This psalm purports to be “A Psalm of David,” nor is there any reason to doubt that he wrote it. Of the precise occasion on which it was composed nothing can be known with certainty, for there is no historical statement on the point, and there is nothing in the psalm to indicate it. It would seem, h... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HEAR THEE IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE - According to the view expressed in the introduction to the psalm, this is the language of the people praying for their king, or expressing the hope that he would be delivered from trouble, and would be successful in what he had undertaken, in the prosecutio... [ Continue Reading ]
SEND THEE HELP - Margin, thy help. So the Hebrew. The idea is, such help as he needed; such as would make him safe. FROM THE SANCTUARY - From the tabernacle, or the holy place where God was worshipped, and where he was supposed to reside, Exodus 28:43; Exodus 29:30; Exodus 35:19; Exodus 39:1. This w... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER ALL THY OFFERINGS - On the meaning of the word here used, see the note at Isaiah 1:13, where it is rendered oblations. The word occurs often in the Scriptures, and is sometimes rendered offering, and sometimes oblation. The word means an offering of any kind or anything that is presented to... [ Continue Reading ]
GRANT THEE ACCORDING TO THINE OWN HEART - According to thy wishes; according to the desires of thy heart. AND FULFIL ALL THY COUNSEL - All that thou hast designed or undertaken in the matter; that is, may he enable thee to execute thy purpose.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WILL REJOICE IN THY SALVATION - According to the idea of the psalm suggested in the introduction, this is a response of the king and those associated with him in going forth to battle. It expresses the joy which they would have in the expected deliverance from danger, and their conviction that th... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW KNOW I THAT THE LORD SAVETH HIS ANOINTED - Saveth, or will save, the king, who had been anointed, or consecrated by anointing to that office. Compare the note at Psalms 2:2. This, according to the view given in the introduction, is the response of the king. It expresses his confident assurance o... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME TRUST IN CHARIOTS - This (see the introduction to the psalm) seems to be a “general chorus” of the king and the people, expressing the fullest confidence in God, and showing the true ground of their reliance. The general meaning is, that their entire trust was in God. This is put in strong cont... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ARE BROUGHT DOWN AND FALLEN - That is, those who trust in chariots and horses. The reference here is undoubtedly to the enemies against whom the king was about to wage war, and the language here is indicative of his certain conviction that they would be vanquished. So certain was he now of this... [ Continue Reading ]
SAVE, LORD - “Yahweh, save.” This is still an earnest prayer. Confident as they are of success and triumph, yet they do not forget their dependence on God; they do not forget that victory must come from his hand. There was, indeed, exultation, but it was exultation in the belief that God would grant... [ Continue Reading ]