_A.M. 3292. B.C. 712._ In this chapter we have a second doxology, or song of praise, in which the great things God had engaged, in the foregoing chapter, to do for his people, and against his and their enemies, are celebrated. It is prepared to be sung when that prophecy shall be accomplished. In t... [ Continue Reading ]
_In that day_ When God shall do such glorious works for the comfort of his people, as are described in the foregoing chapter; _shall this song be sung in the land of Judah_ In the church of God, often signified by the titles of Judah, Jerusalem, Zion, and the like. _We have a strong city _ Jerusalem... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace_ Hebrew, _in peace, peace;_ peace with God, and peace of conscience; peace at all times, and under all events; _whose mind is stayed on thee_ Hebrew, יצר סמוךְ, _the thought_, or, _mind fixed_, or, _the stayed mind_, as Bishop Lowth renders it; that is, the man w... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he bringeth down_ Hebrew, _he hath brought down_, or, as it may be rendered, _he will bring down, them that dwell on high_ He speaks not so much of height of place, as of dignity and power, in which sense also he mentions _the lofty city_ in the next clause; which may be understood, either of p... [ Continue Reading ]
_The way of the just is uprightness_ Hebrew, מישׁרים, _righteousness._ The just proceed steadily on in the practice of the various duties of righteousness, which they owe to God and man; or, their way is _evenness_, or _plainness_, as the word may be rendered. It is their constant care and endeavour... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord_ That is, as some understand it, of thine _ordinances_ and _commandments_, in which we carefully and conscientiously walk; or, in the way of thy _chastisements._ As we, thy people, have loved and served thee, when thou didst make our way smooth and pleasant... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let favour be showed to the wicked_ If thou dost spare them, when thou chastisest thy own people, and grantest them health, prosperity, and other blessings; yet _will they not learn righteousness_ They will not be led to repentance by thy goodness; and therefore it is requisite thou shouldest send... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us_ That is, for thy true and genuine church and people. Though thou hast afflicted us, (Isaiah 26:8.) yet the time will come when we shall be in a very different, yea, in a happy condition. Or, referring to what he had last said, he means, as thou wilt destroy thin... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Lord our God_, &c. The people of God, having already obtained their deliverance in part, with the overthrow and destruction of their enemies, proceed to unfold and express their hope, that God would perfect all his good works for them. _Other lords besides thee_ Who art our only King, Lawgiver, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast increased the nation_ Namely, the Jewish nation, which multiplied exceedingly in Egypt, and afterward in Canaan, so that they filled the land. But the prophet perhaps foretels their increase after their return from captivity in Babylon; and, as some think, that increase of the church (cal... [ Continue Reading ]
O _Lord, in trouble_ Amidst the various calamities brought upon them for their correction and especially in their captivity; _have they_ Namely, thy people; _visited thee_ Come into thy presence with their prayers and supplications; _they poured out a prayer_ Prayed much and earnestly, as the expres... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy dead men shall live_ The prophet here, speaking in the name of God, turns his speech to God's church, and gives her a cordial to support her in that deep distress which he had foretold she should suffer, and which is described in the preceding verse. Thy dead men are not like those mentioned Is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come, my people_, &c. These two verses are supposed not to belong to the song which takes up the preceding part of the chapter, but to be an address of the prophet to the people of God on the contents of it. Having foretold their wonderful deliverance, and the utter destruction of their enemies, le... [ Continue Reading ]