This psalm is without a title, and it is impossible to ascertain by whom, or on what occasion, it was composed. In the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, the title is, “Hallelujah. Of Haggai and Zechariah.” But this is without authority, and it is not known how it came to be prefixed. The same title... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE YE THE LORD - “Ye” - all people. Margin, Hallelujah. See Psalms 104:35; Psalms 106:1. PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL - See Psalms 103:1, note; Psalms 104:1, note.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE I LIVE WILL I PRAISE THE LORD ... - See the notes at Psalms 104:33, where the same language occurs substantially as in this verse: “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.” The idea is, not merely that he would praise him during this lif... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT NOT YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES - Rely on God rather than on man, however exalted he may be. There is a work of protection and salvation which no man, however exalted he may be, can perform for you; a work which God alone, who is the Maker of all things, and who never dies, can accomplish. See the not... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS BREATH GOETH FORTH - He dies like other people, no matter how exalted he is. See the notes at Isaiah 2:22. HE RETURNETH TO HIS EARTH - See the notes at Psalms 90:3. The earth - the dust - is “his” - (a) It is his, as that from which he was made: he turns back to what he was. Genesis 3:19 : “du... [ Continue Reading ]
HAPPY IS HE THAT HATH THE GOD OF JACOB FOR HIS HELP - Who may rely for protection on the God who defended Jacob in his travels and dangers. Or, perhaps the word Jacob is used here collectively to denote Israel - the Jewish people: the God whom they adore and worship, rather than the gods of the paga... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH ... - Who is the true God, the Creator of all things. Happy is he who can address the God who called all this wondrous universe into being, and who sustains all by his power, as his God. WHICH KEEPETH TRUTH FOR EVER - Who is always true to his promises. In this verse the... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH EXECUTETH JUDGMENT FOR THE OPPRESSED - This is the third reason why the lot of those is a happy one who trust in God. It is because he has power to pronounce and execute a right judgment or sentence in regard to the oppressed and the wronged, and because it is characteristic of his nature that... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD OPENETH THE EYES OF THE BLIND - This is the sixth reason for what is stated as to the blessedness of those who put their trust in the Lord. The language here would be applicable to bodily or to mental blindness. Compare the notes at Psalms 119:18 : “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD PRESERVETH THE STRANGERS - He regards them with interest; he defends and guides them. This is the ninth reason why those who trust in the Lord are happy. The stranger - away from home and friends; with no one to feel an interest in him or sympathy for him; with the feeling that he is forsak... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SHALL REIGN FOR EVER - See the notes at Psalms 10:16 : “The Lord is King forever and ever” Compare Exodus 15:18. EVEN THY GOD, O ZION, UNTO ALL GENERATIONS - As long as the world shall endure. There shall be no change of dynasty as there is in human governments; but the same King shall rei... [ Continue Reading ]