Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
A Complaint in Distress, PSALMS LXXXVIII—XC. Praise to God /or Hk Favour, mighty and unstable object in nature), and of Egypt (Psalm 87. 4), the first great foe of Israel (subjected to utter helplessness from pride and insolence), are specimens. At the same time, the whole frame of nature founded and sustained by Him, Tabor and Hermon lor east and west, and " north and sorfth," together rejjresenting the whole world, declare the same truth as to His attributes, rejoice in thy name—praise thy perfections by their very existence. 15. His government of rigliteousness is served by mercy and truth as ministers (Psalm 85.
city of God (Psalm 46. i; 4S. 2). 4. This is what is spoken l)y God. to tlteni . . . me lit., for viy knowers, they are true worshippers (Psalm 36. 10; Isaiah 19.21). These are w)e/i<io»ec< as specimens. Tills (j. e., nation) . . . was born (Uert;—Of each it is said, "This icas born, or is a native of Zion, spiritually." 5. The writer resumes—This and that man— man and man, or many (Genesis U. 10; Exodus b. 10, 11), or all (Isaiah U. 5; Galatians 3. 2S). the Highest. . her—God is lier protector. 6. The same idea is set fortli under the figure of a register made by God (cf. Isaiah
10-13). know the joyfwil sound—understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts to which the people were called by the trumpet (Leviticus 2.5.
4.8). 7. As in a great procession of those thus written vp, or I'egisteied, seeking Zion (Isaiah 2.3; Jeremiah 50.5), tlie singers and players, or pipers, shall precede, all my springs—so each sliall say, "All my sources of spiritual joy are in thee" (Psalm 16. i ; 84. 6). PSALM LXXXVIII.
9, ifec). walk . . . countenance—live in His favour (Psalm
4. 6; 44. 3). 16, 17. iii [or, by] thy righteousness—thy faithful just rule, glory [or, beauty] of their strength they shall be adorned as well as protected, our hornexalt our power (Psalm 75. 10; Luke 1. 69). 18. (Cf. Margin.) Thus is introduced the promise to "our shield," "our king," David. 19-37. Then—When the covenant w:is established, of whose execution the exalted views of God now given furnish assurance, thou ... to thy Holy One—or godly saint, object of favour (Psalm 4. 3). Nathan
Ver. 1-18. Upon Mahalath—either an instrument, as a lute, to be used as an accompaniment, Leannoth, for singing, or, as others think, an enigmatic title (cf. Psalm 5. 22 and 15., titles), denoting tlie subject i. e., " sickness or disease, for liumbling," the idea of spiritual maladies being often represented by disease (cf. Psalm 6. 5, 6 ; 22. 11, 15, &c.). On the other terms (cf. Psalm 42. 32) Heman and Ethan (Psalm 89., title) were David's singers (1 Chronicles 6. 18,33; is meant (2 Samuel 7. 17; 1 Chronicles 17. 3-15). laid help
—lit., given help. David was chosen and then exalted. 20. 1 have found—having sought and then selected him (1 Samuel 16. 1-6), ai, will protect and sustain (Isaiah 41. 10), 33-35, by restraining and conquering his enemies, and performing my gracious purpose of extending liis dominion—hand [and] right hand—power (Psalm 17. 7 ; OQ. 5). sea, and . . . rivers—limits of his empire (Psalni 72. 8). 36, 37. first born—one who is chief, most beloved or distinguished (Exodus 4. 22; Colossians 1. 15). In God's sight and purposes he was the first among all monarchs, and specially .so in his tyjjical relation to Christ. 38-37. This relation is perpetual with David's descendants, as a whole typical in official position of his last greatest descendant. Hence though in personal relations an5' of them might be faithless and so punished, their typical relation shall continue. His oath confirms his promise, and the most enduring objects of earth and heaven illustrate
15. 17), of the family of Kohath. If the persons alluded to (1 Kings 4. 31 ; 1 Chronicles 2. 6), they were probably adopted into the tribe of Judah. Though called a song, which usually implies joy (Psalm 83. 1), both the style and matter of the Psalm are very despondent; yet the appeals to God evince faith, and we may suppose that the word song might be extended to such compositions.
