Psalm XLIV
Ver. 1-26. In a time of great national distress, probably In David's reJgn, the Psalmist recounts God's gracious dealings in former times, and the confidence they had learned to repose in him. After a vivid picture of their calamities, he humbly expostulates against God's apparent forgetfulness, reminding Him of their faithfulness and mourning their heavy sorrows.
troduction), so these words expressed tlie treatment he received, and also tliat of his Son and Lord ; hence, though not distinctly prophetical, our Saviour (John 13. 18)applies them to Judas, "that the Scripture may be fulfilled." This last phrase lias a wide use in the New Testament, and is not restricted to denote special prophecies. 10. A lawful punishment of criminals. is not revenge, nor inconsistent with their final good (cf. Psalm iO. U, 15). 11-13. favonrest—or tenderly lovest me (Genesis 34. 19), evinced by relief IVoin his enemies; and, fartlier, God recognizes his innocence by upholding liim. settest . . . before tliy face—under thy watcli and care, as God be/ore man's face (Psalm IG. S) is an ol>ject of trust and love. Blessed praised, usually applied to God. Tlie word usually applied to men denotes happiness (Psalm 1. 1 ; 32. 1). With this doTcology the first book closes.
1-3. This period is that of the settlement of Canaan (Joshua 24. 12; Judges 6. 3). have told—or, related (cf. Exodus 10.2). plautedst them—i. e., our fathers, who are also, from the parallel construction of the last clause, to be regarded as the object of "cast them out," which means —lit., send them out, or, "extend them." Jleathen and people denote the nations who were driven out to make room for the Israelites. 4. Tliou art my King— /i'/., he who is my King, sustaining the same covenant relation as to the " fathers." 5. The figure drawn from the habits of the ox. 6-8. God is not only our sole help, but only worthy of praise, tliy name—as Psalm 5. 11. put ... to shame— (cf. Psalm 6. 10), disgraced. 9. But—contrasting, cast off as abhorrent (Psalm 43. 2). goest not forth lit., will not go (2 Samuel 5. 23). In several consecutive verses the leading verb is future, and the following one past (in Hebrew), thus denoting the causes and effects. Thus (t).
PSALM XLII. Ver. I-II. 3Iaschii—(c{. Psalm 32., title). Far, or of (cf. TnlroduHion) tlie sons of Korah. Tlie writer, perhaps one of tliis Levitical family of singers accompanying David in exile, mourns his absence from the sanctuary, a cause of grief aggi-avated by the taunts of enemies, and is comforted in tiopcs of relief. Tliis course of tliought is re- ]>eated with some variety of detail, but closing with the same refrain.
10, 11, 12), when defeated, spoiling follows; when delivered as sheep, dispersion follows, Ac. 11. The 15abylonian captivity not necessarily meant. Tliere were others (cf. 1 Kings 8. 46). 13, 14. (Cf. Deuteronomy 28. 37; Psalm 79. 4.) 15. shame of. . . face—blushes in disgrace. 10. Its cause, the taunts and presence of malignant enemies (Psalm 8. 2). 17-19. They had not apostati7.ed totally—were still God's )ieople. declined—turned aside from God's law. sore broken—crushed, place of dragons—desolate, barren, roc'ky wilderness (Psalm fi3. 10; Isaiah 13. 22). sltadow of dcatl»—<Cf. Psjilm 2:!. 4.) !iO, ZX. A solemn appeal to God to witness their constancy, stretched out . . . Itands gesture of worship (Exodus 9. 29; Psjilm 88. 9). 'ii. Their protracted sullerings as God's people attests the constancy. Paul (Romans 8. 36) u.ses this to descril^e Christian steadfastness in persecution. a3-26. This style of addressing God, as Indillerent, is frequent (Psalm 3.7;
1 , 'i— ( Cf. Psalm 63. 1.) pantetH—desires in a state of exhaustion, appear before God—in acts of worsliip, the terms used in tlie command for the stated personal appearance of the .lews at the sanctuary. 3. Wlicre Is tliy CJodJ—implying that He had forsaken him (ef. 2 Samuel 16.7: Psalm 3. 2; 22.8). 4. The verbs are properly rendered as futures, "I will remember," Ac, Ac—i. e., the recollection of tjiis season of distress will give greater zest to the privileges of God's worship, when obtained. 5. Hence he chides his despondent soul, assuring himself of a time of joy. lielp of itis countenance—or, face
(cf. Numbers 6.25; Psalm 4. 6; 16. U). C. Dejection again described. tUerefore— i. e., finding no comfort in myself, I turn to thee, even in this distant ''land of Jordan and Die (mountains) I/i-rmons," the country east of Jordan, hill Slizar—as a name of a small liiU contrasted with the mountains round about Jerusalem, perhaps denoted the contempt with which the place of exile was regarded. 7. The roar of successive billows, responding to that of floods of rain, represented the heavy waves of sorrow which overwhelmed him. 8. Still he relies on as constant a flow of Divine mere}- which will elicit his praise and encourage his prayer to(iod; 9, 10. in view of which, he dictates to himstdf a prayer based on his distress, aggravated as It was by the cruel taunts and infidel suggestions of his foes. 11. This brings on a ren<>wed selfchiding, and excites hojies of relief, liealtit [or, help] of my coiitilennncc—(Cf. v. 5) who cheers me, driving away clouds of sorrow from my face, my God—It is Hi; of whose existence and favour my foes would have mo doubt.
9. 19; 13. 1, itc). ilowevi'r low their condition, God is appealed to, on tiie ground, anil for tlio honour, of His mercy.
PSALM XLV. Ver. 1-17. Shoshannim—lit., Lilies, either descriptive of an instrument so shaped, or denoting some tune or air so called, alter which the I'salm was to bo sung (cf. Psalm 8., title). \ song of lin'cs, or, beloved 0)«(.'« (i)liual and feminine)—a conjugal song. Maschil (cf. Psalm 32. and i2.) denotes the didactic character of the Psalm; that it gives instrnction, the song being of allegorical and not literal Import. The union and glories of Christ and his Churc/i arc (Icxcribed. His is addressed as a king possessed of all esseiillal gra<'es, as a conqueror exalted on the tlirono of a righteous and<'t»'rual government, and as a bridegroom arrayed In nuptial sph^ndour. The Church Is portrayed in the purity and loveliness of a royally adorned and attended bride, lnvlti>d to forsake her home an<l share the honoms of her alllaiKU'd lord. The picture of an Oriental wedding tlms opened Is filled tip by representing till? comiilimentary gilts of the wealthy with which tlio occasion Is honoured, the procession of the bride clothed In splendid raiment, attendeil by her virgin com panious, and the entrance of the Joyous throng Into the