On the phrase in the title to this psalm, “To the chief Musician,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 4:1. On the expression “To Jeduthun,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 39:1. Jeduthun was one of those who were appointed by David to preside over the music of the tabernacle 1 Chronicles 25:1... [ Continue Reading ]
TRULY - Indeed; really. The state of mind indicated by this particle is that of one who had been seriously contemplating a subject; who had looked round on his own actual condition; who had taken an estimate of all his resources, and of all his means of reliance, and who had carefully examined his o... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ONLY IS MY ROCK ... - See the notes at Psalms 18:2. I SHALL NOT BE GREATLY MOVED - The word greatly here, or much - “I shall not be much moved,” implies that he did not anticipate perfect security from danger or calamity; he did not suppose that he would escape all disaster or trouble, but he fel... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW LONG WILL YE IMAGINE MISCHIEF AGAINST A MAN? - The original word here rendered “imagine mischief,” from התת _hâthath_, occurs only in this place. It means, according to Gesenius (Lexicon), to break in upon; to set upon; to assail: “How long will ye break in upon a man?” that is, set upon him. S... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ONLY CONSULT TO CAST HIM DOWN FROM HIS EXCELLENCY - This is the object of all their counsels and plans. They aim at one high in rank - and their purpose, their sole purpose, is to bring him down. This would apply well to the case of David in the time of the rebellion of Absalom. THEY DELIGHT I... [ Continue Reading ]
MY SOUL, WAIT THOU ONLY UPON GOD - See the notes at Psalms 62:1. There is, in the word used here, and rendered wait, the same idea of rest or repose which occurs in Psalms 62:1. The meaning is, that he would commit the whole cause to God, and that his soul would thus be calm and without apprehension... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ONLY IS MY ROCK ... - See the notes at Psalms 62:2. The only difference between this verse and Psalms 62:2 is, that in this verse the word “greatly” is omitted. The psalmist declares here in the most absolute manner, that he shall not be “moved” at all. In Psalms 62:2, he said that he would not b... [ Continue Reading ]
IN GOD IS MY SALVATION - See Psalms 62:1. That is, his salvation, his safety, his anticipated deliverance, was to come only from God. AND MY GLORY - That in which I glory or boast; the source of all in me that is glorious or honorable. he gloried that there was such a God; he gloried that He was hi... [ Continue Reading ]
TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES - This exhortation, addressed to all persons, in all circumstances, and at all times, is founded on the personal experience of the psalmist, and on the views which he had of the character of God, as worthy of universal confidence. David had found him worthy of such confiden... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY MEN OF LOW DEGREE ARE VANITY - literally, “vanity are the sons of Adam,” but the word Adam here is used evidently to represent men, or the race. The same word is also employed particularly to represent common men, or men of the humbler rank, in contradistinction to the word אישׁ _'ı̂ysh_ - wh... [ Continue Reading ]
TRUST NOT IN OPPRESSION - The general meaning here is, that we are not to trust in anything but God. In the previous verse the psalmist had stated reasons why we should not trust in men of any rank. In this verse he enumerates several things on which people are accustomed to rely, or in which they p... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD HATH SPOKEN ONCE; TWICE HAVE I HEARD THIS - This repetition, or this declaration that he had heard the thing repeated, is designed to give emphasis to what was said, or to call attention to it as particularly worthy of notice. See the notes at Job 33:14. Compare Job 40:5. The sentiment here is p... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO UNTO THEE, O LORD, BELONGETH MERCY - Power, indeed, belongs to God Psalms 62:11; but this is an attribute to be feared, and while, in one respect, it will inspire confidence, or while it gives us the assurance that God is able to defend us when all else shall fail, yet, unattended by any other... [ Continue Reading ]