04.15. Chapter 15
Psalms 131:1-3 "AS A WEANED CHILD." This Psalm is ascribed to David; and it bears in its small compass distinct traces of its origin. But it was evidently constructed before the dark clouds which overcast the close of his reign had gathered. It must have been composed during that "morning without clouds," in which he ascended the throne of a united people. It is a cry for the child-heart; and it becomes us to offer it "in all times of our wealth," when pride and self-will lie in wait against us (see 2 Chronicles 32:25) .
Psalms 131:1. My heart is not haughty.-The home and seat of pride are in the heart; but how often it betrays itself in the eyes! (Psalms 18:27; Proverbs 6:17, R.V.). Exercise may be rendered, to walk to and fro. Though David had a promise of universal dominion, yet he took no step to secure it for himself. He resisted every temptation to snatch for himself that which was nevertheless divinely assured. There are many things which are great and high, both in revelation and in daily providence: we are not forbidden to use our reason; but after our best attempts, we must feel that God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours. He could not be God, were it not so. Our true attitude then is one of childlike, loving trust, waiting to be taught and led. And to such a spirit, God’s Spirit of revelation will draw near, making clear mysteries which had baffled reason, and left human genius faint and weary in its quest (Isaiah 40:30-31; Matthew 11:25) .
Psalms 131:2. My soul is even as a weaned child.-The weaned child is no longer filled with tumultuous passion and frenzy for its mother’s breast: it is content to do without its wonted sustenance, because is has been led to another source of supply. So when God turns us from some long-cherished comfort, let us be sure that it is not to starve us, but to give us something more suited to the maturing conditions of our life. And let us not be cross and impatient, but rather let us quiet ourselves; and, if that seem impossible, beseech that his Spirit may instil his quiet (1 Peter 3:4).
Psalms 131:3. 0 Israel, hope in the Lord! (R.V.).-The cure for inquietude is to he found in a hope which begins as a struggling ray, but expands into the "for ever" of eternity.
Psalms 132:1-18 LORD, REMEMBER DAVID! This Psalm is evidently intended as a dedication song, composed for the completed temple. The earlier verses tell of David’s purpose (Psalms 132:1-7); then follows an earnest prayer (Psalms 132:8-10); and at the conclusion we have the Divine response (Psalms 132:11-18).
Psalms 132:1. Lord, remember David.-When any design approaches completion, we should not forget those who were concerned in its first conception, or gathered the materials. God never forgets them; and we should not (1 Corinthians 3:8). The names of the Apostles are not omitted from the stones (Revelation 21:14).
Psalms 132:2. How he sware unto the Lord.-David’s anxiety is recorded in 2 Samuel 7:1-2.
Psalms 132:3. Surely I will not come into my house.-We ought always to put the interests of God’s house before our own. That was a grand character that Naomi gave of Boaz (Ruth 3:18).
Psalms 132:5.A Tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob (R.V.)-How wonderful that God is known as the Mighty One of Jacob! But surely no man stood in greater need of a mighty God than Jacob.
Psalms 132:6. Ephratah perhaps stands for Ephraim, and refers to the residence of the Ark in Shiloh. The fields of the wood is Kirjathjearim, where in darkness and solitude the Ark was deposited after its return from the land of the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:1; 2 Samuel 6:3-4).
Psalms 132:8-9. Arise, 0 Lord, into thy rest!-These verses are taken almost literally from Solomon’s dedication prayer (2 Chronicles 6:41; see also Numbers 10:35). The Ark was an image and pledge of God’s presence with his people. The staves of the Ark were drawn out when it was deposited in the most Holy Place, to indicate that its journeyings were complete (2 Chronicles 5:9). Oh, weary, tired builders, think of the strength of the true Ark of the Covenant, which is Jesus Christ! In Jesus, ascended and glorified, God rests.
