XXXIX. “Undoubtedly,” says Ewald, “the finest elegy in the Psalter;” and the same scholar pronounces it original, so that the many points of similarity with the book of Job (see Notes, _passim_) must be taken to indicate the acquaintance of its author with this Psalm. Perhaps it is from this elegy... [ Continue Reading ]
MY TONGUE. — To enter into the feeling of the poet we must remember the unrestrained way in which Orientals give way to grief. It was natural and becoming for him to “roar” (Psalms 38:8, &c.) out his indignation or his grief, to mutter (Psalms 1:2, &c) aloud his prayers, to speak out on every impuls... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN FROM GOOD. — This interpretation, while following the LXX., Vulg., and most ancient versions, is suspicious, since the particle, rendered _from,_ is not generally used in this sense after a verb expressing silence. Indeed there is only one instance which at all supports this rendering (1 Kings... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRE BURNED. — The attempt at repression only makes the inward flame of feeling burn the more fiercely, till at last it is too much for the resolution that has been formed, and the passion of the heart breaks out in words. Like the modern poet, the Hebrew bard had felt “Twere better not to brea... [ Continue Reading ]
Rhythmically and from every other reason the psalm onward from this verse must be treated as the utterance to which the poet’s feelings have at length driven him. HOW FRAIL I AM. — This is to be preferred to the margin, which follows the LXX. and Vulg. The Hebrew word, from a root meaning to “leave... [ Continue Reading ]
HANDBREADTH. — Better, _some spans long._ The plural without the article having this indefinite sense. MINE AGE. — Literally, _duration._ (See Psalms 17:14.) The LXX. and Vulg. have “substance.” BEFORE THEE. — Since in God’s sight “one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY EVERY MAN ... — Better, _only as a shadow walks a man._ A very commonplace of poetry, from the σκιᾶς ὄναρ ἄνθρωποι of Pindar downwards. Thus Sophocles, “I see that we who live are nothing else but images and vain shadows;” Horace, “_Pulvis et umbra sumus;_ Burke, “What shadows we are, and wha... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW, LORD... — “If such is man’s condition, what,” says the psalmist, “is my expectation?” We seem to hear the deep sigh with which the words are uttered; and we must remember that the poet can turn for comfort to no hope of immortality. That had not yet dawned. The thought of God’s mercy, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the psalmist recurs to his initial thought, but lets us see deeper down into his heart. It was no mere fancy that if he gave vent to his feelings the wicked might find cause for reproach; the cause was there in his own consciousness of transgression. THE REPROACH OF THE FOOLISH. — Better, _The... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU is emphatic. Kimchi well explains: “I could not complain of _man,_ for it was _God’s_ doing; I could not complain of _God,_ for I was conscious of _my own_ sin.”... [ Continue Reading ]
STROKE. — See Note to Psalms 38:11. BLOW. — Margin, “conflict.” A word only found here; from a root meaning _rough._ LXX. and Vulg. have “strength.” Calvin’s last words are said to have been a reminiscence of this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN. — This is unnecessary. _With judgments for sin Thou chastenest a man._ REBUKES. — The word rendered “reproofs” in Psalms 38:14, where see Note. BEAUTY. — Literally, _Something desirable._ (See margin.) _Thou, like a moth_ (consuming a garment: see Pr. Bk. Version), _causest his desirable thi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I AM A STRANGER. — A reminiscence of Genesis 23:4, and adopted 1 Peter 2:11 from the LXX. (See _New Testament Commentary,_ and comp. Hebrews 11:13.) The psalmist, like the Apostle, applies Abraham’s words metaphorically to this earthly pilgrim age (comp. 1 Chronicles 29:15), and pathetically ask... [ Continue Reading ]
RECOVER STRENGTH. — Better, _Let me become cheerful, i.e.,_ look up with a glad look once more on my face, as the angry look fades from the Divine countenance. BEFORE. — Literally, _before I go, and am not._ All the words and phrases of this last verse occur in the Book of Job. (See Job 7:8; Job 7:... [ Continue Reading ]