Bible Commentary

To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 1. Be merciful ] Be gracious: see note on Psa 51:1, and cp. Psa 57:1. for man would swallow me up ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 56:1”

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. 23. shalt bring them down ] Namely, the foes, who are still in the Psalmist’s mind: their end is the pit of the grave: a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:23”

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 22. Cast thy burden ] The word rendered burden is of uncertain meaning. The LXX, from which St Peter borrows (1Pe 5:7), renders thy care. But for this explanation there is no philological ground, and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:22”

[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war [was] in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet [were] they drawn swords. 21. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter ] This rendering, though supported by some of the Ancient Versions and commended by the parallelism ( smoother than … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:21”

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 20. He hath put forth his hands ] The arch-traitor is certainly meant, not (though the Heb. idiom would allow of this explanation) each of the evildoers mentioned in Psa 55:19. For the phrase cp. 1Sa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:20”

God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. 19. The judgement of his enemies. God shall hear, and afflict them ] Or, humble them. This, which is the rendering of the Ancient Versions, is probably right. But it requires a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:19”

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle [that was] against me: for there were many with me. He hath delivered my soul in peaee – The Hebrew is, He has redeemed; so also the Septuagint and Vulgate. The meaning is, He has rescued me, or has saved me from my enemies. Either … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:18”

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 17. Evening, and morning, and at noon ] Evening stands first because the day began at sunset. A reference to stated hours of prayer (cp. Dan 6:10; Act 10:9; Act 10:30) is hardly to be found in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:17”

As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 16. the Lord ] Here and in Psa 55:22 the name Jehovah is significant. It is the covenant-God of revelation to Whom he can appeal, and under Whose protection he can rest. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 16 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:16”

Let death seize upon them, [and] let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness [is] in their dwellings, [and] among them. 15. The mournful recollections of past friendships so cruelly outraged give way to a fierce invocation of vengeance, and the individual disappears behind the whole body of the Psalmist’s enemies. It will be … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 55:15”