Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
OocTs Providence and Justice. PSALMS Xr—XVT. Jorrvption of J/an Armd,
—lit., saying of (v. 5). seven times—thoroughly (Daniel !» enemies, and boasts perpetual freedom from evil. 7-10. The malignity and deceit (Psa.rn HO. 3) of such are followed by acts combining cunning, fraud, and violence (cf. Proverbs 1. 11, 18), aptly illustrated by the habits of the
19). 7. them (Margin.) 8. The wicked roam undisturbed doing evil, when vileness or vile men are exalted.
PSALM XIII.
lion, and of liunters taking their prey. Poor, in v. 8, 10, 14, represents a word peculiar to this Psalm, meaning tlie sad or sorrowful ; in t). 9, as usual, it means tlie pious or meek sufferer, eyes . . . privily set—he watclies with half-closed e.yes, appearing not to see. crowclietli—as a lion gathers liimself into as small compass as possible to malte the greater spring, fall by Ikis strong ones—the figure of the lion is dropped, and this phrase means the accomplices of the chief or leading wicked man. 11. As before, sucli conduct implies disbelief or disregard of God's government. 13. (Cf. Psalm 9. 19; 3. 7.) linmble—
Ver. 1-6. On title, cf. Introduction. The Psalmist, mourning God's absence and the triumph of his enemies, prayK for relief ere he is totally destroyed, and Is encouraged to hope his trust will not be In vain.
1. The forms of expression and figure here used are frequent (cf. Psalm 9. 12, 18; 10. 11, 12). How long . . . for ever—shall It be for ever? 2. The counsels or devices of his heart afford no relief. 3. lighten mine eyes—dim with weakness, denoting approaching death (cf. 1 Samuel
14. '27-29; Psalm 6. 7; 38. 10). 4. rejoice—/it., shout as in triumph, I am moved—cast down from a firm position (Psalm 10. 6). 5, 6. Trust Is followed by rejoicing in the deliverance which God effects, and, Instead of his enemy, he can lift the song of triumph.
(Cf. I'. 17,and Marg.) lift up thine hand—exert thy power.
13, 1*. It is in vain to suppose God will overlook sin, however forbearing; for He carefully examines or beholds all wickedness, and will mark it by His providential (t/it/liand) punishment, mischief and spite—provocation and trouble of the sufferer (cf. Psalm 6.7; 7. U). coitiiuitteth—or, leaves (his burden) on thee. 15. arm powr. till tlion And none—so far from not requiting (i'.
PSALM XIV.
Ver. 1-7. The practical atheism, and total and universal depravity of the wicked, with their hatred to the good, are set forth. Yet, as they dread God's judgments when He vindicates His people, the Psalmist prays for His delivering power.
11. 13 , God will utterly deslroy the wicked and his deeds (Psalm 9. o, 0; 3t. 16; ;?7. 36). 16-18. God reigns. The wicked, if for a time successful, shall be cut off. He hears, and confirms the hearts of His suffering people (Psalm
1. Sinners are termed fools, beause they think and act contrary to right reason (Genesis 34.7; Joshua 7. 15; Psalm
112. 7), executes justice for the feeble, and represses the pride and violence of conceited though frail men (cf. Psalm 9. 16). PSALM XI.
39. 8; 74. 18, '22). in Ills heart—to himself (Genesis 6. 12). looked—in earnest Inquiry, understand-as opposed to fool. 3. Ultliy- ?!^, spoiled, or, soured, corrupted (Job
15. 16; Homans 3. 12). 4-6. Their conduct evinces indifference rather than Ignorance of God; for when He appears in judgment they are stricken with great fear, who eat up my people— to express their beastly fury—(Proverbs 30. 14; Habakkuk 3. 14); to call on the Lord is to worship Him. 7. captivity—denotes any great evil. Zlon God's abode, from which He revealed His purposes of mercy, as He now does by the Church (cf. 3. 4; 20. 2), and which He rules and all other things for the good of His people (Kphesians 1. 22).
Ver. 1-7. On title, cf. /n<)ori!«c?ion. Alluding to some event in Jiis history, as 1 Samuel '2;i. 13, the Psalmist avows his confidence in God, when admonished to flee from Ills raging persecutors, whose destruction of the usual foundations of safety renderedall his efforts useless. Thegrounds of his contidenee are God s supreme dominion. His watchful care of His people, His hatred to the wicked, and judgment.s on them, and His love for righteousness and the righteous.
