Bible Commentary

Let them melt away as waters [which] run continually: [when] he bendeth [his bow to shoot] his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. 7. as waters which run continually) R.V., restoring P.B.V., as water that runneth apace: like some torrent that rages wildly for a while when swollen by a sudden storm, and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 58:7”

Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. 6. The figure of the serpent, typical of insidious deadliness, is changed to that of the lion, typical of open ferocity. Break break out ] Render them powerless for harm. Two strong words, properly used of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 58:6”

Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers – The word rendered charmers – lachash – means properly whisperers, mutterers, and it refers here to those who made use of spells or incantations – sorcerers or magicians. See the notes at … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 58:5”

Their poison [is] like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder [that] stoppeth her ear; 4, 5. They are not only insidious and venomous as serpents, but obstinately oppose all attempts to control them; like the deaf adder or asp, most venomous of all serpents, which resists all the arts of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 58:4”

The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. 3. are estranged ] From God and His laws. Cp. Eph 4:18, “alienated from the life of God”: Col 1:21, “alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works,” where St Paul uses the word ( … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 58:3”

Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. 2. Yea ] Or, Nay, for the particle implies a negative answer, and an additional accusation. Far from judging equitably, you are yourselves the greatest offenders. in heart ] Inwardly they are ever contriving some scheme of injustice, like … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 58:2”

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? 1. O congregation ] This rendering of the obscure word l m, adopted by the scholars of the early part of the 16th century from the learned Rabbi David Kimchi (c. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 58:1”

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth. 11. How can the Psalmist conclude more fitly than with a repetition of this prayer, which now looks beyond his own immediate needs to that perfect and universal sovereignty of God, which is the final goal of hope (1Co … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 57:11”

For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. 10. For thy lovingkindness is great unto the heavens, And thy truth unto the skies. For gives the reason for Psa 57:9. Mercy and truth which reach from earth to heaven demand world-wide praise. Note that it is the attributes which … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 57:10”

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 9. I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the peoples: I will make melody unto thee among the nations. This verse at any rate, it is said, could never have been written by David, and is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 57:9”