אור Acts 23. 21: 26. 11. Ps. 42. 3. Ps. 30. 6, 7. Eccles. 6. 12. Ex. 3. 15. Rev. 1. 17, 18. 8 Mine enemies revile me all the day long; and they, that are mad upon [against] me, are sworn together against me. 9 For I have eaten ashes, as it were bread, and mingled my drink with weeping ; 10 And that, because of thine indignation and wrath; for thou hast taken me up, and cast me down. 11 My days are gone like a shadow, and I am withered like grass. 12 But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever, and thy remembrance throughout all genera tions. lids to slumber.". -A sparrow, &c. The solitary sparrow is thought to be intended, which is an Eastern bird, and usually sits alone on the tops of old buildings, and on the roofs of lofty edifices, singing very sweetly, especially in the morning. The comparison, which was evidently suggested by the Psalmist's inability to rest in his bed, can hardly be deemed complete, unless this species of sparrow is also to be reckoned among the birds of night. 8 Mine enemies. The Babylonians, to whom the children of Israel were then in captivity. 9 For I have eaten, &c. The present verse depends on the very commencement of the Psalm. The Israelites not only clothed themselves with sack-cloth, to testify the greatness of their sorrow (see on Psalm xxx. 12), but, for the same reason, they both sat down in, and sprinkled themselves with, ashes. 2 Sam. xiii. 19. Job XLii. 6. Whether the phrases now used are to be taken literally or not, is of no moment. They possibly constitute a strong proverbial expression to denote great affliction and misery, and imply nothing more, than that, instead of taking his regular food and drink, the Psalmist gave himself up to grief, of which ashes formed the symbol, and, in like manner, to weeping. Isai. xxx. 20. 10 Thou hast taken, &c. Former prosperity must ever render present adversity more bitter. Exod. ix. 15, 16. 11 My days, &c. I am gradually declining and approaching the day of my death, as a shadow, in the evening, glides imperceptibly on, lengthening as it goes, until, at last, it suddenly vanishes entirely away. Jer. vi. 4. 12 But thou, &c. Notwithstanding the acuteness of his sufferings, the Psalmist yet consoles himself with the certainty, that Jehovah endures "from everlasting to everlasting." He feels convinced, therefore, that he will not fail, according to his promise, to be gracious unto his people, in bringing them back from captivity, so that his mercy and loving-kindness may be commemorated throughout all future generations. "Thy remembrance" may, however, only be designed to express, that Jehovah himself would not forget his own holy covenant with his people, by which he engaged always to deliver them, when in misery or danger. 13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zech. 1. 12. Sion; for it is time, that thou have mercy upon her; yea, the [set] time is come. 14 And why? thy servants think upon her stones, and it pitieth them to see her in the dust. 15 The heathen shall fear thy name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy majesty; 16 When the Lord shall build up Sion, and when his glory shall appear; 17 When he turneth him unto the prayer of the poor destitute, and despiseth not their desire. 18 This shall be written for those, that come after; and the people, which shall be born, shall praise the Lord. 19 For he hath looked down from his sanctuary; out of the heaven did the Lord behold the earth; 20 That he might hear the mournings of such as are in captivity, and deliver the children [those that are] appointed unto death; 21 That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion, and his worship [praise] at Jerusalem, 1 2 Ezra 7. 27. 2 A Kings 8. 41, &c. Isai. 60. 1, &c. Ps. 66. 18. Isai. 43. 21. Rom. 15. 4. Deut. 26. 15. Kings 13. 22, 23. Jer. 51. 34, 35. Ephes. 2. 4, &c: 3. 20, 21. 22 When the people are gathered together, Zech. 8. 20, &c. and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord. Matt. 24. 14. 16 Sion. Sion stands here and elsewhere for Jerusalem, of which city it was the pride and ornament. Ver. 13. Psalm XLviii. 11. 18 This, &c. The restoration of the Jews to the land of their fathers, which event is immediately celebrated, as if it had then actually occurred. The divine goodness and condescension in answering "the prayer of the poor destitute" were to be committed to writing, in order that the glory of Jehovah might be published at Jerusalem, when, at length, the whole world, both Jews and gentiles, should be assembled there to do him honor. Ver. 22. 20 Appointed unto death. Who, in their captivity, are experiencing so much affliction, that it is manifest their cruel enemies are desirous of destroying them utterly; or, at least, of bringing them into such a low and pitiable state, as to blot out their name from among the nations of the earth. 21 Worship. See on Psalm iii. 3. 22 When the people, &c. A prediction concerning the conversion of the gentiles. When many people and kingdoms would gather themselves together at Jerusalem, and join in one common worship to the Lord God Almighty. Ezek. 37. 11, &c. Isai. 38. 10. John 1.1, 2. Heb. 1. 10. Heb. 1. 11. 2 Pet. 3. 7, &c. Heb. 1. 12: 13. 8. 23 He brought down my strength in my journey, and shortened my days. 24 But I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of mine age; as for thy years, they endure throughout all generations: 25 Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: they all shall wax old, as doth a garment; 27 And, as a vesture, shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail [have no end]. 23 He brought down, &c. The writer now returns to ver. 11, and, in the remaining portion of the Psalm, appears only to expand the consolatory idea contained in ver. 12, relative to the eternal existence of Jehovah, and his faithful protection of his servants. Ere the Israelitish tribes had proceeded far in their journey through life (see on Psalm Lxxxix. 44), they were driven into exile, where they had been so harassed and weakened by suffering, that they did not appear destined to "live out half their days" as a people, nor to see the redemption, which the prophets had always, by divine inspiration, announced to them. 25 The foundation, &c. The earth is, as usual, spoken of, as if it were a building, which literally required foundations, together with "a wise master-builder" to lay them. Isai. xlviii. 