1. my sonl—me (Psalm 3. 2). Flee lit., flee ye ; i. e., he and his companion, as a liird to yo«ir inoiiiitain—having as such no safety but in fiight (cf. 1 Samuel 26.20; L.anu>ntations 3. 52i. a. privily— in darkness, treacherously. 3. Lit., 'Die ftmndc Uions (t. e., of good oriler and law) viU be ileslroi/ed, whul has the rit//Ueou.i done (to sustain themi? All his effort.s have failed. 4. temple . . . heaven—the coniu'ction seems to denote God's heavenly residence; the term used is taken from the place of His visible earthly abode (I'salm 2.6; 3.4; 5.7). Thence He inspects men with close scrutiny. 5. The trial of the righteous results in their approval, as it is contrasted with God's hatred to the wicked. 0. Their punishment is described by vivid figures denoting abundant, sudden, furious, and utter destruction (cf. Genesis 19. 2t; Job 18. 15; Psalm 7. 13; 9. lo). cup—Is a frequent figure for God's favour or wrath (P.salm 16. 5 ; 2:!. 5; Mai thew 20. 22, 2!!). 7.
PSALM XV.
Ver. 1-5. Tho.se who are fit for communion with God may be known by a conformity to His law, which is illustrated in various important particulars.
1. abide—or, sojourn (cf. Psalm 5. 4), where It means under God's protection here, as (P.salm 23. 6; 27. 4, 6) communion, tabernacle—seat of the ark (2 Samuel 6. 17), the symbol of God's presence, holy lilll—(Cf. Psalm 2. (i.)
ti, walketh—(Cf. Psalm 1. 1.) upriglitly—In a comjilete manner, as to all parts of conduct (Genesis 17. 1), not as to degree. wor Uctli — or, does, rlglkteousuess— what is right. In Ills lieart—sincerely (I'roverbs 2;i. 7). 3. He neither slanders nor spreads slander. 4. Iove and hate are regulated by a regard to God. swearetli . . . liurt— or what so rosuUs (cf. Ijcvltlcus 5. 4). 5.»(Cf. Leviticus 25
37; Deuteronomy 23. 19, '20.) usury— Is derlvi-d from a verb meaning to bite. All gains made b.v the wrongful hiri connlenance lit., their faces—a use of the plural applied to God, like Genesis 1.26; 3.22; 11.7; Isaiah (i. H, Ac, denoting the fulness of His perfections, or more probal)ly originating in a reference to the trinity of persons. Faces loss of others are forbidden, tnketh reward, Ac—the Innocent would not otherwise be condemned (cf. Kxodus 2;).
is used as eyes {v. 4), expressing here God's complacency towards the upright (cf. Psalm 34. 15, 16).
8; Deuteronomy 10. 19). Bribery of all sorts Is denounced, doetli these, Ac—.Such persons admit ted to God's presence and favour shall never (Psalm 10. 6; 13. 5) be moved. PSALM XVI.
PSALM XII.
Ver. 1-8. On title, cf. Introduction and Psalm 8. The Psalmist laments the decrease of good men. The pride and deceit of the wicked provokes God's wrath, whoso promise to avenge the cause of pious suIl'iMcrs will bo verillcd even amidst prevailing lni(|ulty.
Ver. 1-11. Michtam,or, by the change of one let tcr, J/ic/»- tab—n, ii'ritin(f, such as a poem or song (cf. Isaiah 38, 9). Such a change of the letter m Ibr b was not ui\usual. The position of this word In coniu'ctlon with the author's name, being that usually occupied by some term, such a* Psalm or song, denoting the st.vle or null ter of the composition, favours this view of It.s meanltig, though we know not why this and Psalms 56.-00. should be specially called o urriling. A golden (Psalm), or iv mnnorial, are explanations proposed by Home—neither of which, however applicable here, appears adapted to the other Psalms whe''«>
1. ilie faitlifiil—or lit.,failh/uhie.i.U]'sii\ni 31. 2:1). 2. The want of it is illu Nlrated by the prevaleiu-e of deceit ami Insliibility. J, 4. lioasting (l)anlel 7. '2.')) Is, like flattery, a species of lying, lips and . . . lonue— Ibr persons. 5. The writer intinnites his confidence b.y depleting God's lU'Mons (cf. Psalm !(. 19 ; 10. 12) as coming to save the poor at whom the wicked sneer (Psalm 10. 5). O. Tlie words 350