صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني
[blocks in formation]

3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my = path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. 4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

5 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

[recollected.

my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

7 Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee,

.9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake for thy righteousness" sake bring my soul out of trouble.

EXPOSITION.

(D) Prayer, the psalmist's resource in trouMe-This is a prayer of David "when he was in the cave; most probably of Adullam, whither he fled when in danger, both from Saul and from the Philistines. (1 Sam. xxii. 1.) He was then, doubtless, in a state of utter destitution and of extreme danger; when, at times, he was probably obliged escape alone and unattended, and when

to

[blocks in formation]

NOTES.

PSALM CXLII. Title-Maschil. The term will be found explained in title of Ps. xxxii; " instructive," or giving instruction," as the margin reads. Ver. 1. I cried - Bp. Horne, "I will cry." The Hebrew language baving no present tense, frequent

uses the preter and future promiscuously for it; Bp. Herne therefore renders this psalm wholly in the present tense, except the two first verses: but the general current of translators, from Ainsworth to Bathroyd, render it as ours have done, and we think Jasly; for we consider it as a recollection of the substance of the prayers which he offered to God while in the cave, though it is not to be supposed that he had the opportunity there to write them

Ver. 4. I looked on my right hand-Marg." Look on my right band and see," but we prefer the text.

-Refuge failed-Heb. "Perished from me."No man cared-Heb. "Sought after my soul." Ver. 7. Bring my soul out of prison- that is, the cave in which he was environed.- -Shall compass me about-that is, surround me with congratulations.

PSALM CXLIII. Ver. 3. As those that have been long dead-Ainsworth, "Dead for ever," or "of old," the giants of the antediluvian world. See Note on Job xxvi. 5.

Ver. 7. Lest I be like-Marg. "For I am become like," &c.

Ver. 9. I flee unto thee, &c.-Ainsworth," Unto thee I fly for covert."

Ver. 10. Thy spirit is good, lead me, &c.-Or, "Let thy good spirit lead me,"Ainsworth & Horne.

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

[and prayer.

8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.

11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.

13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:

14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.

15 Happy is that people, that is in

EXPOSITION.

In thy

(E) A Prayer of David for pardon and grace. Notwithstanding the manner in which David (like Job) maintains his own integrity, it is abundantly evident that he looked not to be saved by his own merits, but by the mercy of God, and through the future sacrifice of the Messiah. sight (says he,) shall no man living be justified;" which words are quoted by St. Paul, in his celebrated Epistle to the Romans, (chap. iii. 20.) in favour of the Christian doctrine of salvation by faith alone, (i. e. without any claim of merit on our part;) indeed, nothing can be more inconsistent, than to plead our own merits while we pray for mercy.

There are few of David's psalms, in which he does not complain of enemies, many of them arising from the eminence of his situation, and others sent as the punishment of his sins. (2 Sam. xii. 10.) Our situation may be materially different from his, but there are none of us without our enemies, against which we have the need of divine aid; but especially do we need the teaching and quickening influ ences of God's Holy Spirit, for which the psalmist here prays

"Teach me to do thy holy will,
And lead me to the heav'nly hill;
Let the good Spirit of thy love
Conduct me to thy courts above.”

Watts.

NOTES.

PSALM CXLIV. Ver. 1. The Lord my strength -Heb. "My rock."

Ver. 2. My goodness-Marg. "Mercy;" i. e. the source of it: but there seems great probability that we should read with the Syriac, "My fortress," as in Ps. xviii. 1. the words being very similar in Hebrew. So Drs. Dureli and Boothroyd.-My people-"The peoples;" i. e. his enemies. So Dathe, and Boothroyd.

Ver. 3. Lord, what is man!-See Psalm viii. 4; xxxix. 5, 6,

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The greatness]

PSALMS.

[blocks in formation]

[of God celebrated.

8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

EXPOSITION.

(F) Another Psalm of David, uniting prayer and praise.-Bishop Horne supposes this psalm was composed soon after he ascended the throne, when he was deeply engaged in military affairs, in which, as he had the sanction of the Almighty, so was he authorized in looking to him for wisdom to direct him, and for strength to support him; in addition to which he implores the aid of storm and tempest, which on former occasions had been afforded to Israel against their enemies. (1 Sam.

vii. 10.)

