BOOK III. PSALMS LXXIII-LXXXIX. "Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry." Jer. XXXI. 4. Seventeen psalms pourtraying the experiences of Israel; typifying the sorrows and blessings of all God's chosen ones; and praying for the triumph of the Church over her enemies. The 86th psalm bears the name of David. The first eleven are from the Choirs of the Sons of Asaph. (See Ps. 50, note on Title). Then follow Psalms of the Sons of Korah, viz:- 84, 85, 87, 88. (See Ps. 42, note on Title). The closing psalm is the only composition of the Choir of Ethan. (See Book II. Introd.) In the Psalms of Asaph the Name Elohim prevails; in those of Korah the Name Jehovah. In the 77th only Elohim, and in the 89th only Jehovah is used. (See Book I. Introd.) 31:21 34:8 76:1 24:4 94:18 2 Nevertheless, my feet were almost gone my treadings had well-nigh slipt. 37: 1,7 3 And why? I was grieved at 119:158 the wicked: I do also see the 37:36 ungodly in such prosperity. 75:6 10:6 4 For they are in no peril of death but are lusty and strong. 5 They come in no misfortune like other folk: neither are they plagued like other men. 6 And this is the cause that they are so holden with pride : and overwhelmed with cruelty. PSALM LXXIII. Quam bonus Israel! TRULY God is loving unto Israel: even unto such as are of a clean heart. 17:10 7 Their eyes swell with fatness : 119:70 and they do even what they lust. 57:5 52:1,2,4 10:3 8 They corrupt other, and speak of wicked blasphemy: their talking is against the Most High. 9 For they stretch forth their mouth unto the heaven: and their tongue goeth through the world. 10 Therefore fall the people unto them and thereout suck they no small advantage. : 75:10 10:6,12, II Tush, say they, how should 14 God perceive it: is there knowledge in the Most High? 94:7 Ps. LXXIII. Title. Asaph; see Ps. 50, title, n. I Loving, K. J. good. 4 Bands, i. e. pangs. 5 The first word used to express man is that which denotes man in his weakness, the other is the general term, Adam. "These men seem exempt not only from the frailties and infirmities of men, but even from the common lot of men."-Perowne. 6 Neck; regarded as the seat of pride. See Is. 3:16. 7 The imaginations of their heart; i. e. their words express BOOK III. (LXXIII-LXXXIX.) PSALM 73. A Psalm of Asaph. This psalm may be referred to the early part of Hezekiah's reign. Though Antichrist and his emissaries may prevail [for a time, Christ and His Church will at last be triumphant. "THESE ARE THE WORDS OF CHRIST SPEAKING FOR, AND IN, THOSE WHOSE EYES BEHOLD THINGS DARKLY, UNTIL HIS WORD CAUSES THEM TO SEE CLEARLY." Introduction. VV. I, 2. I "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" S. Mat. 5:8. 66 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile" S. Jo. 1: 47. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. Former doubts on account of the prosperity of the 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Verses 12, 20. "Wherefore do the wicked live, become yea, are mighty in power?" Job 21:7. "Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?" Jer. 12:1. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 6 Li Therefore pride encircleth their neck; violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Lit. The imaginations of their heart overflow. 8 Lit. They mock, and speak wickedly of oppression: they speak haughtily. "These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words. They told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts " S. Jude 16, 18. 9 Lit. They set their mouth in the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. See 2 Kin. 18:28-35; 19:10-13, 22. 10 Lit. Therefore their own people turn hither (i. e. such as are influenced by the wicked run after them), and the abundant waters are drained out by them. "How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?" Job 15:16. II And they say, How doth God know? "How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?" Job 22:13. without restraint the imaginings of hearts full of wickedness."-Canon Cook. 9 Walketh through the earth"; a phrase especially used of calumny. See Job 1:7. "Around the proud freethinkers, there gathers a rabble submissive to them, which eagerly drinks in every thing that proceeds from them as though it were the true water of life."-Delitzsch. 10 49:6 26:6 37:39 12 Lo, these are the ungodly, these prosper in the world, and these have riches in possession: and I said, Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, and washed mine hands in innocency. 16 Until I went into the sanctuary of God: then understood I the end of these men ; 35:6 17 Namely, how thou dost set 55:20,24 them in slippery places and 56:7 castest them down, and destroyest them. 13 All the day long have I been punished: and chastened every morning. 14 Yea, and I had almost said even as they but lo, then I should have condemned the generation of thy children. 15 Then thought I to understand this: but it was too hard for me, 37:20 18 O how suddenly do they 55:25 32:10 35:23 19 Yea, even like as a dream 44:23 when one awaketh: so shalt thou make their image to vanish out of the city. 20 Thus my heart was grieved: and it went even through my reins. 21 So foolish was I, and ignorant : even as it were a beast before thee. 18:35 63:9 22 Nevertheless, I am alway by 18 0; in English Psalter, Oh. 12 Lit. Behold, these are wicked, and (yet) prosperous for ever; they have increased wealth. Verse 3. He spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully "S. Lu. 13:16. Confession of the sinfulness of these doubts, and how they had been overcome. VV. 14-27. 14 Lit. If I had said, Let me speak thus; behold, I should have been faithless to the generation of thy children. 15 When I thought to know this, it was labour in mine eyes. 16 Lit. (Until) I considered their end. See 2 Kin. 19:1-7, 14-28, 32-34. 17 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. Cont. Pss. 18:36; 37:32. 18 How are they brought into desolation as in a moment! Lit. They have come to an end, they are consumed with terrors. Verse 26. See 2 Kin. 19:35. "I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee" S. Lu. 12:19, 20. • · 19 Lit. As a dream when one awaketh; O Lord, in the Awakening, thou dost despise their image. "Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to shame and everlasting contempt" Dan. 12:2. 20 And I was pricked in my reins. Verse 3. 22 Verse 27. 12 Then, lit. surely. 13 Punished, lit. smitten. |