Psalm CXXXVII
Ver. 1-9. This Psalm records the mourning of the captive Israelites, and a prayerand prediction respecting the destruction of their enemies.
1. rivers of Babylon—The name of the city used for the whole country, remembered Zion — or, Jerusalem, as Psalm 132. 13. 3. iipon tlie willows—which may have grown there then, if not now; as the palm, which was once common, is now rare in Palestine. 3, 4. Whether the re(iuest was in curiosity or derision, the answer intimates that a compliance was incongruous with their mournful feelings (Proverbs 2.5. 20). 5, G. For joyful songs would imply forgetfulness of their desolated homes and fallen Church. The solemn imprecations on the "hand'' Bnd "tonf/i/c," if thus forgetful, relate to the cunning or Kklll in playing, and the power of singing. 7-9. Remember . . . the cliildren of Edom—(Cf. Psalm 132. 1), i. e., to piinlsh. tl»e day of .Tenisalem—Its downfall (Lamenta-
Ver. I-IO. This Psnlm evinces its authorship as the preceding, by its structure and the character of its contents.
It is a prayer tor deliverance from sins to which affliction tempted him, and from the enemies who caused it.
PSALM CXLII.
Ver. 1-7. Maschil—t^ct Psalm 32., title). When he ivas in
the cave, either of Adullam (1 Samuel 2-2. I), or FIn-gedi fl Samuel 24. 3). This does not mean that the Psalm was composed in the cave, but that the precarious mo<ie of l!1e, of which his refuge in caves was a striking illustiatioa, occasioned the coni))laint, which constitutes the first part of the Psalm, and lurnishes tlie reason for the praverwltfc
•I. ins 1.21, 22; Obadlah 11-13). daughter of Babylon—tlie
Pnalm of Praise to God. PSALMS CXLIII—CXLVIII. TTie. Psaliiitst Exhortelh to Praite.
The Psalm ends, as it began, with ascriptions of praise, In which the pious will ever delight to join.
which it concludes, and which, as the prominent charac-
teristic, gives its name.
1. -witli my voice—audibly, because earnestly. 3. (Cf. Psalm 62. 8.) complaint—or, a sad musing. 3. thou knewest . . . path—the appeal is Indicative of conscious innocence; knowest it to be right, and that my affliction
PSALM CXLVI.
Ver. 1-10. An exhortation to praise God, who, by the gracious and faithful exercise of His power in goodness to the needy, is alone worthy of implicit trust.
is owing to the snares of enemies, and is not deserved (cf. Psalm 42. 4; 61.2). 4. Utter desolation Is meant, right hand—the place of a protector (Psalm 110. 5). cared for