PSALM XCVII _The reign of Jehovah, its nature and blessedness_, 1, 2. _He is fearful to the wicked_, 3-4. _Idolaters shall be destroyed_, 7. _The blessedness of the righteous_, 8-12. NOTES ON PSALM XCVII This Psalm has no _title_ either in the _Hebrew_ or _Chaldee_; and in _fourteen_ of _Kenn... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:2. _CLOUDS AND DARKNESS_ ARE _ROUND ABOUT HIM_] It is granted that this is a subject which cannot be comprehended. And why? Because God is _infinite_; he acts from his own _counsels_, which are _infinite_; in reference to _ends_ which are also _infinite_: therefore, the _reasons_ of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:3. _A FIRE GOETH BEFORE HIM_] Literally, this and the following verse may refer to the electric fluid, or to manifestations of the Divine displeasure, in which, by means of _ethereal fire_, God consumed his enemies. But _fire_ is generally represented as an accompaniment of the appe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:4. _HIS LIGHTNINGS ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD_] Though this be no more than a majestic description of the coming of the Lord, to confound his enemies and succour his followers, yet _some_ _spiritualize_ the passage, and say, the _lightnings_ signify the _apostles_, who _enlightened_ the w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:5. _THE HILLS MELTED LIKE WAX_] The fire of God seized on and liquefied them, so that they no longer opposed his march; and the mountains before him became a plain. _THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH._] אדון כל הארץ _adon col haarets_, the Director, Stay, and Support of the whole earth. T... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:6. _THE HEAVENS DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS_] They also, in this poetic description, become _intelligent_ beings, and proclaim the majesty and the mercy of the Most High. Metaphorically, they may be said to declare his glory. Their magnitude, number, revolutions, order, influence, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:7. _CONFOUNDED BE ALL THEY_] Rather, _They shall be_ _confounded that boast themselves in idols_. There is a remarkable play on the _letters_ here, המתהללים _hammithhalelim_, who move like madmen; referring to the violent gestures practised in idolatrous rites. _OF IDOLS_] באלילים _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:8. _ZION HEARD, AND WAS GLAD_] All the land of _Israel_, long desolated, heard of the judgments which God had shown among the enemies of his people. _AND THE DAUGHTERS OF JUDAH_] All the villages of the land-_Zion_ as the mother, and all the _villages_ in the country as her _daughte... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:9. _FOR THOU, LORD_, ART _HIGH_] Thou art infinitely exalted above _men_ and _angels_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:10. _YE THAT LOVE THE LORD HATE EVIL_] Because it is inconsistent with his love to you, as well as your love to him. _HE PRESERVETH THE SOULS OF HIS SAINTS_] The _saints_, חסידיו chasidaiv, his merciful people: their _souls_-lives, are precious in his sight. He _preserves_ them; kee... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:11. _LIGHT IS SOWN FOR THE RIGHTEOUS_] The Divine light in the soul of man is a seed which takes root, and springs up and increases _thirty, sixty_, and a _hundred_ fold. _Gladness_ is also a seed: it is _sown_, and, if carefully improved and cultivated, will also multiply itself in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 97:12. _REJOICE IN THE LORD, YE RIGHTEOUS_] It is your privilege to be _happy_. Exult in him through whom ye have received the atonement. _Rejoice_; but let it be _in the Lord_. All other joy is the _mirth of fools_, which is as the _crackling of thorns under a_ _pot_ - it is a luminous... [ Continue Reading ]