"Jah," (pronounced "Yah"). A very expressive abbreviation of "Jehovah." We find it also in the termination of " Hallelu-jah." It expresses God's faithfulness and unchangeableness (See Ex. iii. 14; vi. 3). V. 5. "A judge of the widows." The Prayer Bock Version, "Defendeth the cause of the widows," better expresses the meaning (Ex. xxii. 22, 23; Deut. x. 18). V. 6. "Setteth the solitary in families," or "Maketh solitary ones to dwell in a home," alluding to the settlement of the wandering Israelites in Canaan. The Prayer Book Version, "Maketh men to be of one mind in an house," comes from the Septuagint or Vulgate, and is quite incorrect. "He bringeth out, etc." i.e. He releaseth captives or prisoners, and maketh them prosperous. The allusion is to the deliverance of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. "The rebellious, etc." This is another allusion to the wilderness, wherein most of the Israelites left their bones on account of their rebellious spirit. The Prayer Book Version is "Letteth the runagates (i.e. renegades) continue in scarceness." V. 7. When Thou wentest forth, etc." (cf. Judges v. 4, 5). The Psalmist now recalls with enthusiasm the miracles wrought in the desert. V. 8. "The earth shook” (Ex. xix. 18). "The heavens also dropped." .e. The clouds dropped upon the Mount accompanied with thunder and no doubt floods of rain (Ex. xix. 16. "Sinai itself was moved" (Ex. xix. 18. Literally, "That Sinai," as if the writer had it in his sight (Judges v. 5). V. 9. "A plentiful rain." Prayer Book, "A gracious rain." Literally, "A rain of bounties." It refers to the abundance of water, manna and quails, &c., with which God fed His people in the wilderness (Cf. Ps lxxviii. 23-25; 27-29). "Confirm," or "Refresh," "strengthen." "Thine inheritance." "Thy people. V. 10. 'Thy congregation," or "Thy flock." .e. Thy people. "Therein.' i.e. In the wilderness, or (as some think) Canaan. Hast prepared." i.e. Hast prepared a table, &c. (Ps. xxiii. 5); or, a home in the Promised Land. "For the poor man." i.e. "For They are called "Poor" either "For the poor." Literally, Thine inheritance, Thy congregation.' because they had been "oppressed" in Egypt, or because of the toils of their long continued wanderings. V. 11. 'Gave the Word." When God speaks, the thing which He commands is done. Having in his song brought the Israelites into the Promised Land, the Psalmist goes on to describe subsequent victories, such as that gained by Deborah and Barak over the Canaanites (Judges iv. v). Great was the company of those that published it.” Prayer Book, "Of the preachers." Heb. "A great company of women sing the song of victory," or "tell abroad the glad tidings." Thus Miriam and the women of Israel sang of the destruction of the Egyptians (Ex. xv. 20); hus the women praised David when he had slain the Philistine (I. Sam. xviii. 6, 7); thus Deborah sang after the Canaanites were vanquished (Judges v.); and thus Jephthah's daughter met him returning from his victory over the Ammonites (Judges xi. 34). V. 12. v. 19.) "Kings of armies, etc." (see Joshua x.-xii.; Judges "She that tarried. etc." (Cf. Judges v. 29, 30.) Prayer Book, "They of the Household, &c." 66 V. 13. 'Though ye have lien, etc." This is a verse very difficult of explanation. It is probably a fragment of the actual words of an ancient song of victory. It would seem literally to run thus, "will ye lie among the sheep folds?" (Judges v. 16) alluding to the excuses of some of the tribes which would not help Deborah and Barak. Others take the sense of it to be, When, after fighting and victory, ye shall enjoy rest and peace at home (at the sheep folds), then you shall be as the wings, &c., i.e. shall live in wealth and splendour from the spoils of the enemy. V. 14. "In it." i.e. "In the land." Prayer Book "For their sake." "It was white as snow in Salmon." Literally, "It snowed in Salmon." Salmon was a low hill, covered with wood (Judges ix. 48), near Shechem. The rarity of snow on Salmon is possibly meant, or the quickness with which it melted after its fall. There are numerous interpretations of this difficult passage. V. 15. "The Hill of Bashan." The literal translation of this verse is, "A hill (or mountain) of God is the mountain of Bashan; an high mountain is the mountain of Bashan.' Bashan was bounded on the North by the many peaked range of AntiLibanus, of which Hermon (its southern peak) was the loftiest and grandest mountain in Canaan. The contrast here, is between the lofty range of Anti-Libanus and the more modest (in height) hill of Zion-the hill where God chose to dwell. The former is supposed (v. 16) to look down enviously upon the latter. V. 16. "Why leap ye?" Rather, "Why look ye askance?" or, "with jealousy?" V. 17. "The chariots of God.' God's chariots are the hosts by which He is surrounded (Cf. II. Kings vi. 17; Dan. vii. 10). "As in Sinai, in the holy place," or, "Sinai is in the holy place." This means that the ancient glories of Sinai now belong to Zion, God manifests Himself there, as He did once on Sinai. V. 18. "Ascended on high." The picture is of God taking possession of Zion as an earthly conqueror would, with strings of captives at His chariot wheels, and the gifts of vassals exhibited in His triumphal procession. If this be so, the passage is obviously applicable to the victory gained, and the blessings bestowed by our Redeemer Who has now ascended to the Heavenly Zion. "Led captivity captive,' i.e. Led captive the conquered enemy. "Received gifts for men," Rather, "Obtained gifts among men." S. Paul quotes the words somewhat differently (Ep. iv, 8). "gave gifts unto men." Probably he interpreted the words in the light of our Lord's Ascension. Though, if the Psalmist's meaning is obtained gifts for distribution among men," S. Paul agrees exactly with the sense of the words. "Christ ascended into heaven and gave gifts of grace to His people ; and to His Office in Heaven the following verses apply, as well as to that of Jehovah Himself." [Speaker's Commentary]. "Yea, for the rebellious also,” rather, “Yea (Thou hast subdued) the rebellious also." 66 Might dwell, etc." (Cf. S. John xiv. 23; II. Cor. vi. 16). 66 V. 19. 'Daily," In the Prayer Book Version, this word is connected with "praised," instead of with "loadeth." We may rightly connect it with both. V. 20. "The issues from death." i.e. "Deliverances from death." Prayer Book," By whom we escape death." V. 21. "The hairy scalp.”