Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Ntijligent Judges Reproved. PSALMS LXXXIII-LXXXYII. Blessedness of God's Service.
36.8; 46.4). 7. The figure of the pilgrim is carried out. As such daily refit tlieir bodily strength till they reach Jerusalem, so the spiritual worshipper is daily supplied with spiritual strength by God's grace till he appears before God in heaven, appeareth . . . God—tiie terms of tlie requisition for the attendance on tlie feasts (cf. Deuteronomy 16. 16). 9. God is addressed as a shield (cf. v.W). thine anointed— David (1 Samuel 16.12). 10. I had . . . doorkeeper lit., I choose to sit on the threshold, the meanest place. 11, 13. As a sun God enlightens (Psalm
1. congregation—(Cf. Exodus 12.3; 16. 1.) of the mtglity
—i.e.. of God, of His appointment, the gods—or judges (Exodus 21. 6; 22. 9), God's representatives, a. accept the persons— take or lift up the faces, i. e., from dejection, or admit to favour and communion, regardless of merit (Leviticus 19. 15; Proverbs 18.5). 3,4. .So must good judges act (Psalm 10. U; 29. 12). poor and needy—(Of. Psalm 34.
10; 41.1.) 5. By the wilful ignorance and negligence of judges, anarchy ensues (Psalm 11. 3; 75. 3). out of conrse —(Cf. Margin; Psalm 9.6; G2. 2.) 6,7. Though God admitted their official dignity (John 10. 34), He reminds them of their mortality, fall like, &c.—be cut off suddenly (Psalm 20.8; 91.7). 8. As rightful sovereign of
27. 1); as a shield, protects. Grace is God's favour, its fruit —glory the honour He bestows, uprightly—(Psalm 15. 2;
18. 23.) that trusteth—constantly. earth, God Is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives.
PSALM LXXXV.
Ver. 1-13. On the ground of former mercies, the Psalm-
PSALM LXXXIII. ist prays for renewed blessings, and, confidently expecting them, rejoices.
Ver. 1-18. 0/^«apA—(Cf. Psalm 74., title.) The historical occasion is probably that of 2 Chronicles 20. 1, 2 (cf. Psalms
1. captivity—not necessarily the Babylonian, but any great evil (Psalm 14. 7). 8, 3—(Cf. Psalm 32. 1-5.) To turn from the fierceness, &c., implies that He was reconcilable, though (4-7) having still occasion for the anger which in deprecated, draw out—or, prolong (Psalm 36. 10). 8. He
47., 48). After a general petition, the craft and rage of the combin.ed enemies are described, God's former dealings recited, and a like summary and speedy destruction on tiiem is invoked.
1. God addressed as indifferent (cf. Psalm 35.22 ; 39.12). be not still—lit. , not quiet, as opposed to action. 3. thine enemies—as well as ours (Psalm 74. 23 ; Isaiah 37. 23). 3. hidden ones—whom God specially protects (Psalm 27.5; is confident God will favour His penitent people (Psaliu
51. 17 ; SO. 18). saints—as Psalm 4.3, the "godly." 9. They are here termed "them that fear him;" and grace produces glory (Psalm 84. 11). 10. God's promises of mercy will be verified by His truth (cf. Psalm 25. 10; 40. 10; and the "work of righteousness" in His holy government shall be " peace" (Isaiah 32.17). There is an implied contrast with a dispensation under which God's truth sustains His threatened wrath, and His righteousness inflicts misery on the wicked. 11. Eartli and heaven shall abound with the blessings of this government; 13-13, and, under this, the deserted land shall be productive, and men be set, or guided in God's holy ways. Doubtless, in this description of God's returning favour, the writer had in view that more glorious period, when Christ shall establish His government on God's reconciled justice and abounding mercy.
91. 1). i. from being a nation—utter destruction (Isaiali
7.8; 23.1). Israel—here used for Judah, having been tlie common name. 5. they have consulted with heart, or cordially, togetlxer — all alike. 6-8. tabernacles — for people (Psalm 78.67). they—all these united with the children of Lot, or Ammonites and Moabites (cf. 2 Chronicles 20. 1). 9-11. Compare the similar fate of these (2 Chronicles 20. 23) with that of the foes mentioned in .Tudges 7. 22, here referred to. They destroyed one another (Judges 4. (}-24 ; 7. 25). Human remains form manure (cf.
