LXXXVII. According to the common interpretation of this obscure psalm, it is unique not only in the Psalter but in Hebrew literature. Not even in Isaiah is Jewish exclusiveness so broken down. A nameless poet goes beyond the prophetic visions of the forceful submission of the Gentile world to antici... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS FOUNDATION. — This abrupt commencement with a clause without a verb has led to the conjecture that a line has dropped away. But this is unnecessary if we neglect the accents, and take _gates of Zion_ in apposition with _His foundation:_ His foundation on the holy hill Loveth Jehovah, (even) Zio... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning of this verse is obvious in spite of its many grammatical difficulties. The praise of Zion had found many tongues, but the poet implies that he is going to swell the chorus.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS VERSE MAY BE PARAPHRASED — I will mention to my intimates Rahab and Babylon; (I will say) look at Philistia and Tyre — yes, and even Ethiopia. So-and-so was born there. The last clause is literally _this was born there,_ and on its reference the whole meaning of the verse and the whole intenti... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OF ZION... — This verse must be taken as antithetical to the preceding. The poet claims a prouder boast for natives of Jerusalem, because it was established by the Most High. Render, _But of Zion it is said, “This man and that_ (literally, _man and man_) _was born in her, and her the Most High e... [ Continue Reading ]
The proud boast of the preceding verse is repeated here with allusion to the census or birth-register of citizens. (See Ezekiel 13:9; Isaiah 4:3; Psalms 69:28, Note.) No doubt these lists were often produced or appealed to in triumph to mark the superiority of a native of Jerusalem over those born a... [ Continue Reading ]
The literal sense of this most obscure verse is — “And singers as trumpeters All my springs in Thee, which we may paraphrase, keeping in the same line with the rest of the psalm, _For such an one_ (celebrating his birthday, Genesis 40:20; Matthew 14:6) _the singers and musicians will sing_ (to Zio... [ Continue Reading ]