"mete " coth." out the valley of Suc 8. Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine: Ephraim also is the strength of my head. 9. Judah is my lawgiver; Moab is my wash-pot: over Edom will I cast out my shoe; upon Philistia will I triumph. 10. Who will lead me into the (e) strong city: and who will bring me into Edom ? Psalm cix. (h) HOLD not thy tongue, O God of my praise for the mouth of the ungodly, yea, the mouth of the deceitful is opened upon me. 2. And they have spoken against me with false tongues : they compassed me about also with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause. 3. For the love that I had unto them, lo, they now take my con prayer. 11. Hast not thou (f) forsa- | trary part: but I give myself unto ken (g) us, O God: and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts? 12. O help us against the enemy: for vain is the help of man. 13. Through God we shall do great acts: and it is he that shall tread down our enemies. (e) v. 10. "The strong city," i. e. "Bozrah," the capital of Edom; situated on a rock, and fortified, so as to be deemed impregnable. (f) v. 11. For "hast not thou," the reading should perhaps be, "hast thou "then." This agrees better with the concluding part of the verse, and with the prayer in verse 12. The Septuagint is, “ Οὐχὶ σὺ ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ἀπωσάμενος ἡμᾶς,” which may be rendered, "Wilt not thou "O God, though for a time thou hast "forsaken us ?" (g) "Forsaken," or " encompassed," "armed." (h) An anxious prayer to God for protection, supposed to be written by David, (Wats. Apol. 55.) complaining bitterly of the malevolence and rancour of his enemies, praying for or predicting their confusion, noticing his own distress, but concluding with a resolution to praise God, as being confident of deliverance. (i) v. 5. " Set, &c." Some translators render this and the following verses as predictions, not as imprecations: "Thou "shalt set, &c." " and Satan shall stand, " &c." Dr. Kennicott treats them as imprecations, but as the imprecations of David's enemies: and he translates verse 19. "This is the prayer to God of those 4. Thus have they rewarded me evil for good: and hatred for my good will; 5. "Set (i) thou an ungodly "man to be ruler over him: and "let Satan stand at his right " hand. (k) "who are my enemies, and who speak " evil against my soul;" (See 2. Kennic. Dissert. 581, 582. - Kennic. Rem. 271.) and this translation seems to agree with the original and with the Septuagint. Dr. Kennicott's supposition appears strongly countenanced also by the context and general scope of the Psalm. It begins with stating that the mouth of the ungodly was opened upon him and compassed him about with words of hatred. Is it then improbable he should state what those words were? The verses from verse 5 to 19. all speak of an individual in the singular number; the prayer to God, in verse 20. &c. comes in naturally; the petition, in verse 27., though they curse, yet "bless thou," agrees with the notion that he had been specifying the curses they used; the prayer, in verse 28. that his enemies may be clothed with shame, follows the imputation upon him in verse 17. that he clothed himself with cursing; and the intimation in verse 30. that the Lord should stand at the right hand of the poor, (that is, at his right hand,) is in contrast with their prayer in verse 5. that Satan might stand there. (k) "At his right hand," to annoy him; to lead him into trouble; to expose him 6. "When sentence is given " upon him, let him be con"demned: and let his prayer be "turned into sin. to God's wrath. 7. "Let his days be few: and " let another take his office. 8. "Let his children be father"less: and his wife a widow. 9. "Let his children be vaga" bonds, and beg their bread : let "them seek it also out of desolate " places. 10. "Let the extortioner con" sume all that he hath and let " the stranger spoil his labour. 11. "Let there be no man to " pity him: nor to have compas"sion upon his fatherless chil "dren. 12. " Let his posterity be de"stroyed : and in the next ge" neration let his name be clean " put out. 13. "Let the wickedness of "his fathers be had in remem" brance in the sight of the Lord : " and let not the sin of his mother " be done away. 14. " Let them (1) alway be "before the Lord: that he may " root out the memorial of them "from off the earth; 15. "And that, because his " mind was not to do good: but " persecuted the poor helpless "man, that he might slay him " that was vexed at the heart. 16. "His delight was in curs"ing, and it shall happen unto "him: he loved not blessing, "therefore shall it be far from " him. 17. " He clothed himself with " cursing, like as with a raiment : (1) v. 14. "Them, &c." i. e. "the wick"edness of his fathers, and the sin of his " mother." " and it shall come into his bowels " like water, and like oil into his " bones. 18. "Let it be unto him as the " cloke that he hath upon him: " and as the girdle that he is "alway girded withal." 19. Let it thus happen from the Lord unto mine enemies: and to those that speak evil against my soul. 20. But deal thou with me, O Lord God, according unto thy Name: for sweet is thy mercy. 21. O deliver me; for I am helpless and poor: and my heart is wounded within me. 22. I go hence like the shadow that departeth: and am driven away as the grasshopper. 23. My knees are weak through fasting: my flesh is dried up for want of fatness. 24. I became also a reproach unto them: they, that looked upon me, shaked their heads. 25. Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to thy mercy. 