Book V. CVII. Two widely different accounts have been given of this psalm; one, that it describes historically the dangers and sufferings of the return from captivity, and the Divine power and guidance which brought the redeemed safely through them; the other, that it presents a general picture or g... [ Continue Reading ]
For this doxology see Note, Psalms 106:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
REDEEMED OF THE LORD. — See for this grand expression, for which so high a destiny was prepared, Isaiah 62:12; and comp. Isaiah 63:4; Isaiah 35:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
GATHERED THEM. — The usual prophetic word for the Restoration. (See references in margin, and with the verse comp. Isaiah 49:12.) FROM THE SOUTH. — See margin. The sea here can hardly be any sea but the Mediterranean, and therefore ought, according to general use (see Genesis 12:8, &c), to stand fo... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY. — It seems more natural to understand the subject of the verb _wandered_ from the preceding clauses, than to supply a general subject, _they;_ but this is by no means a certain interpretation. It depends on the view we take of the poem. (See Introduction.) A SOLITARY WAY. — Better, _in a dese... [ Continue Reading ]
(4-9) The wanderers.... [ Continue Reading ]
FAINTED. — Literally, _let itself be covered._ (See Psalms 77:3.)... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE RIGHT WAY. — Better, _in a straight way._ Even in the pathless wilderness “there is a hand that guides.”... [ Continue Reading ]
OH THAT MEN. — The subject is rather to be supplied from the preceding clauses, “let them praise,” &c. Some, however, render “they praise,” &c On the other hand, the insertion of “for” in each clause of the Authorised Version is correct (so LXX. and Vulg.).... [ Continue Reading ]
LONGING SOUL. — Or, _thirsty,_ as in Isaiah 29:8. (Comp. Psalms 107:5.) The word originally applies to an animal running up and down in search of food or water. (See Joel 2:9; Proverbs 28:15.)... [ Continue Reading ]
IN DARKNESS. — A common synonym for a dungeon. (See Isaiah 42:7; Isaiah 49:9, both of the exiles in Babylon; comp. Micah 7:8.) This description, applicable to prisons in all ages but the most modern, was especially suitable for those of the ancients, who admitted no light at all; _e.g.,_ the Mamert... [ Continue Reading ]
(10-16) The prisoners.... [ Continue Reading ]
CONTEMNED. — This word is an old Mosaic designation for the _provocation_ offered by the chosen people (Numbers 14:11; Numbers 14:23), as well as for the _abhorrence_ shown by Jehovah for their sin (Deuteronomy 32:19). Certainly this verse is more closely applicable to violation of the Theocratic re... [ Continue Reading ]
BROUGHT DOWN. — Literally, _made them bend._ FELL DOWN. — Better, _stumbled._ The whole verse presents a picture of men staggering under the forced labour which was the usual fate of captives under the great Oriental monarchies.... [ Continue Reading ]
BREAK THEIR BANDS IN SUNDER. — See Psalms 2:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
OH THAT... — The subject is the participle in Psalms 107:10, “such as sit,” a fact which bears upon the proper subject in Psalms 107:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Isaiah 45:2 was present to the poet’s mind. Virgil’s picture of the shrine of war (_Æn._ vii. 607) has been compared to this.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOOLS — _i.e., infatuated in wickedness._ (Comp. the noun foolishness in Psalms 38:5 with the same ethical sense; and comp. Job 5:3 and the frequent connection of folly with sin in the book of Proverbs.) Another Hebrew word is used in the same way (Psalms 14:1). BECAUSE OF THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS. — B... [ Continue Reading ]
(17-22) The sick.... [ Continue Reading ]
SOUL. — The Hebrew word for _soul_ is very commonly used for _strong appetite_ (see Psalms 107:9), so that we might paraphrase,” their appetite is turned to loathing.” Comp. this verse with Job 33:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SENT HIS WORD. — In history (see Psalms 105:19), as in the natural world (Psalms 147:18), God’s word is His messenger. (Comp. Isaiah 55:10.) DESTRUCTIONS. — This follows the LXX., who derive as in Psalms 103:4. A better derivation, however, gives “pits,” either with metaphorical allusion to the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT GO DOWN TO THE SEA. — An expression so exactly opposite to the ancient equivalent for _embarking_ that we feel we have the very Hebrew feeling. From the high lands of Judæa it was a literal descent to the shores of the Mediterranean. So Jonah _went down_ to Joppa (Jonah 1:3). (Comp. Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
(23-32) Storm-tossed mariners.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE COMMANDETH. — Literally, _He speaks._ The Almighty fiat, as in Genesis 1.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY MOUNT UP. — “Tollimur in cœlum curvato gurgite, et idem Subducta ad Manes imos desedimus unda.” VIRGIL: _Æn._ iii. 564. THEIR SOUL IS MELTED. — The recollection of seasickness is the best comment on this and the next verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
REEL TO AND FRO. — Or more exactly, _spin round and round._ ARE AT THEIR WIT’S END. — An admirable paraphrase of the Hebrew, “all their wisdom swalloweth itself up.” The poet, from the expressions employed, is possibly writing under the influence of Psalms 22:14; but he has evidently himself been t... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY CRY. — There is a saying, “Qui nescit orare, discat navigare.”... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THEM EXALT. — The addition of this to the refrain, as of 22 to that of the last stanza, clearly points to a liturgical use in the psalm.... [ Continue Reading ]
The change in character and style of the psalm at this point is so marked as to suggest an addition by another hand. It is not only that the artistic form is dropped, and the series of vivid pictures, each closed by a refrain, succeeded by changed aspects of thought, but the language becomes harsher... [ Continue Reading ]
BARRENNESS. — Better, _a salt marsh,_ as in LXX. and Vulg. (See Job 39:6.)... [ Continue Reading ]
STANDING WATER. — Or, _a pool of water._ (See Isaiah 35:7; Isaiah 41:18; Isaiah 42:15.) The dependence of this psalm on these passages in Isaiah is indubitable. But the images are employed in a different manner. The prophet only thinks of the joy of returning Israel (Psalms 107:39). But here the tho... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE A FLOCK. — This figure of a rapid increase of population is also borrowed from Job 21:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Again the dependence on the book of Job is seen. (See marginal reference.)... [ Continue Reading ]
The psalm ends in the style, and almost in the very words, of the prophecy of Hosea. (Comp. Hosea 14:9.)... [ Continue Reading ]