Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Confidence and Privileges of the Church. PSALMS XLVI—XLIX. A Pel-suasion to Faith hi Ood, —(Psalm 9. 10; IS. 3.) He was so known in them, because they enjoyed His presence. 4-G. For—the reason is given. Though the kings (perhaps of Moab and Ammon, cf. Psalm S3. S-5) combined, a conviction of God s presence with His people, evinced by the unnsnal courage with which the prophets (cf. 2 Chronicles 20. r2-20) had inspired them, seized on their minds, and smitten with sudden and intense alarm, they fled astonished. 7. shipsof Tarshish—as engaged in a distant and lucrative trade, the most valuable. The phrase may illustrate God's control over all material agencies, whether their literal destruction be meant or not. 8. This present experience assures of that perpetual care which God extends to His Church. 9. thought of—lit., compared, or considered, in respect of former dealings. In the . . . temple—in acts of solemn worship (cf. 2 Chronicles 20. 2S). 10. According . . . praise — !. e., as thy perfections manifested (cf. Psalm 8.1; "20. 1-7), demand praise, it shall be given, everywhere, thy right hand, itc.—thy righteous government is displayed by thy power. 11. the tlaughters, &i: — the small toiens, or the people, with the chief city, or rulers of the Church, judgments—decisions and acts of right government. l.'i-14. The call to survey Zion, or the Church, as a fortified city, church and the world, laj' before the vision of the inspired propliet. PSALM XLVI.
Ver. l-ll. Upon A lamoUi—most probably denotes the treble, or pin t sung by female voices, the word meaning lirf/iim; and which was sung with some appropriately keyed instrument(cf. 1 Chronicles 15. 19-21; Psalm 6., title). The theme may be stated in Luther's well-known words, "A strong fortress is our God." The great deliverance (2 Kings It). 35; Isaiah 37. 3ti) may have occasioned its composition.
1. refuge—?!?., a place of trust (Psalm 2. 12). strength— (Psalm IS. 2.) present help—Hi., a help he has been found exceediiujly. trouble — as Psalm 18.7. 3,3. The most violent civil commotions are illustrated by the greatest physical conimolions. swelling— well represents the pride and haughtiness of insolent foes. 4. God's favour
Is denoted by a river (cf. Psalm 36.8; Zechariah U. S; Revelation 22.1). city of Go<l, the holy place — His earthly residence, Jerusalem and the temple (cf. Psalm
2. 6; 3. 4; 20. 2; -IS. 2, ifcc). God's favour, like a river whose waters are conducted in channels, is distributed to all parts of His ciiurch. Most Higlk—denoting His supremacy (Psalm 17. 2). 5. right early lit, at the turn of mornis designed to suggest "how well our God secures His fold." This secinity is perpetual, and its pledge is his guidance through this life. ing, or change from niglit to day, a critical time (Psalm
So. 5; cf. Isaiah 37.30). 6. (Cf. v. i.) earth meltea — all powers dissolved by His mere word (Psalm 75.3; Hosea
PSALM XLIX.
2. '22). 7. vvitii us—on our side, His presence is terror to our enemies, safety to us. refuge—high place (Psalm 9.9; Ver. 1-20. This Psalm instructs and consoles. It teaches that earthly advantages are not reliable for permanent happiness, and that, however prosperous worldly men may be for a time, their ultimate destiny Is ruin, while the pious are safe In God's care. cf. also Psalm 24. (i, I'J). 8. what tlesolations— lit., who hath put desolations; destroying our enemies. 9. The usual u-edpotis of war (Psalm 7. 12), as well as those using them, are brought to an end. 10. Be still, &c. Lit., Leave off to oppose rue and vex: mi/ people. lam over all for their safety
1-3. All are called to hear what interests all. world (cf. Isaiah 2. H ; Ephesians 1. '22). PSALM XLVII. lit., duration of life, yie present time. 4. incline—to liear attentively (P.salm 17.6; 31.2). parable—In Ilebreiv and Greek, parable and proverb are translations of the same word. It denotes a comparison, or form of speech, which under one linage includes many, and is expressive of a general truth capable of various illustrations. Hence it may be used for the illustration itself. For the former scuse, proverb (i.e., one word for several) is the usual English term, and for the latter. In which comparison is prominent, parable (i. e., one thing laid by another). The distinction is not always observed, since here, and Psalm
Ver. 1-9. Piuise is given to God for victory, perhaps that recorded (2 Chronicles '20.); and His doniiuion over all people, Jews and (Jentiles, is asserted.