26. And they shall know, how that this is thy hand : and that thou, Lord, hast done it. 27. Though they curse, yet bless thou : and let them be confounded that rise up against me; but let thy servant rejoice. 28. Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame : and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a cloke. 29. As for me, I will give great thanks unto the Lord with my mouth: and praise him among the multitude. 30. For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor: to save his soul from unrighteous judges. (m) A prophetic hymn upon the Messiah, written by David. It is clearly so considered by our Saviour, in his conversation with the Pharisees, (Matt. xxii. 41 to 45.- Mark xii. 35 to 37. and Luke xx. 41 to 44.) "Jesus asked them, "What "think ye of Christ? whose son is he? "They say unto him, The son of David. "He saith unto them, How then doth "David in spirit" (under the influence of inspiration) "call him, Lord, saying, "The Lord said unto my lord, Sit thou on " my right hand, till I make thine enemies "thy footstool?" If David then call him, "Lord, how is he is son?" So St. Peter, in his address on the day the apostles received the gift of the Holy Ghost, (Acts xxii. 34.) evidently treats it as written by David, and as applying to the Messiah : "David is not ascended into the heavens, "but he saith himself, "The Lord said " unto my lord, Sit thou on my right hand, " until I make thy foes thy footstool." Again, in the passage, Heb. i. 13. "to "which of the angels said he at any "time, Sit on my right hand, until I " make thine enemies thy footstool," it is evident the author must have considered it as written of the Messiah. And the expression in verse 4. " thou art a priest "for ever after the order of Melchize"dek," is repeatedly in the Hebrews considered as applying to the Messiah. See Heb. v. 6. 10. - vi. 20. - vii. 21. Justin M. considers it as clear that it was written prophetically of the Messiah, Dial. cum Tryphone, 250, 251. 309.; and so does Dr. Graves, Graves's Trinity, 40. It is one of the Psalms for Christmas Day. (n) v. 1. "The Lord," i. e. "God the "Father." Hebr. " Jehovah." Sept. & Κύριος. 3. In the day of thy power shall the (v) people offer thee free-will offerings with an holy worship: the dew (w) of thy birth is of the womb of the morning. 4. The (q) Lord sware, and will not repent : "Thou art a " priest for ever after the order (r) "of Melchisedech." 10. "The Lord, the Father of my Lord," is represented as invoked. (p) "Until, &c." St. Paul refers to this passage, 1 Cor. xv. 25. "Then com"eth the end; when he" (i. e. Christ) " shall have delivered up the kingdom to "God, even the Father; when he shall " have put down all rule, and all authority "and power; for he must reign till he " hath put all enemies under his feet." (g) v. 2. 4. "The Lord," i. e. "God "the Father." Hebr. "Jehovah." (r) "Rod" or "sceptre;" "the symbol " of royalty. Jerome." (s) " Of Sion." So Ps. ii. 6. " yet have " I set my king upon my holy hill of Sion:" and Isaiah ii. 3. "out of Sion shall go " forth the law, and the word of the Lord " from Jerusalem." (t) v. 2. 5, 6. "Ruler, &c." The extent of his dominion, and the severity of his vengeance, is also foretold, Ps. ii. 8, 9. "Desire of me, and I shall give thee the "heathen for thine inheritance, and the " utmost parts of the earth for thy pos"session. Thou shalt bruise them with a "rod of iron, and break them in pieces " like a potter's vessel." (u) "The midst, &c." so complete shall be thy sway. See Ps. xlv. 6. It is not impossible this may look forward to the destruction of Jerusalem. (v) v. 3. " The people," i. e. (probably) "the Gentiles." (w) " The dew, &c." i. e. (says Bishop Horne) "Thy children" (those who shall entitle themselves to that appellation) " shall exceed in number brightness and "beauty, the spangles of the morning "dew." (x) τ. 4. "Of Melchisedech," not of Aaron, whose priesthood originated from the Mosaic institutions, and would end with them, and was confined to the Israel (o) " My Lord," i. e. "the Messiah." Hebr. " Adonai." See ante, 254. note on Ps. ii. 4. Sept. 7ῷ Κυρίῳ με. In Ecclus. li.ites, - but of Melchisedech, who was long (c) v. 7. " Drink of the brook, &c." perhaps, a proverb, to signify great distress: "Be as much straitened as those " who have nothing to drink but the water " by the way side; pass through the " greatest sufferings, to be exalted to the "greatest glory. See Justin M. Dial. cum Tryphone, 251. - 4. Hamm. 322, 323. Patrick in loco. - Sykes on the He- | allude to the promise to Abraham to give 5. The Lord (y) upon thy (z) right hand : shall wound even (a) kings in the day of his wrath. 6. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill (b) the places with the dead bodies: and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries. 7. He shall drink of the brook (c) in the way: therefore shall he lift up his head. Psalm cxi. (d) I WILL give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart: secretly (e) among the faithful, and in the congregation. (g) before Aaron's time, being contemporary with Abraham. See Gen. xiv. 18, 19. The meaning probably is, "Thou shalt " be a priest, not for a limited time, as "the priests of the order of Aaron, but " for ever; not for one nation only, but " for every people and language that shall " look up to thee. And as it belonged to "the priest's office to offer sacrifice and "to intercede for and bless the people, " thou shalt offer up for them an all-suffi"cient sacrifice, thou shalt make inter"cession for them to the end of time, " and shalt confer upon them God's bless" ing." (y) v. 5. " The Lord upon thy right " hand," i. e. " the Messiah, he who is " ordered by the Father, in verse 1. to " sit at his right hand." Hebr. " Adonai." (z) "Thy," i. e. "God the Father's." Though the Psalmist, in the three preceding verses, was addressing the Son, he appears here to turn to the Father. Bp. Horne. (a) "Even kings;" the very highest shall not be able to withstand or escape. (6) v. 6. “Fill, &c." so great shall be his vengeance. 