1_How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Jehovah of Hosts! _David complains of his being deprived of liberty of access to the Church of God, there to make a profession of his faith, to improve in godliness, and to engage in the divine worship. Some would understand by the _tabernacles of God, _the kingd... [ Continue Reading ]
I have observed, that in the second verse a more than ordinary ardor of desire is expressed. The first verb, כספ, _casaph, _signifies _vehemently to desire; _but not contented with this word, David adds, that _his soul fainteth after the courts of the Lord, _which is equivalent to our pining away, w... [ Continue Reading ]
3_The sparrow also hath found a house for herself, and the swallow a nest for herself. _Some read this verse as one continuous sentence, conveying the idea that the birds made their nests near the altars; (459) from which it might the more evidently appear how hard and distressing his condition was... [ Continue Reading ]
4_Blessed are they who dwell in thy house. _Here the Psalmist expresses more distinctly the proper and legitimate use of the sanctuary; and thus he distinguishes himself from hypocrites, who are sedulously attentive to the observance of outward ceremonies, but destitute of genuine heart godliness. D... [ Continue Reading ]
5_Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee. _David again informs us, that the purpose for which he desired liberty of access to the sanctuary was, not merely to gratify his eyes with what was to be seen there, but to make progress in faith. To lean with the whole heart upon God, is to attain to... [ Continue Reading ]
6_They passing through the valley of weeping, will together make it a well. _The meaning of the Psalmist is, that no impediments can prevent the enlightened and courageous worshippers of God from making conscience of waiting upon the sanctuary. By this manner of speaking, he confirms the statement w... [ Continue Reading ]
7_They will go from strength to strength. _In this verse the same sentiment is repeated. Mount Zion being the place where, according to the appointment of the law, the holy assemblies were observed, after the ark of the covenant was removed thither, it is said, that the people of God will come to Zi... [ Continue Reading ]
8_O Jehovah, God of Hosts! hear my prayer. _David, instead of acting like worldly men, who foolishly and unprofitably distress and torment themselves by inwardly cherishing their desires, very wisely directs his wishes and prayers to God. From this it is also evident, that he was not accustomed to i... [ Continue Reading ]
10._For better is one day in thy courts than a thousand elsewhere. _Unlike the greater part of mankind, who desire to live without knowing why, wishing simply that their life may be prolonged, David here testifies, not only that the end which he proposed to himself in living was to serve God, but th... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Jehovah God is our sun and shield. _The idea conveyed by the comparison derived from the sun is, that as the sun by his light vivifies, nourishes, and rejoices the world, so the benign countenance of God fills with joy the hearts of his people, or rather, that they neither live nor breathe excep... [ Continue Reading ]