Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
jT/w Different Estale of Men. PSALMS XXXVII—XXXIX. David Tinploreth Go<Ts Mercy. vi.cbea have no fear of God." The first clause may be The exhortation is sustained by the assurance of God's essential rectitude in that providential governmeul which provides perpetual blessings for the good, and perpetual misery for the wicked. 30, 31. The righteous described as to the elements of character, thought, word, and action, steps—or, goings—for conduct which is unwavering (Psalm 18. 36). 33, 33. The devices of the wicked against the good fail, because God acquits them. 34. On the contrary, the good are not only blessed, but made to rciideied, ".Saith li;uisgix'>ssion in my heart, in respect to tJie wicked, there is no lear,'' <fcc., ».e., such is my reflection on men's transgressions.. 3-4. Tliis reflection detailed, ii'ttil Ikis liiictuUy, &v.—lit., for finding his iniquity for hating ; i. e., he persuades himself God will not so find it —•/or liuting" involving the idea of punishing. Hence
Jiis v.-onls of iniquity and deceit, and his bold rejection of all right principles of conduct. The climax is that he see the ruin of their foes. 35, 36. of which a picture is given, under the figure of a flourishing tree (cf. Margin), U<rlil)eralely adopts and palroniices evil. The negative forms affirm more emphatically their contraries. 5, 6. mortj- . . . and . . . fois Jifulntss—as mercy and truth (Psalm 25. 10 j. rigltteousisess and judgments—qualities wliich soon withers, he was not— (cf. v. 10). 37. By the end is meant reward (Proverbs '23. 18 ; 24. 14), or expectation of success, as v. 38, which describes the end of the tricked in contrast, and that is cut off (cf. Psalm 73. 17). 38. togethei —at once—entirely (Psalm 4. 8). 39, 40. strength—(Psalm of a good government (Psalm o. S; 31. 1). These all are set forth, by the ligures used, as unbounded. 7. shadow of lUy wings—{c!. Deuteronomy 32. 11; Psalm 91. 1). 8. fatm-ss—i iehness. tliy Iiouse—residence—for the privileges and blessings of communion with God (Psalm 23. 6; 27. 4). river of tliy pleasm-os—plenteous supply—may allude
27. 1; 28.8). trouble-straits (Psalm 9. 9 ; 10. 1). Intrust and quietness is the salvation of the pious fi-om all foes and all their devices. to Kden. 9. Light is an emblem of all blessings—given of God as a moans to gain more. 10. that know tlvee—right knowledge of God is the source of right affections and PSALM XXXVIII.
Ver. 1-22. To bring to' remembrance, or, remind, God of His mercy and himself of his sin. Appealing to God for conduct. 11. foot of . . . hand . . . wicked—all kinds of violent dealing. 13. Tliere— in the actiu;; of violence, they are overlhrown. A signal defeat. relief from His heavy chastisement, the Psalmist avows his integrity before men, complains of the defection of friends and persecution of enemies, and in a submissive spirit, casting himself on God, with penitent confe.ssion he pleads God's covenant relation and his innocence of the charges of his enemies, and prays for Divine comfort and help.
PSALM XXXVII.
Ver. 1-10. A composed and uniform trust in God, and a constant course of integrity, are urged in view of the blessedness of the truly pious, contrasted in various
1-4. He deprecates deserved punishment, which is described (Psalm 6. 1), under the figure of bodily disease, arrows . . . and thy hand—the sharp and heavy afflictions he suffered (Deuteronomy 32. 23). Iniquities—afflictions in punishment of sin (2 Samuel 16. 12; Psalm 31. 10; aspects with the final ruin of the wicked. Tlius the wisdom and justice of Gocl s providence are vindicated, and its seeming ineiiualities, which excite the cavils of the wjcked and the distrust of the pious, are explained. Da-
40. 12). gone over mine head—as a flood. 5-8. The loathsomeness, corruption, and wasting torture of severe physical disease set forth his mental anguish. It is possible some bodily disease was connected. I'he loins are the seat of strength. His exhaustion left him only the power to groan. 9. That God can hear (Romans 8. 26). 10. My heart pa>»teth—as if barely surviving, light . . . from me—utter exhaustion (Psalm 6. 7; 13. 3). 11,13. Friends vid's personal history abundantly illustrates the Psalm.
