XXXIII. This is a hymn of praise to Jehovah, as at once Almighty Creator and Ruler of the universe, and the Protector of His chosen people. It was plainly for liturgical use, and beyond this, as even the compilers of the collection left it anonymous, it is useless to inquire into its authorship or... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICE. — A common hymnic word, meaning properly to “shout,” or “sing for joy.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HARP. — Heb., _khinnôr_ (LXX. and Vulg., “cithara”), most probably a trigon or three-cornered harp, such as may be seen sculptured in Egyptian bas-reliefs. The number of strings probably varied, as different accounts are given. (See _Bible Educator,_ 1:19.) WITH THE PSALTERY AND AN INSTRUMENT OF TE... [ Continue Reading ]
A NEW SONG. — This expression occurs in Psalms 96:1; Psalms 98:1; Psalms 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Jdt. 16:13, and was adopted in Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3. The term apparently marked the revival of national psalmody after the Captivity. “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and _new_ things... [ Continue Reading ]
RIGHT. — The first inspiring cause of praise for a faithful Israelite is the righteousness of the God of the Covenant. But the pregnant expression, “word of Jehovah,” naturally leads him on from the thought of its _truth_ to the thought of its _power,_ and in Psalms 33:6 we have praise of the creati... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH. — This is plainly only a synonym for _word._ (Comp. Isaiah 11:4, where “breath of his lips” is used for the Divine sentence of judgment upon the heathen.)... [ Continue Reading ]
AS AN HEAP. — The image explains itself (so we speak of waves “mountains high “) without reference to the passage either of the Red Sea or the Jordan. Still less is there a comparison to _heaps of corn,_ some think, since _storehouses_ in the next clause are not necessarily _barns,_ but _reservoirs.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD BRINGETH. — The thought now passes on to the irresistible rule of Jehovah. His counsel stands for all generations, and being _righteous_ as well as _eternal,_ frustrates the counsel and thoughts of the heathen, while His chosen people (Psalms 33:12) rest in stable peace under the Theocracy.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE FASHIONETH. — Better, “Moulding their hearts for all, Observing all their deeds.” The Hebrew word rendered “fashion” is that used of a potter moulding clay.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO KING. — Better, _The king doth not triumph by the greatness of his force. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_(_17_)_ SAFETY. — Better, _victory._ (Comp. Habakkuk 3:8.) The allusion is to the war-horse.... [ Continue Reading ]
(20-22) HOPE — WAIT — TRUST. — The Hebrew language was naturally rich in words expressive of that attitude of expectancy which was characteristic of a nation whose golden age was not in the past, but in the future — a nation for which its great ancestor left in his dying words so suitable a motto —... [ Continue Reading ]