2 Kings 9. 37; Jeremiah 9. 22). 13. The language of the invaders. Iiouses— residences, enclosures, as for flocks (Psalm 65. 12\ of God—as tlie proprietors of the land (2 Chronicles 20.11; Isaiah 14.25). 13. like a wlieel— or whirling of any light thing (Isaiah 17. 13), as stubble or chaff (I'salm 1.4). 14,15. Pursue them to an utter destruction. 10. tliat they may seek—or as v. 18, supply "men," since v. 17, 18 amplify tlie sentiment of v. 16, expressing more fully the measure of destruction, and the lesson of God's being and perfections (cf. 2 Clironlcles 20.
PSALM LXXXVI.
Ver. 1-17. Tills is a prayer In which the writer, with deep emotion, mingles petitions and praises, now urgent for help, and now elated with hope, in view of former mercies. The occurrence of many terms and phrases peculiar to David's Psalms clearly Intimates its authorship.
1, 3. poor and needy—a suffering child of God, as Psalm
10. I'2, 17 ; 18. 27. I am holy—or, godly, as Psalm 4. 3; 85. 8. 4. lift up my soul—with strong desire (Psalm 2.5. 1). 5-7. unto nil . . . that call upon thee—or, worship thee (Psalm
29) taught to all men. PSALM LXXXIV.
Ver. 1-12. Cf. on titles of Psalms 8., 42. The writer describes the desirableness of God's worship, and prays for a lestoration to its privileges.
50. 15; 91. 15) however undeserving (Exodus 34.6; Leviticus
11.9-13.) 8. neither. . . worlta—lit., nothiiig like thy tvorks, the gods have none at all. 9, 10. The pious Jews believed that God's common relation to all would be ultimately acknowledged by all men (Psalm 4.5. 12-16; 47. 9). 11. Tench—Show, point out. the way—of I'rovldence. walk in thy tnith—according to Its declarations, unite my lienrt— 11.x all niy affections (Psalm 12.2; James 4. 8). to fear tliy name—(cf. v. 12) to honour thy perfections. 13, 14. The roa.son : God had delivered him from death and the power of insolent, violent, and godless persecutors (Psalm 51.3; Ezeklel 8.12). 15. Contrasts God with his enemies (cf. v. 5). 10. son . . . handmaid—home-born servant (cf. Luke 15. 17). 17. Show me—/i7.. Make with me a token, by thy jirovldentlal care. Thus Inand by hlsprosperlty his enemies would be confounded.
1. amiable — not lovely, but beloved, tabernacles (Psalm 43. 3.) 3. longetli—most Intensely (Genesis 31. 30; P.salm 17. 12). falntetii—exhausted with desire, coui-tji —as tabernacles {v. 1)—the whole building, crieth out. lit., slnys for joy ; but here, and Lamentations 2.19, expresses an act of sorrow as the corresponding noun (Psalm 17.1; 61.2). heart and . . . flesh—as Psalm 63.1. 3. tliine altars— i. c, of burnt offering and Incense, usei.1 for the whole tal)ernacle. Its structure afforded facilities for sparrows and swallows to Indulge their known predilections for such places. Some understand the statement as to the birds as a comparison: "as they find homes, so do I desire thine altars," Ac. 4. This view Is favoured by the langu.tgo here, whl(?h, as Psalm 15.1; PSALM LXXXVII. Ver. 1-7. This triumphal song was probably occasioned by the same event as the 46th. The writer celebrates tlio glory of the Church, as the means of spiritual blessing to the nation. a!, 6, recognizes the blessing of membership In God's family by terms denoting a dwelling in His house. 5. (Cf. Pnalm 68. 28.) in wliose lieart . . . ways— ^i. e., who knows and loves the way to God's favour (Proverbs 16. 17; Isaiah 40.3,4). 0. valley of Baca—or weeping. Througli such, hy reason of their <lry and barren condition, tlio worshippers often had to pass to Jeru.salem. As they mlglit become wells, or fountains, or pools, supplied by refreshing rain, so the grace of God, by the exercises of His worship, relreslies and revives the hearts of Ills people, MO that for sorrows they have "rivers of delight" (Psalm
I. Ills (i. c, God's) foundation—or, what Helms founded, t. c, ZIon (Isaiah 14. .'12). is in the holy mountains—th« location of Zlon, in the wide sense, for the capital, or Jerusalem, being on several hills. 3. nates—for the enclosures, or city to which they opened (Psalm 9. 14 ; 122. 3; cf. Psalm 13'2. 13, 11). 3. spvken of (or in) tlute—<. e,, llio