Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
David Praiselh God, PSALMS XXIII—XXV. God's Lordship in Ike World, pastoral life, with which David was familiar, he describes God's providential care in providing refreshment, guidance, protection, and abundance, and so atl'ording groonde of confidence in His perpetual favour.
Utter exhaustion and hopeless weakness, in these cireuiiistances of pressing danger, are set forth by tlie most expressive figures; tlie suli Uity of tlie boily is ilestroyed, and it l>econies like water; the bones are parted; the heart, the very seat of vitality, melts like wax; all the
1. Christ's relation to His jieople is often represented by the figure of a shepherd (John 10. H; Hebrews 13.20; 1 Peter 2. 25; 5. i), and thevefoie the opinion that He \stlus Lord here so described, and in Genesis 48. 15; Psalm 80. 1; Isaiali 40.11, is not witliout some gooil reason, 'i. green pastures—or, pastures of tender grass, are menli<.>ned, not in respect to looil, but as places of cool and refreshing jiiiees of tlie syste.n are dried np; the tongue can no longer jieiforni its otiioe, but lies parched and stitlened
(cf. Genesis 4y. -1; 2 Samuel 1-1. U ; Psalm 5S. b). In this, God is regarded as tiie ultimate source, and men as the Instruments. tUe duist of deatU—of course denotes the grave. We need not try to lind the exact counterpart of each item of the description in the particulars of our Saviour's su Uerings. Figurative language resembles pictures of liistorical scenes, presenting substantial truth, under illustrations, wiiich, though not essential to llie rest, the still waters—are. Hi., waters of stillnets, whose quiet flow invites to repose. They are contrasted with boisterous streams on the one hand, ami stagnant, offensive pools on the other. 3. To restore the soul is torevive or quicicen it (Psalm 19. 7), or relieve it (Lamentations 1.
facts, are not inconsistent with them. Were any portion of (Jlirist's terrible suiferings specially designed, it was doubtless that of the garden of Gethsemane. 16. Evildoers are well described as dogs, which, in the East, herding together, wild and rapacious, are justly objects of great abhorrence. Tiie last clause has been a subject of much discussion (.involving questions as to the genuineness of the Hebrew word translated jiejce) which cannot be made intelligible to the English reader. Though not quoted in tlie New Testament, the remarkable aptnefes of the description to the facts of the Saviour's history, together with diliiculties attending any other mode of explaining tlie clause in the //tbrcu', justify an adherence to the terms of our version and their obvious meaning. 17. His emaciated frame, itself an item of his misery, is rendered more so as the object of delighted contemplation to Ills enemies. The verbs, look and stare, often occur as suggestive of feelings of satisfaction (cf. Psalm 27. 13; 51.7; US. 7;. 18. This liteially-fu Uilled prediction closes
11, 1'J,. paths of righteousness—those of safety, as directed by Goil. and pleasing to Him. for his name'v sake—or, regard for His perfections, pledged for His people's welfare. 4. In the darkest and most trying hour God is near, the valley of the shadow of death—is n ravine overhung by high precipitous clitl's, filled with dense forests, and well calculated to inspire dread to the timid, and allbrd a covert to beasts of prey. While expressive of any great danger or cause of terror. It does not excinde the greatest of all, to which it is most popularly applied, and which its terms suggest, thy rod nud tliy staff—are symbols of a shepherd's office. By them he guides his sheep. 5, 6. Another figure expresses God'8 provident care, a table—or, food, anointing oil — the s.ymbol of gladness, and the overflowing cup—whicli represents abundance—are prepared for tlie child of God, who may feast in spite of his enemies, confident that this favour will ever attend him. Tliis beantifnl Psalm most admirably sets before us, in its chief figure, that of a shepherd, the gentle, kind, and sure care extended to God's people, who, as a shepherd, bo(h rules and feed* them. The closing verse shows that tlie blessings meatiimed are spiritual.
