The author of this psalm, as of the preceding, is unknown, and equally with that it is impossible now to ascertain the time or the occasion of its composition. It is a psalm of the same structure as that, with the same number of verses; like that, it is alphabetical in its form, and composed in the... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE YE THE LORD - Margin, as in Hebrew, “Hallelujah.” See the notes at Psalms 106:1. BLESSED IS THE MAN - Hebrew, “The blessings of the man.” See the notes at Psalms 1:1. That is, Blessed, or happy, is such a one. THAT FEARETH THE LORD - In Psalms 111:10, the psalmist had referred to “the fear... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS SEED SHALL BE MIGHTY UPON EARTH - His children; his posterity. That is, they shall be prospered; honored; distinguished among people: distinguished for their virtues, for their influence, for their success in life. This refers to what was regarded among the Hebrews as an object of great desire,... [ Continue Reading ]
WEALTH AND RICHES SHALL BE IN HIS HOUSE - The Septuagint and the Vulgate render this, “glory and riches shall be in his house.” The word, however, properly means riches or wealth, and the two terms are used apparently to convey the idea that wealth or property in “varied forms” would be in his house... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THE UPRIGHT - The just; the pious; the man who fears God. THERE ARISETH LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS - This is a new form of the blessing which follows the fear of the Lord, or another of the benefits which spring from true religion, and by which the pious man is distinguished from other people. The d... [ Continue Reading ]
A GOOD MAN SHOWETH FAVOR - He has the means to show favor to others, or to promote their welfare, and he is disposed to do this. It is the characteristic of a good man - of a heart that is truly pious - to do good to others; to promote their welfare here, and to assist them in their endeavor to secu... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY HE SHALL NOT BE MOVED FOR EVER - Luther, “For he shall remain always.” He shall be fixed, stable, firm, prosperous. He shall not be driven from place to place. He shall have a permanent home. He shall have a steady reputation. He shall have a constant influence. He shall be a firm, establisli... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL NOT BE AFRAID OF EVIL TIDINGS - Of bad news; of reverses and losses; of the destruction of his ship at sea, or his property by land; of disaster by flood, by famine, by war. His heart will so fully confide in God that he can commit all calmly into his hands. He will feel assured that all wi... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HEART IS ESTABLISHED - Sustained; upheld. This is the same idea, though somewhat varied in form. The word means to sustain; to support; and the idea is, that there is some basis of support - some strength - which is not his own. HE SHALL NOT BE AFRAID - When he is assailed by enemies. UNTIL HE... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH DISPERSED ... - This is another characteristic of a righteous man, and another reason of the permanent honor which will be rendered to him. The meaning is, that he is liberal; he freely scatters what he has; he divides it with those who are needy and unfortunate. One part of mankind have an... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WICKED SHALL SEE IT, AND BE GRIEVED - They shall see his prosperity; shall see the evidence that God approves his character and his conduct. The word rendered “grieved” means rather to be angry or enraged. Perhaps the word “fret” would best express the sense. HE SHALL GNASH WITH HIS TEETH - As... [ Continue Reading ]