1, a. The general sentiment of the whole Psalm is expressed. The righteous need not be vexed by the prosperity of the wicked ; for it is transient, and their destiny undesirable. 3. Trust—sure of safety, slialt tUou dwell —or, dwell thou — repose quietly, verily . . . fed—or, Jeed on truth—God's promise (Psalm 3G. 5; cf. Hosea 12. I). 4. desires—-Psalm '20.5; 21.2), what is lawful and right, really goixl (Psalm 8!. 11). 5. eominit tUy way—(Proverbs 10. 3^. Wor/cf—what you have to do and cannot—set forth as a burden, trust ... In Uiin lit., on Hint. He desert, but foes increase In malignity. 8e«'k after my life —(1 .Samuel '20.1; 22.23). 13, 14. He patiently submits, uttering no reproacfic.i or replies (John 19.9) to their insulting speeches; 15-17. for he is confident the Lord—///., Sovereign {to whom he was a servant), would answer his prayer (Psalm 3.4; 4. 1), and not permit their triumph in will do what you cannot (cf. Psdlin 22. 8 ; 31. G). He will not siil Ter your character to remain under suspicion. 7, 8. Rest l\x—Ut., lie silent to the Lord, and wait—be submissive—avoiil petulance and niurniurings, anger and rash doing. 9. Two reasons. The prosperity of the wicked is short, and the pious, by humble trust, will secure all covenant blessings, denoted here by " Inherit the earth"
Ills partial hatting, of which he was In danger. 18. Consciousness of sin makes suffering pungent, a)ul sufl'ering, rightly received, leads to confession. 19, 30. Still, while humbled before God, he is the victim of deadly enemies, (cf. Psalin 25. 13). 10, 11. sliall not be lit., is not—is not to be found, peace—includes prosperity. 13. gnns UetIt full of malice and treachery, enemies arc lively— /(7., of life, who would take my life, i.e., deadly. 31, 33. ((^f. Psalm 22.19; 35. .S.) All terms of frequent use. In this Psalm the language Isgenerally susceptible of appllcatioiv to t'hi ist as a sull'erer, David, as such, typifying Him. This d(H s not require us to apply the confessions of sin, but only the pains or penalties which he bore for us.
. . . teetU—in beastly rage. I'.i. (Cf. Psalm 2.1.) seetU knows certainly, liis day—of punishment, long delayed, shall yet comi; (Hebrews ID. 37). 14, 15. sword, and . . . how—lorany inslrumeiitsof violence. 6lny—lit.,slnurititer (1 Samuel 25. 11). poor and needy—God's people (Psalm
10. 17; I'i. 5). The punislimi nt of the wicked as drawn on tlu'mselv(!s—often iru Mitioned (cf. I'salm 7. 15, 16; ;!.5. 8). 10. riches lit., noise and tumult, as incidental to much
PSALM XXXIX. Ver. 1-13. To .Teduthund Chronicles 16. 41, 42), one of the chief singers. His nanu> mentioned, perhaps, as a special honour. Under depressing views of his frailly and the prosperity of the wicked, the Psalmist, tempted to murmur, checks the expression of his feelings, till, led to regard his case aright, he prays for a proper view of his condition and for the Divine compassion.
(cf. Psalm 3i). 0). Tlius the contrast with the "little" of one man is more vivid. 17. Even the members of the body needed to hold weapons are destroyed. 18, 19. God, wlio knows his people's changes, provides against evil, and supiilii s all their lu'ed. 30. AVhile the wicked, however m'.glity, are destroy(?(l, and that utterly, as P'noke whii:li vanishes and leaves no trace. 31, 33. paytth no(—not abU- ; having gi-own poor (cf. Deuteronomy
1. 1 said—or, resolved, will take heed—watch, wayt —conduct, <Tf which the use of the tongue Is a part (James
1. 26). bridle—///., muzzle (cf. Deuteronomy 2.5. 4). while
15. 7.) Ability of the oni; and inabllit.vof the other do not exclude moral dispositions. God's blessing or cursing makes the dill'(niiice. eut oft"— opposed to "inherit the eartli" (cf. l,.'vltl<nis 7. 20, 21). H-i, 34. steps-way, or, . . . before me—In beholding their prosperity (P.salm ST.
10, '!(!). «. even from good— ((Jenesis 31. 24), ever.vthlug.
3. His emot ions, as a smother<'d tla mo, /««-.v/ forth. 4 7. Some tak(> th(>se words as those of fretting, but they are not essentially such. The tinge of dlmontent arises from the character of his suppressed emotions. Hut, adilresHIng God, they are softened and subdued, nioko iiio to coui'S(! of life; as ordered by God, failures will not be i)ermanent. 35, 30. his seed is hl« »sed lit., for a blessing (Genesis 13.2; Psalm 21.6). This ))o8ltlon la still true as Iho lule of God's economy (1 Timothy 4. 8; 0. 0). 37-30. 253