An urgent cry for audience (Psalms 28:1) is followed by a prayer that the Psalmist may be delivered from sharing the fate of evil-doers and hypocrites, and that they may receive the retribution which is the fitting punishment of their blind disbelief (Psalms 28:3). Suddenly the Psalmist breaks into... [ Continue Reading ]
Render with R.V., Unto thee, O Lord, will I call; My rock, be not thou deaf unto me. He appeals to Jehovah as his _rock_, the ground of his confidence. See Psalms 18:2 (note), 31. _be not silent unto me_ Lit. _from me_; and similarly in the next line. The rendering _be not silent_may stand, as in... [ Continue Reading ]
Introductory appeal for a hearing, emphasising the urgency of the need.... [ Continue Reading ]
The first line recurs in Psalms 31:22. _when I cry_ A stronger word than that in Psalms 28:1, meaning to _cry for help_. _when I lift up my hands_ The attitude of prayer (Psalms 63:4; 1 Timothy 2:8), the outward symbol of an uplifted heart (Psalms 25:1). _toward thy holy oracle_ Lit., as R.V. marg... [ Continue Reading ]
_Draw me not away_ Cp. Psalms 26:9. But the word here is stronger, suggesting the idea of criminals being dragged off to execution. He prays that he may not share the fate of the wicked in the judgment now being executed. _which speak peace to_&c. Rather, as R.V., with. Double-hearted hypocrites; c... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalmist's prayer that he may be distinguished from the wicked, and that they may be judged as they deserve.... [ Continue Reading ]
Give them according to their work, And according to the evil of their doings: Give them according to the operation of their hands. This is not a vindictive craving for personal revenge, but a solemn prayer that Jehovah will openly convict false and wicked men by manifesting His righteous judgemen... [ Continue Reading ]
Atheists in practice if not in profession, they deny that Jehovah governs the world, and refuse to discern His working in creation, in providence, and in judgement. Unbelief lies at the root of all their sin. _The works of the Lord_and _the operation of his hands_stand in strong contrast to _their w... [ Continue Reading ]
Thanksgiving succeeds to prayer. Are we to suppose that faith realises the answer to its prayer as already granted, and can give thanks accordingly? or that this conclusion was added by the Psalmist subsequently as a grateful memorial of his deliverance? Either alternative is possible; but here and... [ Continue Reading ]
_my strength_ Cp. Exodus 15:2. _my shield_ See note on Psalms 3:3. _trusted_ Better as R.V., hath trusted. _greatly rejoiceth_ Exulteth. Cp. Psalms 5:11; 1 Samuel 2:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_their strength Their_must refer to the people. But there is no antecedent for the pronoun, and it is best to follow a few Heb. MSS., the LXX, Vulg., and Syr., in reading, a strength unto his people. Cp. Psalms 29:11. _and he is_&c. R.V., and he is a strong hold of salvation to his anointed. Cp. Ps... [ Continue Reading ]
Concluding intercession for the people. Cf. Psalms 3:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
_thine inheritance_ Israel. Cp. Deuteronomy 4:20. _feed them_ Lit. _shepherd them_. Cp. Psalms 23:1; 2 Samuel 7:7. _Govern them_in the adaptation of this verse in the Te Deum is from the Vulg. _rege_. _lift them up_ Exalt them; as the word is used in 2 Samuel 5:12. But we should probably render as... [ Continue Reading ]