PSALM LXIX _The psalmist describes his afflicted state, and the wickedness_ _of his adversaries_, 1-21; _he declares the miseries that should come upon his enemies_, 22-28; _enlarges on his afflicted state, and expresses his confidence_ _in God_, 29-34; _prophesies the restoration of the Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:3. _I AM WEARY OF MY CRYING_] A pathetic description of the state of the poor captives for about _seventy_ years.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:4. _THEN I RESTORED_ THAT _WHICH I TOOK NOT AWAY._] I think, with Calmet, that this is a sort of _proverbial_ expression, like such as these, "Those who suffered the wrong, pay the costs." Delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi. "Kings sin, and the people are punished." "The fathers have... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:5. _THOU KNOWEST MY FOOLISHNESS_] Though we have been brought into captivity in consequence of the crimes of our fathers, yet we have guilt enough of our own to merit a continuation of our miseries. How can such words as are in this verse be attributed to our blessed Lord, however th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:6. _BE ASHAMED FOR MY SAKE_] The sins of the Jews were a great stumbling-block in the way of the conversion of the Gentiles. They had been the _peculiar people_ of the Lord. "How," say the Gentiles, "can a pure and holy Being love such people?" They were now _punished_ for their crim... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:7. _FOR THY SAKE I HAVE BORNE REPROACH_] The Gentiles have said, "Why such an obstinate attachment to the _worship_ of a Being who treats you so rigorously, and who interests not himself in your comfort and deliverance?" And in these cuttting reproaches some of the ungodly _Jews_ too... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:9. _THE ZEAL OF THINE HOUSE HATH EATEN ME UP_] The strong desire to promote thy glory has absorbed all others. All the desires of my _body_ and _soul_ are wrapped up in this. This verse is very properly applied to our Lord, John 2:17, who _went about doing good_; and gave up his life... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:12. _THEY THAT SIT IN THE GATE_] At the gates were the courts for public justice; _there_ were complaints lodged, and causes heard. No doubt many vexatious complaints were made against the poor captives; and false accusations, through which they grievously suffered; so that, literall... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:13. _MY PRAYER_ IS _UNTO THEE, O LORD_, IN _AN ACCEPTABLE TIME_] This seems to refer to the _end of the captivity_, which Jeremiah had said should last _seventy years_, Jeremiah 25:11: "The whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:16. _THY LOVING-KINDNESS_ IS _GOOD_] The word חסד _chesed_ signifies _exuberance of kindness_; and the word רחמים _rachamim_, which we translate _tender mercies_, signifies such _affection_ as _mothers_ bear to their _young_: and in God, there is רב _rob_, a _multitude_, of _such ten... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:18. _DELIVER ME BECAUSE OF MINE ENEMIES._] Probably they now began to think that the redemption of these captives was not an impossible thing; that it was not far off; and therefore they had great rage, because they found their time was but short.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:19. _THOU HAST KNOWN MY REPROACH_] This is one of the most forcible appeals to mercy and compassion that was ever made. The language of these two verses is inimitable; and the sentiment cannot be mended. I can devise no comment that would not lessen their effect.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:21. _THEY GAVE ME ALSO GALL FOR MY MEAT_] Even the _food_, necessary to preserve us in their slavery, was frequently mingled with what rendered it unpleasant and disgusting, though not absolutely unwholesome. And vinegar, sour small wines, was given us for our beverage. This is appli... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:22. _LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE_] The execrations here and in the following verses should be read in the _future_ tense, because they are _predictive_; and not in the _imperative mood_, as if they were the offspring of the psalmist's resentment: "Their table SHALL become a snare;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:27. _ADD INIQUITY UNTO THEIR INIQUITY_] תנה עון על עונם _tenah avon al avonam; give iniquity_, that is, the _reward_ of it, _upon_ or _for their iniquity_. Or, as the original signifies _perverseness_, treat their _perverseness_ with _perverseness_: act, in thy judgments, as _crooked... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:28. _LET THEM BE BLOTTED OUT_] They _shall_ be blotted out from the land of the living. They shall _be cut off from life_, which they have forfeited by their cruelty and oppression. The psalmist is speaking of _retributive_ justice; and in this sense all these passages are to be unde... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:29. _I AM POOR AND SORROWFUL_] Literally, _I an laid low, and_ _full of pain_ or _grief_. Hence the prayer, "Let thy salvation, O God set me on high!" My oppression has laid me _low_; thy salvation shall make me _high_!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:31. _AN OX_ OR _BULLOCK THAT HATH HORNS AND HOOFS._] Oxen offered in sacrifice had their horns and hoofs _gilded_; and the psalmist might mention these parts of the victim more particularly, because they were more _conspicuous_. Others think that _full-grown_ animals are intended, th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:32. _THE HUMBLE SHALL SEE_ THIS, AND _BE GLAD_] Those who are _low_, pressed down by misfortune or cruelty, shall see this and take courage; expecting that thou wilt lift _them_ up also; and thus the heart of those who seek the Lord shall be _revived_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:33. _FOR THE LORD HEARETH THE POOR_] אביונים _ebyonim, of the_ _beggars_. He perhaps refers here to the case of the captives, many of whom were reduced to the most abject state, so as to be obliged to beg bread from their heathen oppressors. _HIS PRISONERS._] The captives, shut up b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:34. _LET THE HEAVEN AND EARTH PRAISE HIM_] The psalmist has the fullest confidence that God will turn their captivity, and therefore calls upon all creatures to magnify him for his mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 69:35. _GOD WILL SAVE ZION_] This fixes the Psalm to the time of the captivity. There was no _Zion_ belonging to the Jews in the time of _Saul_, when those suppose the Psalm to be written who make David the author; for David after he came to the throne, won the stronghold of Zion from t... [ Continue Reading ]