PSALM XXXIX _The psalmist's care and watchfulness over his thoughts, tongue,_ _and actions_, 1-3. _He considers the brevity and uncertainty of human life_, 4-7; _prays for deliverance from sin_, 8-11; _and that he may be protected and spared till he is fitted for_ _another world_, 12, 13. NOT... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:2. _I HELD ANY PEACE_, EVEN _FROM GOOD_] "I ceased from the words of the law," says the _Chaldee_. I spoke nothing, _either good_ _or bad_. I did not even defend myself. _MY SORROW WAS STIRRED._] My afflictions increased, and I had an exacerbation of pain. It is a hard thing to be d... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:3. _MY HEART WAS HOT WITHIN ME_] A natural feeling of repressed grief. _WHILE I WAS MUSING_] What was at first a simple sensation of heat produced a _flame_; the _fire broke out_ that had long been _smothered._ It is a metaphor taken from vegetables, which, being heaped together, be... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:4. _LORD, MAKE ME TO KNOW MINE END_] I am weary of life; I wish to know _the measure of my days_, that I may see how long I have to suffer, and _how frail_ I am. I wish to know what is _wanting_ to make up the number of the days I have to live.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:5. _MY DAYS_ AS _A HANDBREADTH_] My life is but a _span_; σπιθαμητουβιου. _AND MINE AGE_ IS _AS NOTHING_] כאין _keein_, as _if at were_ _not before thee_. All _time_ is swallowed up in thy _eternity_. _VERILY EVERY MAN AT HIS BEST STATE_] כל אדם נצב _col adam nitstab_, "every man t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:6. _WALKETH IN A VAIN SHOW_] בצלם _betselem_, in a _shadow_. He is but the _semblance_ of being: he appears for a while, and then _vanisheth_ away. Some of the fathers read, "Although every man walketh in the image of God, yet they are disquieted in vain." _HE HEAPETH UP_ RICHES, _A... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:7. _AND NOW, LORD, WHAT WAIT I FOR?_] Have I any object of pursuit in life, but to regain thy _favour_ and thine _image_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:8. _DELIVER ONE FROM ALL MY TRANSGRESSIONS_] I seek the pardon of my sins; I expect it from thy _mercy_. Grant it, "that I be not the reproach of the foolish," (the godless and the profane,) who deride my expectation, and say no such blessings can be had. Let them know, by thy saving... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:10. _REMOVE THY STROKE AWAY FROM ME_] This seems to be a figure taken from _gladiators_, or persons _contending in single_ _combat_. One is wounded so as to be able to maintain the fight no longer: he therefore _gives in_, and prays his adversary to spare his life. I am conquered; I... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:11. _WHEN THOU WITH REBUKES DOST CORRECT MAN_] תוכחות _tochachoth_ signifies a _vindication of proceedings in a court of_ _law_, a _legal defence_. When God comes to maintain the credit and authority of his law against a sinner, he "causes his beauty to consume away:" a metaphor take... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:12. _HEAR MY PRAYER_] Therefore, O Lord, show that mercy upon me which I so much need, and without which I must perish everlastingly. I AM _A STRANGER WITH THEE_] I have not made this earth my home; I have not trusted in any arm but thine. Though I have sinned, I have never denied t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 39:13. _O SPARE ME_] Take me not from this _state_ of _probation_ till I have a thorough preparation for a _state of blessedness_. This he terms _recovering his strength _- being restored to the _favour_ and _image_ of God, from which he had fallen. This should be the daily cry of every... [ Continue Reading ]