Psalms 132:9. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness.-Every believer is a priest, and should wear this robe of righteousness (Revelation 3:4-5, Revelation 3:18; Ecclesiastes 9:8). Every saint is more than a conqueror, and should shout for joy (Romans 8:37; Php 4:4).
Psalms 132:10. For thy servant David’s sake.-This reminds us of 1 Kings 8:25. God’s anointed king asks that he may be remembered, as the far-off interest of David’s prayers and tears.
Psalms 132:13-14. This is My rest.-These verses are the Divine answer to the petition of Psalms 132:8.
Psalms 132:16. Her saints shall shout.-The answer to Psalms 132:9.
Psalms 132:17. I will make the horn of David to bud.-This is the vindication of the promise quoted in Psalms 132:11. God never forgot his pristine promise to David. He speaks of it centuries afterwards (Isaiah 55:3). Its partial realization was in the maintenance of a line of kings on the throne of Judah (1 Kings 11:36). But its full accomplishment is in our Lord, that lamp of God’s grace shining in a dark world (John 8:12; see also Ezekiel 29:21).
Psalms 133:1-3 "AS THE DEW OF HERMON!" This Psalm celebrates the love of God’s people. The word "Behold," with which it opens, indicates, possibly, that some lovely manifestation of such unity was taking place under the Psalmist’s eyes: perhaps in connection with a great religious festival. It was probably written by David to celebrate the glad reunion of the nation after its long disunion during the times of the Judges and the opening years of his own reign. This Psalm is a fitting anticipation of our Lord’s intercessory prayer (John 17:1-26).
Psalms 133:1. How good and how pleasant!-Brethren of Christ must be brothers of each other (Mark 3:35). It is not enough, however, to be one: we should take all opportunities of manifesting our unity to the world-dwell together. Unity does not mean uniformity; but oneness of heart, and feeling, and aim (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
Psalms 133:2. Like the precious ointment.-This oil was specially compounded (Exodus 30:22-25). "Precious," not only because of its intrinsic nature, but more because of its typical character as symbolizing the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27). With that blessed chrism our Lord was anointed at his Baptism (Luke 3:21-22; Luke 4:18): and it was copiously shed forth after his Ascension (Acts 2:33). Moreover, the results of that anointing have descended to ourselves, the weakest and furthest, who are but as the skirts of his robes (Psalms 133:2). Believer, be sure and avail yourself of the copiousness and wealth of our High Priest’s enduement! (John 3:34).
Psalms 133:3. As the dew of Hermon.-The dew which fell on Mount Hermon is cited as being more lovely and holy than common dew. It is therefore employed as a further metaphor of the anointing oil, which had been referred to. And the Psalmist says that the love which was represented by the oil-which, in turn, was symbolized by the dews of Hermon-fell on Mount Zion as the dew on parched herbage, wherever the Lord’s people met there in the exhibition of brotherly love. Love in the Spirit is the dew of this world of men; a symbol and channel of the eternal love and blessing of God.
Psalms 134:1-3 "LIFT UP YOUR HANDS!" This is the last of the pilgrim-psalms. It is supposed to be addressed to the priests of the sanctuary-who were prepared to offer the evening sacrifice-by some pilgrim-bands which had just arrived from their distant journey, and had presented themselves in the temple. We gather from 1 Chronicles 9:33 that the temple was provided with a night-watch of choristers, who kept up the worship of God through the silent hours. And surely God has still such a relay of servants, who come on duty and serve Him through the long dark hours of night. The sufferer from whose eyes sleep has departed; the watcher by the sick bed; the nurse-all these maintain God’s blessed worship, when many of his active workers are recruiting from their toils.
Psalms 134:1. Behold!-Evidently the matter is pressing, and arises from the immediate circumstances of the moment. How eager are pious souls that God should be loved and adored! Night is no reason for hushing praise. God’s song-birds will sing even in curtained cages. It is in the dark that the nightingale fills the woods with torrents of liquid music.
