XXXI. This psalm is full of tantalising expressions, which raise the expectation of a satisfactory historical basis for its composition, only to disappoint by the obscurity of their allusion. On the one hand, the figures of the stronghold and rock (Psalms 31:2) not only suggest David as the author,... [ Continue Reading ]
The words of this verse are interesting as being the last words of Xavier, and as concluding the _Te Deum._ Psalms 31:1 occur again with slight variations in Psalms 71:1. LET ME NEVER. — Literally, _let me not for ever be ashamed. _... [ Continue Reading ]
MY STRONG ROCK. — Literally, “Thou art to me for a rock of a stronghold, For a house of fortresses to save me.”... [ Continue Reading ]
ROCK. — As rock in this verse is _selâ_ (LXX. and Vulg., “strength”) instead of _tsûr,_ as in Psalms 31:2, it is better to render “for thou art my cliff fortress;” literally, _cliff and fortress._ FOR THY NAME’S SAKE — _i.e._, because Thou hast this name of rock and fortress. LEAD ME, AND GUIDE ME... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NET. — This image is a common one in the Psalms. (Comp. Psalms 10:9, &c) LAID PRIVILY. — Literally, _hidden._ Translate still by the future, _thou wilt pull me out. _... [ Continue Reading ]
I COMMIT. — Most memorable, even among expressions of the Psalms, as the dying words of our Lord Himself (Luke 23:46), and a long line of Christian worthies. Polycarp, Bernard, Huss, Henry V., Jerome of Prague, Luther, Melancthon, are some of the many who have passed away comforted and upheld by the... [ Continue Reading ]
LYING VANITIES. — Literally, _breath of lies_ (Jonah 2:8), undoubtedly _idols,_ as the parallelism in Jeremiah 8:19 shows. It was the term adopted by the Deuteronomist (Deuteronomy 32:21) and apparently brought into use by him.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHUT ME UP INTO THE HAND. — This is the exact phrase used by David (1 Samuel 23:11) in consulting the Divine oracle by the ephod. But this does not prove the authorship, for it was evidently a common phrase. (See 1 Samuel 24:18; 1 Samuel 26:8; 2 Kings 17:4.) LARGE ROOM. — Comp. Psalms 4:1; Psalms 1... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE EYE IS CONSUMED... — Comp. Psalms 6:7. It was an old idea that the eye could weep itself away. It is an actual fact that the disease _glaucoma_ is very much influenced by mental emotions. BELLY. — Better, _body_ — both mind and body were suffering.... [ Continue Reading ]
INIQUITY. — Gesenius and Ewald understand, the _suffering_ that follows on sin rather than the _iniquity_ itself, a meaning that certainly seems to suit the context better. The LXX. and Vulg. have “poverty.”... [ Continue Reading ]
The adverb rendered _especially_ seems out of place. It is therefore better to take it as a noun, in the sense of burden, a sense etymologically probable. “Because of all mine oppressors I have become a reproach, And to my neighbours a burden, And a fear to my acquaintance.” FLED. — Literally, _fl... [ Continue Reading ]
BROKEN VESSEL. — A favourite image with Jeremiah (Jeremiah 19:11; Jeremiah 22:28; Jeremiah 25:34; Jeremiah 48:38), but not peculiar to him among the prophets. (Comp. Hosea 8:8, and see Introduction to this psalm.)... [ Continue Reading ]
Again comp. Jeremiah 20:10, which reproduces word for word the first two clauses. The expression rendered “fear on every side” was actually a motto of the prophet (Jeremiah 6:25; Jeremiah 20:3, margin; Jeremiah 46:5; Jeremiah 49:29. Comp. Lamentations 2:22). But the most probable derivation makes th... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I. — Emphatic, in contrast to the pretended panic and in spite of the real dangers around him.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND — _i.e._, the vicissitudes of human life (LXX. and Vulg. have “my destinies”) are under Divine control, so that the machinations of the foe cannot prevail against one whom God intends to deliver. For the expression comp. 1 Chronicles 29:30, “the times that went over him,” Is... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE THY FACE TO SHINE. — As in Psalms 4:6, an echo of the priestly blessing. (Numbers 6:24.)... [ Continue Reading ]
SILENCE. — As a different word is used from that rendered _silent_ in Psalms 31:17, translate _let the lying lips be made dumb._ GRIEVOUS. — Better, _arrogant,_ as in 1 Samuel 2:3. (Comp. Psalms 94:4.) So in Psalms 75:5, “a stiff neck” is _a neck thrown impudently back._ PROUDLY AND CONTEMPTUOUSLY... [ Continue Reading ]
LAID UP. — Better, _hidden,_ (_Heb. tsaphan;_ comp. Psalms 17:14; Obadiah 1:6), as a treasure for the faithful, and now brought out and displayed in the presence “of the sons of men.”... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SECRET OF THY PRESENCE. — Better, _in the hiding-place of thy countenance,_ a beautiful thought and common in the Psalms, although expressed by different images. In Psalms 27:5, “the hiding-place of his tabernacle;_”_ 61:4, “of his wings;” 91:1, “of his shadow.” The form the same image takes in... [ Continue Reading ]
SHEWED ME HIS MARVELLOUS KINDNESS... — Better, _made his kindness distinguished_ or _manifest,_ referring to Psalms 31:19. IN A STRONG CITY. — Some see a reference to David’s adventures at Ziklag or Keilah; others to Jeremiah’s in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 38). It is, however, better to regard it merely... [ Continue Reading ]
IN MY HASTE... — Literally, _in my fleeing away in fear._ Jerome, Aquila, and Symmachus, “in my confusion.”... [ Continue Reading ]
PRESERVETH THE FAITHFUL. — Or, perhaps, by rendering by the abstract instead of the concrete, _keeps faith._ The LXX. and Vulg. have “requireth truths.”... [ Continue Reading ]
BE OF GOOD COURAGE. — Cf. Psalms 27:14.... [ Continue Reading ]