_A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023._ This Psalm contains the ardent desires of a pious soul toward God; a pathetic expression of the benefits and joy resulting from his public service; and an encouragement of the people to make the ways to his house fair and passable. Bishop Patrick has given it as his opinion,... [ Continue Reading ]
_How amiable are thy tabernacles_ That is, thy tabernacle, termed _tabernacles;_ either, 1st, Because it consisted of several parts; or, 2d, To denote its excellence; as _behemoth_, or _beasts_, is put for one eminent beast, (Job 40:15,) and _wisdoms_ for excellent wisdom, Proverbs 1:20. _My soul lo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yea, the sparrow hath found a house_ That is, a habitation, namely, a nest, as it follows. _Even thine altar_ Or _nigh thine altar_, as the Hebrew particle, את, _eth_, often signifies, and is rendered by the Seventy and the Chaldee, Judges 4:11. In the Hebrew it is _altars_, namely, that of _burnt-... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed_, &c. “Here the metaphor is dropped, and the former sentiment expressed in plain language;” _are they that dwell in thy house_ That constantly abide in, or frequently resort to, thy house; intending either the priests and Levites, who kept constant watch there; or such devout Jews as Anna,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee_ Who trusteth in thee as his only refuge, strength, and portion. Or, _who had strength in_, or rather, _for_, (as the Hebrew ב, _beth_, frequently signifies,) _thee;_ that is, who hath (or who _useth_, for _having_ is sometimes put for _using:_ see Matth... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who passing_ Or, _being used to pass;_ for he seems not to speak of one particular act, but of a common course or custom; _through the valley of Baca_ A place so called, which some Jewish and other writers affirm to have been a very dry place, and therefore incommodious for travellers in those hot... [ Continue Reading ]
_They go from strength to strength_ The farther they travel onward in that way, instead of being faint and weary, as travellers in such cases are wont to be, they grow stronger and stronger, being greatly refreshed with the comfortable end of their journey, expressed in the following words. Or, _the... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Lord God of hosts_ Who canst easily remove and subdue those enemies who banish and keep me from the place of thy worship; _hear my prayer_ In restoring me to thy house and service; which is my chief desire, Psalms 84:2. _Behold, O God our shield_ Look graciously upon me, O thou that takest thy pe... [ Continue Reading ]
_A day in thy courts is better than a thousand_ Namely, _elsewhere;_ which is necessary to complete the sense; or, _in the tents of wickedness;_ which may be supplied out of the next clause. Such ellipses are usual in Scripture. “One day spent in meditation and devotion affordeth a pleasure, far, fa... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord God is a sun_ To enlighten, quicken, direct, and comfort all his people; whereas they that live without God in the world _walk in darkness and know not whither they go_, as is said John 12:35; _and shield_ To defend them from all their enemies, and from those dreadful and destructive miser... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee_ Who, though he be deprived of the opportunity of paying that outward worship to thee which is appropriated to thy house; yet giveth thee that inward worship which is more valuable in thy account, and places his chief trust, and hope, and happiness in thee a... [ Continue Reading ]