Psalms 134:2. Lift up your hands!-The lifted hand is the gesture of prayer (Psalms 28:2; Psalms 63:4). It is not unimportant to study the appropriate expression of prayer, as well as its matter.
Psalms 134:3. The Lord bless thee out of Zion!-This is the answer of the priests, as they meet the assembled pilgrims, and return their salutations. We can never send up to God our adoration, but that it comes back to us again; as moisture drawn by sunshine from the earth returns to it again in showers.
Psalms 135:1-21 "PRAISE YE THE LORD!" This is a call for praise, beginning with the priests, who stand in the Lord’s house (Psalms 135:1-4). God’s glory in nature (Psalms 135:5-7); in his dealings with Israel (Psalms 135:8-14); and in contrast with idols (Psalms 135:15--21) is adduced as a theme for praise. It seems rather like a mosaic, as the description of the singers invoked is taken from the previous Psalm; the account of the exodus from the next Psalm; and the description of idols from Psalms 115:1-18.
Psalms 135:1. Praise ye the Lord!-The first word announces the object of the Psalm-PRAISE.
Psalms 135:3. Sing praises . . . for it is pleasant.-One rendering of the words, "it is pleasant," is "He is lovely." When the heart is full of the love of Jesus, it seems as if the universe were too small to be an orchestra for his praise.
Psalms 135:4. The Lord hath chosen Jacob.-God’s eternal choice is, indeed, a fit theme for praise! and we who have been thus called into the inner circle, that we might bring others there, may well join in the doxology of the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 1:3-6) .
Psalms 135:5. I know that the Lord is great.-The soul has convincing proofs of God’s glory, which it treasures.
Psalms 135:6. Whatsoever the Lord pleased.-To its farthest limits, the whole earth is under his mighty working. He draws the veils of vapor over the hills, and shadows over life.
Psalms 135:10-13. Who smote great nations.-God’s deliverance of his people from their foes-and his gifts-are as much subjects for our praise as for Israel’s; because we have all had our Sihon or Og, barring our pathway to blessedness-some unwelcome intruder on our peace.
Psalms 135:14. The Lord will judge ... He will repent.-A literal quotation of Deuteronomy 32:36. God is said to "repent," when his people turn to Him. The wind may be blowing strongly in one direction across a plain; but it seems to change, when we, who had been walking against it, turn and go with it.
Psalms 135:19-20. Bless the Lord!-In Psalms 115:1-18 the word was TRUST; here it is BLESS. But this is the regular graduation of the Christian life. Trusting ever leads to blessing.
Psalms 135:21. Out of Zion.-Zion is the place where the believer dwells with God, and may represent the whole Church, or any place, however simple, where two or three meet in his name.
Psalms 136:1-26 "HIS MERCY ... FOREVER:’ A magnificent antiphonal Psalm, to be sung by two choirs; or by the temple choir and the people alternately; the response rolling in after every stanza. It seems like an interleaved Bible, and teaches us to interleave all things with the thought of the mercy of God. There are evident traces of its having proceeded from the same hand as the previous Psalm; the aim being to incite the hope and trust of the people of God, by enumerating His glorious acts.
Psalms 136:1-3. The God of gods.-These verses rest on Deuteronomy 10:17. Is there not a trace of the Trinity in this threefold ascription?
Psalms 136:4. Alone, i.e., without human help (Isaiah 40:12-17; Isaiah 63:3).
Psalms 136:6. The earth above the waters.-The emergence of the earth from the waters was a favorite thought with the Psalmists Psalms 14:2; Psalms 33:7; Psalms 104:6-9.
Psalms 136:7-9. To Him that made great lights.-Genesis 1:14-18 set to music.
Psalms 136:10-22. A strong hand, ... a stretched out arm-The Exodus and the Wilderness Wanderings recounted in a psalm of thanksgiving.
Psalms 136:15. Overthrew may be rendered "shook off," as St. Paul did the viper.