13. 27 And, as a vesture, &c. A frequent change of garments is, doubtless, very common in the East, both to shew respect, and to display magnificence, still the Psalmist ought rather to be supposed to draw his comparison from the putting away of that portion of the dress, which has been worn out by use. Consequently, in this part of his composition, which, at first sight, seems to form only a lively description of the eternity and immutability of Jehovah, he was, as we may reasonably imagine, carried on irresistibly, though secretly, by the Holy Ghost to intimate, that the present system of things was not destined to last for ever, but that, at some future period, "new heavens and a new earth" would assuredly be created by the power of God; under which figure, Isaiah, at least, designedly signified the commencement of the gospel dispensation. LXV. 17: Lxvi. 22. It must not, however, be omitted, that St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, quotes these three verses in such a manner, as to make a direct and unreserved application of them to Christ. Nor is it probable, that the apostle, in using them as a testimony to the supremacy and deity of the Messiah, expressed any more than their true and original meaning. For, the mourning, but not despairing, Psalmist might surely look forward to the promised Saviour, the hope of Israel, in his distress; since, though his knowledge was, of course, obscure, his faith need not have been the less certain. See on Psalm xvi. 12. 28 The children of thy servants shall con- John 14. 19. tinue, and their seed shall stand fast in thy Acts 2. 38, 39. sight. PSALM CIII. THIS Psalm, which is said to have been applied to the circumstances of the two tribes, when in captivity, was, it is conjectured, originally written by David, either on his recovery from some dangerous sickness, or, as a hymn of thanksgiving, after God had pardoned his great sin “in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” In it he blesses the Almighty for his great and tender mercies, both spiritual and temporal, towards himself, as well as towards the Israelites; he celebrates also his wonderful compassion to all his true servants, and concludes with inviting every created thing to join in adoring his holy name. The Psalm is likewise to be understood as a prophetic description of the state of Christians under the gospel. PRAISE the Lord, O my soul; and all, that | Luke 1. 46, 47. is within me, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; 3 Who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities [thy diseases]; 4 Who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, making thee young and lusty as an eagle. Deut. 8. 10, &c. Luke 17. 15, &c. Ex. 15. 26. Luke 7. 46, 47. Ps. 34. 22. Isai. 40. 31. 28 The children, &c. The inference, as regards mere temporal circumstances, which is deduced from the consideration of God's everlasting and unchangeable nature, seems to be this :-though we, who now live, may not enjoy the expected deliverance, nor be freed from exile, our descendants can assuredly anticipate the blessing of one day dwelling in the country inhabited by their ancestors; and when, at length, they shall have been restored to our land, thou wilt graciously preserve them there, keeping them safe under thine especial care and protection. Psalm Lxix. 36, 37. 1 All, that is, &c. All the powers of my mind, and all the affections of my soul. 3 Who forgiveth, &c. The forgiveness of sins, and the removal of the sicknesses, which they drew down, as a punishment, upon the transgressor, are equivalent expressions with the sacred writers. See on Psalm xxxi. 12. 5 Making thee young, &c. A popular notion has existed, from very ancient times, not only that eagles live, and retain their vigor, to a great age, but that, unlike other birds, they are even then remarkable for the entire moulting of their feathers, so that their youth and strength appear to be renewed with their plumage. We need not Deut. 24.14, 15. Ex. 33. 13. Neh. 9, 17. Heb. 8. 8, &c. Isai. 57. 16. Mic. 7. 18, 19. Ezra 9. 13, 14. Gen. 32. 10. Isai. 43. 25. Isai. 49. 15. Rev. 2. 4, 5. Jam. 1. 10, 11. 1 Pet. 1. 24. Job 7. 9, 10. 20.8, 9. Ex. 20. 6. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Deut. 7. 9. 6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment, for all them that are oppressed with wrong. 7 He shewed his unto Moses; his works 8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering, and of great goodness. 9 He will not alway be chiding, neither keepeth he his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses. 11 For, look, how high the heaven is in comparison of [is above] the earth, so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him. 12 Look, how wide also the east is from the west, so far hath he set our sins from us; 13 Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children, even so is the Lord merciful unto them, that fear him; 14 For he knoweth whereof we are made; he remembereth, that we are but dust. 15 The days of man are but as grass; for he flourisheth as a flower of the field; 16 For, as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever and ever upon them, that fear him; and his righteousness upon children's children; 18 Even upon such, as keep his covenant, now inquire, whether this notion, of which David here takes advantage, rests, in any degree, on a good foundation or not; since it was surely sufficient for a poet, though employed on sacred subjects, to have the authority of general belief to sanction the use of any image, introduced merely for illustration or ornament. 7 His ways. Either the method, according to which he proposed to deliver the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage; or the path of holiness and rectitude, in which he desired them to walk before him, as pointed out in the law given from Sinai. 12 Our sins. The punishment due to our sins. 16 As soon as, &c. There is an evident allusion to the desolation occasioned in the East by hot and pestilential winds, for they both produce blight, and are fatal to every species of herbage; besides, they have a blasting effect even upon the human frame, and kill suddenly by suffocation those unfortunate persons, who are exposed to their influence. |