LXXXI.
This is plainly a festival song, but by no means one of that jubilant
class of festival songs that conclude the Psalter. The poet is in the
truest sense a prophet, and, while calling on all the nation to join
in the music of the feast, he tries to convince them of the sad lapse
in religion fr... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE A PSALM. — Rather, _Strike up a tune_ (_with voice and harp_).
BRING HITHER THE TIMBREL. — Literally, _Give a timbrel_ (or,
_drum_)_,_ which evidently means “sound the timbrel,” and may,
perhaps, be explained by a phrase sometimes found in Hebrew —
“Give a voice,” _i.e.,_ speak. Such phrases a... [ Continue Reading ]
TRUMPET. — Heb., _shôphar._ (See Exodus 19:16; Psalms 47:5.) In
connection with this festival psalm the mention of the _shôphar_ is
especially interesting as being the only ancient Hebrew instrument of
which the use is still on solemn occasions retained. (See _Bible
Educator,_ Vol. ii. 242.)
IN THE... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS. — Better, _for it is a statute._ Referring either to the
feast itself or to the mode of celebrating it.
LAW. — Literally, _judgment,_ as LXX. and Vulg.... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSEPH. — The prominence given to this name indicates, according to
some critics, that the author belonged to the northern kingdom:. but
when a poet was wishing to vary his style of speaking of the whole
people — the names _Israel_ and _Jacob_ have just been used — the
name _Joseph_ would naturally... [ Continue Reading ]
POTS. — Deriving from a root to _boil,_ and with allusion to
_potteries,_ which, probably, together with the _brick-kilns,_ formed
the scene of the forced labour of Israel. The LXX. and Vulg. have
“slaved in the basket,” but the basket, which is represented on
Egyptian monuments, is doubtless meant... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU CALLEDST. — The recital of God’s past dealings with the
people usual at the Feast of the Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:10;
Nehemiah 8:18) appears to follow here as if the feast were actually in
progress and the crowd were listening to the psalmist.
I ANSWERED THEE IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THUNDER.... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR, O MY PEOPLE. — The Divine voice here repeats the warnings so
frequently uttered during the desert-wandering.... [ Continue Reading ]
OPEN... — A condensed statement of God’s gracious promise
(Deuteronomy 7:12; Deuteronomy 8:7; Deuteronomy 8:9; Deuteronomy
11:13; Deuteronomy 11:16, &c). It is said to have been a custom in
Persia, that when the king wishes to do a visitor especial honour he
desires him to open his mouth wide, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
LUST. — Rather, _stubbornness,_ or _perversity,_ from root meaning
“to twist.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HEARKEN... SUBDUE. — The verbs should be taken in a future sense,
“Oh that my people would hearken ... I should soon subdue,” &c.
The poet changes from reminiscences of the past to the needs of the
present.... [ Continue Reading ]
SUBMITTED. — See Note, Psalms 18:44.
HIM — _i.e.,_ Israel; Jehovah’s enemies being also Israel’s
enemies.
THEIR TIME — _i.e.,_ Israel’s. One of the sudden changes of number
so frequent in Hebrew poetry. As a nation Israel would continue to
live and prosper.... [ Continue Reading ]
FINEST OF THE WHEAT. — See margin, and comp. Psalms 147:14. The
construction of this verse is matter of difficulty. Properly we should
render, _And he fed them with the finest of the wheat, and with honey
out of the rock satisfied thee._ The change of person is harsh, though
perhaps it may be illust... [ Continue Reading ]