Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Exhortations to Praise God. PSALMS CXXXV—CXLII. David's Confidence in God,
God in their name and that of the people, using appropriate gestures, to wliich the priests reply, pionouncing the Mosaic blessing wliicli they alone could pronounce. A fit epilogue to the whole pilgrim-book, Psalms 120.-134.
people (Psalm 9_I3). Tbeir destruction had been abundantly foretold (Isaiah 13.14; Jeremiah 51. 23). For the terribleness of tliat destruction, God's righteous judgment, and not the passions of tlie chafed Israelites, was responsible.
3. After the manner directed (Numbers 6. 23). by niglit —the ei'e/ii'rtig' service (Psalm l-ll. 2), as opposed to morning (Psalm 92. 2). lift up your hands—(Cf. Psalm 28. 2.) out of Zioii—the Church, as His residence, and thus seat of blessings. Thus close the songs of degrees.
PSALM CXXXVIII.
Ver. 1-8. David thanks God for His benefits, and anticipating a wider extension of God's glory by His means, assures himself of His continued presence and faithfulness.
PSALM CXXXV.
1. (Cf. Psalm 9. 1.) before the gods— whether angels (Psalm 8. 5); or princes (Exodus 21. 6; I'salm 82. 6); or idols (Psalm 97. 7); denotes a readiness to worship tlie true God alone, and a contempt of all other objects of worship. 3.
Ver. 1-21. A Psalm of praise, In which God's relations to His Church, His power in the natural world, and in delivering His people, are contrasted with the vanity of idols and idol worship.
(Cf. Psalm 5. 7.) thy word above all thy name i. e., God's promise (2 Samuel 7.), sustained by His mercy and truth, exceeded all other manifestations of Himself as subject of praise. 3-3. That promise, as an answer to his prayers in distress, revived and strengthened his faith, and, as the basis of other revelations of the Messiali, will l)e the occasion of praise by all who hear and receive it (Psalm
1-3. In tlie general call for praise, the priests, that stand in the house of the Lord, are specially mentioned. 4-7. God's choice of Israel is the first reason assigned for rendering praise; the next. His manifested greatness in creation and providence, heaven, and . . . seas, and all. . . ends of the earth—denote universality. 8, 9. The last plague is cited to illustrate His " tokens and wonders." 10-13. The conquest of Canaan was by God's power, not that of the people, heritage—or, possession. 13. name [and] memorial—Each denote that by which God is made known. 14. will judge—do justice (Psalm 72. 2). repent himself—change his dealings (Psalm 90. 13). 15-18—(Cf. Psalm 11.5. 4-8.) are like unto them—or, shall be like, &c. Idolaters become spiritually stupid, and perish with their idols (Isaiah 1. 31). 19-ai—(Cf. Psalm 115. 9-11.) There we nave trust lor bless here, out of Zlon—(Cf. Psalm 110.2;
68. 29, 31 ; Isaiah 4. 3). for great (is) tlie glory—or, when the glory shall be great, in God's fulfilling His purposes of redemption. 6, 7. On this general principle of God's government (Isaiah 2. H; 57. 15; 66.2), he relies for God's favour in saving him, and overthrowing his enemies, knoweth afar off—their ways and deserts (Psalm 1. 6). 8. God will fulfil His promise. PSALM CXXXIX.
Ver. 1-24. After presenting the sublime doctrines of God's omnipresence and omniscience, the Psalmist appeals to Him, avowing his innocence, his abhorrence of the wicked, .and his ready submission to the closest scrutiny. Admonition to the wicked and comfort to the pious are alike implied inferences from these doctrines.
131. 3.) From tTie Churcli, as a centre. His praise Is diffused throughout the earth.
PSALM CXXXVI.
Ver. 1-26. The theme is the same as tliat of 135th. God should be praised for His works of creation and providence, His deliverance and care of His people, and judgments on their enemies, and His goodness to all. The chorus to everj' verse is in terras of that of Psalm 106. 1;
PSALM CXL.
Ver. 1-13. The style of this Psalm resembles those of David in the former part of the book, presenting tlie usual complaint, prayer, and confident hope of relief.
