Psalms 79:1 «A Psalm of Asaph. » O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps. _A Psalm_] Of like subject with Psalms 74:1,23, bewailing the same calamity of the Jews, whether under Nebuchadnezzar or Antiochus is uncertain;... [ Continue Reading ]
The dead bodies of thy servants have they given [to be] meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. Ver. 2. _The dead bodies of thy servants_] Either they denied them the honour of burial (which is reckoned among the τα νομιζομενα, the dues of the dead),... [ Continue Reading ]
Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them]. Ver. 3. _Their blood have they shed like water_] _Contemptim vel abiecte._ They made no more reckoning of it than of ditch water; and were ready to say, as Hannibal did when he saw a ditch full of men'... [ Continue Reading ]
We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. Ver. 4. _We are become a reproach to our neighbours_] To the Edomites, Philistines, Syrians, Tyrians, &c., who do now compose comedies out of our tragedies. _ A scorn and derision to them that are rou... [ Continue Reading ]
How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire? Ver. 5. _How long wilt thou be angry? &c._] Or, how long? wilt thou be angry for ever? The psalmist knew that the enemies were but God's executioners; and that if he were but once pacified, they should soon be put out o... [ Continue Reading ]
Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. Ver. 6. _Pour out thy wrath, &c._] Even the full vials of it. _ That have not known thee_] More than by the book of the creatures, wherein there is indeed a τογνωστον του θεου, s... [ Continue Reading ]
For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. Ver. 7. _For they have devoured Jacob_] As wolves and other ravenous creatures do the simple sheep. _ His dwellingplace_] Or, his cottage, his sheepcote.... [ Continue Reading ]
O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. Ver. 8. _O remember not against us former iniquities_] Or, the iniquities of them that were before us, wherewith we also are justly chargeable; the sin of the golden calf, saith the... [ Continue Reading ]
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. Ver. 9. Help us … for the glory of thy name] A speeding argument. God will do much for his own glory, his wife, as it were. _ Purge away our sins_] Which nothing can do but ten... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore should the heathen say, Where [is] their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight [by] the revenging of the blood of thy servants [which is] shed. Ver. 10. _Where is their God?_] See Psalms 43:3. So Turks at this day (when they have the better of Christians) cry, Where is the... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; Ver. 11. _Let the sighing of the prisoner, &c._] It was lately in many places of this land a like difficult thing to find a wicked man in the enemy's prisons or a... [ Continue Reading ]
And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. Ver. 12. _Into their bosom_] Full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, Luke 6:38. See Isaiah 65:6,7 Jeremiah 32:18 . _ Wherewith they have reproached thee_] v... [ Continue Reading ]
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations. Ver. 13. So we thy people … will give thee praise] A service which the saints know to be so acceptable to God, that they commonly promise it, and accordingly perform it, Hosea... [ Continue Reading ]