—the head covered with thick and abundant hair, thus implying youth and vigour (See the stories of Samson and Absalom). "Goeth on still, etc." i.e. persists deliberately and wilfully in his wicked course. V. 22. "I will bring again, etc." "I will bring My enemies back again," not "my people" as the Authorized Version translates it. They may hide in Bashan or conceal themselves in the depths of the sea, but I will bring them back to be slain (Cf. Amos ix. 3). V. 23. "May be dipped, etc., or, "may shake thy foot in blood." Cf. Ps. lviii. 10). "The tongue of thy dogs in the same." Literally, "The tongue of thy dogs may have from the enemy its portion." (Cf. I. Kings xxii. 38). The Prayer Book, inserts "may be red through the same.' 66 V. 24. They have seen Thy goings." Prayer Book, "It is well seen how Thou goest," in procession in the Sanctuary. 66 V. 26. 'From the fountain of Israel." i.e. "Ye that are from the fountain of Israel," "the source, the spring of Israel." (Cf. "The hole of the pit whence ye are digged.” (Is. li. 1). "their V. 27. "There is little Benjamin, etc." The tribes mentioned, took part in the procession, representing respectively the South and North of the land. Here seems a proof of the early date of the Psalm. North and South would not have met together after the revolt from Rehoboam. Benjamin was a small tribe, but it was the first royal tribe, Saul, ruler," being chosen out of it. Jerusalem (the holy city) also lay partly within the limits of the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua xviii. 28), which possessed also the five noted and sacred towns of Kirjath-jearim, Ramah, Mizpah, Bethel and Jericho. Judah was the most populous tribe. They were there "with their companv." Judah was the tribe of David, whose throne was to endure for ever, in the person of Jesus Christ, his lineal descendant according to the flesh. Zebulun and Naphtali were northern tribes, famed for their warlike qualities. V. 28. "Commanded thy strength," or, "Ordained thy dominion," Prayer Book, "Sent forth strength for thee." "Strengthen," or "Stablish” (Prayer Book Version). V. 29. "Because of Thy Temple," or, "For Thy Temple's Sake." The word translated " temple" may mean "tabernacle" as in I. Sam. i. 9; Ps. v. 7, &c. V. 30. "Rebuke, etc." This is another most obscure verse, especially as rendered in the Prayer Book Version. "The company of spearmen," Rather as in margin, "The beasts of the reeds," i.e. the crocodile or the hippopotamus, the symbol of Egypt. H "The multitude of the bulls, etc." Prayer Book, "multitude of the mighty,' ," "beasts of the people." The common interpretation of "bulls." is the "princes"; of "calves' the common people.' 66 Some refer these terms to the rulers and masses of the people of Bashan, a land famous for its pastures and the strength and ferocity of its cattle (see Ps. xxii. 12). But it is better to consider the whole verse as a prayer that all nations may be brought to submit themselves to the King of Kings who dwells in Zion. This will be fulfilled in the day when the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour into the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. xxi. 24). V. 31. "Ethiopia," or, Cush. Prayer Book, The "Morian's land." i.e. The land of Moors or blackamoors. (see Isaiah xlv. 14); and cf. with this verse, the account of the Day of Pentecost, Acts ii. 5-12; and Acts viii. 27-39). V. 33. "The heaven of heavens," i.e. "The highest heavens," (Deut. x. 14). Prayer Book, "Who sitteth in the heavens over all from the beginning. Of old." i.e. Before the earth and firmament were made. "His voice." i.e. the thunder (Job xxxvii 4, 5, &c.) V. 34. "Strength," or, "power,' might." Excellency," Prayer Book, "worship." 66 66 66 V. 35. Terrible out of Thy holy places, Prayer Book, "wonderful art Thou in Thy holy places." i.c.terrible on account of the wonders which Thou sendest out of Thy holy places," out of the Holy of Holies (e.g. Numbers xvi. 35). "His people." Literally, "the people." 1 A meditation upon the mighty power, 7 and wonderful BLE LESS a the LORD O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great: thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 c Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3. Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: 9 who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4h Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5 2k Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7 m At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8 3n They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 14" He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 Andy wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and 8 oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. 16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for a the conies. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun cknoweth his going down. 20 d Thou makest darkness, and it is night; wherein 9 all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 24 90 LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 25 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast 2 made to play therein. 27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; thou takest away their breadth, they die, and return to their dust. 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. 31 The glory of the LORD 3 shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. 32 He looketh on the earth, and it " trembleth: • he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. 33 PI will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, There is no Title to this Psalm, nor is it known by whom, or at what date it was written. It is a great and noble Hymn of Creation, which differs from other ancient odes of a like nature, in that it is based upon a distinct recognition of the absolute dependence of the universe, as created, upon the Creator, Who is likewise regarded as having not only created all things, but as also now and for ever preserving and renewing them. We may learn from this glorious Psalm of Praise the spirit in which the mysteries of Nature ought to be studied. True science, and most of all, Natural science, must end in praise. God's sustaining and providing care, no less than His creative power and wisdom, is shewn in the entire creation, from |