An alphabet of prayer and meditation, the utterance of a humble, yet confident faith. It falls into three equal divisions. i. Prayer for protection, guidance, and pardon (Psalms 25:1). ii. Reflections on the character of God (Psalms 25:8) and on His dealings with those who fear Him (12 14), separa... [ Continue Reading ]
He who may approach Jehovah's sanctuary must be one -who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity" (Psalms 24:4). Jehovah, and Jehovah alone, is the subject of his desires, his aspirations, his prayers. Cp. Psalms 86:3; Psalms 143:8; Lamentations 3:41. As the verses are usually distichs, it has been... [ Continue Reading ]
Petition for protection, guidance, and pardon.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse should begin with the letter _Beth_in the word for _in thee_. It has been suggested that the first word _O my God_was disregarded in the alphabetic arrangement; but it is more probable that it originally belonged to the second line of the preceding verse (so codd. א BA of the LXX), which... [ Continue Reading ]
Render with R.V. Yea, none that wait on thee shall be ashamed: They shall be ashamed that deal treacherously without cause. The words are not a prayer, but the expression of a conviction corresponding to and justifying the prayer of Psalms 25:2. Cp. Romans 5:3-5. It certainly gains in point if th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shew me thy ways_ Lit. _make me to know thy ways_: the prayer of Moses in a moment of perplexity (Exodus 33:13). Cp. Psalms 27:11. God's -ways" and -paths are the purposes and methods of His Providence; or more specifically, the course of life and conduct which He prescribes for men. Cp. Psalms 27:... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lead me_&c. R.V., Guide me in thy truth: not, as at first sight would seem to be the meaning, into a fuller knowledge of revealed truth. Jehovah's truth, so often coupled with His lovingkindness, means His faithfulness; and the sense is either -guide me in virtue of thy faithfulness"; or -let me li... [ Continue Reading ]
An appeal to Jehovah's unchangeableness (Malachi 3:6). The love of ancient days cannot be exhausted (Jeremiah 2:2; Jeremiah 31:3). _For they_have been _ever of old_ Lit., _for they_have been _from everlasting_. Cp. Psalms 103:17; Psalms 93:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
The word translated _sins_is derived from a root meaning _to miss the mark or lose the way_. It denotes primarily the failures, errors, lapses, of frailty; and so is naturally applied to the thoughtless offences of youth. The word for _transgressions_means literally _rebellions_, and denotes the del... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore_ He who is at once perfectly loving and perfectly upright must needs guide the erring. _teach_ R.V. instruct: the word from which _torah_(-law," primarily -instruction") is derived. See on Psalms 1:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalmist's petitions are grounded upon the revealed character of Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The meek_ The humble-minded. See note on Psalms 9:12. Humility is indispensable for God's scholars. Cp. 1 Peter 5:5. _in judgment_ The practice of right; often coupled with righteousness and equity; e.g. Proverbs 1:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
In all His dealings Jehovah proves His loving purpose and His faithfulness to His promises to those who on their part are faithful to Him, keeping the covenant inaugurated by circumcision (Genesis 17:2 ff.), and ratified at Sinai (Exodus 19:5; Exodus 24:7-8); of which the Ark of the Covenant (Number... [ Continue Reading ]
The thought of God's requirements (Psalms 25:10) makes him feel his own shortcomings, and prompts this prayer for pardon. He appeals to Jehovah's revelation of Himself as the God of mercy. The verse combines Psalms 25:5_; Psalms 25:9_of Exodus 34. Cp. Psalms 23:3, note; Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah 14:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
_What man_&c. A rhetorical question, equivalent to _whosoever_. Cp. Psalms 34:12. _him shall he teach_ R.V., him shall he Instruct, as in Psalms 25:8. _in the way_that _he shall choose_ In the course of life which His Providence chooses for him: or, _in the way that he should choose_; what course t... [ Continue Reading ]
Temporal blessings are in store for him. He himself _shall continue in prosperity_; and his posterity after him shall inherit the land (R.V.), in accordance with the promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:7-8), and Israel (Exodus 20:12; Leviticus 26:3 ff.; Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 4:40; &c.). Cp. Psalms... [ Continue Reading ]
Mysterious spiritual blessings await him too. To those who fear Him Jehovah reveals His secret counsel. Cp. Proverbs 3:32; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Matthew 11:25. For _secret_R.V. marg. gives alternatives _counsel_or _friendship_, ideas included in the word, which denotes the confidential interc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mine eyes_&c. The attitude of expectant prayer. Cp. Psalms 141:8; Psalms 123:1 ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Prof. Cheyne compares the proper name Elyôçnai or Elyehôçnai, -Unto Yahve are mine eyes," 1 Chronicles 3:23; Ezra 8:4. _for he shall pluck_&c. Release me from the entanglements and perplexities... [ Continue Reading ]
Renewed prayer, for deliverance and preservation.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Turn thee_ Or, _look_: the opposite of -hiding the face" (Psalms 22:24). Cp. Psalms 86:16; Psalms 119:132. _have mercy upon me_ Be gracious unto me. See Psalms 4:1, note. _desolate_ Solitary; without other friend or helper.... [ Continue Reading ]
The verb rendered _are enlarged_cannot mean -augmented." It is all but certain that the consonants should be divided and vocalised differently, giving the appropriate sense, The straitnesses of my heart enlarge thou, and bring me &c.: i.e. relieve my distress. Cp. Psalms 18:36; Psalms 119:32.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Look upon_&c. Behold my affliction and my travail. Cp. Psalms 9:13. _and forgive_ Lit. _take away_, sin being regarded as a burden. Cp. Psalms 32:1. This verse ought to begin with the letter _Qôph_, and various emendations have been proposed with the object of restoring it. The simplest change is t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Consider_ Behold, the same word as in Psalms 25:18. with _cruel hatred_ Lit. _a haired of violence_, hatred inspired by and leading to cruelty. Cp. Psalms 11:5; Psalms 27:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
_O keep_&c. Preserve my soul. Cp. Psalms 16:1; Psalms 86:2. _for I put my trust in thee_ For I have taken refuge in thee. Cp. Psalms 7:1; Psalms 2:12, note.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let integrity and uprightness guard me. May single-hearted devotion to God and honourable behaviour to men be as it were guardian angels at my side (Psalms 61:7). He prays thus, not on the ground of his own merits, but in virtue of his patient dependence on God. Cp. Psalms 40:11. -Integrity" is the... [ Continue Reading ]
A concluding prayer for the nation. The alphabet has been completed, and this is a supplementary distich beginning with _Pç_, which has already been represented in Psalms 25:16; Psalms 34 has the same peculiarity. Lagarde has ingeniously conjectured that these verses contain a reference to the names... [ Continue Reading ]