Psalm L
Ver. 1-2'?. In the grandeur and solemnity of a Divine Judgment, Goil is introduced as instructing men in the nature of true worship, exposing hypocrisy, warning the wicked, and encouraging the pious.
1-4. The description of this majestic appearance of Ood resembles that of His giving tlie law (cf. Exodus 19.
16; 21. IS; Deuteronomy 1). from above lit., above (Genesis 1. 7). heavens . . . eartli—for all creatures are witnesses (Deuteronomy 4. 2(J; 30. 19; Isaiah 1.2;. 5. my saints—(Psalm 4. ;?)—made [lU., culj a covenant, &c. alluding to the dividing of a victim of sacrifice, by which covenants were ratitied, the parties passing between the divided portions (cf. Genesis 15. 10, 18). 6. The inhabitants of heaven, who well know God's character, attest His righteousness as a judge. 7. I will testify against i. e., for failure to worship aught, thy God—and so, by covenant as well as creation, entitled to a pure worship. 8-15. However scrupulous in external worship, it was ofl'ered as if they conferred an obligation in giving God His own, and with a degrading view of Him as needing it. Reproving them for such foolish and blasphemous notions, He teaches them to offer, or lit., sacrifice, thanksgiving, and pay, or perform, their vows i. e., to bring, with the external symbolical service, the homage of the heart, and
etl'ect of this gracious work, ways—of providence and human duty (Psalm 18. 21, 30; 32. 8; Luke 22. 32;. 14. Deliver—or. Free me (Psalm 39. 8) from tlie guiil of murder
(2 Samuel 12.9, 10; Psalm 5. ti). righteousness—as Psalm
7. 17; 31. 1. 15. open . . . lips—by removing my sense of
guilt. 10^. Praise is better than sacrifice (Psalm 50. 14), and implying faith, penitence, and love, glorifies God. In true penitents the joj's of pardon mingle with sorrow for
sin. 18. Do good, itc.—Visit not my sin on tliy Church, build . . . walls—is to show favour ; cf. Psalm S9. 40, for opposite form and idea. 19. Ood reconciied, material sac-
rilices will be acceptable (Psalm 4. 5 ; cf. Isaiah 1. 11-17), PSALM LII.
Ver. 1-9. Cf. 1 Samuel 21. 1-10; 22. 1-10, for the history of the title. The first verse gives thethejue; the boast of the wicked over the righteous is vain, for God constantly cares for His people. This is expanded by describing the malice and deceit, and then the ruin, of the wicked, and the happy state of the pious.
faith, penitence, and love. To this is added an invitation to seek, a)id a promise to afibrd, all needed help in trouble. 16-!i0. the wicked—t. c, the formalists, as now exposed, and who lead vicious lives (cf. Romans 2. 21, 23). They are unworthy to use even the words of God's law. Their hypocrisy and vice are exposed by Illustrations from sins against the seventh, eighth, and ninth coiitmandments. ai, 'l-i. God, no longer (even in appearance) disregarding such, exposes their sins and threatens a terrible punishment, forget God—this denotes unmindfulness of His true character. ^3. oifereth praise—(u. 14), so that the external worsliip is a true index of the heart, ordereth
1. miglity man—lit., hero. Doeg may be thus addressed, Ironically, In respect of his might in slander. 'Z. tongue —for self, luilschlefs—evil to others (Psalm 5. 9; 38. 12). working deceitfully—(Psalm 10. 7), as a keen, smoothly moving razor, cutting quietly, but deeply. 3, 4. all-devouring—iii., swallowing, which utterly destroy (cf. Psalm
21. 9; 35. '2.5.) 5. likewise—or, so, also, as you have done to others God will do to you (Psalm 18. 27). The following terms describe tlie most entire ruin. 6. sliall . . .fear regard with religious awe. laugh at him—for his folly; 7. for trusting in riches and being strong in—wickedness —lit., mischief i^v. 2), instead of trusting in God. tlie man —lit., the mighty man, or hero {v. 1). 8. The flgure used is common (Psalm 1. 3; Jeremiah 11. 10). green—fresh, house, itc.—in communion with God (cf. Psalm 27.4,5). for ever and ever—qualifies mercy. 9. hast done i. e,, what the context supplies, preserved me (cf. Psalm 22. 31). wait . . . name—hope in thy perfections, manifested for my good (Psalm 5. 11 ; 20. 1)* for it is good i. e., thy name, and the whole method or result of its manifestation (Psalm 54. 6; G9. 16).
. . . aright—a(^ts in a straight, right manner, opposed to turning aside (Psalm 25. 5). In such, pure worship and a pure life evince their true piety, and they will enjoy God's presence and favour.
PSALM LI. Ver. 1-19. On the occasion cf. 2 Samuel 11. 12. The Psalm illustrates true repentance, in which are comprised conviction, confession, sorrow, prayer for mercy, and purposes of amendment, and it is accompanied by a lively faith.
1-4. A plea for mercy is a confession of guilt, blot out —as from a register, transgressloits lit., rebellions {Psalia
19. 13; 32. 1). Wash me—Purity as well as pardon is desired by true penitents. For . . . before me—Conviction precedes forgiveness; and, as a gift of God, is a plea for it