Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Tht Virtue of God's Slessi'ng. PSALMS CXXVII—CXXXIV. David's Zealous Care Jar the ArJt, tlint gottU fortU lit., better, "He goes— he comes, he comes," (.tc. The repetition implies there is no end of weeping liere, as there sliall be no end of joy hereafter (Isaiah 10). precious seed—rather, seed to be drawn from the seed-box for sowing; lit., seed-draught. Cf. on this r.'^alm, Jerjemiah 31. 9, <&c.
PSALM CXXXI.
Ver. 1-.3. This Psalm, while expressive of David's piona feelings on assuming the royal oltice, teaches the humble, submissive temper of a true child of God.
1. eyes lofty—a sign of pride (Psalm 18. 27). exercisn myself—lit., walk in, or meddle with. 2. sni-ely, &e.—Tho form is thatof an oath or strongest assertion. Submission
PSALM CXXVII. is denoted by the figure of a weaned child. As the chi-M weaned by his mother from the breast, so I still the motions of pride in me (Matthew 18.3,4; Isaiah 11.8; 28.9). Hebrew children were often not weaned till three years old. Soul may be taken for desire, which gives a more definite sense, though one Included in the idea eonvej'eiJ by the usual meaning, myself.
Ver. l-.'j. The theme of this Psalm, that human enterprises only succeed by the Divine blessing, was probably associated with the building of the temple by Solomon, its author. It may have been adopted in this view, as suited to this series especially, as appropriately expressing the sentiments of God's worshippers in relation to the erection of the second temple.
PSALM CXXXII.
I, 'i suggest the view of the theme given, so lie givefli
Ills beloved sleep—i. e.. His providential care gives sleep which no eti'orts of ours can otherwise procure, and this Ver. 1-18. Tlie writer, perhaps Solomon (cf. r. 8, 9), after relating David's pious zeal for God's service, pleads for the fulfilment of the promise (2 Samuel 7. 16), which, providing for a perpetuation of David's kingdom, involved that of God's right worship and the establishment of the greater and spiritual kingdom of David's greater Son. Of Him and His kingdom both the temple and its worship, and the kings and kingdom of Judah, were types. The congruity of such a topic with the tenor of this series of P.salms is obvious. is a reason for trust as to other things (cf. Matthew 6.26-
32). 3-5. Posterity is often represented as a blessing from God (GenosisyO. 2, IS; 1 Samuel 1. 19, 20). Children are represented as the defenders (arrows) of their parents in war, and in litigation. Adversaries in the gate, or place of public business (cf. Job 5. 4 ; Psalm 69. 12). PSALM CXXVIII.
1-5. This vow is not elsewhere recorded. It expresses, in strong language, David's intense desire to see the establishment of God's worship as well as of His kingdom, remember Dnviel lit., remember JonDavid, i. c., all his troubles and anxieties on the matter, habitation- /lY., dwellings, generally used to denote the sanctuary. 0. These may be the " words of David " and his pious friends, who, at Kphratah, or Bethlehem (Genesis 48. 7), where he once lived, may have heard of the a:k, which he found for the first time in the fields of the wood—or, Jair, or A'lVjath-jearim (City of woods) (1 Samuel 7. I ; 2 Samuel B. 3, •!), whence it was brought to Zion. 7. The purpose of engaging in Go<l's worship is avowed. 8, O. The solemn entry of the ark, symbolical of God's presence and power, with the attending priests, into the sanctuary, is pr<H>laluied \n the words used by Solomon (2 Chronicles 6. 41). 10-12. For thy servant David's sake [('. c,On account of the promise made to him] twrn . . . anointed—Repulse not him who, as David's descendant, pleads the promise to perpetuate his royal line. After reciting the promise, substantially from 2 Samuel 7. 12-16 (cf. Acts 2. ;», Ac), an additional plea, 13, is made on the ground of GtKl's choice of ZIon (here used for Jerusalem) as His dwelling, inasmuch as the prosperity of the kingdom was connected with that of the Church (Psalm 122. 8, 9). 14-18. That choice is expressed in God's words, / xi'ill sit or dircll, or sit enthroned. The joy of the people sprtngsfrom the blessings of His grace, conferred through the medium of the priesthood, make the horn ... to bud—enlarge his power, n lamp—the figure of prosperity (Psalm 18. 10, 28; 89. 17). With the confounding of his enemies is united his pro«- pcrlty and the unceasing splendour of his crown.
