For the meaning of the title to this psalm, see the notes at the title to Psalms 39:1. It purports, like the preceding ones, to be a psalm of Asaph. See the notes in the title to Psalms 73. Nothing is known, or can now be ascertained, of the occasion on which the psalm was composed. It is not absolu... [ Continue Reading ]
I CRIED UNTO GOD WITH MY VOICE - That is, he cried or prayed audibly. It was not mere mental prayer. See the notes at Psalms 3:4. EVEN UNTO GOD WITH MY VOICE - The repetition here is emphatic. The idea is that it was an earnest or fervent cry. Compare the notes at 2 Corinthians 12:8. AND HE GAVE E... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE DAY OF MY TROUBLE I SOUGHT THE LORD - Compare the notes at Psalms 50:15. This trouble may have been either mental or bodily; that is, it may have arisen from some form of disease, or it may have been that which sprang from difficulties in regard to the divine character, government, and dealin... [ Continue Reading ]
I REMEMBERED GOD - That is, I thought on God; I thought on his character, his government, and his dealings; I thought on the mysteries - the incomprehensible things - the apparently unequal, unjust, and partial doings - of his administration. It is evident from the whole tenor of the psalm that thes... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HOLDEST MINE EYES WAKING - literally, “Thou holdest the watchings of my eyes.” Gesenius (Lexicon) translates the Hebrew word rendered “waking,” “eyelids.” Probably that is the true idea. The eyelids are the watchers or guardians of the eyes. In danger, and in sleep, they close. Here the idea is... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE CONSIDERED THE DAYS OF OLD - Rather, “I do consider;” that is, “I think upon.” This refers to his resolution in his perplexity and trouble; the method to which he resorted in examining the subject, and in endeavoring to allay his troubles. He resolved to look at the past. He asked what was th... [ Continue Reading ]
I CALL TO REMEMBRANCE MY SONG IN THE NIGHT - Compare Job 35:10, note; Psalms 42:8, note. The word here rendered “song” - נגינה _n__e__gı̂ynâh_ - means properly the music of stringed instruments, Lamentations 5:14; Isaiah 38:20; then, a stringed instrument. It is the word which we have so often in t... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL THE LORD CAST OFF FOR EVER? - This was the subject, and the substance, of his inquiry: whether it was a fair and just conclusion that God would show no mercy; would never be gracious again. Evidently the thought passed through his mind that this seemed to be the character of God; that things lo... [ Continue Reading ]
IS HIS MERCY CLEAN GONE FOR EVER? - The word rendered “clean gone” means to fail; to fail utterly. The idea is, Can it be that the compassion of God has become exhausted - that no more mercy is to be shown to mankind - that henceforth all is to be left to stern and severe justice? What would the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH GOD FORGOTTEN TO BE GRACIOUS? - Has he passed over mercy in administering his government? Has he ceased to remember that man needs mercy? Has he forgotten that this is an attribute of his own nature? HATH HE IN ANGER SHUT UP HIS TENDER MERCIES? - The original word here rendered “tender mercies”... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAID, THIS IS MY INFIRMITY - The meaning of this phrase is not, as would appear from our translation, that his reflections on the subject were to be traced to his weakness, or were a proof of weakness of mind, but that the subject overpowered him. This verse has been very variously rendered. T... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL REMEMBER THE WORKS OF THE LORD - That is, I will call them to remembrance, or I will reflect on them. I will look to what God has “done,” that I may learn his true character, or that I may see what is the proper interpretation to be put on his doings in respect to the question whether he is r... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL MEDITATE ALSO OF ALL THY WORK - That is, with a view to learn thy real character; to see whether I am to be constrained by painful facts to cherish the thoughts which have given me such trouble, or whether I may not find reasons for cherishing more cheerful views of God. AND TALK OF THY DOING... [ Continue Reading ]
THY WAY, O GOD, IS IN THE SANCTUARY - Luther renders this, “O God, thy way is holy.” Prof. Alexander, “O God, in holiness is thy way.” DeWette, “O God, holy is thy way.” The word rendered “sanctuary” - קדשׁ _qôdesh_ - means properly “holiness.” It is not the same word which in Psalms 73:17 is rende... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART THE GOD THAT DOEST WONDERS - It is, it must be, the characteristic of God, the true God, to do wonderful things; things which are suited to produce amazement, and which we can little hope to be able to understand. Our judgment of God, therefore, should not be hasty and rash, but calm and de... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST WITH THINE ARM - That is, with strength or power, the arm being a symbol of strength. Exodus 6:6; Exodus 15:16; Psalms 10:15. REDEEMED THY PEOPLE - Thou didst rescue or deliver them from Egyptian bondage. See the notes at Isaiah 43:3. THE SONS OF JACOB AND JOSEPH - The descendants of Jaco... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WATERS SAW THEE ... - The waters of the Red Sea and the Jordan. There is great sublimity in this expression; in representing the waters as conscious of the presence of God, and as fleeing in consternation at his presence. Compare Revelation 20:11; Habakkuk 3:10. THEY WERE AFRAID - On the word us... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CLOUDS POURED OUT WATER - Margin, “The clouds were poured forth with water.” The translation in the text is the more correct. This is a description of a storm; but to what particular storm in history does not appear. It was evidently some exhibition of the divine greatness and power in deliverin... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE OF THY THUNDER WAS IN THE HEAVEN - Compare the notes at Psalms 29:1. The word rendered “heaven” here - גלגל _galgal_ - means properly “a wheel,” as of a chariot, Isaiah 5:28; Ezekiel 10:2, Ezekiel 10:6; Ezekiel 23:24; Ezekiel 26:10. Then it means a “whirlwind,” as that which rolls along, E... [ Continue Reading ]
THY WAY IS IN THE SEA - Probably the literal meaning here is, that God had shown his power and faithfulness in the sea (that is, the Red Sea), in delivering his people; it was there that his true character was seen, as possessing almighty power, and as being able to deliver his people. But this seem... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU LEDDEST THY PEOPLE LIKE A FLOCK BY THE HAND OF MOSES AND AARON - This satisfied and comforted the mind of the psalmist. God had never forsaken his people. He had shown himself faithful in his dealings with them. He had acted the part of a good shepherd. In all the dangers of their way; in their... [ Continue Reading ]