The author of this psalm is not indicated in the title, and it is impossible now to ascertain who he was. Nor can the occasion be determined “when” it was composed. It is of so general a character that it might have been written at any period of the Jewish history; and, so far as the style and the c... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD - literally, “Good is it to give thanks unto Jehovah.” That is, the act is appropriate; the effect is good. (1) The thing itself is appropriate, for there is much, under all circumstances, to be thankful for: life, health, food, raiment, air, water, f... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SHOW FORTH THY LOVING-KINDNESS - To celebrate thy mercy; thy goodness; thy love. IN THE MORNING - That is, there is a fitness in doing this in the morning; or, there are special reasons why we should do this at that time. (a) We have been preserved through the dangers of the night; dangers when... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON AN INSTRUMENT OF TEN STRINGS - The general idea in this verse is, that instruments “of all kinds” are to be employed in celebrating the praises of God. On the instrument here referred to, see the notes at Psalms 33:2. AND UPON THE PSALTERY - Or “lyre.” See the notes at Isaiah 5:12. The word is... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU, LORD, HAST MADE ME GLAD - Thou hast made me happy; thou hast given me such a state of feeling as finds an appropriate expression in “praise.” THROUGH THY WORK - Either the work of creation, the finishing of which the Sabbath was designed particularly to commemorate; or the works of God in... [ Continue Reading ]
O LORD, HOW GREAT ARE THY WORKS! - Compare Psalms 8:3; Psalms 40:5. See also the notes at Job 11:7. The meaning here is this: The psalmist, on the Sabbath, in giving himself to meditation on the works of God, is overwhelmed with a sense of their vastness, their incomprehensible nature, and the depth... [ Continue Reading ]
A BRUTISH MAN KNOWETH NOT - A man who is stupid, and who is like the beasts or brutes; that is, a man whose tastes and propensities are like the brutes, or who does not seem to act as if endowed with a rational nature. The idea evidently is, that there are many such people, and that it is not to be... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE WICKED SPRING AS THE GRASS - When they grow up as plants do; when they seem to flourish and prosper. Compare Psalms 90:5; Psalms 37:2, Psalms 37:35, Psalms 37:38. The word “grass” here refers to the vegetable creation generally, embracing plants and flowers of all kinds. AND WHEN ALL THE W... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOU, LORD, ART MOST HIGH FOR EVERMORE - In the treatment of the righteous and the wicked, thou wilt maintain thine own exalted place as a sovereign. Whatever may occur to people, God will maintain this exalted position as supreme over all.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, LO, THINE ENEMIES, O LORD, FOR, LO, THINE ENEMIES SHALL PERISH - The repetition of the word “lo” here - “behold!” - is emphatic. The attention of the psalmist was fixed on this as an event which would be sure to occur. It was certain that God would be exalted; it followed from this, that all hi... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT MY HORN SHALT THOU EXALT - The horn is a symbol of strength or power (see the notes at Psalms 18:2); and the meaning here is, that, while the wicked would be cut off, he would be prospered; that is, he had such confidence that he was the friend of God, that he believed God would honor him and ex... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE EYE ALSO SHALL SEE MY DESIRE - That is, I shall be permitted to see the destruction of my foes; I shall be gratified with seeing them overthrown. On the sentiment here expressed, see Psalms 54:7, note; Psalms 59:10, note. ON MINE ENEMIES - The word used here - שׁור _shûr_ - occurs nowhere els... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL FLOURISH LIKE THE PALM-TREE - That is, the beauty, the erectness, the stateliness, the growth of the palm-tree - all this is an emblem of the condition, the prosperity, the happiness of a righteous man. The wicked shall be cut down; but the righteous shall flourish. This image -... [ Continue Reading ]
THOSE THAT BE PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD - As if plants were reared up in the house of God. The same image, under the idea of the olive tree, occurs in Psalms 52:8. See the notes at that verse. The passage here may refer particularly to those who have been trained up in connection with the chu... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL STILL BRING FORTH FRUIT IN OLD AGE - As a tree that is carefully planted and cultivated may be expected to live long, and to bear fruit even when it is old. It is true that such a tree may be cut down; or that it may be blown down by winds and tempests; or that it may be unproductive, but... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SHEW THAT THE LORD IS UPRIGHT - That is, This will be a proof that God is faithful to his promises; that he is the true friend of his people. The fact that they live long - that they are happy and useful even in old age, will be a demonstration that God is the friend of virtue, and that he deals... [ Continue Reading ]