Psalm XC
(cf. Psalm 29. 1.) Ho Is He to be admired on earth. 8-14. To Illustrate His power and faithfulness examples are cited from history His control of the sea (the most
Ver. 1-17. Contrasting man's frailty with God's eternity, the writer mourns over -it as the punishment of sin. and prays for a return of the Divine favour. A Prayer [mainly
The Shile of the Godly. PSALMS XCI—XCV. The Psalmigt Hebukes his Enaniis.
8uch] 0/ Mo.ies t?ie man of Gorf—(Deuteronomy 33. 1; Joshua
•that name, from its sound resembling the muttered sound of meditation, as expressed also by the word. This is joined with the harp. 4. thy work—i. c, of providence (Psalm 90. 16, 17). 5. great . . . works—correspond to deep or vast thoughts (Psalm 40.5; Romans H. 2:5). 6. A brutish man knoweth not— t. e., God's works, so the Psalmist describes himself tPsalm 73. 22) when amazed by the prosperity of the wicked, now understood and explained. 8. This he does in part, by contrasting their ruin with God's exaltation and eternity, most high—as occupying the highest place in heaven (Psalm 7. 7; 18. 16). 9, 10. A further contrast with tlie wicked, in the lot of the righteous, safety and triumph, hoi-n . . . exalt—is to increase power (Psalm 75. 5). anolnte<l . . . fresh [or, new] oil (Psalm 23. 5) a figure for refreshment (cf. Luke 7. 46). Such use of oil is still common in the East. 11. see . . . [and] hear my desire—or, lit., look on my enemies and hear of the wicked (cf. Psalm 27. 11 ; 54. 7)—i. e., I shall be gratified by their fall. 13-14. The vigorous growth, longevity, utility, fragrance, and beauty of these noble trees, set forth the life, character, and destiny of the pious ; l.'i, and they thus declare God's glory as their strong and righteous ruler. PSALM XCIII.
14. fi) ; as such he wrote this (cf. titles of Psalm IS. and Psalm 3iii.
1. elwelliiig-plnce—home Ccf. Ezekiel 11. 10), as a refuge
(f)t ufuronomy X^. 27). %. brought fortli [anil] formed
bcitli exprp.ss the idea of production by l)irtli. 3. to tlestruffioji lit., even to dust (Genesis 3. 19), wliicli is partly quoted in tlie last clause. 4. Even were our days now
lOUO years, as Adam's, our life would be but a moment in God's siglit (2 Peter 3. 8). a ivntcli—or, tliird part of a night (C'f. Exodus 14. 24). 5, 0. Life is like grass, which,
tliouf^Ii changing under the influence of tlie night's dew, and flourishing in the morning, is soon cut down and willu-rcth (Psalm 103. lo; 1 PeterL21}. 7, 8. For—Areason, this is the infliction of God's wratli. troubled lit., confounded by terror (Psalm 2. 5). Death is by sin (Romans 5.
12). Though secret, tlie light of God's countenance, as a candle, will bring .Sin to view (Proverbs 20. 27; 1 Corinthians
4. 1). 9. are passed—/)?., turn, as to depart (Jeremiali 6.4). Hpeiid lit., consume, as a tale lit., a thoiig/U, or, a sigh (Ezekiel 2. 10). 10. Moses' life was an exception (Deuteronomy 34. 7). It Is . . . Cut off—or, driven, as is said of the quails in using the same word (Numbers 11. 31). In view of this certain and speedy end, life is full of sorrow. 11. The whole verjje may l)e read as a question implying the negative, " IS'o one knows what thy anger can do, and whal tby wrath is, estimated by a true piety." 13. This
"Ver. 1-5. This and the six following Psalms were applied by the Jews to the times of the Messiah. The theme is God's supremacy in creation and providence.
lie prays we may know or understand, so as properly to number or appreciate the shortness of our days, that we may lie wise. 13. (Cf. P.salm 13. 2.) let It repent—a strong figure, as Exodus 3'2. 12, imploring a change in His dealings. 14:. early-promjitly. 15. As have been our sorrows, so let our joys be great and long. 16. thywork—or, providential acts, tliy glory—(Psalm 8. 5; 45. 3), the honour accruing from tliy work of mercy to us. 17. let the beauty—or sum of His gracious acts, in their harmony, be illustrated in us, and favour our enterprise.
1. God is described as a king entering on His reign, and, for robes of royalty, investing Himself with the glorious attributes of His nature. Tlie result of His thus reigning
is the durability of the world. 3-4. His underived power exceeds the most sublime exhibitions of the most powerful oljjects in nature (Psalm 89. 9). 5. While His power Inspires dread. His revealed will sliould secure our confidence (cf. Psalm 19. 7 ; 25. 10), and thus fear and love combined, producing all holy emotions, should distinguish the worsliip we offer in His house, both earthlj'and heavenly. PSALM XCIV.
