Psalm LXXIX
1. our strength—(Psalm 38. 7.) 3. unites the most joy-
Ver. 1-13. This Psalm, like the 74th, probably depicts the <Iesolations of the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 52. 12-24). It comprises the usual complaint, prayer, and promised thanks for relief.
ful kinds of music, vocal and instrumental. 3. tlie new moon—or the month, the time appointed—(Cf. Proverbs 7. 20.) 5. a testimony—the feasts, especially the passover, attested God's relation to His people. Joseph—for Israel (Psalm 80.1). went out through—or over, i.e.. Israel in the exode. I heard— change of person. The writer speaks for the n.atiou. language lit., lip (Psalm
1. (Cf. Psalm 74. 2-7.) 3, 3. (Cf. Jeremiah 15. 3; 16. 4.) 4.
(Cf. Psalm 44. 13; Jeremiah 42. 18; Lamentations 2. 15.) 5. How long—(Psalm 13. 1.) be angry—(Psalm 74. 1-10.) Jealousy burn—(Deuteronomy 29.20.) 6, 7. (Cf. Jeremiah
14. 1). An aggravation or element of their distress that their oppressors were foreigners (Deuteronomy 28. 49). 6. God's language alludes to the burdensome slavery of the
10. 2.5.) Though we deserve much, do not the heathen deserve more for their violence to us (Jeremiah 51.3-5; Zechariah 1. 14)7 The singular denotes the chief power, and the use of the plural indicates tlie combined confederates, called upon [or, by] thy name—proclaimed thy attributes and professed allegiance (Isaiah 12.4; Acts 2.
Israelites. 7. secret place— the cloud from which He troubled the Egyptians (Exodus 14. '24). proved tliee (Psalm 7.10; 17. 3)—tested their faith by the miracle. 8.
21). 8. former iniquities lit., iniquities of former times. prevent [lit., meet] us—as Psalm 21. 3. 9. for . . . glory of thy name (and for] name's sake—both mean for illustrating thy attributes, faithfulness, power, &c. purge
(Cf. Psalm 50.7.) The reproof follows to f. 12. if thou wilt hearken— He then propounds the terms of His covenant: they should worship Him alone, who (u. 10) had delivered them, and would still confer all needed
blessings. 11, 13. They failed, and He gave them up to their own desires and hardness of heart (Deuteronomy
. . . sins til., make, or provide, atonement for us. Deliverance from sin and suffering, for their good and God's glory, often distinguish the prayers of Old Testament saints (cf. Ephesians 1. 7). 10. This ground of pleading often used (Exodus 32. 12; Numbers 14. i;}-16). blood . . . iihed—(v. 3/. 11. prisoner— the whole captive people. power—lit., arm (P.-^alm 10. 15). 13. into their bosom— the lap or folds of the dress Is used by Eastern people for receiving articles. The flguredenotes retaliation (cf. Isaiah
29.18; Proverbs 1.30; Romans 11.25). 13-16. Obedience would have secured all promised blessings and the subjection of foes. In this passage, "should have," "would have," Ac, are better, "should" and " would" expressing God's Intention at the time, i. e., when they left Egypt. PSALM LXXXII. Ver. 1-8. Before the great Judge the judges of the earth are rebuked, exhorted, and threaieued.
65. fi, 7). They reproached God as well as his people.
1.1. sheep . pastil rt>- (Cf. Psalm 74. 1; 78, 70.)
Ntijligent Judges Reproved. PSALMS LXXXIII-LXXXYII. Blessedness of God's Service.
36.8; 46.4). 7. The figure of the pilgrim is carried out. As such daily refit tlieir bodily strength till they reach Jerusalem, so the spiritual worshipper is daily supplied with spiritual strength by God's grace till he appears before God in heaven, appeareth . . . God—tiie terms of tlie requisition for the attendance on tlie feasts (cf. Deuteronomy 16. 16). 9. God is addressed as a shield (cf. v.W). thine anointed— David (1 Samuel 16.12). 10. I had . . . doorkeeper lit., I choose to sit on the threshold, the meanest place. 11, 13. As a sun God enlightens (Psalm
1. congregation—(Cf. Exodus 12.3; 16. 1.) ofthe mtglity
—i.e.. of God, of His appointment, the gods—or judges (Exodus 21. 6; 22. 9), God's representatives, a. accept the persons— take or lift up the faces, i. e., from dejection,
or admit to favour and communion, regardless of merit (Leviticus 19. 15; Proverbs 18.5). 3,4. .So must good judges
act (Psalm 10. U; 29. 12). poor and needy—(Of. Psalm 34.
10; 41.1.) 5. By the wilful ignorance and negligence of judges, anarchy ensues (Psalm 11. 3; 75. 3). out of conrse —(Cf. Margin; Psalm 9.6; G2. 2.) 6,7. Though God admitted their official dignity (John 10. 34), He reminds them of their mortality, fall like, &c.—be cut off suddenly (Psalm 20.8; 91.7). 8. As rightful sovereign of
27. 1); as a shield, protects. Grace is God's favour, its fruit —glory the honour He bestows, uprightly—(Psalm 15. 2;
18. 23.) that trusteth—constantly.
earth, God Is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives.