Another bright and joyous song, evidently intended for use in the Temple worship, perhaps, like the two last, at the Passover, but more probably, as the harvest seems to have been gathered in (Psalms 67:6), at the Feast of Pentecost (Harvest), or Feast of Tabernacles (Ingathering). It consists of t... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalm begins with words taken from the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24 ff: "Jehovah bless thee and keep thee: Jehovah cause his face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace:" as the following Ps. begins with the invocation... [ Continue Reading ]
The final object of the blessing for which Israel prays is that the whole world may know God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lit. _that men may know thy way in the earth_. The blessings which God bestows upon Israel will shew the nations what a God He is, and make them desire to serve Him. Cp. Jeremiah 33:9; Zechariah 8:20 ff; Isaiah 11:9. God's _way_is His gracious method of dealing with men, explained in the next line a... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the peoples give thanks unto thee, O God; Let all the peoples give thanks unto thee. The A.V. _people_is misleading. It is not Israel that is meant, but all the peoples of the earth. Cp. Psalms 117:1 f.... [ Continue Reading ]
May all nations soon acknowledge the God of Israel as their God!... [ Continue Reading ]
The reason for the universal rejoicing of the nations is given in the words, for thou shalt Judge the peoples with equity; i.e. rule them with just and equitable government. Cp. the attributes of the true king as God's representative, Isaiah 11:3 f; Psalms 72:12 ff. _Judge_does not here mean _punish... [ Continue Reading ]
_the people_ As before, the peoples. This refrain is generally treated as before as a wish or prayer; but it is worth considering whether the tone of the last stanza does not change throughout from prayer to confident hope, so that we should render, _The peoples shall give thanks unto thee, O God._T... [ Continue Reading ]
The special occasion of the Psalm in the present bountiful harvest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then _shall the earth_&c. Render, The land hath yielded her increase, according to the promise of Leviticus 26:4; cp. Psalms 85:12; Psalms 65:9 ff. _God, our God_, is the Elohistic editor's substitution for _Jehovah our God_. _shall bless us_ Here and in the following verse the verbs might be taken... [ Continue Reading ]