This psalm is entitled “To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil. A song of love.” On the phrase” To the chief Musician,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 4:1. The words “Upon Shoshannim” occur also, as a title, or part of a title, in Psalms 69; Psalms 80; and, in a... [ Continue Reading ]
MY HEART IS INDITING - That is, I am engaged in inditing a good matter; though implying at the same time that it was a work of the heart - a work in which the heart was engaged. It was not a mere production of the intellect; not a mere work of skill; not a mere display of the beauty of song, but a w... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART FAIRER THAN THE CHILDREN OF MEN - That is, Thou art more fair and comely than men; thy comeliness is greater than that which is found among men. In other words, Thou art beautiful beyond any human standard or comparison. The language, indeed, would not necessarily imply that he was not a ma... [ Continue Reading ]
GIRD THY SWORD UPON THY THIGH - That is, Arm or prepare thyself for battle and conquest. The Messiah is introduced here as a conquering king; as about to go forward to subdue the nations to himself; as about to set up a permanent kingdom. O MOST MIGHTY - That is, Hero; Warrior; Conqueror. WITH THY... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN THY MAJESTY RIDE PROSPEROUSLY - Margin, “Prosper thou, ride thou.” The majesty here referred to is the glory or magnificence which became a prince of such rank, and going forth to such deeds. The prayer is, that he would go forth with the pomp and glory becoming one in that station. The word... [ Continue Reading ]
THINE ARROWS ARE SHARP IN THE HEART ... - literally, “Thine arrows are sharp - the people under thee shall fall - in the heart of the enemies of the king.” The process of “thought” in the verse seems to be this: First. The “arrows” are seen as sharp or penetrating. Second. The “people” are seen fall... [ Continue Reading ]
THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER - This passage is quoted by the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews in proof that the Messiah is exalted above the angels, and it is, beyond all question, adduced by him as having original reference to the Messiah. See the passage explained at length in the no... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU LOVEST RIGHTEOUSNESS ... - See this verse explained in the notes at Hebrews 1:9, where it is applied to the Messiah. The word “God” is rendered in the margin “O God”; “O God, thy God, hath anointed thee,” etc. According to this construction, the thought would be carried on which is suggested in... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THY GARMENTS SMELL OF MYRRH - The word “smell” is not in the original. The literal translation would be, “Myrrh, and aloes - cassia - all thy garments;” that is, they were so impregnated with perfumes that these seemed to constitute his very clothing. The mention of the “anointing” in the previo... [ Continue Reading ]
KINGS’ DAUGHTERS WERE AMONG THY HONORABLE WOMEN - Those who were in attendance on him and on the bride were from the most elevated ranks; among the most honorable of the earth. The word rendered “honorable women,” means properly, precious, costly; and then, dear, beloved; and this might be rendered... [ Continue Reading ]
HEARKEN, O DAUGHTER, AND CONSIDER - This is probably to be understood as the language of the psalmist, in vision, as uttering counsel and advice which would be appropriate to the new condition of the bride. Some have understood it as the language of the father of the bride, uttering appropriate coun... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHALL THE KING GREATLY DESIRE THY BEAUTY - That is, in consequence of your love to him, and your entire devotion of yourself to him. The word “desire” here is equivalent to having pleasure in; as meaning that his affliction would thus be fixed on her. In this way - by forgetting her own home, and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE DAUGHTER OF TYRE SHALL BE THERE WITH A GIFT - On the situation of Tyre, and its ancient splendor, see the notes at Matthew 11:21; the introduction to Isaiah 23; and the notes at that chapter. In the time of the psalmist it was probably the most wealthy and luxurious commercial town then exis... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING’S DAUGHTER - This evidently refers to the bride, the daughter of the foreign king. The verse contains a description of her beauty - her splendor of attire - before she is brought to the king, her future husband. She is represented here as in the palace or home of her father, before she is c... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE SHALL BE BROUGHT UNTO THE KING - She shall be conducted to the king in the marriage procession, and be presented to him, clad in this magnificent raiment. The entire imagery is that of an Oriental marriage procession, where the bride is conducted forth to her future husband, attended by her virg... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH GLADNESS AND REJOICING SHALL THEY BE BROUGHT - They shall come forth, attending the bride, with music and songs; the procession will be one of hilarity and joy. THEY SHALL ENTER INTO THE KING’S PALACE - That is, Moving from the palace of the royal father of the bride, or from her home, they wi... [ Continue Reading ]
INSTEAD OF THY FATHERS SHALL BE THY CHILDREN - Instead of thy fame - thy celebrity - thy distinction - being derived from thine illustrious predecessors, it will be derived hereafter rather from thy sons; from the fact that they will be made princes and rulers in the earth. In our translation, this... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL MAKE THY NAME TO BE REMEMBERED IN ALL GENERATIONS - The psalmist here evidently speaks as an inspired man, and the idea is that his thus singing the praises of the “king” - the Messiah - would be among the means of causing His name to be celebrated in all future ages. This song would go down... [ Continue Reading ]