Psalm LXXVII
Ver. 1-20. To J('<Z«</iM>i—(cf. Psalm 39., title). In a time of great afllictlon, when read.y to despair, the Psalmist derives relief from calling to mind (Sod's former and wonderful works of delivering power and grace.
1, expresses the purport of the Psalm, a, his Importu-
nac.v. my sore ran . . . nlglit lit., my liaiid was spread,
or, sirelclied (ml (cf. Psalm 41. 20). ceased not lit., grew not numb, or, feeble (Oencsls 45.2iS; Psalm .'58. 8). my soul . . . comforted—(cf. Genesl.s 37. 35; Jeremiah 81. 15). 3-9, His sad state contrasted witli former Joys, wag troubled
13. 22; Isaiah 19. 11). ir>, 10. There were two similar miracles (Exodus 17. 6; Nj^imbers 20. 11). great depths—and— rivers—denote abundance. 17-aO. yet mortv—ii/., added
to sin. Instead of being led to repentance (Uonians "2. 4). in their heart—(Matthew 15. 19.) for their lust—/i7., souf,
lit., violently agitated, or disquieted (Psalm 89. 6 ; 41. 5). my «plrit was overwhelmed-or, fainted (Psalm 107.5; Jonah
or, desire, provoking—and — tempted—illustrated by their absurd doubts, 19, ao, in the lace of Ills admitted power. 31. Hre—the elfect of the anger (Numbers 11. I). aa, (Cf. Hebrews 8. 8, 9.) 33-39. (t^f. Exodus 10. ; Numbers
2.7). lioldest . . . waking—or, fast, that I cannot sleep. Thus he is led to express his anxious feelings In several earnest questions indicative of impatient sorrow. 10. Omitting the supplied words, we may read, "This Is my aflUction—the years of," &c.—years being taken as paral-
11.) angels' food lit., bread of the mighty (cf. l*salm Kl.'i.
40) ; so i^alhMl, as It came from heaven, meat lit., vietnal.% as for a Journc.v. their . . . desirc^what they longed for, 30, .'11. not estrangetl . . . lust—or, desire— i'. e., were Indulging It. slew ... fattest—or, among the fattest; some of them—chosen—the young and strong (Isivhvh 4tl.
lel to afllictlon (cf. Psalm 90. 15), as of God's ordering. 11, Ti. He finds relief in contrasting God's former dellver-
Biices. Sh.'ill we receive good at Ills hands, and not evil 7 Both are orderlngs of unerring mercy and unfailing love.
1.3. Thy way ... In the sanctuary—God's ways of grace and providence (Psalm 22.3; 67. 2), ordered on holy principles, as devclop(;d In His worship; or Implied In Ills perfections. If holiness be used for sanctxairy, as some pre-
31), and so none could resist. 33-39. Though there were partial reformations after chastl.senient, and Goil, In pity, withdrew his hand for a time, yet their general conduct was rebellious, and Ho was thus i)rov()ked to waste and destroy them, by long an<l fruitless wandering In tho
fer translat ing (cf. Kxodus 15. 11). 14-aO. Illustrations of God's iwwer in Ills special Interventions for His people (Exodus U.), anil, in the more common, but sublime, con-
desert, lied . . . tongues—a felgniMl obedience (INalm IS,
41) . heart . . . not right—or, firm (cf. r. H; I'salm 51. 10). a wind . . . nffaln—lit., a bi-ealh, thin air (cf I'salm Vfi.
trol of natnn^ (Psalm 22. 11-14; Habakkuk.3. M) which may hav(^ atleiiclcd those; miraculous eventJi (Kxodus 11. 21). Jacob and .Joseph — representing all. footsteps... watersmay refer to His actual leading the people through the sea., tbouth also expressing the mysteries of providence.
Ifi; James 4. 14). 40, 41. Tin re were li'n temptation* (Numbers 14. 22). Ilmlte«l—as v. 19, '20. Though some prefer grieved or provoked. Tho retreat from Kadesh (Deuteronomy I. 19-23) Is meant, whether—turnetl—bo for mining back, or to denote repetition of otVeuoe. 43,
Complaintg of the Desolation of Jerusalem, PSALMS LXXIX—LXXXII. and of the Miseries of the Church.