1. clap . . . hands . . . people — lit., peoples, or natiotis (cf. Deuteronomy 32. 43; Psalm IS. 49; 9S. 9). a, 3. His universal sovereignty now exists, and will be made known, under us — i. e.. His saints; Israel's temporal victories were types of the spiritual conquests of the true Church. 4. He shall . . . luhcritanee—the heathen to be possessed by His Cliurcli 1,1'salin 2. S), as Canaan by the Jews, excellency of ,Iacol>— ?(7., ]>ride, or, that In which he glories (not necessarily, though often, in a bad sense), the privi-
78. 2, proverb would better express the st.yle of the composition (cf. also Proverbs '20. 7, 9; Habakkuk 2. 6; John
16.25,29). Such forms of speech are often very figumtlve and also obscure (cf. Matthew 1.3. 12-15). Hence the nse of the parallel word—dark saying— or, riddle (cf. Ezeklel leges of the chosen people—whom he 1ov«h1 — His love being the .sole cause of granting them. 5-7. God, victorious over His enemies, reascends to heaven, amid the triumphant praises of His people, who celebrate Ills sovereign dominion. This sovereignty Is what the P.salm teaches; hence he adds—sing . . . praises with under Btandlng— ?(7., sinff and T>la!j an instructive (Psalm). The whole typifies Christ's ascension (cf. P.salm 68. IS). 8,0. The instruction continued, throne of . . . holiness—or, 17.2). open—Is to explain, upon the harp—the accompaniment for a lyrlo. 5. Iniquity—or, calamity (Psalm
12). of my heels—?if., 7»i,)/ sup])lantei-s (Genesis 27. 36), or oppressors: " I am surrounded by the evils they Inflict."
Cl, They arc vainglorious—7-9—yet nnable to save themselves or others, it ceaseth for ever i.e., the ransom falls, the price Is too precious, costly, corinptlon-?iy., pit, or, grave, thus showing that .901/? Is used for life. 10. For he seeth—i. c, corrupt Ion, th(>n follows the Illustrahoi}' throne (cl. (ni Ps.alm 2.0; 23.3). princes—who represent y^'oy)?!^-.*. For—even—sui)ply, as, or, <o—t. e., they all become united under covenant with Abraham's God. Blilelds—as Hosea 4. 18, rulers. tion, wise . . . fool—(Psalm 11.1; Proverbs 1.32; 10.1) likewise— alike altogether- (Psalm 4. 8)—die—All meet the same fate. 11. Still Infatuated and flattered with hopes of perpetuity, they call their lands, or "celebrate their names on account of (their) lands." 1!J. Contrasted with this vanity Is their frailty. However honoured, mail nl>ldelli not— lit., lodgeth not, remains not till morn-
PSALM XLVIII.
Ver. 1-14. This Is a spirited Psalm and song (cf. Psnlm
80.), having in ol)al)ly been suggested by the same occasion as the foregoing. It sets forth the privileges and blessings of God's spiritual dominion as the terror of the wicked and Joy of the rigliteous. ing, but suildenly perishes as (wllil) beasts, whose lives are taken without warning. 13. Thougli their way Is folly, others follow the same course of life. 14. Like sheep —(cf 1;. 12) nil wit tingly, they—are laid—or, put, &o. deatlk shall feed on (or, lietter, shall rule] them-as a shepherd
1. lo he prnl Mcd—always: It Is an epithet, as Psalm 18. .S. monntaln of his holiness Ills Church (cf. Isaiah 2. 2,3; (cf feed, Psalm '2S. 9, Margin), have dominion over [or, subdue] them In the morning — suddenly, or In their turn, their heaiily lit., /mm or sliapi'. shall consume —lit., is for the consu7nption, i. e., of the grave, fk-om their dwelling — lit., from their home (they go) to it, i. «., the grave. 15. The pious, delivered from the-powerlit,, tht
25.6, 7, 10); the sanctuary was erectc'd first on Mount ZIon, then (as the temple) on Morlah ; hence the figure. !4, 3. Bitualloii— elevation, Joy of, Ac.-source of Joy. sides of the nortli—poetlitally for eminent, lofty, distinguished, as the ancients believed the north to be the highest part of the earth (cf. Isaiah 14. 13). palace* lit., citadels, refuge 302