118. 1-1, and was perhaps used at the Amen by the people. In worship (cf. 1 Chronicles 16. 36; Psalm 105. 45). 1-3. The Divine titles denote supremacy. 4. alone excluding all help. 5, 6. by for, in] wisdom—(Psalm 104.
1. evil man—which of David's enemies is meant is not important. 3-5. This character of the wicked, and the devices planned against the pious, correspond to Psalm 10.7; 31.13; 58. 4, &c. sharpened . . . like a serpent—not like a serpent does, but they are thus like a serpent ill cunning and venom. sna.re (and) net,—for threatening dangers (cf. Psalm 38. 12 ; 57. 6). 6. (Cf. Psalm 5. 1-12 ; 16. 2). I. day of battle— 6/ armour, i. e., when using it. 8.
24). made lit., maker of. above [or, higher than] the waters—^Psalm 24. 2.) 13. Cf. similar expressions (Exodus 3.20; Deuteronomy 4. 34, &c.}. 15. overthrew lit., shook off, as Exodus 14. 27, as a contemptuous rejection of a reptile. !43. remembered ug— or, for us (Psalm 132. 1). our low estate— i. e., captivity. 24. And hath redeeme«l
(Cf. Psalm 37. 12; 66.7.) lest they exalt themselves—or, they will be exalted if permitted to prosper. 9. Contrasts his head covered by God (v. 7) with tlieirs, or (as head may be used for persons) with them, covered with tlie results of their wicked deeds (Psalm 7. 16). 10. (Cf. Psalm
[or, ^(7., snaZc/ted ] us—alluding to the sudden deliverance effected l)y the overthrow of Babylon. 35. To the special favours to His people is added the record of God's goodness to all His creatures (cf. Matthew 6. 30). 36. God of heaven—occurs but once (Jonah 1. 9) before the captivity. It is used by the later writers as specially distinguishing God from idols.
II. 6; 120. 4.) To cast into flre and deep j>(<*, figures for utter destruction. 11. an evil speaker—or, slanderer will not be tolerated (Psalm 101. 7). The last clause may be translated: "aw evil (man) He (God) shall hunt," &c, 13. (Cf Psalm 9. 4.) 13. Alter all changes, the righteous shall have cause for praise. Such shall dwell, or sit securely, under God's protection (Psalm 21. 6 ; 41. 12). PSALM CXLT.
PSALM CXXXVII.
Ver. 1-9. This Psalm records the mourning of the captive Israelites, and a prayerand prediction respecting the destruction of their enemies.
1. rivers of Babylon—The name of the city used for the whole country, remembered Zion — or, Jerusalem, as Psalm 132. 13. 3. iipon tlie willows—which may have grown there then, if not now; as the palm, which was once common, is now rare in Palestine. 3, 4. Whether the re(iuest was in curiosity or derision, the answer intimates that a compliance was incongruous with their mournful feelings (Proverbs 2.5. 20). 5, G. For joyful songs would imply forgetfulness of their desolated homes and fallen Church. The solemn imprecations on the "hand'' Bnd "tonf/i/c," if thus forgetful, relate to the cunning or Kklll in playing, and the power of singing. 7-9. Remember . . . the cliildren of Edom—(Cf. Psalm 132. 1), i. e., to piinlsh. tl»e day of .Tenisalem—Its downfall (Lamenta-
Ver. I-IO. This Psnlm evinces its authorship as the preceding, by its structure and the character of its contents.
It is a prayer tor deliverance from sins to which affliction tempted him, and from the enemies who caused it.
PSALM CXLII.
Ver. 1-7. Maschil—tct Psalm 32., title). When he ivas in the cave, either of Adullam (1 Samuel 2-2. I), or FIn-gedi fl Samuel 24. 3). This does not mean that the Psalm was composed in the cave, but that the precarious mo<ie of l!1e, of which his refuge in caves was a striking illustiatioa, occasioned the coni))laint, which constitutes the first part of the Psalm, and lurnishes tlie reason for the praverwltfc
•I. ins 1.21, 22; Obadlah 11-13). daughter of Babylon—tlie