The occasion of this Psalm has already been discussed in the Introduction to Psalms 75. Its structure is clearly marked, and should be compared with that of Psalms 46. It consists of four stanzas of three verses each, the close of the first and third being marked by _Selah_. i. God has once more re... [ Continue Reading ]
_known_ Lit., _one who has made Himself known_. By this recent deliverance He has once more "made Himself known in her palaces as a sure refuge" (Psalms 48:3; cp. Psalms 9:16; Isaiah 33:13). _his name_is _great_ Cp. Psalms 75:1; Psalms 47:2; Psalms 48:1; Psalms 48:10; Psalms 77:13. Israel [ Continue Reading ]
God has once more shewn His might in Zion by shattering the power of her assailants.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he hath set his pavilion in Salem, And his habitation in Zion. For the words _pavilion_and _habitation_applied to the Temple see Psalms 27:5; Psalms 68:5. The words may however mean the _covert_and _lair_of a lion (Psalms 10:9; Psalms 104:22; Amos 3:4); and it is possible that the Psalmist int... [ Continue Reading ]
There hath he broken the lightnings of the bow. The destruction of Sennacherib's army apparently took place at some distance from Jerusalem, but Jerusalem is naturally spoken of as the scene of God's action, because it was the seat of His presence (Psalms 46:5 ff.) and it was on her behalf that He p... [ Continue Reading ]
A difficult verse. Two renderings are grammatically possible: either, Illustrious art Thou, majestic, from the mountains of prey: or, more than the mountains of prey. The second rendering however appears to involve an unsuitable comparison, whether _mountains of prey_is explained to mean the strongh... [ Continue Reading ]
The manifestation of God's majesty in the discomfiture of the enemy.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The stouthearted_ For illustration cp. Isaiah 10:12 ff. _are spoiled_ Lit. _have let themselves be spoiled_. Cp. Isaiah 17:14; Isaiah 33:1. _they have slept their sleep_ They slumber their (last) sleep, the sleep of death (Jeremiah 51:39; Jeremiah 51:57; Nahum 3:18). _have found their hands_ Their... [ Continue Reading ]
_At thy rebuke_ Cp. Psalms 9:5; Psalms 18:15; Isaiah 17:13. are _cast into a dead sleep_ A word which denotes a deep, supernaturally caused slumber. It is usual to say that -chariot and horse" stand by metonymy for charioteers and horsemen: but surely poetry imagines chariots as well as horses to b... [ Continue Reading ]
_to be feared_ The same word as in Psalms 76:12, and in Psalms 47:2. _who may stand_ Cp. Nahum 1:6; Psalms 1:5; Psalms 130:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
It was the irresistible judgement of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou didst cause judgement to be heard_ Or, as R.V., sentence. God pronounced sentence upon the proud Assyrian when He intervened for the rescue of His people. Cp. Psalms 46:6; Isa 30:30; 1 Samuel 2:10. _from heaven_ For though God has chosen Zion for His earthly dwelling-place, His true abode and... [ Continue Reading ]
_the wrath of man shall praise thee_ All rebellion against God's will must in the end redound to God's glory: it serves to set His sovereignty in a clearer light (Exodus 9:16). Excellently the P.B.V., -shall turn to thy praise." _the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain_ All that will not submit s... [ Continue Reading ]
The lessons of judgement.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let Israel pay the vows it made in its hour of peril (Psalms 66:13); let the nations that dwell near God's city and people bring their presents a phrase used only of bringing solemn tribute to God (Psalms 68:29; Isaiah 18:7). "Many," we read in 2 Chronicles 32:23, "brought gifts unto Jehovah to Jeru... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall cut off_ Cp. the simile in Isaiah 18:4-5, describing how Jehovah will destroy the plans of the Assyrians just as they are coming to maturity: and Revelation 14:18-19. _the spirit of princes_ Their pride and fury. Cp. Isaiah 33:11. _the kings of the earth_ Cp. Psalms 48:4.... [ Continue Reading ]