1, a. Cf. on the terms used, Psalm 22. 2; 31. 2. 3. grave
—lit., /leM (Psalm 16. 10), death in wide sense. 4. go . . . pit—of destruction (Psalm 28. 1). asaman— a stouiman, whose strength is utterly gone. 5. Free . . . dead—Cut oft' from God's care, as are the slain, who, falling under His wrath, are left, no longer sustained by His hand. 6. Similar figures for distress in Psalm 63. 9; 69. 3. 7. Cf. Psalm 38. 2, on first, and Psalm 42. 7, on last clause. 8. Both cut otr from sympathy and made hateful to friends (I'salm 31. 11). 9. mine eye moiimeth—Ji, decays, or /aii?, denoting exhaustion (Psalm 6. 7 ; 31. 9). I . . . called —(Psalm 86. 5, 7). stretched ont—for help (Psalm 44. 20). 10. shall the dead [the remains of ghosts] arise—Ki., rise up, i.e., as dead persons. 11, I'Z amplify the foregoing, the whole purport (as Psalm 6.5) being to contrast death and life as seasons for praising God. 13. prevent—meet —I. e., he will diligently come before God for help (Psalm its perpetual force (Psalm 72. 5, 7, 17). by my holiness—as a holy God. once—one thing (Psalm 27. 4). that I will not \le—lit., if I lie—part of the form of swearing (1 Samuel 24.
6; 2 Samuel 3. 35). It shall . . . moon . . . heaven— "As the moon, and the witness in the sky is sure, i. e., the moon." 38-53 present a striking contrast to these glowing promises, in mournful evidences of a loss of God's favour. 38. cast off—and rejected (cf. Psalm 15. 4; 43. 2; 44.
9). 39. An insult to the crown, as of Divine origin, was a profanation. 40-45. The ruin is depicted under several figures-a vineyard whose broken hedges, and a stronghold whose ruins invite spoilers and invaders; a warrior, whose enemies are aided by God, and whose sword' n edge
18.41). 14. On the terms (Psalm 27. 9; 74. 1; 77.7). 15. from. . . youth up—all my life. With 16, 17 the extremes of anguish and despair are depicted. 18. Into darkness Better omit "into"—mine acquaintances (are) darkness, the gloom of death, &c. (Job 17. 13, 14).
—lit., rock or strength (Joshua 5. 2) is useless; and a youth prematurely old. days of his youth—or, youthful vigour, i. e., of the royal line, or promised perpetual kingdom, under the figure of a man. 4G. How long! &c.—(Cf. Psalm 13. 1; 88. 14; Jeremiah 4. 4.) 47. These expostulations are excited in view of the Identity of the prosperity of this kingdom with the welfare of all mankind (Genesis 22. 18; Psalin 72. 17; Isaiah 9. 7; 11. 1-10); for
PSALM LXXXIX. Ver.l-^2. O/^Cftan—(see Psalm 88., title). ThePsalmwas composed during some season of great national distress, perhaps Absalom's rebellion. It contrasts the promised prosperity and perpetuity of David's throne (with reference to the great promise of 2 .Samuel 7.), with a time when God appeared to have forgotten His covenant. The picture til us drawn may typify the promises and the adversities of Christ's kingdom, and the terms of confiding appeal to God provided appropriate prayers for the Divine aid and promised blessing.
if sucli is the fate of this chosen royal line. 48. What mau—lit., strong man—s?iall live? and, indeed, have not all men been made in vain, as to glorifying God? 49-51. The terms of expostulation are used in view of the actual appearance that God had forsaken His people and forgotten His promise, and the plea for aid is urged in view .of the reproaches of His and His people's enemies (cf. Isaiah
1. mercies—those promised (Isaiah .55. 3; Acts 13. 34), and —faithfulness i. e., in fulfilling them. 2. I have said— expressed, lus well as felt, my convictions (2 Corinthians.37. 17-35). bear In my bosom—as feeling the aflllctioii of the people (Psalm 69. 9). footsteps—ways (Psalm 5(i. 6). Blessed, &c.—denotes returning confidence (I'salm 31. 13) Amen, and Amen—closes the third book of Psalms.
4. 11). 3, 4. The object of this faith expressed in God's words (2 Samuel 7. 11-16). with [or lit., to] my chosen—as the covenant is In the form of a promise. 6, 7. This is worthy of our belief, for His faithfulness (Is praised) by the congregation of saints or holy ones, i. e., angels (cf. Dt uteronomy .33.2; Daniel 8. 13). sons qf . . . mighty—
PSALM XC.
(cf. Psalm 29. 1.) Ho Is He to be admired on earth. 8-14. To Illustrate His power and faithfulness examples are cited from history His control of the sea (the most
Ver. 1-17. Contrasting man's frailty with God's eternity, the writer mourns over -it as the punishment of sin. and prays for a return of the Divine favour. A Prayer [mainly