Psalm CXVI
Ver. 1-19.- The writer celebrates the deliverance from extreme perils by which he was favoured, and pledges grateful and pious public acknowledgments.
1. True fear produces obedience and this happiness, ft,
is. Temporal blessings follow the service of God, exceptions occurring only as they are seen by God to be inconBistent witli those spiritual blessings which are better. *. Ught—Jig. for relief (Psalm 27. 1 ; 97. 11). The upright are like God (Leviticus 6. 36; Psalm 111. 4). 5-9. Generos-
1, 2. A truly grateful love will be»evinced by acts of worship, which calling on Ood expresses {v. 13; Psalm 55.
16; 86. 7; cf. Psalm 17. 6; 31. 2). 3, 4. For similar figures for distress (Psalm 18. 4, 5). gat hold upon me—anothei sense ("found") of the same word follows, as we speak of disease finding us, and of our finding or catching disease. 5-8. The relief which he asked is the result not of his merit, but of God's known pity and tenderness, which is acknowledged in assuring himself (his soul, Psalm 11. 1;
ity, sound judgment in business, and confidence in God, form a character which preserves from fear of evil and ensures success against enemies. While a man thus truly pious is liberal, he increases in substance, not l>e moved
—{(•{. Psalm 13. 4; 15. 5.) lieart is establislied—or, firm in right principles, see lils desire—(Psalm 50. 23 ; 54. 7.) 10. Disappointed in their malevolent wishes by the prosperity of the pious, tlie wicljed are punished by the working of their evil passions, and come to naught.
16. 10) of rest and peace. All calamities are represented by death, tears and falling of the feet (Psalm 56. 13). 9. walk before the liord—act, or live under His favour and guidance (Genesis 17. 1; Psalm Gl. 7). land of the living (Psalm 27. 13). 10, 11. Confidence in God opposed to distrust of meij, as not reliable (Psalm 68. 8, 9). He speaks from an experience of tlie result of his faith, in my haste
• PSALM CXIII. Ver. 1-9. God's majesty contrasted with His condescension and gracious dealings towards the humble furnish matter and a call for praise. The Jews, it is said, used this and Psalm 114.-118. on their great festivals, and called them the Greater Uallel, or Hymn.
—lit., terror, or agitation, produced by his affliction (cf. Psalm 31. 22). 13-14. These are modes of expressing acts of worship (cf. v. 4 ; Psalm 50. 14 ; Jonah 2. 9). the cup of salvation—the drink ofl'ering which was part of the thank offering (Numbers 15. 3-^5). now—(cf. Psalm 115. 2). "Oh, that (I may do it)" in the presence, &c. 15, 16. By the plea of being a homeborn servant, he intimates his claim on God's covenant love to His people. 17-19. An ampler declaration of liis purpose, designating the place, the Lord's house, or earthly residence in Jerusalem.
1-3. Earnestness and zeal are denoted by the emphatic repetitions, sen-nnts—or, all the people of God. name of tUe Liord—perfections (Psalm 5. 11 ; 111. 9). From the rising, &c.—All the world. 4-6. God's exaltation enhances His condescension; 7, 8, which Is illustrated as often in raising the worthy poor and needy to honour (cf.
1 Samuel 2. 8 ; Psalm 44. 25). 9. On this special case, cf.
PSALM CXVII. Ver. 1, 2. This may be regarded as a doxology, suitable to be appended to any Psalm of similar character, and prophetical of the prevalence of God's grace in the world, in which aspect Paul quotes it (Romans 15. 11; cf. Psalm
1 Samuel 2. 21. Barrenness was regarded as a disgrace, and is a type of a deserted Church (Isaiah 54. 1). tlie barren woman . . . honse lit., the barren of the house, so that the supplied words may be omitted.