Psalms 136:19-20. Sihon and Og.-Flies preserved in amber! Our greatest difficulties and opponents will one day only be remembered for the love and mercy which they called into manifestation.
Psalms 136:23. Who remembered us.-Men forget us in our "low estate"; but that is the time when God seems to remember us most.
Psalms 136:25. Who giveth food.-The provision made for animals, and birds, and all living things, is a proof of the mercy of God. Will He do less for his children?
Psalms 136:26. His mercy ... forever.-What an unspeakable comfort it is to rest on God’s mercy, which is unaffected by our failures and sins, and changes not with our fluctuations! Like Himself, his mercy is immutably the same.
Psalms 137:1-9 "BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON!"
One of the most touching of the Psalms. It reminds us of the emotions excited in an army on a distant march by hearing the strains of a home song. It was evidently composed by a returned exile. But it is also clear that the destruction of Babylon herself was imminent (Psalms 137:8). We are thus led to the conquest of Babylon by Darius (Daniel 5:31), whereby its entire destruction, as foretold in prophecy, was brought within a measureable range. The Psalm falls into three stropes, each consisting of three verses.
Psalms 137:1. By the rivers of Babylon.-The streams of Babylon had probably a special fascination for the exiles. First, because they were removed from the busy rush of the city, and thus afforded opportunity for reflection; and secondly, because they were an image and symbol of their floods of tears (Lamentations 2:18; Lamentations 3:48). Daniel loved and sought them (Daniel 8:2; Daniel 10:4).
Psalms 137:2. Our harps upon the willows.-This touching metaphor has passed into all languages as an expression of extreme grief. Of what use is the harp when the heart is nigh to breaking?
Psalms 137:3. They required of us a song.-This demand may have originated from the far- famed power of Hebrew Psalmody. Across the desert the news had come of the sweetness of the temple minstrelsy; or, it may be that their captors were anxious that the Israelites should reconcile themselves to their lot, and feel at home in their banishment. But in any case the treatment by those captors had made compliance with their demand impossible.
Psalms 137:4. How shall we sing ... in a strange land?-"The Lord’s song" is only possible in the Lord’s house, where his presence is manifested and felt. To be separated from Zion was to be separated from God; and to lose God was to lose all. When we have lost the sense of God’s presence, having been led captive by our sins, we too are sure to lose our joy, and peace, and blessedness. The land of the stranger and the song of the Lord can never be found together.
Psalms 137:5-6. If I forget thee, 0 Jerusalem.-The imprecation here made is on the hand and tongue; on the one if it should be misemployed in playing, and on the other in singing. Would that we were constantly able to apply these words to our Lord Jesus! Why do we remember all things and people beside, and forget Him? Surely we court failure in every other direction, so long as we do not make Him the crown and head of our chief joy.
Psalms 137:7. The children of Edom.-Edom took malicious pleasure in the destruction of Jerusalem; and the punishment of Edom is often referred to (Jeremiah 49:7-22; Lamentations 4:21-22; Ezekiel 25:12-14).
Psalms 137:8-9. 0 daughter of Babylon!-Calvin says that the Psalmist acts here as the Divine herald of coming judgment; but there seems a flavor of something more personal and vindictive in these terrible words. We can understand the spirit which breathes through them; but it is rather that of the Old Dispensation than of the New (Matthew 5:43-48).
Psalms 138:1-8 "I WILL PRAISE THEE!" This is the first of a cycle of Davidic Psalms, and is founded on the promise of 2 Samuel 7:1-29. Here, as there, the promised blessing is dwelt upon with gladness. The idols, which could exhibit nothing to compare with it, retreat ashamed (Psalms 138:1); the Lord has done more to glorify Himself by it than by all his previous wonders (Psalms 138:2); all kings will one day praise the Lord on account of it (Psalms 138:4); and it is the beginning of a chain of blessings that can never end (Psalms 138:8).