.tlie sad picture of the exposed and deserted sufl'erer. 10,
/JO. He now turns with unabated desire and trust to God, who, in His strength and faithfulness. Is contrasted with tiie urgent dangers described, my soul—or self (cf. Psalm
3. 2; lli. U). my darling lit., my only one, or, solitary one, as desolate and alllicted (I'salm 25. lli ; 35.17). !41. Deliverance plead in view of former help, when in the most imminent danger, from tlie most powerful enemy, represented by the unicorn or wild butl'alo. the lion's moutli —(,Cf. V. lo.) The lion often used as a figure representing violent enemies; the connecting of the moulh Intimates
PSALM XXIV.
Ver. 1-10. God's supreme sovereignty requires a befitting holiness of life and heart In His worshippers; a sentiment sublimel.v Illustrated by describing His entrance into the sanctuary, by the s.vmbol of His worship—the ark, as requiring the most profound homage to the glory of Ills Mi\jesty.
tlieir rapacity. 'Ai-'A'l. He declares his purpose to celebrate God's gracious dealings and publish liis manifested perfections (name. Psalm 5. 11), itc, an<l fortliwith invites the pious, those who have a reverential fear of God, to unite in special praise for a deliverance, illustrating God's kind regard for the lowly, whom men neglect. To hide the face or eyes expresses a studied neglect of one's cause, and refusal of aid or sympathy (cf. Psalm 30. 7
1. fulness— every thing, world—the habitable globe,
M'ith they that dwell—forming a parallel expression to the first clause. 54. poetically repres(!nts the facts of Genesis 1. i). 3, 4. The form of a question gives vivacity. Hands, tongue and heart are organs of action, speech, and feeling, which compose character, lifted up his soul—is
Isaiah 1. 15). !45, 20. My prnlse shall be of tliee—or, perhaps better, //•<)«» tlice—i. e., God gives grace to praise him. With oll'eriiig praise, he farther evinces his gratitude by promising the payment of his vows, in celebrating the usual festival, as provided in the law (Deuteronomy 12.
to set the affections (Psalm 25. 1) on an object ; here, vanity —or, any false thing, of which swearing falscl.v, or tofalsehood, is a specification, hill of the l,or«l—(cf. Psalm 2. 9, Ac). His Church—the true or Invisible, as typified by the earthly sanctuai'y. 5. righteousness—the rewards whlcW God liestows on His people, or the grace to secure those rewards as well as the result. 6. Jacob—by "Jacob," wo may understand God's ptH>plo (cf. Isaiah 13. 22; 41.2, Ac), corresponding to " the generation," Ac, as if he had said, "those who seek thy face are th.y chosen people." 7-10. The entrance of the ark, with the attending procession,
18; 10. 11), of which the pious or humble, and they that seek tlic Lord, His true worshippers, shall partake abundantly, and Join him in praise. In the enthusiasm produced
his lively fi'elings, he addresses such in words, assuring them of God's perpetual favour. The dying oj the heart denotes death (1 Samuel 25. 37) ; so Its living denotes life. 27-31. His case illustrates God's righteous government. IJeyond the existing time and people, othei's shall be brought to acknowledge and worship God; the /at ones, or the rich as well as the poor, the helpless who cannot keep tluuuselvcs alive, shall together unite In celebratinto the holy sanctuary Is pictured to us. The repetition of the terms gives emphasis. Lior»l of hosts—or fully, Lm-d God of Aos/« (Hosea 12.5; Amos 4. 13), ileserlbes God b.v a title indicative of supremacy over all creatures, and especially the heavenly armies (Joshua 5. M; 1 Kings 2*2; ing; God's delivering power, and transmit to unborn pe<(ple ,tlie records of His grace. It ithall be accounted to the liord f»r,,&c.—or, it shall be told of the Lord to a generation. God's wonderful works shall be told from generation to generation, tlint be batb done—supply it, or this—i. c., what the Palm has unfolded.
1!)). Whether, as some think, the actual enlargement of the ancient gates of Jerusalem be the liasls of the flguro, the effect of the whole is to impress us with a couceplion of the matchless mtvlesty of God.
PSALM XXV.
PSALM XXIII.
Ver. 1-22. The general tone of this Psalm Is that at prayer for help from euemles. Distress, liowever, ezcltf
"Ver. 1-6. Under a metn,ph(ar borrowed from BceneB of 354