_An earnest persuasion to build the faith of the resurrection, not on worldy power, but on God. Worldly prosperity is not to be admired._ To the chief musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. _TITLE._ מזמרו קרח לבני למנצת _LAMNATSEACH LIBNEI KORACH MIZMOR._— The author of this psalm is not known,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL INCLINE MINE EAR TO A PARABLE, &C.— Much of the eastern wisdom consisted in the understanding of parables, and in the interpretation of dark sayings or riddles: the mysterious cover to this kind of wisdom made it the most high-prized accomplishment; and here, when the Psalmist was to raise an... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE SHOULD I FEAR, &C.— _Wherefore should I fear in the days of adversity, when the iniquity of those who lie in wait for me, surrounds me?_ Bishop Hare. Houbigant renders the last clause, _Because trouble surrounds me. The iniquity of my heels,_ is agreeable to the Hebrew; but the meaning see... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT TRUST IN THEIR WEALTH, &C.— Some translate it, _Confident men boast themselves in their wealth, and in the multitude of their riches:_ Psalms 49:7. _One cannot by any means redeem the other, nor afford any ransom to God for him:_ Psalms 49:8. _For it is of high price to purchase any one's... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SEETH THAT WISE MEN DIE— _For he seeth the wise die; as well as the fool and stupid, they perish,_ &c. As much as to say, "If riches could save at all from death, they would do it when in the hands of wise men: but they do not; for they die alike, the wise man and the fool; the former can mak... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR INWARD THOUGHT, &C.— _Their sepulchre is their dwelling for ever; their abode to all generations: they put their names upon heaps of earth._ So the LXX read, which seems to give the easier and more natural sense. The latter part refers to the monumental inscriptions. "There is nothing left but... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS, &C.— _Yet man, while he is in honour, understandeth_ or _regardeth not; as the beasts are cut off, so is he,_ Psalms 49:13. _This their way is their folly; yet their posterity will run the same way,_ or _approve their doings._ See Houb. and Mudge.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE SHEEP, &C.— _Like sheep they shall be laid in the place of the dead; death shall feed on them; their morning-shepherds rule over them, and their flesh is to be consumed: destruction is to them in their folds._ So Houbigant, keeping up the metaphor all through from _sheep._ The Psalmist seems to... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH WHILE HE LIVED, &C.— Houbigant, after many of the ancient versions, renders this, _Though in life he indulges himself, and will praise thee so long as thou shalt do well to him,_ Psalms 49:19. _Yet shall he go,_ &c. Mudge gives nearly the same sense with this version: _Though whilst he lived... [ Continue Reading ]