LXXXVI This psalm is mainly composed of a number of sentences and verses from older compositions, arranged not without art, and, where it suited the adapter, so altered as to present forms of words peculiar to himself. (See Notes on Psalms 86:5.) There is also evidence of design in the employment o... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I AM HOLY. — Rather, in order to reproduce the feeling, _for I am one of the chosen ones; one of Thy saints, &c._ He pleads the covenant relation as a claim to the blessing. (See, on _chasid,_ Note, Psalms 1:5.)... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU. — Up to this time the psalmist has only put forward his needs in various aspects as a plea for God’s compassion. Now, not without art, he clenches his petition by an appeal to the nature itself of the Divine Being. The originals of the expressions in this verse will be found in Exodus 20:6... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE EAR. — Here the petition takes a new starting-point.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the sources of this verse see marginal reference and Exodus 15:11. After expressing his conviction of God’s _willingness_ to hear prayer, the psalmist goes on to his confidence in Divine power to save.... [ Continue Reading ]
For this wide prospect of Divine dominion see Psalms 22:31; Isaiah 43:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
A reminiscence of older psalms. In addition to the marginal references, see Psalms 26:3. UNITE MY HEART — _i.e.,_ unite all my powers and concentrate them on Thy service. No doubt with recollection of Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 10:12. Comp. also Jeremiah 32:39, on which apparently the expression... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Psalms 56:13; Psalms 57:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
LOWEST HELL. — Literally, _sheôl, beneath,_ a fuller expression for the usual _sheôl, underworld._ (See Note, Psalms 6:5.) There is no comparison implied as in the Authorised Version. It is evident from the next verse that what is meant is _danger of death from violence. _... [ Continue Reading ]
See Note, Psalms 54:3, whence the verse is taken.... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVANT... SON OF THINE HANDMAID. — Comp. Psalms 116:16. The combined expressions imply a _homeborn slave._ (Comp. Genesis 14:14; Jeremiah 2:14)... [ Continue Reading ]
A TOKEN FOR GOOD — _i.e.,_ some sign of continued or renewed providential care and love, such, indeed, as an Israelite under the old covenant saw, and every pious heart under the new sees, in what to others is an every-day occurrence. The expression _for good_ is a favourite one with Nehemiah (Nehem... [ Continue Reading ]