Psalm XLIX
2. '22). 7. vvitii us—on our side, His presence is terror to our enemies, safety to us. refuge—high place (Psalm 9.9;
Ver. 1-20. This Psalm instructs and consoles. It teaches that earthly advantages are not reliable for permanent happiness, and that, however prosperous worldly men may be for a time, their ultimate destiny Is ruin, while the pious are safe In God's care.
cf. also Psalm 24. (i, I'J). 8. what tlesolations— lit., who hath put desolations; destroying our enemies. 9. The usual
u-edpotis of war (Psalm 7. 12), as well as those using them, are brought to an end. 10. Be still, &c. Lit., Leave off
to oppose rue and vex: mi/ people. lam over all for their safety
1-3. All are called to hear what interests all. world
(cf. Isaiah 2. H ; Ephesians 1. '22). PSALM XLVII.
lit., duration of life, yie present time. 4. incline—to liear attentively (P.salm 17.6; 31.2). parable—In Ilebreiv and Greek, parable and proverb are translations of the same word. It denotes a comparison, or form of speech, which under one linage includes many, and is expressive of a general truth capable of various illustrations. Hence it may be used for the illustration itself. For the former scuse, proverb (i.e., one word for several) is the usual English term, and for the latter. In which comparison is prominent, parable (i. e., one thing laid by another). The distinction is not always observed, since here, and Psalm
Ver. 1-9. Piuise is given to God for victory, perhaps that recorded (2 Chronicles '20.); and His doniiuion over all people, Jews and (Jentiles, is asserted.
1. clap . . . hands . . . people — lit., peoples, or natiotis
(cf. Deuteronomy 32. 43; Psalm IS. 49; 9S. 9). a, 3. His universal sovereignty now exists, and will be made known, under us — i. e.. His saints; Israel's temporal victories were types of the spiritual conquests of the true Church. 4. He shall . . . luhcritanee—the heathen to be possessed by His Cliurcli 1,1'salin 2. S), as Canaan by the Jews, excellency of ,Iacol>— ?(7., ]>ride, or, that In which he glories (not necessarily, though often, in a bad sense), the privi-
78. 2, proverb would better express the st.yle of the composition (cf. also Proverbs '20. 7, 9; Habakkuk 2. 6; John
16.25,29). Such forms of speech are often very figumtlve and also obscure (cf. Matthew 1.3. 12-15). Hence the nse of the parallel word—dark saying— or, riddle (cf. Ezeklel
leges of the chosen people—whom he 1ov«h1 — His love being the .sole cause of granting them. 5-7. God, victorious over His enemies, reascends to heaven, amid the triumphant praises of His people, who celebrate Ills sovereign dominion. This sovereignty Is what the P.salm teaches; hence he adds—sing . . . praises with underBtandlng— ?(7., sinff and T>la!j an instructive (Psalm). The whole typifies Christ's ascension (cf. P.salm 68. IS). 8,0. The instruction continued, throne of . . . holiness—or,
17.2). open—Is to explain, upon the harp—the accompaniment for a lyrlo. 5. Iniquity—or, calamity (Psalm
•10. 12). of my heels—?if., 7»i,)/ sup])lantei-s (Genesis 27. 36), or oppressors: " I am surrounded by the evils they Inflict."
Cl, They arc vainglorious—7-9—yet nnable to save themselves or others, it ceaseth for ever i.e., the ransom
falls, the price Is too precious, costly, corinptlon-?iy.,
pit, or, grave, thus showing that .901/? Is used for life. 10. For he seeth—i. c, corrupt Ion, th(>n follows the Illustra-
hoi}' throne (cl. (ni Ps.alm 2.0; 23.3). princes—who represent y^'oy)?!^-.*. For—even—sui)ply, as, or, <o—t. e., they all become united under covenant with Abraham's God. Blilelds—as Hosea 4. 18, rulers.
tion, wise . . . fool—(Psalm 11.1; Proverbs 1.32; 10.1) likewise— alike altogether- (Psalm 4. 8)—die—All meet the same fate. 11. Still Infatuated and flattered with hopes of perpetuity, they call their lands, or "celebrate their names on account of (their) lands." 1!J. Contrasted with this vanity Is their frailty. However honoured, mail nl>ldelli not— lit., lodgeth not, remains not till morn-