XXII. The fact that Jesus uttered from His cross the words of bitter woe that begin this poem, have given and must ever give it a special interest and importance. It was natural that Christian sentiment should fasten lovingly on it, and almost claim it, not only as a record of suffering typical of... [ Continue Reading ]
MY GOD, MY GOD. — Heb., _Eli, Eli, lama azavtanî,_ where the Targum paraphrases _sabbacthani,_ the form used by our Saviour on the cross. (See Notes, _N. T. Comm.,_ Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34.) The LXX. and Vulgate insert “look upon me.” (Comp. English Prayer Book version.) For the despairing tone co... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AM NOT SILENT. — This misses the parallelism, which evidently requires “O my God, I cry in the daytime, and thou answerest not; in the night, and find no repose.”... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT. — In spite of his seeming desertion the poet still believes Jehovah is the God of the covenant — still the Holy One in whom His people could trust. The phrase “inhabiting the praises of Israel,” recalls the more usual “thou that dwellest between the cherubims” (1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; Psalm... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFOUNDED — _i.e._, ashamed.... [ Continue Reading ]
WORM. — An indication of extreme degradation and helplessness. (Comp. Isaiah 41:14.)... [ Continue Reading ]
LAUGH ME TO SCORN. — LXX., ἐξεμυκτήρισάν_,_ the verb used by St. Luke in his description of the crucifixion (Luke 23:35). SHOOT OUT THE LIP. — Literally, _open with the lip_ (Psalms 35:21; Job 16:10). We use the expression, “curl the lip.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TRUSTED. — So the LXX. (Comp. Matthew 27:43.) So, too, Ewald among moderns. But generally the form _gol_ (short for _gôl_) is taken as an imperative. Literally, _roll thyself on God._ (Comp. Psalms 37:5; Proverbs 16:3, margin.)... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT. — Better, _For._ Faith that turns to God in spite of derision is the best answer to derision. THOU DIDST MAKE ME HOPE. — Better, _thou didst make me repose on my mother’s breast. _... [ Continue Reading ]
BULLS OF BASHAN. — For “Bashan” see Numbers 21:33; for its pastures and cattle, comp. Deuteronomy 32:14, and for the figures, Amos 4:1. Instead of “fat bulls,” the LXX. and Vulgate paraphrase “strong ones of Bashan.” The point of the comparison lies in the wantonness and insolence of pampered pride,... [ Continue Reading ]
RAVENING. — Literally, _tearing in pieces._ (Comp. Lamentations 2:15; Lamentations 3:10.) ROARING. — Comp. Amos 3:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
The state of hopeless prostration into which the victim of these terrible foes is brought could not be more powerfully described. It is a state of entire dissolution. Again Lamentations 2:2 offers a close parallel. OUT OF JOINT. — Perhaps, better, _stand out as in a state of emaciation._ (Comp. Psa... [ Continue Reading ]
MY STRENGTH. — The conjecture, “my palate,” instead of “my strength,” improves the parallelism. Others, but not so happily, “my moisture.” THE DUST OF DEATH. — Comp. Shakespeare’s “Macbeth:” “The way to dusty death.”... [ Continue Reading ]
DOGS. — Literally, _barkers._ (For the wild scavenger dogs of the East, comp. 1 Kings 12:19, &c) Symmachus and Theodotion render, “hunting dogs.” THE ASSEMBLY OF THE WICKED denotes the factious nature of the attacks on the sufferer. His enemies have combined, as savage animals, to hunt in packs. Co... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY PART MY GARMENTS..._ — i.e.,_ as of one already dead. The word “garment” (_beged_) and “vesture” (_lebûsh_) are synonymous terms for the same article of dress — the modern _abba,_ or _plaid,_ the usual outer garment of the Bedouin. The latter is a more poetic term. (See _Bib. Diet,_ art. “Dress... [ Continue Reading ]
DARLING. — See margin. The Hebrew word is used of an only child, Genesis 22:2; Genesis 22:12; Judges 11:34; of a person left desolate, Psalms 25:16; Psalms 68:6; here as a synonym for “soul” or “life.” We may compare the common Homeric expression, ϕίλον κῆρ_. _... [ Continue Reading ]
UNICORNS. — See Numbers 23:22; either “buffaloes” or “antelopes.” There is some uncertainty about the translation of the second clause of this verse. It may be (1) “And from the horns of buffaloes hear me,” _i.e.,_ hear me calling for help from the horns, &c_;_ or (2) “Save me from the lion’s mouth,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL DECLARE. — For the application of this verse in Hebrews 2:12, see _New Testament Commentary. _... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses contain the substance of the poet’s joyful announcement.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MEEK. — Better, _The afflicted._ This term, combined here with so many expressions for the worship of Jehovah, points to the Levites. YOUR HEART. — LXX. and Vulg., “their,” which carries on the construction better. But such sudden changes of person are common in Hebrew; see even next verse. The... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL EAT. — The figure of the banquet is resumed from Psalms 22:26, and extended. The mention of the “fat upon earth,” as included in this feast, seems certainly out of place, and injures the parallelism. We must change the text to either (1) “Shall eat and do homage all earth’s mourners,” or (2) “... [ Continue Reading ]
A SEED... — _Better, Posterity shall serve Him. About Jehovah it shall be told to the_ (coming) _generation._ The article makes for this interpretation. Others, as in Psalms 87:6, understand a reference to the census; but the parallelism is against this reference. The next verse repeats the same tho... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL COME — _i.e._, the generation just foretold: it shall announce His righteousness to a still younger generation (literally, _to a people born_) that He wrought. The tale of Jehovah’s goodness to Israel would be handed on from age to age, “His triumphs would be sung By some yet unmoulded t... [ Continue Reading ]