David then goes on to pray for national prosperity that the youth might shoot up like plants-strong and hale; that the maidens might be furnished with every attractive accomplishment; that their gra

naries might be filled with corn, and their pastures with sheep; their oxen or bullocks, strong to labour, and no complaining in the streets for want of work or food. "The psalmist concludes," as is remarked by Bishop Horne," with pronouncing the happiness of the Israelites, when in the state of prosperity above described, and their far greater happiness in 'having Jehovah for their God; who, by settling them in peaceful possession of the land of Canaan and the Jerusalem below, gave them a pledge and foretaste of that love, which stood engaged by covenant to bring them and us to his everlasting rest in the Jerusalem above."

"O happy we, while thus our race The signals of thy love shall grace! O blest the people that in thee,

Their God and faithful guardian see!" Merrick.

NOTES.

PSALM CXLV. Title-An hymn. This is the same word which, in the plural, is applied to the whole book of psalms, Tehillim. This is also one

the psalms called alphabetical, but defective in The verse which should begin with the letter Nun; but this verse is supplied by the LXX, between Verses 13 and 14; viz." The Lord is faithful ir all his words; and holy (or merciful) in all his works." The same verse is found also in the Syriac, Vulgate, Arabic, Ethiopic, and at least one MS. and there could be no danger in supplying it, as the senti ment repeatedly occurs in this book of psalms.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. (G)

[blocks in formation]

[of the righteous.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in a the LORD his God:

6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the

[blocks in formation]

EXPOSITION.

(G) David praises God for what he is in himself, and to his people.-This and the following Psalms contain pure unmingled praises, without any alloy of complaint or mourning.

"The greatness' of Jehovah, whether we consider it as relating to his essence or his works, is never to be fully compre hended by his saints, whose delight it is to contemplate the breadth, and length, and depth, and height,' (Ephes. iii. 18.) the extent and duration of his being and his kingdom; the profundity of his counsels, and the sublimity of his power and glory. These are the inexhaustible subjects of divine meditation transmitted from age to age. And as the greatness of God our Saviour hath no bounds, so his praises should have no end; nor should the voice of thanksgiving ever cease in the church. As one generation' drops it,' another' should take it up, and prolong the delightful strain, till the sun and the moon shall withdraw their light, and the stars fall extinguished from their orbits." (Bp. Horne.) The tender mercies" of God, "are

[ocr errors]

over all his works," and especially every species of intelligent and even sentient creatures; for "he openeth his hand, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing." (ver. 16.) This tender mercy of God, however, must not be abused or trifled with; nor must we suppose that impenitence or obstinate rebellion will always go unpunished. "Thinkest thou, O man! that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance, and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds!" (Rom. ii. 4—6.)

PSALM CXLVI.

(H) The psalmist exhorts all men to praise God.-This psalm, and the four following, both begin and end with "Hallelujah." and might, therefore, have formed another great Hallel. (See Expos. Ps. cxiii.) The time and occasion of this psalm are

NOTES.

Ver. 17. Holy-Marg. " Merciful," or bountiful. PSALM CXLVI. Ver. 3. Put not your trust, &c.-See Ps. cxviii. 6, 7.-No help-Marg "No

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

Praise for]

PSALM CXLVII.

PSALMS.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

[national mercies.

of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy. children within thee.

14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.

20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD. (I)

EXPOSITION.

alike unknown, but the sense is easy and incontrovertible. The great lessons here inculcated are, the vanity of man and the folly of trusting in him; the power and goodness of God, and the safety of conbling in his promises. Man is vain and his breath is fleeting. We have seen men of the most restless ambition, full of schemes of aggrandizement, and surrounded with flatterers, cut off in a moment, and sent down to the silent dust. Their breath and their soul bave at once departed: the former to evaporate in air; the latter to appear before "God the judge of all," whose reign, like his Being, is for ever and

[blocks in formation]

NOTES.
Heb.

PSALM CXLVII. Ver. 5. Is infinite "Without number;" i. e. the things which he understandeth. Dathe.

Ver. 9. Be giveth, &c-See Ps. civ. 27, 28.

Ver. 10. The legs of a man-Either for swiftness in reming, or strength in wrestling; for both running and wrestling were practised in the armies of the ancients. Or the horse and man may be put for cavalry and infantry.

[ocr errors]

Ver. 14. He maketh peace, &c. - Heb. "Who maketh thy borders peace."-Finest-Heb. "Fat of the wheat." See Dent. xxxii. 14. Ver. 16. Like ashes-That is, wood ashes, which are generally white.

Ver. 17. Like morsels-That is, fragments of ice. See Expos. of Josh. x. 1–14. Also Note on Ps.: lxxviii. 47.

Ver. 18. Which (they) shall not pass.

« السابقةمتابعة »