH; God's Law, Psalm li), 119; Human life vain, I'salm 49, 90; Duty of Rulers, Psalm 82, 101.-2. Praise.
(1) For God's goodness generally to Israel, Psalm 40, I.S, (!,), fti, (W, 7(i, SI, S.>, 9S, 10.), 121, VX, 1'29, i;«, 13G, 149; (2) To Good Men, Psalm 2.i, 91, 100, m, 107, 117, 121, If), 14(i; (.'!) Mercies to Individuals, Psalm 9, 18, 22, 30,40, 7.''), 105, 108, 110, 1'8,
138, 144 ; (4) I-'or His attributes generally. Psalm .8, 10, 21, 29, .'53, 47, .50, li.'), U«, 70, 77, 9:{, 95-97, 99, 101, 111, li;}-115, 134, 139, 147,
148, l.W.—3. Devotional—expressive of (1) Penitence, Psalm 0,2."), 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143; (2) Trust in trouble. Psalm 3, 10,
27, 31, .54, .56, .57, (il, 62, 71, 86; (3) Sorrow with Hope, Psalm 13, •2'2, 09, 77, 88; (4) Of Deep Distress, Psalm 4, 5, 11, 28, 41, 5.5, .59,
64,70, 109, 120, 140,141, 143; (5) Feelings when deprived of Uellgious Privileges, Psalm 42,43,63,84; (6) Desire for Help, Psalm 7, 17, 20, 3.5, 44, 00, 74, 79, 80, 83, 89, 94, 102, 12!), 1:J7; (7) Intercession, Psalm 20, 67, 122, 132, 144.-4. Historical, Psalm 78,
105, 106.-5. Proplietical, Psalm 2, 16, 22, 40, 45, 08, 09, 72, 97, 110, IIS. A'o^c-The compiler of tlie following notes has omitted all references to authors, as needle.ssly encumbering the commentary. He has had before him the works of Calvin, .Scott, Poole, Aliisworth, ('ol)bln, (Jelce, Vatablus, Tholuck,
J. H. Michael i.s, Uosenmuller, and Alexander. To the two last named he has been particularly Indebted for the parallel passages. He has made a free use of the views advanced by these authors, and claims no credit for any thing In the work except the conciseness united with fullness of exposition. 'Whoever attempts It will find It far easier to wrlto a long commentary than a brief one.
Ject. The use of the plural may denote fulness and variety (2('hri)iilcles 9.7). coiiiisc-I . . . way . . . sent—With their corresiiondlng verbs, mark gradations of evil, as a<'tlng on the principles, cultivating the society, and permanently conlormlng to the conduct of the wicked, who are described by t hree tiM tns, of which the last Is indicative of the boldest Impiety (cf. Psalm '20.4.5; .leremlah