CXVIII The character of this psalm as a Temple song of thanksgiving is stamped on every line of it. The marked divisions with the refrains (Psalms 118:1; Psalms 118:8) have induced commentators to arrange it in parts, supposed to have been sung in turn by the full choir, the congregation, and the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
(1-4) Comp. Psalms 115:9, where a similar choral arrangement is found.... [ Continue Reading ]
I CALLED. — Better, _out of the straitness I cried to Jah; answered me, with freedom, Jah._ The meaning of the last clause (literally, _with room._ Comp.: “Ay, marry, now my soul has elbow-room” — _King John_) is determined by the parallelism of Psalms 18:19. The versions read “freedom of Jah,” _i.e... [ Continue Reading ]
A reminiscence of Psalms 56:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Made up of Psalms 54:4, where see Notes.... [ Continue Reading ]
TRUST. — The word constantly used of the security the Israelite found in his relation to Jehovah. The meaning here is apparently, “Fidelity to the covenant is better than alliance with foreign princes,” though, of course, the larger sense, in which the words are applicable to all men, may be read in... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IN THE NAME... — Or, more emphatically, _It is in Jehovah’s name that,_ &c... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE BEES. — The image of the “bees” may be derived from Deuteronomy 1:44 (comp. Isaiah 7:18), but the LXX. suggest that the poet employed an original and far more expressive image, for they read, “as bees surround the comb.” Possibly the word _comb_ dropped out of the Hebrew text, because the copyi... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST. — Better, _Thou didst thrust and thrust at me._ This sudden change of person and challenge of the foes themselves is very dramatic.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE TABERNACLES OF THE RIGHTEOUS. — Whether we are to see an allusion here to an actual encampment, as the context seems to indicate, or whether tents are put poetically for dwellings, depends on the view taken of the date and occasion of the psalm.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS EXALTED. — Here evidently the attitude of a warrior. The hand is _lifted up to strike. _... [ Continue Reading ]
I SHALL NOT DIE, BUT LIVE. — It is Israel, and not an individual, who thus claims a continuance of life for the display of God’s glory. But as so often we find, the hope is so expressed as to suit not only the community for whom the psalm was composed and sung, but each member of it individually.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GATES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. — This is explained by the next verse as the gate of the Temple, where the righteous, _i.e.,_ Israel alone, entered. There does not seem the least reason for taking the words here in any but this literal sense, though doubtless they are capable of endless spiritual applic... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STONE. — Better, _a stone._ There is no article. Israel is, of course, this stone, rejected as of no account in the political plans of those who were trying to shape the destinies of the Eastern nations at their own pleasure, but in the purpose of God destined to a chief place in the building up... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD’S DOING. — This change of destiny, which made Israel of sudden political importance, is to be ascribed to none but Jehovah Himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE DAY. — Either the festival for which the psalm was composed (Feast of Tabernacles?) or more generally the day of triumph won by Jehovah, as in preceding verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAVE NOW. — This is not the adverb of time. Render, _Save, we pray._ (See Matthew 21:9.)... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED... — These words of welcome are probably spoken by the Levite in charge, to the procession approaching the gates. According to Rabbinical writings, pilgrim caravans were thus welcomed on their arrival at Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHEWED US LIGHT... — Whether this is literal or figurative is difficult to decide. If _literal,_ it may be a repetition of Psalms 118:24; or if there is a particular reference in this psalm to the Feast of Tabernacles, Mr. Burgess’s suggestion, which connects the light with the pillar of cloud and f... [ Continue Reading ]