_A.M. 2944. B.C. 1060._ On whatever occasion this Psalm was written, or whether on any particular occasion, the design of it seems evidently to have been to describe and bewail the horrible wickedness and depravity of the human race. Accordingly, a part of it is quoted by St. Paul, Romans 3:10, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fool hath said in his heart_ In his secret thoughts, or within himself, what he is afraid or ashamed to utter with his lips; _There is no God_ Or none that concerns himself with the affairs of mankind, none that governs the world, and observes and recompenses men's actions according to their qu... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord looked down from heaven_ God knows all things without any inquiry: but he speaks after the manner of men. _Upon the children of men_ Upon the whole Israelitish nation, and upon all mankind; for he speaks of all except his _people_, and the _righteous_ ones, who are opposed to these, Psalms... [ Continue Reading ]
_They are all gone aside_ From God and the rule he hath given them to walk by, from truth into error, and from duty into sin; from the paths of wisdom and righteousness. They are altogether become filthy, loathsome, and abominable before God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge?_ Have they lost their senses? Have they neither religion nor common discretion, either of which might teach them not to fight against Omnipotence, not to seek death, everlasting death and destruction, in the error of their life, not to rush voluntarily int... [ Continue Reading ]
_There were they in great fear_ In the place, or upon the spot where they practised these insolences: or, _then_, that is, in the height of their tyranny and prosperous impiety, when they seemed to have no cause for it, God struck them with a panic fear. Hebrew, פחדו פחד, _pachadu pachad, they feare... [ Continue Reading ]
_You have shamed the counsel of the poor_ Ye have desired and endeavoured to bring to shame, or to disappoint, the course which the godly poor man takes, and the resolution which he adopts, which is to trust in God, call upon his name, and proceed on in his way, which is a course and counsel very di... [ Continue Reading ]
_O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion_ These words, considered in connection with the context, do not appear to be intended of any mere temporal salvation of Israel, whether from the rebellion of Absalom, or any other calamity brought upon them as a punishment of their sins. They rat... [ Continue Reading ]