The faith which inspires the two preceding Psalms reaches its climax here. At a distance from the sanctuary and in peril of his life, the Psalmist throws himself upon God. What he longs for above all things is the sense of God's presence, as he realised it in the worship of the sanctuary (Psalms 63:... [ Continue Reading ]
_O God, thou_art _my God Elohim, thou art my El_. He addresses Jehovah, for _Elohim_here is the substitute for that Name (cp. Psalms 140:6), as the Strong One to whom he can appeal with confidence in his need. Cp. Psalms 42:2; Psalms 42:8-9; Psalms 43:4. _early will I seek thee_ So the LXX, πρός σε... [ Continue Reading ]
Recalling the glorious visions of God which he has enjoyed in the sanctuary, the Psalmist thirsts for a renewed sense of His Presence.... [ Continue Reading ]
The A.V. transposes the clauses of this verse in a way which cannot be justified. Render: In such wise have I gazed upon thee in the sanctuary, To see thy strength and thy glory. _In such wise_(-so") is explained to refer to Psalms 63:1 meaning -as my God," or -so fervently"; but this verse seems... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because thy lovingkindness_&c. R.V. renders, _For thy lovingkindness_&c., a further reason for the longing of Psalms 63:1. But it is best to retain the rendering of the A.V. He has waited to see God's power and glory, yet after all it is the lovingkindness of which he has personal experience that t... [ Continue Reading ]
The joy of grateful praise.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus_ So, as in Psalms 63:2: cp. Psalms 61:8: so fervently; in such a spirit of loving gratitude. _while I live_ Cp. Psalms 104:33; Psalms 146:2. _I will lift up my hands_ The attitude of prayer (Psalms 28:2; Psalms 141:2; 1 Timothy 2:8), the outward symbol of an uplifted heart (Psalms 25:1 [ Continue Reading ]
God feeds the hungry soul with rich and bountiful food (Deuteronomy 32:14; Psalms 22:26; Psalms 23:5; Psalms 36:8; Isaiah 25:6; Isaiah 55:2; Jeremiah 31:14). Though the language may be derived from the sacrificial feasts, it is indifferent to strict ritual precision, for the fat (A.V. here _marrow_)... [ Continue Reading ]
The A.V. connects this verse with Psalms 63:5, but the absence of _and_in the second clause makes it preferable to connect it with Psalms 63:7, thus: When I remember thee upon my bed, I meditate on thee in the night watches: For thou hast been my help, And in the shadow of thy wings will I shout... [ Continue Reading ]
Thankful recollection of past mercies.... [ Continue Reading ]
_followeth hard after thee_ Lit., _cleaves after thee;_cleaves to God (Deuteronomy 10:20 &c.) and follows Him (Hosea 6:3). _Hard_= -close." Cp. Shakespeare, _Hamlet_, i. 2. 179 "Indeed my lord, it followed hard upon." _thy right hand_&c. Cp. Psalms 17:7; Psalms 18:35; Psalms 41:12; Isaiah 41:10. Man... [ Continue Reading ]
While he draws ever closer to God, his enemies will be destroyed.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But those_&c. _They_, his enemies, who are seeking his life, are emphatically contrasted with himself (Psalms 59:15; Psalms 56:6). While his path is upward to God, theirs is downward to the depths of Sheol. It is possible to render (cp. R.V. marg.) _But they shall be destroyed that seek my life, Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_They shall fall_&c. Lit., They shall give him over (lit. _pour him out_) to the power of the sword (Jeremiah 18:21; Ezekiel 35:5). The active verb with indefinite subject is practically equivalent to a passive, -He shall be given over"; yet the idiom suggests the idea of mysterious agents, God's mi... [ Continue Reading ]
While his enemies come to an ignominious end, the king emerges from the struggle, triumphant over all opposition.... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the king_ The connexion is unintelligible unless the king is identified with the Psalmist, whose enemies are destroyed. Cp. Psalms 61:6 ff. _that sweareth by him_ Grammatically -him" may refer to the king or to God, but usage decides that God is meant. Cp. Deuteronomy 6:13; Deuteronomy 10:20;... [ Continue Reading ]