_WHY STANDEST THOU AFAR OFF, O LORD? WHY HIDEST THOU THYSELF IN TIMES OF TROUBLE?_ This Psalm differs from those which precede and follow, in having no superscription. The design of the author was that the two Psalms Psalms 9:1; Psalms 10:1 should form two parts of one whole, with one common supersc... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE WICKED IN HIS PRIDE DOTH PERSECUTE THE POOR: LET THEM BE TAKEN IN THE DEVICES THAT THEY HAVE IMAGINED._ The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor. So Lamentations 4:19 uses the same Hebrew verb with the accusative х_ YIDLAQ_ (H1814)]: literally, to be hot, to burn (Psalms 37:1; Psalms 39... [ Continue Reading ]
_FOR THE WICKED BOASTETH OF HIS HEART'S DESIRE, AND BLESSETH THE COVETOUS, WHOM THE LORD ABHORRETH._ For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire. The Hebrew for "heart's" is rather 'soul's х_ NAPSHOW _ (H5315)]. Hengstenberg objects to the English version, that the Hebrew verb х_ HILEEL_ (H1984)]... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE WICKED, THROUGH THE PRIDE OF HIS COUNTENANCE, WILL NOT SEEK AFTER GOD: GOD IS NOT IN ALL HIS THOUGHTS._ The wicked, through the pride of his countenance (literally, the height of his nose) will not seek (after God). So "seek the Lord" is used, Psalms 34:4; Psalms 77:2. The omission of "God," w... [ Continue Reading ]
_HIS WAYS ARE ALWAYS GRIEVOUS; THY JUDGMENTS ARE FAR ABOVE OUT OF HIS SIGHT: AS FOR ALL HIS ENEMIES, HE PUFFETH AT THEM._ His ways are always grievous, х_ YAACHIYLUW_ (H2342) from _ CHUWL_ (H2342), to grieve]. His ways grieve those under his power. It is better, however, to translate, 'His ways are... [ Continue Reading ]
_HE HATH SAID IN HIS HEART, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED: FOR I SHALL NEVER BE IN ADVERSITY._ I shall not be moved - from my present prosperity. FOR (I SHALL) NEVER (BE) IN ADVERSITY - literally, 'as being from generation to generation х_ LªDOR_ (H1755) _ WAADOR_ (H1755)] one who (am) not (and never have... [ Continue Reading ]
_HIS MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND DECEIT AND FRAUD: UNDER HIS TONGUE IS MISCHIEF AND VANITY._ His mouth is full of cursing. The sinner's guilt toward his neighbour, wherein he is confirmed by prosperity, is set forth in respect to his words first; Psalms 10:8 pass on to his deeds. His 'cursings' ar... [ Continue Reading ]
_HE SITTETH IN THE LURKING PLACES OF THE VILLAGES: IN THE SECRET PLACES DOTH HE MURDER THE INNOCENT: HIS EYES ARE PRIVILY SET AGAINST THE POOR._ He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages - ready to waylay, kill, and plunder the peaceable villagers. Here the ideal sinner is represented in a f... [ Continue Reading ]
_HE LIETH IN WAIT SECRETLY AS A LION IN HIS DEN: HE LIETH IN WAIT TO CATCH THE POOR: HE DOTH CATCH THE POOR, WHEN HE DRAWETH HIM INTO HIS NET._ He lieth in wait secretly - Hebrew, 'in the secret places.' AS A LION IN HIS DEN ... HE DOTH CATCH THE POOR, WHEN HE DRAWETH HIM INTO HIS NET. From the i... [ Continue Reading ]
_HE CROUCHETH, AND HUMBLETH HIMSELF, THAT THE POOR MAY FALL BY HIS STRONG ONES._ He croucheth. So the Hebrew Qeri' reads х_ YIDKEH_ (H1794)] without "and." But the Kethibh (written text), reads the copula [wªdaakaah, from _ DAAKAH_ (H1794), the same as daakak], 'And he bows himself down.' This mark... [ Continue Reading ]
_HE HATH SAID IN HIS HEART, GOD HATH FORGOTTEN: HE HIDETH HIS FACE; HE WILL NEVER SEE IT._ He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten - God (saith he in his heart, if not with his lips) forgets alike my sins and the sufferings of my victims. HE HIDETH HIS FACE - so as not to see wrong. HE WI... [ Continue Reading ]
_ARISE, O LORD; O GOD, LIFT UP THINE HAND: FORGET NOT THE HUMBLE._ Arise, O Lord. Here the second part of the psalm begins. The prayer that suggests itself to the believer as the only resource in his perplexity at the success of sinners and the depression of the godly. LIFT UP THINE HAND - to vin... [ Continue Reading ]
_WHEREFORE DOTH THE WICKED CONTEMN GOD? HE HATH SAID IN HIS HEART, THOU WILT NOT REQUIRE IT._ Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? - "Wherefore" dost thou permit it? HE HATH SAID IN HIS HEART, THOU WILT NOT REQUIRE IT - note, Psalms 10:4, 'God doth not require it.'... [ Continue Reading ]
_THOU HAST SEEN IT; FOR THOU BEHOLDEST MISCHIEF AND SPITE, TO REQUITE IT WITH THY HAND: THE POOR COMMITTETH_ _ HIMSELF UNTO THEE; THOU ART THE HELPER OF THE FATHERLESS._ Thou hast seen it - however much sinners flatter themselves, "He will never see it." FOR THOU BEHOLDEST MISCHIEF AND SPITE. Fro... [ Continue Reading ]
_BREAK THOU THE ARM OF THE WICKED AND THE EVIL MAN: SEEK OUT HIS WICKEDNESS TILL THOU FIND NONE._ Break thou the arm of the wicked - the instrument wherewith he oppressed the godly. AND THE EVIL (MAN): SEEK OUT HIS WICKEDNESS (UNTIL) THOU FIND NONE - search it out for judgment so completely that n... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE LORD IS KING FOR EVER AND EVER: THE HEATHEN ARE PERISHED OUT OF HIS LAND._ The third part and third strophe. THE LORD IS KING FOR EVER AND EVER. Sense had suggested the thought, that because of the prevailing might and impunity of oppressors, the Lord has ceased to reign on His high throne a... [ Continue Reading ]
_LORD, THOU HAST HEARD THE DESIRE OF THE HUMBLE: THOU WILT PREPARE THEIR HEART, THOU WILT CAUSE THINE EAR TO HEAR:_ Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart. He had previously prayed, "forget not the humble (Psalms 10:12). Faith here takes for granted that what... [ Continue Reading ]
_TO JUDGE THE FATHERLESS AND THE OPPRESSED, THAT THE MAN OF THE EARTH MAY NO MORE OPPRESS._ To judge the fatherless - to vindicate them from wrong. THAT THE MAN OF THE EARTH MAY NO MORE OPPRESS. The Hebrew expresses confidence rather than desire (which would require the abbreviated future). So "t... [ Continue Reading ]