Psalms 138:1. Before the gods may, however, refer to angels (Psalms 8:5; Hebrews 2:7); or to princes (Psalms 82:6; John 10:34-36); or to idols (Psalms 97:7).
Psalms 138:2. Toward thy holy temple.-This reminds us of Jonah (Jonah 2:4), and of Daniel (Daniel 6:10). The temple, as being the seat of religious worship and of sacrifice, is symbolic of that propitiation through which alone sinners may approach God. God’s promise, prompted by love, and founded on truth, was a fuller manifestation of God’s character than any previous revelation.
Psalms 138:3. Thou answeredst me.-Our God does not always answer our prayers as we request; but He does for us, as for our Lord in the Garden-He strengthens us (Luke 22:43). Let us not forget that He is "the strength of our heart."
Psalms 138:4. All the kings of the earth.-It is pleasant to think how many of the great of this world have been included in the ranks of the servants of God; and more shall be (Psalms 68:29; Psalms 102:15). And it may be that not a few of them shall be found to have been influenced in their choice by the sweet words of David the king. Each man can best influence the men of his own class. .
Psalms 138:5. They shall sing of the ways of the Lord (R.V.).-So great is the glory of our God, that the noblest of this world may count it an honor to carry his train.
Psalms 138:6. To have respect unto is to "regard." God eyes with loving regard those who are true to Him; but He is repelled from those whose hearts are proud, so as to look on them only from a distance (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Psalms 138:7. Thou wilt revive me.-The revival of the soul is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit. How blessedly and unexpectedly these revivings steal into our hearts; and so often, when heavy trouble lies on us from without.
Psalms 138:8. The Lord will perfect.-There are no unfinished pictures on the walls of God’s studio; no incomplete statues in his halls of sculpture. When He begins, He pledges Himself to complete. His mercy endures forever; so we cannot tire it or wear it out. But our assurance ought always to take on the language of pleading, that He would not forsake.
Psalms 139:1-24 "THOU HAST SEARCHED ME!"
It is rather interesting to notice the position of this sublime ode on the omniscience and omnipresence of God. In earlier Psalms David has again and again reminded us of the love and mercy of God, which "endure forever": and here he bids us take heed that we do not make that love an excuse for sin, because his eyes are as a flame of fire. There is the same combination, though in the reverse order, in Hebrews 4:12-16.
Observe: the fact of God’s omniscience (Psalms 139:1-12); its ground on his creatorship of man (Psalms 139:13-18); its consolatory aspect, that as God knows the innocence of his people, so He will not condemn them with the wicked, but lead them in his everlasting way (Psalms 139:19-24).
Psalms 139:1. 0 Lord, Thou hast ... known me.-What ineffable comfort there is in the thought that our hearts closed to all else, are open to Him! Because, as He can detect the secret source of our disease, He can cure it; and, as He can read our secret sorrow, He can apply the healing balm. "He knows all; but loves us better than He knows."
Psalms 139:2. Downsitting is our time of quiet rest; uprising, the going forth to work. Afar off perhaps means that God anticipates our thoughts and purposes before they are matured in our mind.
Psalms 139:3. Thou winnowest (marg.); as if God were ever applying the fan of his judgment to our active life, and to the thoughts which chase each other across our mind in sleep.
Psalms 139:5. Thou hast beset me.-The All-knowing is also the AIl-present. We are God-encompassed; God-environed. Behind, that none may attack in the rear. Before, that He may search out the way and met our foes. Laid thine hand; as if a child were to put one hand over the hollow of another to keep some frail insect from its pursuer (John 10:28-29).
Psalms 139:6. Too wonderful!-We must worship, where we fail to comprehend.
Psalms 139:7-8. Whither shall I go?-It used to be said that the entire world was but one vast prison-house for the Roman Emperors, so complete was their power. And what hope can the sinner have of escaping God? (Amos 9:2).
