_David's care of his thoughts. The consideration of the brevity and vanity of life. The reverence of God's judgments, and prayer, are the bridles of his impatience._ To the chief Musician, _even_ to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. _TITLE._ לידתון למנצח _LAMNATSEACH LIIDUTHUN._— See what has been observ... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS DUMB WITH SILENCE— _I was dumb in silence: I held my peace from what is good; but my pain was irritated: i.e._ "I refrained from speaking what is good, from giving God the glory with relation to my illness, by acknowledging the greatness and justice of God, and the nothingness and sinfulness o... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, MAKE ME TO KNOW MINE END, &C.— _The Lord hath shewn me my end, and the measure of my days what it is: I know how perishing I am._ Mudge; who observes, that this translation seems much better to agree with what follows, and indeed the whole design of the psalm, than if in the imperative.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY MAN AT HIS BEST STATE— _Every man living._ Mudge.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A VAIN SHEW— _In a vain shew of happiness._ Green. The word צלם _tselem,_ is only used twice in the psalms: Here, and Psalms 73:20 in both which places it signifies what is imaginary, in opposition to what is real. The Hebrew word יצבר _iitsbor_ rendered, _He heapeth up,_ signifies _to rake toget... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS DUMB— This is a fine expression of the Psalmist's resignation. See Job 1:21 and 2 Samuel 16:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE A MOTH— i.e. "As a moth consumes a garment." The Chaldee paraphrase has it, _like a moth broken asunder;_ but the phrase is more properly applied to the moth's consuming other things, and not to the being itself consumed: thus Hosea 5:12. _I will be to Ephraim as a moth; i.e._ "I will consume h... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I AM A STRANGER WITH THEE, &C.— More like a stranger, and sojourner in this country, than an inhabitant or lord of it; _with thee,_ who in a particular manner art the proprietor of this land, which thou hast chosen to be thy peculiar inheritance. _The land,_ says Moses, _is thine; we are but str... [ Continue Reading ]