This psalm has no title prefixed to it, and it is not possible to determine with certainty who was the author, or on what occasion it was written. There is nothing in the psalm that has any special allusion to David, nor is there reference to any circumstances which would enable us to determine when... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICE IN THE LORD, O YE RIGHTEOUS - This is the sentiment with which the preceding psalm closes. See the notes at Psalms 32:11. FOR PRAISE IS COMELY FOR THE UPRIGHT - Is befitting, suitable, proper. That is, the upright - the righteous - have abundant cause for praise, and it is for them a suitabl... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAISE THE LORD WITH HARP - For a description of the “harp,” see the notes at Isaiah 5:12. SING UNTO HIM WITH THE PSALTERY - For the meaning of this word, also, see the notes at Isaiah 5:12, where the word is rendered “viol.” AND AN INSTRUMENT OF TEN STRINGS - The word “and” is supplied here by the... [ Continue Reading ]
SING UNTO HIM A NEW SONG - A song specially composed for this occasion; expressive of the special feelings suggested by this occasion, or appropriate to this new manifestation of the divine goodness and mercy. Such occasions, exhibiting some new phase of the divine goodness, demanded new language ap... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD IS RIGHT - The command; the law; the promise of God. Whatever he “says” is right; or, is true. It is worthy of universal belief; and should, therefore, be a reason for praise. The fact that God says a thing is the highest proof that it is true. AND ALL HIS WORKS ARE DONE IN... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LOVETH RIGHTEOUSNESS - See Psalms 11:7. AND JUDGMENT - justice. THE EARTH IS FULL OF THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD - Margin, “mercy.” So the Hebrew. That is, his mercy or goodness is manifest everywhere. Every part of the earth bears witness that he is good.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE WORD OF THE LORD - By the command of God: Genesis 1:3, Genesis 1:6 etc. See the notes at Psalms 33:9. WERE THE HEAVENS MADE - That is, the starry heavens; the worlds above us: Genesis 1:1. AND ALL THE HOST OF THEM - All their “armies.” The stars are represented as armies or marshalled hosts,... [ Continue Reading ]
HE GATHERETH THE WATERS OF THE SEA TOGETHER AS AN HEAP - The Hebrew word here rendered “gathereth” is a participle; “gathering.” The design is to represent this as a continuous act; an act not merely of the original creation, but constantly occurring. The reference is to the power by which the water... [ Continue Reading ]
LET ALL THE EARTH - All the inhabitants of the earth. FEAR THE LORD - Worship and adore a Being of so great power. See the notes at Psalms 5:7. LET ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD - The power displayed in the works of creation appeals to all alike. STAND IN AWE OF HIM - Reverence or adore him. T... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SPAKE, AND IT WAS DONE - The word “done,” introduced here by our translators, enfeebles the sentence. It would be made more expressive and sublime as it is in the original: “He spake, and it was.” That is, Its existence depended on his word; the universe sprang into being at his command; he h... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD BRINGETH THE COUNSEL OF THE HEATHEN TO NOUGHT - Margin: “maketh frustrate.” The Hebrew word means to “break,” or to “annul.” The word here rendered “heathen” means “nations;” and the idea is that God, by his own overruling purpose and providence, frustrates the designs of the nations of the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COUNSEL OF THE LORD - The purpose of the Lord. STANDETH FOR EVER - It will be carried out. It will never be changed. There can be no “superior” counsel or will to change it, as is the case with the plans of men; and no purposes of any beings “inferior” to himself - angels, men, or devils - can... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED IS THE NATION - For the meaning of the word “blessed,” see the notes at Psalms 1:1. The idea here is, that the nation referred to is happy, or that its condition is desirable. What is true of a nation is also as true of an individual. WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD - Whose God is Yahweh - for so thi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD LOOKETH FROM HEAVEN - heaven is represented as his abode or dwelling; and from that place he is represented as looking down upon all the nations of the earth. The meaning here is, that he sees all that dwell upon the earth, and that, therefore, all that worship him are under his eye. He kno... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE PLACE OF HIS HABITATION - From his dwelling - heaven. HE LOOKETH DOWN - He continually sees. The sentiment is repeated here to show that no one can escape his eye; that the condition, the characters, the wants of all are intimately known to him, and that thus he can watch over his people -... [ Continue Reading ]
HE FASHIONETH THEIR HEARTS ALIKE - That is, one as well as another; or, one as really as another. No one is exempt from his control, or from all that is implied in the word “fashioneth.” The meaning is not that their hearts are made to “resemble” each other, or to be “like” each other, whether in go... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO KING SAVED BY THE MULTITUDE OF AN HOST - By the number of his armies. His safety, however numerous and mighty may be his forces, is in God alone. He is the great Protector, whatever means men may use to defend themselves. The most numerous and the best organized armies cannot secure a vi... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HORSE - The reference here is undoubtedly to the war-horse. See the notes at Psalms 20:7. IS A VAIN THING - literally, is a “lie.” That is, he cannot be confided in. FOR SAFETY - For securing safety in battle. He is liable to be stricken down, or to become wild and furious so as to be beyond th... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE EYE OF THE LORD IS UPON THEM THAT FEAR HIM - He watches over them, and “he” guards them from danger. His eye is, in fact, upon all men; but it is directed with special attention to those who fear him and trust in him. Their security is in the fact that the eye of God is upon them; that h... [ Continue Reading ]
TO DELIVER THEIR SOUL FROM DEATH - To preserve their “lives,” - for so the word “soul” is to be understood here. The meaning is, to keep them alive. That is, God is their Protector; He guards and defends them when in danger. AND TO KEEP THEM ALIVE IN FAMINE - In times of want. Compare Job 5:20. He... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD - This and the subsequent verses to the end of the psalm refer to the people of God, expressing their faith in him in view of the considerations suggested in the former part of the psalm. The language is expressive of the general character of piety. True piety leads peo... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM - See the notes at Psalms 13:5. BECAUSE WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIS HOLY NAME - In “him,” the “name” often being put for the person himself. See the notes at Psalms 20:1. The idea is: (a) that the fact of our having put our trust in God is in itself an occasion of joy... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US - Let us find or obtain thy mercy or thy favor. ACCORDING AS WE HOPE IN THEE - It may be remarked in regard to this: (a) it is but “reasonable” that we should look for the favor of God only as we trust in him, for we could not with propriety expect his favor beyon... [ Continue Reading ]