Bible Commentary

Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; [being] girded with power: 6. setteth fast the mountains ] The mountains poetically represent the strongest and most solid parts of the earth (Psa 18:7; Psa 46:2 f). These He has created and sustains. Comp. the appeals of Amos to the phenomena of nature as the evidence … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 65:6”

[By] terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; [who art] the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off [upon] the sea: 5. By terrible things &c.] The R.V. gives a better order: By terrible things thou wilt answer us in righteousness. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 65:5”

Blessed [is the man whom] thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee, that] he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, [even] of thy holy temple. 4. Blessed &c.] Or, Happy is he whom thou choosest, as in Psa 1:1; &c. The language is that which … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 65:4”

Iniquities prevail against me: [as for] our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. 3. Iniquities ] Lit., words, or, matters of iniquities: many various items of iniquity. Cp. for the same idiom Psa 105:27, Psa 145:5. Virtually the clause is a protasis to the second line: Though manifold iniquities are too strong for me, As … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 65:3”

O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. 2. O thou that hearest prayer ] God is thus addressed, because He has given His people cause for the present thanksgiving by hearing their prayers. But the words are more than a reference to a particular answer to prayer. They proclaim that it … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 65:2”

To the chief Musician, A Psalm [and] Song of David. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. 1. Praise waiteth for thee ] The phrase beautifully suggests the idea of a grateful people, assembled to render thanks to God, and only waiting for the festival to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 65:1”

The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. 10. For the righteous and the upright in heart the Psalmist and those whom he represents the judgement is an occasion of joy, supplying a fresh proof that Jehovah governs the world righteously and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:10”

And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. 9. all men ] Upon men in general (cp. Psa 58:11) this judgement produces an impression of wholesome fear, in contrast to the profane fearlessness of the ungodly ( Psa 64:4). And they declare the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:9”

So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. 8. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves ] An untenable rendering of an obscure sentence. It is best to render, substantially as R.V., And they are made to stumble, their own tongue … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:8”

But God shall shoot at them [with] an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. 7. Therefore God shoots at them with an arrow; Suddenly are they smitten. The peculiar idiom of the Heb. in this and the following verses conveys the idea that this judgement is the immediate consequence of their conduct, and though still … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:7”