Ver. 1-6. The temporal blessings of true pietj'. The 8th ch. of Zechariah is a virtual commentary on this Psalm.
Cf. V. .3 with Zechariah 8. 5; and v. 2 with Leviticus 26. 16; Deuteronomy 28.33; Zechariah 8.10; and v. 6 with Zechariah 8. 4.
1. (Cf. Psalm 1. 1.) 2. Kor thou slialt eat-4. e.. It is a blessing to live on the fruits of one's own Industry. 3. by ttte sides—or, within (Psalm 48.2). olive plants—are peculiarly luxuriant (Psalm 52. 8). 5. In temporal blessings the pious do not forget the richer blessings of God's grace, which they shall ever enjoy. 6. Long life crowns all other temporal favours. As Psalm 125. 5, this Psalm closes wi'th a prayer for peace, with prosperity for God's people. PSALM CXXIX.
Ver. 1-8. The people of God, often delivered from enemies, are confident of His favour, by their overthrow in future.
1, 'Z. may Israel now say—or, oh ! let Israel say (Psalm
124. I). Israel's youth was the sojourn in Egypt (Jeremiah
2. 2; Hosea 2. 15). prevailed— been able, i. e., to accomplish their purpose against me (Psalm 13.4). 3,4. The ploughing is a figure of scourging, which most severe physical infliction aptly represents all kinds, the cord.i— /. e., which fasten the plough to the ox; and cutting, this denotes God's arresting the perse<'ution. H, 0. The lll-rooted roof grass, which withers before it grows up, and procures for those gathering It no harvest blessing (Ruth 2. 4), .sets forth the utter uselessness and the rejection of the wicked. PSALM CXXX.
PSALM CXXXIII.
Ver. 1-8; Tlie penitent sinner's hope is in God's mercy only. /
1, 'Z. depths—for great distress (Psalm 40. 2; 69. 3). .1. ghoiildest mark—or, take strict account (Job 10. 14 ; 14. 16), iTnplying a confossion of the existenceof sin. witosliall itand — (lft-;alm 1. 6). iSlanding Is opposed to the gulUy sinking down In fear and self-condemnation (Malaclil
Ver. 1-3. The blessings of fraternal unity.
1, 3. As the fragrant oil Is refreshing, so t his affords delight. The holy anolntlngoll fortlielilgh jirlestwas olive oil mixed with four of the best spices (ICKodus 30. 2'2, 2.5, 30).
Its rich profusion typified the al)undanc(> of the Spirit's
3. 2; Rcvrliil ion 6. 15, 10). The question Implies a negative, whi(di is thus more strongly stated. 4. Pardon prod\ices gra<'es. As tho copious dew, such as fell on Hrrnion, falls
In f«>rtlll/,lng power on the mountains of Zion, so this unity Is fruitful In good woilcs. 3. there—i. <•., In ZIon, the Church; tho material ZIon, blessed with enriching dews, suggests this allusion to the source of the Inllnenoe enjoyed by the spiritual Zion. commanded tlie blessing —(Cf. Psalm 68. 28.) filial fear and love. Judgment without the hope of pardon creates fear and dislike. The sense of forgiveness, so far from producing licentiousness, produces holiness (Jeremiah 3;i. n ; Kzeklel 16. 62, 63 ; 1 Peter 2. 16). " There Is forgiveness with thee, not that thou mnyest be presumed upon, but feared." 5, 0. wait for the Lord— It) expectatl(m (Psjilin 27. 14). Avatch for, &o.— In earnestness and niijclety. 7, S. I>et Israel, Ac1. e.. All arc invited to seek and share Divine forgiveness, from all his Iniquities— oi, punlsluncnts of them (I'salm 10. 12, Ac). 33G
PSALM CXXXIV. Ver 1-3. 1,3. The pilgrim hands arriving at the snno tuary (Mill on the priests, who slanit in Ihe.house of the Lm d at the time of the evening sncrlllco, to unite in praising