LXXIV. Two periods only in the history of the Jews offer possible place for the composition of this psalm — that immediately after the Chaldæan invasion, and that of the persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes (B.C 167). Against the former of these is the statement in Psalms 74:9 (see Note), which cou... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY HAST... — Better, _why hast thou never ceased abandoning us?_ ANGER. — Literally, _nostril,_ as in Psalms 18:8, “there went a smoke from his nostril.” THE SHEEP OF THY PASTURE. — An expression peculiar to the Asaphic psalms and Jeremiah 23:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
PURCHASED. — Or, as in LXX., _acquired._ This word, together with the word “redeemed” in the next clause, and “right hand” in Psalms 74:11, show that Exodus 15 was in the writer’s mind. (See especially Psalms 74:12; Psalms 74:16 of that chapter.) The word “congregation” here, as in the Mosaic books... [ Continue Reading ]
LIFT UP THY FEET. — Better, _Lift thy steps._ A poetical expression. God is invoked to hasten to view the desolation of the Temple. A somewhat similar expression will be found in Genesis 29:1 (margin). PERPETUAL DESOLATIONS. — The word rendered “desolations” occurs also in Psalms 73:18, where it is... [ Continue Reading ]
THINE ENEMIES... — As the text stands, render, _Thine enemies have roared in the midst of thine assembly,_ but many MSS. have the plural as in Psalms 74:8, where see Note for the meaning of the word. For “roared,” see Psalms 22:1, Note, and comp. Lamentations 2:7, where a similar scene is described... [ Continue Reading ]
The Authorised Version, with the ancient versions, has entirely mistaken the meaning of this verse, though, unlike the LXX. and Vulgate, it has the merit of being intelligible. Literally the words run, _he_ (or _it_)_ is known like one causing to come in on high against the thicket of trees axes,_ w... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE CAST FIRE INTO. — Literally, _They have cast into fire thy sanctuary._ Probably a hyperbolic expression, and purporting to express the vastness of the conflagration. Others compare with the English “set on fire,” and French _mettre à feu._ We learn from 1Ma. 4:38, and Josephus, _Antt. xii... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE SYNAGOGUES OF GOD IN THE LAND. — This expression excludes from _moed_ either of the meanings possible for it in Psalms 74:4, “the Temple” or “the assembly.” Buildings, and these places of worship, must be meant, and it is implied that they are scattered over the land, and can therefore mean... [ Continue Reading ]
WE SEE NOT OUR SIGNS... — It is natural to take this statement in direct contrast to what Psalms 74:4 (see Note) says of the heathen signs. While these abominations — rallying points of savage profanity — were visibly set up, the tokens of the invisible God’s presence, His wonders wrought for Israel... [ Continue Reading ]
(10-15) ln the true prophetic spirit, as Moses brought the cries of distress “by reason of their bondage” from the oppressed Israelites to God (Exodus 5:22), so this poet carries to the same God the pathos of this later cry, _How long? how long?_ In answer, the deliverances of old rush into his mind... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY WITHDRAWEST THOU. — Literally, _returnest, i.e._, into the ample folds of the Eastern robe. The poet is thinking of Exodus 4:7. PLUCK IT OUT OF THY BOSOM. — Literally, _out of the midst of thy bosom consume._ For the same absolute use of this verb comp. Psalms 59:13. The clause is an instance o... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR. — Better, _and,_ or _and yet._ MY KING. — The poet speaks for Israel. (Comp. Psalms 44:4; Habakkuk 1:12.) IN THE MIDST OF THE EARTH. — Or, as we might say, “on the great theatre of the world.” Certainly we must not render here _land_ instead of _earth,_ since the wonders of Egypt, &c, are the... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU. — Verse after verse this emphatic pronoun recurs, as if challenging the Divine Being to contradict. DIVIDE. — Literally, _break up._ DRAGONS. — Hebrew, _tannînîm,_ not to be confounded with _tannîm_ (Psalms 44:19, where see Note). It is the plural of _tannín,_ which always indicates some aqua... [ Continue Reading ]
LEVIATHAN. — See last note. AND GAVEST HIM... — The crocodile was eaten by the people of Elephantine (Herod. ii. 69), but there is no allusion here to that custom, nor to the _Ichthyophagi_ mentioned by Agatharchides, nor to the Æthiopians (as in the LXX.). It is the Egyptian corpses thrown up by t... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU DIDST CLEAVE... — Another pregnant expression for “thou didst cleave the rock, and a fountain came forth.” FLOOD. — Better, _brook._ Heb., _nâchal._ MIGHTY RIVERS. — See margin. But, perhaps, rather. _rivers of constant flow,_ that did not dry up in summer like the “brooks.” The same word is... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIGHT AND THE SUN. — Evidently from Genesis 1:14; Genesis 1:16, where the same word occurs for the heavenly luminary generally, and then for the sun as chief.... [ Continue Reading ]
(16-18) An appeal from the God of history to the God of nature. Not only did He work wonders, but even the universe is the work of His hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE BORDERS OF THE EARTH — _i.e._, earth in all directions, and to its utmost bounds; as we say, “from pole to pole.”... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER THIS. — Emphatical; the object of the enemy’s reproach is the Being who has done all these mighty works, and is the author of all this wonderful world.... [ Continue Reading ]
O DELIVER. — To guide to the meaning of this verse, the word _chayyah_ occurs in each clause, and it is presumable in the same sense (unless there is a purposed play on words). It may have one of three meanings: “life,” “animal,” “troop.” Psalms 17:9 suggests that _chayyath nephesh_ go together in t... [ Continue Reading ]
HABITATIONS. — The word thus rendered is so consistently used of the “quiet resting-places” of God’s people that it seems quite impossible that the psalmist should have used the expression, “resting- places of cruelty.” A slight change in the text gives, “Look upon the covenant, for they have filled... [ Continue Reading ]
OPPRESSED. — Literally, _crushed._ (See Psalms 9:9; Psalms 10:18.)... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses show that the psalm was actually composed amidst the dark days it describes. It ends in expostulatory prayer, with as yet no brighter gleam of hope than prayer itself implies — and that when seemingly directed to deaf ears.... [ Continue Reading ]