Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Complaintg of the Desolation of Jerusalem, PSALMS LXXIX—LXXXII. and of the Miseries of the Church.
PSALM LXXX.
vrrought— set or held forth. 45. The dog-fly or the mosciuito. 46. caterpillar—the //e6)-ew name, from its voracity, aud tliat of—locust—from its multitude. 47, 48. Tlieadditiouai efftcls of tlie storm liere mentioned (of. Exodus 9. 23-;{l) are consistent with Moses' account, gave . . . cattle—ZiY., shut up (cf. Psalm 31. 8). 49. evil angels—or, angels of evil—many were perhaps employed, and other evils inflicted. 50, 51. made a way—removed obstacles, gave it full scape, chief of tlielr strengtlt
"Ver. 1-19. Shoshannim—Lilies (Psalm 45., title). ICduth Testimony, referring to the topic as a testimony of God to his people (cf. Psalm 19.7). This Psalm probably relates to the captivity of the ten trn)es, as the former to that of Judah. Its complaint is aggravated by the contrast of former prosperity, and the prayer for relief occurs as a refrain through the Psalm.
1,3. Joseph—for Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7. 20-29; Psalm tit., first-fruils, or, first-born (Genesis 49. 3; Deuteronomy 21.
78. 67; Revelation 7. 8), for Israel. Shepherd—(Cf Genesis
17). Ilam—one of whose sons gave name {Mizraim, Hebmv) to Egypt. 53-54. marte his . . . forth—or, brought them by periodical journeys (cf. Exodus 15. i). border of his sanctuary—or, holy border— i. e., region of which this mountain—(Zion) was, as the seat of civil and religious government, the representative, used for the whole land, as afterwards for the Church (Isaiah 25. 6. 7). piirchased—or, procured by His right hand or power (Psalm
49.24.) leadest, &c.—(Psalm 77.20.) tlwelling . .• . cherubim—(Exodus 25.20.) The place of God's visible glory, whence He communed with the people (Hebrews 9. 5j. shineforth—appear (Psalm 50. 2; 91.1). Before E}pliraim, &c.—These tribes marched next the ark (Numbers 2. 18-24). The name of Benjamin may be introduced merely in allusion to that fact, and riot because that tribe was identified with Israel in the schism (1 Kings 12. lG-21 ; cf. also Numbers 10. 24). 3. Turn us i. e., from captivity, thy face to shine—(Numbers 6.25.) 4. be angry—(Cf. Mar-
60. 5.) 55. by line—or, the portion thus measured, divided tliem—i. e., the heathen, put for their possessions, so tents—1. €., of the heathen (cf. Deuteronomy 6. 11). 56, 57. a deceitful bow—which turns back, aud so fails to project the arrow (2 Samuel 1. 22; Hosea 7. 16). They relapsed. 58. Idolatry resulted from sparing the heathen gin.) 5. bread of tears—still an Eastern figure for at Hiction. 6. strife—object or cause of (Isaiah 9. 11). On last clause cf. Psalm 79.4; Ezekiel 36.4. 8-11. brought—or plucked up, as by roots, to be replanted, a vine—(Psalm
(cf. V. 9-U). 59, 60. heard—perceived (Genesis 11. 7). abhorred—but not utterly, tent . . . placed— caused to dwell, set up (Joshua 18. 1). 61. his sti-cngth—the ark, as symbolical of it (Psalm 90. 6). 63. gave—or, shut up. his people (v. 48; I Samuel 4. 10-17.) 63. Are—either figure of the slaughter (1 Samuel 4, 10), or a literal burning by the heathen, given to marriage lit., praised—i.e., as brides. 64—(Cf. 1 Samuel 4. 17); and there were, doubtless, others, made no lamentation—either because stupefied by grief, or hindered by the enemy. 65. (Cf. Psalm 22. 16; Isaiah 42. 13.) 66. And he smote . . . part—or, struck His enemies' back. The Philistines never regained their position after their defeats by David. 67, 68. tabernacle of .loseph—or, home, or, tribe, to which—tribe of Ephralm—is parallel (cf. Revelation 7. 8). Its pre-eminence was, like Saul's, only permitted. Judah had been the choice (Genesis 49. 10). 69. Exalted as—high palaces—or, mountains, and abiding as— the earth. 70-'J'3. God's sovereignty was illustrated in this choice. The contrast
78.47.) The figure (Isaiah 16.8) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted (Genesis 28. 14), and verified
(1 Kings 4. 20-25). 13. hedges—<Isaiah 5. 5.) 13. The boar — may represent the ravaging Assyri.an aud the wild beast other heathen. 14, 15. visit this vine—favourably (Psalm 8.4). And the vineyard— or, "And protect or guard what thy right hand," &c. the brancli lit., "over the Son of man," preceding this phrase, with "protect"' or "watch." for thyself—a tacit allusion to the plea for help; for 16. it—(the vine) or tliey—(the people) are suffering from thy displeasure. 17. thy liand . . . upon
I. e., strengthen (Ezra 7. 6; 8. 22). Man of . . . hand—may allude to Benjamin (Genesis 35.18). The terms in the latter clause correspond with those of v. 15, from "and the branch," Ac, literally, and confirna the exposition given above. 18. We need quickening grace (Psalm 71.
