This very beautiful psalm is designed to illustrate the superiority of revealed truth above the light of nature in showing the character and perfections of God. In doing this, there is no attempt in the psalm, as there should be none on our part in explaining it, to undervalue or disparage the truth... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD - They announce, proclaim, make known his glory. The word heavens here refers to the material heavens as they appear to the eye - the region of the sun, moon, and stars. The Hebrew word is used in the Scriptures uniformly in the plural number, though in our commo... [ Continue Reading ]
DAY UNTO DAY - One day to another; or, each successive day. The day that is passing away proclaims the lesson which it had to convey from the movements of the heavens, about God; and thus the knowledge of God is accumulating as the time moves on. Each day has its own lesson in regard to the wisdom,... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO SPEECH NOR LANGUAGE WHERE THEIR VOICE IS NOT HEARD - Margin, Without these their voice is heard. Hebrew, “without their voice heard.” The idea in the margin, which is adopted by Prof. Alexander, is, that when the heavens give expression to the majesty and glory of God, it is not by words... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR LINE - That is, of the heavens. The word used here - קו _qav_ - means properly a cord, or line: (a) a measuring line, Ezekiel 47:3; Job 38:5; Isaiah 44:13; and then (b) a cord or string as of a lyre or other instrument of music; and hence, a sound. So it is rendered here by the Septuagint, φ... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH IS AS A BRIDEGROOM COMING OUT OF HIS CHAMBER - That is, when he rises in the morning. He rises from the darkness of the night, and comes forth as the bridegroom comes out of the chamber where he has slept. The allusion is to the bright, and joyful, and cheerful aspect of the rising sun. The im... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS GOING FORTH - The psalmist now describes that race which he has to run, as borne over the entire circuit of the heavens, from one end of it to another - sweeping the whole space across the firmament. IS FROM THE END OF THE HEAVEN - From one end of the heaven; that is, from the East, where he st... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAW OF THE LORD - Margin, doctrine. The word used here - תורה _tôrâh_ - is that which is commonly employed in the Old Testament with reference to the law of God, and is usually rendered “law.” The word properly means “instruction,” “precept,” from a verb signifying “to teach.” It is then used... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STATUTES OF THE LORD - The word here rendered statutes properly means mandates, precepts - rules given to anyone to guide him, Psalms 103:18; Psalms 111:7. It refers to the laws of God considered as appointed, or as the result of divine authority. The verb from which this word is derived (Hiphil... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FEAR OF THE LORD - The word rendered fear in this place - יראה _yir'âh_ - means properly fear, terror, Jonah 1:10; then, reverence, or holy fear, Psalms 2:11; Psalms 5:7; and hence, reverence toward God, piety, religion - in which sense it is often used. Compare Proverbs 1:7; Job 28:28; Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
MORE TO BE DESIRED ARE THEY THAN GOLD - That is, his law; or, as in the preceding verse, his judgments. They are more valuable than gold; they are of such a nature that the soul should more desire to be in possession of them than to be in possession of gold, and should value them more. The psalmist... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER BY THEM IS THY SERVANT WARNED - The word used here - זהר _zâhar_ - means, properly, to be bright, to shine; then, to cause to shine, to make light; and then, to admonish, to instruct, to warn. The essential idea here is, to throw light on a subject, so as to show it clearly; that is, to ma... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO CAN UNDERSTAND HIS ERRORS? - The word rendered errors is derived from a verb which means to wander, to go astray; then, to do wrong, to transgress. It refers here to wanderings, or departures from the law of God, and the question seems to have been asked in view of the purity, the strictness, an... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP BACK THY SERVANT ALSO - Restrain thy servant; or, do not suffer him to commit those sins. FROM PRESUMPTUOUS SINS - The word used here is manifestly designed to stand in some respects in contrast with the secret faults mentioned in the previous verse. The word - זד _zêd_ - means properly that w... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH - The words that I speak; all the words that I speak. AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART - The thoughts of my heart. BE ACCEPTABLE IN THY SIGHT - Be such as thou wilt approve; or, be such as will be pleasing to thee; such as will give thee delight or satisfaction; such as will... [ Continue Reading ]