Psalms 139:9-12. The wings of the morning.-Neither change of hemispheres nor distance, nor darkness, can at all alter the soul’s proximity to its ever-present God. What bliss this is to those who know Him as Father and Friend!
Psalms 139:13. Possessed is "formed" (R.V., marg.).-The reins are the seat of the desires and feelings. How much transpires in that secret workshop! Nothing can be concealed from our Maker.
Psalms 139:15-16. Not hid from Thee.-We may refer these words to the mystical body of Christ, which even now is being secretly prepared and composed of many who are as the lowest dust of the earth. And God’s book contains, through his foreknowledge, the names of those who are to be incorporated in that mystical body (Romans 8:29; Revelation 17:8).
Psalms 139:17-18. How precious are thy thoughts unto me!-The Psalmist is so occupied with the thoughts of God, which teem in his mind, that he pursues his meditations sleeping as well as waking. And as he starts from slumber, his first bright waking consciousness is that God is by his side.
Psalms 139:19-22. Am not I grieved?-When we are startled at these strong expressions of David, we may well ask ourselves whether, in our tender pity for sinners, we may not be losing something of his stern consciousness of the evil of sin, and the guilt of the wicked.
Psalms 139:23-24. Search me, 0 God!-This prayer is a worthy termination of the Psalm. Lead me is the one incessant cry of the devout soul. "Lead, kindly Light!" We long to get forward on that way which is everlasting, because founded on the permanent principles of Truth, Righteousness, Light, and Love. The way planned from eternity by the Eternal, and leading to the eternal home.
Psalms 140:1-13 "THOU ART MY GOD!" The tone of this Psalm corresponds with the inscription, and attests its Davidic origin. It perhaps dates from those early troubled days at court, when his steps were taken with difficulty, because of the gins and snares that lined his pathway. The Psalm consists of five verses as the beginning, and five as the conclusion; and in the middle occurs a strophe of three verses, the heart of the Psalm, distinguished by the fourfold use of the name Jehovah.
Psalms 140:1. Deliver me from the evil man.-We pray "Deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13, R.V.).
Psalms 140:2. Gathered together: as Psalms 56:6; and Psalms 59:3.
Psalms 140:3. Adders’ poison under their lips.-Who can describe the mischief caused by a false and slanderous tongue? See also Psalms 58:4; Romans 3:13-14.
Psalms 140:4. Keep me, 0 Lord!-A good prayer for all times (Psalms 17:8; Psalms 25:20).
Psalms 140:5. A snare for me, and cords.-We have every reason to be afraid of Satan, who adds cunning to his malice; and who is not content with hidden assaults, but weaves insidious toils, which may take months to mature-in order to do us harm; and grieve our Master, Christ, wounding Him through us.
Psalms 140:6. Thou art my God!-The first portion of the verse corresponds with Psalms 31:14. If He is ours, and we are his we may have confidence that He will "hear the voice of our supplications."
Psalms 140:7. Thou hast covered; Thou dost cover; Thou wilt cover.-Such is the force of the tense used here (as in Psalms 5:11; Psalms 139:13). As we go down into the fight, let us never forget that helmet of salvation provided for us by the Lord Himself (Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8). What a contrast to the "head" of the wicked! (Psalms 140:9).
Psalms 140:9. Mischief of their lips.-Slander is like a man starting an avalanche, which ultimately overwhelms and covers his own dwelling (Psalms 7:15-16).
Psalms 140:10-11. Burning coals.-We have not so learned Christ (Romans 12:20); but we must endorse the Psalmist’s confidence that evil cannot ultimately prevail in God’s world: and that, however great may be the momentary triumph of the wicked, they are destined to utter and disastrous downfall.
Psalms 140:12. The Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted (Psalms 9:12; Psalms 18:27; Zephaniah 3:19).
Psalms 140:13. Shall give thanks.-Not only hereafter, but here and now, do those who love and serve God walk and live in the manifested light of God’s presence (Psalms 16:11; Ephesians 5:20).