XX. This psalm is addressed to a king going to battle, and was plainly arranged for part-singing in the Temple. The congregation lead off with a prayer for the monarch’s success (Psalms 20:1). The priest, or the king himself, as priest, after watching the successful performance of the sacrificial r... [ Continue Reading ]
DAY OF TROUBLE... GOD OF JACOB. — This certainly recalls the patriarch’s words (Genesis 35:3), “I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress.” The “name” alone of the God of Jacob was a safeguard to the people, called after their great forefather “Israel. So even un... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THY OFFERINGS. — The king is sacrificing, according to custom, before battle (1 Samuel 13:9), the burnt offering (_ôlah,_ from root to “go up,” _i.e.,_ of the smoke) and the bloodless offering (_minchah,_ from root “to portion out”) of fine flour. (See Leviticus 2:1). Since the word rendered in... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WILL SET UP OUR BANNERS. — Rather, _we will wave our banners._ (Comp. Song of Solomon 6:10.) The whole army, or their representatives, assembled in the Temple courts, raise the encouraging shout.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW KNOW I. — Better, _now know I that Jehovah hath saved his anointed, i.e.,_ the king who is the subject of the poem, it being out of keeping with the rest of the poem to understand “Israel” or the “ideal” king here. The _now_ is emphatic. After seeing the sacrifice performed, and feeling sure of... [ Continue Reading ]
TRUST. — The poetry is weakened by the insertion of this word. Render, _These in chariots and these on horses; but we in the name of Jehovah our God make boast._ The mention of horses and chariots suggests a Syrian war, since the armies of Syria were peculiarly strong in this arm. For an interesting... [ Continue Reading ]
STAND UPRIGHT. — We seem to see a whole battle fought before our eyes, in which those formerly struck down rise, and returning to the fight, beat off their foes, and in their turn lay them low. “We were fallen, but have risen, and stand upright.”... [ Continue Reading ]
SAVE LORD... — The Authorised Version follows the accentuation of the Masoretic text, but spoils the rhythm, and interrupts the sense. The LXX. and Vulg., followed by all modern commentators, dividing the verse differently render, “Jehovah, save the king,” whence our National Anthem. Jehovah thus be... [ Continue Reading ]