PSALM XCI. Ver. 1-16. David is the most probable author ; and the pestilence, mentioned 2 Samuel 24., the most probable of any special occasion to which the Psalm may refer. The changes of person allowable in poetry are here frequently made.
Ver. 1-23. The writer, appealing to God in view of the oppression of enemies, rebulves them for their wickedness and folly, and encourages himself, in the confidence that God will punish evil-doers, and favour His people.
1, 3. God's revenge is His judicial infliction of righteous punishment, show thyself—(Cf. Margin.) Lift up thyself—or. Arise, both figures representing God as heretofore Indifrerent (cf. Psalm 3. 7; 22. 16, 20). 3, 4. In an earnest expostulation he expresses liis desire that the Insolent triumph of tlie wicked may be ended. 5, 6. people [and] heritage—arc synonymous, the people being often called God's heritage. As justice to the weak is a sign of tlio best government, their oppression is a sign of the worst (Deuteronomy 10. 18; Isaiah 10. 2). 7. Their cruelty is only exceeded by their wicked and absurd presumption (P.salm
1. To divell in the secret place (Psalm 27. .5; 31. 20), denotes nearness to God. Such as do so abide or lodge secure from assaults, and can well use the terms of trust in r. 2. 3. snares . . . [and] noisome pestilence— ptocut'* o/ mis-
cliiefH (Psalm o. iJ; r>2. 7), are expressive figures for various evils. 4. For the first figure cf. Deuteronomy 32. 11; Mark
21. 37. buckler III., surroimding—i. e., a kind of shield covering all ov(;r. 5. terror—or, wliat causes it (Proverbs
20.2). by nigbt—tlicn aggravated, arrow—i. e., of enemies. 7-8. The security is more valuable, as being special, and, therefore, evidently of God; and while ten thousands of the wicked fall, the righteous are in sucli safety, that they only see the calamity. 9-13. This exemption from evil is the result of trust in God, who employs niigels as ministering spirits (Hebrews 1. 14). 13. Even the fiercest, strongest and most insidious .animals may be trampled on with impunity. 14-lG. God Himself speaks
10. 11 ; 59. 7). 8. ye bnitlsh—(Cf. Psalm 73. 22 ; 92. 6.) «-ll. The evidence of God's providential government is found In His creative power and omni.sclenee, which also assure us that He can puiilsli the wicked In regard to all their vain purposes. 13, 13. On the other hand he favours though ho chastens, the pious, and will teach and preserve them till the prosperous wicked are overllirown. 14, 15. This results from His abiding love (Deuteronomy
(el. Psaini 40. 10; 75. 2, 3). All the terms to express safety and peace indicate the most undoubting confidence (cf. Psalm 18. 2; 20, 1; 22.5). set kis love—that of the most ardent Iciiid. sliow Ulm—iit., make him see (I'salm 50. 23; Luke 2. 30). PSALM XCII. Ver. 1-1.5. A Psalm-song—(Ci. Psalm 30., title.) The theme
82. 15), which Is further evinced by His restoring order In His government, wlioso right administration will lie approved l)y the good. IG. These qneslioiis Imply that none other than G(><1 will help (Psalm (iO. 9), 17-19, a fact fully confirmed by his past e,\perlonco. dwelt In sllenev —as In the grave (Psalm 31. 17). my thoughts—or, anxious cares. 30. throne-power, riiler.s. Iniquity [and | mis* chief-both denote evils doiu? toothers, as 31. explains. 33,33. Yet ho Is .safe ill God's care. tlclVnce—(Psalm o9,
Vs, that God should be praised for His righteous Judgments on tlie wicked and His care and defence of His people.
8iicli a tojiic, at all times proper, is specially so for the re-
Jlccl ions of the Sabbath-day.
9.) rock of . . . refuge—(Psalm 9. 9; IS. 2.) bring . . . Iniquity—{t;f. Psalm 5. 10; 7. 10.) in their . . . wlek«>a> uess—while they are engaged in evil-doing.
1. sing . . . nnmc—celebrate thy perfections. 3. In the morning . . . every niglit—diligently and constantly (Psaliti 4'2. 8). lovlng-klndncsH—iii., mercy, faltlifulu»-M*—in lulflUing promises (Psalm 89. 14). 3. In such a worKall proper aid must Ix; used. tvltU a . . . sound or, on Jligs/aion (cl. Psalm 9. 10), perhaps an Instrument of