Bible Commentary

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 3, 4. It is best to place a full stop at the end of Psa 78:2, and connect Psa 78:3-4 thus: The things which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told to us, We will not hide from their sons, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 78:3”

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 2. On the words parable and dark sayings or enigmas see note on Psa 49:4. The Psalmist has no mere narrative of facts to recount, but a history full of significance for those who can penetrate its hidden meaning. It … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 78:2”

Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, [to] my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 1, 2. Cp. the opening of Psalms 49, noting that while there ‘all peoples’ are addressed, in accordance with the wider scope of the teaching of the ‘Wise Men,’ here Israel is addressed in the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 78:1”

Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 20. Conclusion. The convulsions of nature were the heralds of deliverance (Luk 21:28), and the Shepherd of Israel led forth His flock under the guidance of His chosen servants. Cp. Exo 15:13; Psa 78:52 ff; Psa 74:1, note. The words of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 77:20”

Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. 19. Thy way was in the sea, And thy paths in the great waters, And thy footsteps were not known. (R.V.) Cp. Hab 3:15. The A.V. path follows the Qr; R.V. paths the Kthbh and the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 77:19”

The voice of thy thunder [was] in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. 18. in the heaven ] The word galgal, derived from a root meaning to roll, was understood by the Jewish commentators to mean the vault or circuit of the heaven. More probably it should be rendered … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 77:18”

The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. 17. God came in storm and earthquake. So the poet develops the thought of Exo 14:24-25. Cp. Psa 18:7 ff; Psa 97:3 ff.; and the parallel passage in Hab 3:10-11, where tempest (R.V.) is the cognate substantive to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 77:17”

The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. 16. The waters and depths of the Red Sea are personified, as though they were conscious of the presence of their Creator and Lord. Cp. Heb 3:10, “The mountains saw thee, they were afraid”: and Psa 114:3; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 77:16”

Thou hast with [thine] arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. 15. Thou hast &c.] With a (strong) arm didst thou redeem thy people. Cp. Exo 15:13; Exo 15:16; Exo 6:6; Psa 74:2. the sons of Jacob and Joseph ] According to the Targum, Joseph is named because, by preserving the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 77:15”

Thou [art] the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 14. Thou art the God &c.] The true El, the living, Almighty God (Psa 5:4; Psa 42:2). The epithet that doest wonders is borrowed from Exo 15:11. Cp. Isa 25:1. thou hast declared &c.] Render, Thou didst make known thy … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 77:14”