2. The works of the Lord are great: sought out (h) of all them that have pleasure therein. 3. His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour : and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4. The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works: that they ought to be had in remembrance. 5. He hath given (i) meat unto them that fear him: he shall ever be mindful of his covenant. (k) 6. He hath shewed his people the power of his works: that he brews, introduction, p. xxxviii. The same idea, probably, as Phil. ii. 8, 9. (ante, 102.) "He humbled himself, and became obe"dient unto death, even the death of the "cross, wherefore God also hath highly "exalted him, and given him a Name " which is above every Name, &c." (d) An alphabetical Psalm, consisting of twenty-two sentences, each beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in regular succession. It is one of the proper Psalms for Easter Day. From calling into recollection the works of God and what he had done for his people; and, perhaps, looking forward prophetically to the Christian covenant and blessings, it presses the duty of making God the object of veneration and worship. (e) v. 1. "Secretly, &c." i. e. " both " in private and in public." " the (g) "The congregation," i. e. "great religious assembly of the Jews." Ante, Ps. xxii. 25. (h) v. 2. "Sought out," i. e. " indus"triously inquired into and looked after." In Ps. xxviii. 5, 6. and Isaiah v. 12. it is an imputation " not to regard the work of "the Lord, nor consider the operation of "his hands." (i) v. 5. "Given," referring, probably, to the miraculous supply of food in the wilderness; a type of the spiritual supply Christ would give. (k) "His covenant," i. e. either, "twhat"ever he promises," without referring to any particular engagement; or it might may give (1) them the (m) heritage of the heathen. 7. The works of his hands are verity (n) and judgement : all his commandments (0) are true. (p) 8. They stand fast for ever and ever: and are done in truth and equity. 3. Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house : and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4. Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness (r): he is merciful, loving, and righteous. 5. A good man is merciful, and lendeth: and will guide his words with discretion. 9. He sent redemption (q) unto 6. For he shall never be moved: his people: he hath commanded ❘ and the righteous shall be had in his covenant (r) for ever: holy and reverend is his Name. 10. The fear (s) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom :a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; the praise of it endureth for ever. Psalm cxii. (t) BLESSED is the man that feareth the Lord: he hath great delight in his commandments. 2. His (u) seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the faithful shall be blessed. them the land of Canaan, (see Ps. cv. 9. 11.) and might leave it to be inferred from the fulfilment of that promise, that every other would also be performed. (1) v. 6. "That he may give," or "in "giving." (m) " The heritage, &c." i. e. (perhaps) "the land of Canaan." (n) v. 7. "Verity and judgment," i. e. "right and just; will bear the strictest "scrutiny; will answer any test." Even the driving out the Canaanites was perfectly consistent with justice; it was for their wickedness that they were driven out, (Deut. ix. 5.): and God forbore to drive them out until their "iniquity was full." See Gen. xv. 16. (o) " Commandments," or "orderings," " dispensations." (p) " True,” i. e. " correct," " proper." (q) v. 9. "Redemption," i. e. (probably) "by delivering them from the Egyptian " bondage, type of the greater deliver"ance, through Christ, from the bondage (7) " of sin." a type For ever," perhaps, referring everlasting remembrance. 7. He will not be afraid of any evil tidings: for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord. 8. His heart is established, and will not shrink : until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9. He hath dispersed abroad (y), and given to the poor: and his righteousness (2) remaineth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. 10. The ungodly shall see it, and it shall grieve him: he shall prophetically to the Christian dispensation, to that kingdom which should stand for ever, and should never be destroyed. (s) v. 10. "The fear, &c." So Job xxviii. 28. "Behold, the fear of the Lord, " that is wisdom, and to depart from evil " is understanding." See also Prov. i. 7. -ix. 10. (t) On the blessings (even in this world) of the good. Another alphabetical Psalm. (u) v. 2. " His seed, &c." So that the righteousness of the father shall bring down blessings upon the son. (x) v. 4. "Light in the darkness," i. e. " comfort in adversity; safety in times of " peril." See Ps. xci. (y) v. 9. " Dispersed abroad," i. e. (probably) " distributed extensively to those " in need." St. Paul refers to this passage (2 Cor. ix. 9.) when he is pressing the Corinthian converts to contribute liberally to their poorer brethren. (z) "Righteousness," i. e. "the me" rit of his bounty." 3. Hanım. 3. - Locke 186. DD |