CI. The best comment on this psalm lies in the number of interesting associations that it has gathered to itself. It has been called a “mirror for princes,” “a mirror for magistrates,” and “the householders’ psalm;” and many anecdotes are told of its use. Eyring, in his _Life of Ernest the Pious_ (D... [ Continue Reading ]
MERCY AND JUDGMENT — or, as some render, _grace and right_ — are the especially requisite attributes of a good monarch, or of magistrates generally. (See Matthew 23:23, where the failure to practise them is charged on the ruling class in Judæa at that time, though, of course, also required in the co... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHAVE MYSELF WISELY. — Literally, _I will look to a guileless way._ The root “to look” is that from which _maskîl_ (Psalms 32, title) comes; hence some here see a reference to music, or song. But the Authorised Version is probably right, since the analogy of such words as “provident,” “circumspect,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SET NO..... — Mark the wisdom of the resolve in a despotic monarch, who has only to speak to effect whatever he has looked on with desire. WICKED THING. — _Thing_ (_or, word_)_ of Belial._ (See Note on Psalms 41:8.) I HATE THE WORK OF THEM THAT TURN ASIDE. — Or, _I hate the doing of false... [ Continue Reading ]
FROWARD. — See Note, Psalms 18:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSO... — The “informer” and the “haughty favourite” are no unknown characters in an Oriental court. PROUD HEART. — Literally, _broad,_ that is, extended with pride. (Comp. Proverbs 21:4.) But LXX. and Vulg., “insatiable.” WILL NOT I SUFFER. — In Hebrew a simple and expressive “I cannot,” to whic... [ Continue Reading ]
TARRY IN MY SIGHT — _i.e._, stand as a courtier in the royal presence. Comp. Homer: “Hateful to me as gates of hell is he Who hides one thing within his mind and speaks another.”... [ Continue Reading ]
EARLY. — Literally, _in the morning:_ referring, as Perowne observes, to the Oriental custom of holding courts of law in the early morning (Jeremiah 21:12; 2 Samuel 15:2; Luke 22:66; John 18:28). CITY OF THE LORD. — For similar expressions, see Psalms 46:4; Psalms 48:2; Psalms 48:8. The city must b... [ Continue Reading ]