Psalm CXIV
47.2; 66.^). 3. is great toward us lit., prevailed over or protected us. PSALM CXVIII. Ver. 1-29. After invoking others to unite in praise, the writer celebrates God's protecting and delivering care towards him, and then represents himself and the people of God as entering the sanctuary and uniting in solemn praise, with prayer for a continued blessing. Whether composed by David on his accession to power, or by some later writer in memory of the restoration from Babj'lon,
Ver. 1-8. The writer briefly and beautifully celebrates God's former care of His people, to whose benefit nature was miraculously made to contribute.
1-4. of strange language—(cf. Psalm 81. 5.) skipped
. . . rams—(Psalm 29. 6), describes the waving of mountain fori'sts, poetically representing the motion of the mountains. The poetical description of the effect of God's' presence on the sea and Jordan alludes to the history (Exodus 14. 21 ; Joshua 3. 14-17). Judah is put as a parallel to Israel, because of the destined as well as real prominence of that tribe. 5-8. The questions place the implied ansv/crsin a more striking form, at the presence of—
its tone is Joyful and trusting, and, in describing the fortune and destiny of the Jewish Church and its visible head, it is typically prophetical of the Christian Church and her greater and invisible Head.
lit., from be/ore, as if affrighted by the wonderful display of God's power. Well may such a God be trusted, and great should be His praise.
1-4. The trine repetitions are emphatic (cf. v. 10-12, 15,
16; Psalm 115.12, l.i). Let . . . say—Oil! that Israel may say. now—as Psalm 115.2; so In v. 3, 4. After " now say" supply " give thanks." that his mercy or for his mercy. 5, distress lit, straits, to which large place corresponds, as Psalm 4. 1 ; 31.8. 6, 7. Men are helpless to hurt him,
PSALM CXV. Ver. 1-18. The Psalmist prays that God would vindicate His glory, wliich Is contrasted with the vanity of idols, wliile the folly of their worshippers is contrasted with llie trust of God's people, who are encouraged to its exercise and to unite in the praise which it occasions.
if God be with him (Psalm 56. 9), and. If enemies, will be vanquished (Psalm 54. 7). 8, 9. Even the most powerful men are less to be trusted than God. 10-13. Though ait numerous and irritating as bees, by God's help his enemies would be destroyed, as the lire of thorns—suddenly, in the name, &c. — by the power (Psaltn 20.5;
1-3. Tlie vindication of God's mercy and faithfulness (Psalm 2.). 10; 30. 0) is the glory of His name, which is desired to lie illustrated in the deliverance of His people, as the lmi)lied mode of its manifestation. In view of the taunts of the heathen, faith in His dominion as enthroned In the heaven (Psalm 2.4; 11.4) Is avowed, where is now, &c. now Is " not a particle of time, but of entreaty," as in our forms of speech, "Come now," "See now," Ac. 4-7. (Cf. Isaiah 40. 18-20 ; 44. 9-20.) speak . . . throat^ii<.,
124. 8). 13-16. The enemy Is triumphantly addressed as
if present, rejoicing and salvation—the latter as cause of the former, right hand ... is exalted—His power greatly exerted. 17, 18. He would live, because confident his life would be for God's glory. 19-31. Whether aa actual or figurative entrance Into God's house be meant, the purpose of solemn praise Is Intimated, In which only the righteous would or could engage. 33, 33. These wonU 381
tntUter, not even utter articulate sounds. 8. every one that trusteth—they who trust, whether makers or not. e-13. The repetitious imply earnestness. 14. Opposed to
Sundry Prayers, Praises, PSALM CXIX. and Piofessions uf Ob«ltenee.
stand it. 21-24. God will rebuke those who despise His word, and deliver His servants from their reproach, giving them boldness in and by His truth, even before the greatest men.
are applied by Christ (Matthew 21. 42) to Himself, as the foundatiou of the Church (cf. Acts 4. U; Ephesians 2. 20;
1 Peter 2. 4, 7). It may here denote God's wondrous exaltation to power and influence of him whom tlie rulers of the nation despised. Whether (see above) David or Zerubbabel (ef. Haggai 2. 2; Zechariah 4. 7-10) be primarily meant, tliere is here typically represented God's more wonderful doings in exalting Christ, crucified as an impostor, to be tlie Prince and Saviour and Head of His
35-27. Submitting ourselves In depression to God, He will revive us by His promises, and lead us to declare His mercy to others. 38-32. In order to adhere to His word, we must seek deliverance from temptations to sin as well as from despondency, enlarge [or expand] my heart—with gracious affections.
Cliurcli. 34. Tills Is tlie day—or period distinguished by Goil's favour of all others. 25. Save now Hebretv, Hosaniiah (cf. Psalin»115. 2, &c., as to now), a form of prayer (P.salm 20.9), since, in our use, of praise. 36. he that coinetli . . . Lord—As above intimated, this may be applied to the visible head of the Jewish Church entering the sanctuary, as leading the procession; typically it belongs to Him of whom the phrase became an epithet (Malachi 3.1; Matthew 21. 9). 37-29. showed ms light— or favour (Psalm '.?7. 1 ; 97.11). With the sacrificial victim brought bound to the altar is united the more spiritual ottering of praise (Psalm 50. 14, 23), expressed in the terms with which the Psalm opened.
33-38. To encourage us In prayer for Divine aid in adhering to His truth, we are permitted to believe that by His help we shall succeed, the way of thy statutes—
t. e., the way or manner of life prescribed by them. The help we hope to obtain by prayer is to be the basis on which our resolutions should rest. Turn away mine eyes —I'd., Make my eyes to pass, not noticing evil, vanity lit., falsehood, all other objects of trust than God ; idols, human power, Ac. (Psalm 31.6; 40.4; 60.11; 62.9). quicken . . . In tliy way—make me with living energy to pursue the way marked out by thee. Revive me from the death of spiritual helplessness (v. 17, 25, 40, 50; Psalm 116.3). who
Is devoted to thy fear—or better, which (i. e., thy word) is for thy fear, for producing It. "Which Is to those who fear thee." God's word of promise belongs peculiarly to such (cf. Genesis 18.19; 1 Kings 2.4; 8.25). [HengstenBERG.] 39, 40. Our hope of freedom from the reproach