In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will [God] appoint [for] walls and bulwarks. Ver. 1. _In that day._] Before the morrow, and while the mercy was yet fresh. We are not to take day for return of thanks, but to do it forthwith. _ In that same d... [ Continue Reading ]
Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Ver. 2. _Open ye the gates._] Room for the righteous, for such only are freemen of this city; Rev 22:14 such only are written among the living in Jerusalem. Isa 4:3-4 Psa 118:19 And this seemeth spoken to those doork... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee. Ver. 3. _Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace._] Heb., Peace, peace - that is, a multiplied peace with God, with himself, and with others; or a renewed, continued peace, or a perfect, sheer, pure... [ Continue Reading ]
Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH [is] everlasting strength: Ver. 4. _Trust in the Lord for ever._] To trust in God is to be unbottomed of thyself and of every creature, and so to lean upon God, that if he fail thee thou sinkest. _ For in the Lord Jehovah._] Heb., For in Jah J... [ Continue Reading ]
For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, [even] to the ground; he bringeth it [even] to the dust. Ver. 5. _For he bringeth down those that dwell on high._] Even all adverse power, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledg... [ Continue Reading ]
The foot shall tread it down, [even] the feet of the poor, [and] the steps of the needy. Ver. 6. _The foot shall tread it down._] He saith not the hand shall beat it down, but the foot shall spurn down this lofty city, even the feet of the poor and abject ones, as once Samson dealt by the Philistin... [ Continue Reading ]
The way of the just [is] uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Ver. 7. _The way of the just is uprightness._] Heb., Uprightnesses - that is, just and straight courses. They turn not aside to crooked and wry ways, as do the workers of iniquity, Psa 125:5 but hold on in an... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of [our] soul [is] to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. Ver. 8. _Yea, in the way of thy judgments._] Rough though it be and rugged; even when thou hast wrought against us in the rigour of thy punishments, as one p... [ Continue Reading ]
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Ver. 9. _With my soul, &c., with my spirit._] Spirit, soul, and body must all be for God _a_ 1Th 5:2... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let favour be shewed to the wicked, [yet] will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD._ Ver. 10. _Let favour be shewed to the wicked, &c._] No fair means will work upon him, whatever foul may do. But as an evil stom... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, [when] thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: [but] they shall see, and be ashamed for [their] envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. Ver. 11. _Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, thou will not see,_] _i.e., _ Observe, consider, and take warning: let God's hand... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. Ver. 12. _Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us._] Or, Lord, dispose peace for us. _ For thou also hast wrought all our works in us._] Or, For us. _Certum est nos facere quod facimus, sed Deus facit ut faciamus:_ wi... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD our God, [other] lords beside thee have had dominion over us: [but] by thee only will we make mention of thy name. Ver. 13. _O Lord our God, other lords besides thee have had dominion over us._] Or, Have mastered us. Oh that men were so sensible of their spiritual servitude as thus to compla... [ Continue Reading ]
Isaiah 26:14 [They are] dead, they shall not live; [they are] deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. Ver. 14. _They are dead._] Those "other lords" of ours are. Isa 26:13 But seldom lieth the devil dead in a dike, saith ou... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed [it] far [unto] all the ends of the earth. Ver. 15. _Thou hast increased the nation,._] That righteous nation which keepeth the truth. Isa 26:2 Some render and sense the words thus: "Thou... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer [when] thy chastening [was] upon them. Ver. 16. _Lord, in trouble have they visited thee._] _Pulcherrimus afflictationum fructus, precandi ardor et assiduitas._ Affliction exciteth devotion, as blowing doth the fire. Christ in his ag... [ Continue Reading ]
Like as a woman with child, [that] draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, [and] crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD. Ver. 17. _So have we been in thy sight._] Heb, From thy face - _i.e., _ by reason of thy wrath. So 2 Thessalonians 1:9, "Who shall be punished f... [ Continue Reading ]
We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. Ver. 18. _We have been with child._] With various devices and hopes, which yet have miscarried and run aslope. Se... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Ver. 19. _Thy dead men shall rise._] So shall not thine enemies. Isa 26:14 This may seem to be Christ's graci... [ Continue Reading ]
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. Ver. 20. _Come, my people._] Thus God lovingly bespeaketh his, as leading them by the hand to a hiding place of his providing. So he shut up... [ Continue Reading ]
For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. Ver. 21. _For, behold._] This is as a crier to prepare attention. _ The Lord cometh out of his place._] Here God comp... [ Continue Reading ]