_A.M. 2514. B.C. 1490._ Here begins the fourth book of Psalms, according to the division of the Hebrews; “differing from the rest,” says Bishop Patrick, “in this, that as those of the first book are most of them ascribed to David, and those of the second, in great part, to the sons of Korah, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place_, &c. Although we and our fathers, for some generations, have had no fixed habitation, but have been _strangers in a land_ that was _not ours_, and afflicted four hundred years; (see Genesis 15:13;) and although we now are, and have been for some time, and mu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before the mountains_ The most fixed and stable parts of the earth; _were brought forth_ That is, arose out of the waters; _or ever thou hadst formed the earth_, &c. That is, from eternity, which is frequently described in this manner; _even from everlasting thou art God_ Thou hadst thy power and t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou turnest man to destruction_ But as for man, his case is far otherwise; his time is short; and though he was made by thee happy and immortal, yet for his sin thou didst make him mortal and miserable. _And sayest_ Or, _didst say_, that is, pronounce that sad sentence, _Return, ye children of men... [ Continue Reading ]
_For a thousand years_ If we should now live so long, (as some of our progenitors nearly did,) _in thy sight_ In thy account, and therefore in truth; which is opposed to the partial and false judgment of men, who think time long because they do not understand eternity; or, in comparison of thy endle... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou carriest them away_ Namely, mankind, of whom he spake Psalms 90:3. _As with a flood_ Unexpectedly, violently, and irresistibly. _They are as a sleep_ Short and vain as sleep is, and not minded till it be past. Or, like a dream, when a man sleepeth, wherein there may be some real pleasure, but... [ Continue Reading ]
_We are consumed by thine anger_ Caused by our sinful state and lives. Thou dost not suffer us to live so long as we might do by the course of nature. _And by thy wrath are we troubled_ The generations of men are troubled and consumed by divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death, through the disple... [ Continue Reading ]
_The days of our years_ Of the generality of mankind, in that and all following ages, some few persons excepted, _are threescore years and ten_ Which time the ancient heathen writers also fixed as the usual space of men's lives. _And if by reason of strength_ That is, more than ordinary strength of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who knoweth the power of thine anger?_ The greatness, and force, and dreadful effects of thine anger, conceived against the sons of men, and in particular against thine own people, for their sins? Few or none sufficiently apprehend it, or steadfastly believe it, or duly consider it, or are rightly... [ Continue Reading ]
_So teach us_ By thy Spirit and grace, as thou hast already taught us by thy word; _to number our days_ To consider the shortness and miseries of this life, and the certainty and nearness of death, and the causes and consequences thereof; _that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom_ That we may hearti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Return, O Lord_ To us in mercy. _How long?_ Understand, _wilt thou be angry?_ Or, _will it be ere thou return to us? Let it repent thee_, &c. Of thy severe proceedings against us. _O satisfy us early with thy mercy_ That is, speedily, or seasonably, before we be utterly consumed. _Make us glad_, &c... [ Continue Reading ]