178 the earth melted. 7. Jehovah of armies is with us: the God
COMMENTARY ON PSALMS - VOLUME 2 than to preserve us uninjured. Moreover, although God does not always hasten immediately to our aid, according to the importunity of our desires, yet he will always come to us seasonably, so as to make apparent the truth of what is elsewhere said, "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep," (Psalm 121:4.)
Psalm 46:6-11
6. The peoples raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice 178 the earth melted. 7. Jehovah of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah. 8. Come ye, consider the works of Jehovah, what desolations 179 he hath made in the earth. 9. He maketh battles to cease even to the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, he cutteth in pieces the spear; he burneth the chariots with fire. 180 10. Be still 181 and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth 182 11. Jehovah of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah.
6 The peoples raged Since the Church of God is never without enemies, and these very powerful, and such as consequently fight against her with "At the looking forth of the morning; that is, as the Greek explaineth it, 'very early;' when the morning peereth or showeth the face." — Ainsworth. "As soon as the morning appears [or shows] its face; i.e., God will come very early to her succor, before any enemy is awakened to annoy her." — Mudge. "Before the dawn of the morning; i.e., with the utmost readiness and alacrity. The expression is borrowed from the conduct of a person who, in his anxiety to accomplish a favorite object, engages in it earlier than men ordinarily would. Jeremiah 7:13; and 7:25." — French and Skinner.
"C'est, fait resonner." — Fr. marg. "That is, made to resound."
"Ou, quels deserts." — Fr. marg. "Or, what deserts."
There is probably here an allusion to the ancient custom of collecting the arms and armor of the vanquished into a heap, and setting it on fire. The image is employed to express complete victory, and a perfect establishment of peace. This custom prevailed among the Jews, and the first instance of it which we meet with is in Joshua 11:6. It is also referred to in the description of the judgments of God upon Gog, Ezekiel 39:8-10. This was also a Roman custom. Virgil alludes to it in Aeneid, lib. 8, 50, 560. A medal struck by Vespasian the Roman emperor to commemorate the termination of his wars both in Italy and through all parts of the world, represents the Goddess of Peace holding an olive-branch with one hand, and in the other a lighted torch, with which she sets fire to a heap of armor.
"Ou, arrestez, demeurez coy." — Fr. marg. "Or, stop, be quiet."
"Par toute la terre." — Fr. "Through all the earth."