PSALM XIV _The sentiments of atheists and deists, who deny the doctrine_ _of a Divine providence. Their character: they are corrupt,_ _foolish, abominable, and cruel_, 1-4. _God fills them with terror_, 5; _reproaches them for their oppression of the poor_, 6. _The psalmist prays for the resto... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 14:2. _THE LORD LOOKED DOWN FROM HEAVEN_] Words spoken after the manner of men. From this glorious eminence God is represented as looking down upon the habitable globe, _to see if there were any_ _that did understand_ that there was a Supreme Being, the governor and judge of men; and, i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 14:3. _THEY ARE ALL GONE ASIDE_] They will not walk in the _straight_ path. They seek _crooked_ ways; and they have departed from _truth_, and the God of truth. _THEY ARE_ ALL _TOGETHER BECOME FILTHY_] נאלחו _neelachu_. They are become _sour_ and _rancid_; a metaphor taken from milk th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 14:4. _HAVE ALL THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY NO KNOWLEDGE?_] Is there not one of them who takes this dreadful subject into consideration? To their deeply fallen state they add cruelty; they oppress and destroy the poor, without either interest or reason. _WHO EAT UP MY PEOPLE AS THEY EAT BR... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 14:5. _THERE WERE THEY IN GREAT FEAR_] This is a manifest allusion to the history of the _Canaanitish nations_; they were struck with terror at the sight of the Israelites, and by this allusion the psalmist shows that a destruction similar to that which fell upon them, should fall on th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 14:6. _YE HAVE SHAMED THE COUNSEL OF THE POOR_] Instead of תבישו _tabishu_, "Ye have shamed," Bishop _Horsley_ proposes to read תבישם _tabishem_, and translates the clause thus: "The counsel of the helpless man shall put _them_ to shame." But this is not authorized by MS. or _version_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 14:7. _O THAT THE SALVATION_] Or, more literally, _Who will give_ _from Zion salvation to Israel_? From Zion the deliverance must come; for God alone can deliver them; but _whom_ will he make his instruments? _WHEN THE LORD BRINGETH BACK_] For it is Jehovah alone who can do it. _Jacob... [ Continue Reading ]