20; 119. 25) to persevere in th.v right worship (Genesis 4. 26; Romans 10. 11). 19. (Cf. v. 3, O God ; v.7,0 God of hosts.) PSALM LXXXI. Ver. 1-16. Oittith—(Cf. Psalm 8., title.) A festal Psalm, probably for the passover (cf. Matthew 26. 30), in which, after an exhortation to praise God, He is introduced, reminding Israel of their obligations, chiding their neglect, and depicting the happy results of obedience.
Is striking—humility and exaltation—and the correspondence is beautiful, following . . . ewes, <fec.— lit., ewes giving suck (cf. Isaiah 40. 11). On the pastoral terms, cf. Psalm 79. 13.
PSALM LXXIX.
1. our strength—(Psalm 38. 7.) 3. unites the most joy-
Ver. 1-13. This Psalm, like the 74th, probably depicts the <Iesolations of the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 52. 12-24). It comprises the usual complaint, prayer, and promised thanks for relief.
ful kinds of music, vocal and instrumental. 3. tlie new moon—or the month, the time appointed—(Cf. Proverbs 7. 20.) 5. a testimony—the feasts, especially the passover, attested God's relation to His people. Joseph—for Israel (Psalm 80.1). went out through—or over, i.e.. Israel in the exode. I heard— change of person. The writer speaks for the n.atiou. language lit., lip (Psalm
1. (Cf. Psalm 74. 2-7.) 3, 3. (Cf. Jeremiah 15. 3; 16. 4.) 4.
(Cf. Psalm 44. 13; Jeremiah 42. 18; Lamentations 2. 15.) 5. How long—(Psalm 13. 1.) be angry—(Psalm 74. 1-10.) Jealousy burn—(Deuteronomy 29.20.) 6, 7. (Cf. Jeremiah
14. 1). An aggravation or element of their distress that their oppressors were foreigners (Deuteronomy 28. 49). 6. God's language alludes to the burdensome slavery of the
10. 2.5.) Though we deserve much, do not the heathen deserve more for their violence to us (Jeremiah 51.3-5; Zechariah 1. 14)7 The singular denotes the chief power, and the use of the plural indicates tlie combined confederates, called upon [or, by] thy name—proclaimed thy attributes and professed allegiance (Isaiah 12.4; Acts 2.
Israelites. 7. secret place— the cloud from which He troubled the Egyptians (Exodus 14. '24). proved tliee (Psalm 7.10; 17. 3)—tested their faith by the miracle. 8.
21). 8. former iniquities lit., iniquities of former times. prevent [lit., meet] us—as Psalm 21. 3. 9. for . . . glory of thy name (and for] name's sake—both mean for illustrating thy attributes, faithfulness, power, &c. purge
(Cf. Psalm 50.7.) The reproof follows to f. 12. if thou wilt hearken— He then propounds the terms of His covenant: they should worship Him alone, who (u. 10) had delivered them, and would still confer all needed blessings. 11, 13. They failed, and He gave them up to their own desires and hardness of heart (Deuteronomy. . . sins til., make, or provide, atonement for us. Deliverance from sin and suffering, for their good and God's glory, often distinguish the prayers of Old Testament saints (cf. Ephesians 1. 7). 10. This ground of pleading often used (Exodus 32. 12; Numbers 14. i;}-16). blood . . . iihed—(v. 3/. 11. prisoner— the whole captive people. power—lit., arm (P.-^alm 10. 15). 13. into their bosom— the lap or folds of the dress Is used by Eastern people for receiving articles. The flguredenotes retaliation (cf. Isaiah
29.18; Proverbs 1.30; Romans 11.25). 13-16. Obedience would have secured all promised blessings and the subjection of foes. In this passage, "should have," "would have," Ac, are better, "should" and " would" expressing God's Intention at the time, i. e., when they left Egypt. PSALM LXXXII. Ver. 1-8. Before the great Judge the judges of the earth are rebuked, exhorted, and threaieued.
65. fi, 7). They reproached God as well as his people.
1.1. sheep . pastil rt>- (Cf. Psalm 74. 1; 78, 70.)