Bible Commentary

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 1. As a hind which panteth for water-brooks, So panteth my soul for Thee, O God. Render hind, not hart, for the verb is feminine, and the timorous hind … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 42:1”

Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. 13. This doxology is of course no part of the Psalm, but stands here to mark the close of Book i. Cp. Psa 72:18-19; Psa 89:52; Psa 106:48. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel ] Better as R.V., Blessed … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 41:13”

And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face forever. 12. Cp. Psa 26:11; Psa 63:8. Thou upholdest (lit. hast upheld) is either a reference to past mercies, or more probably a retrospect from the standpoint of deliverance granted. In mine integrity is no contradiction to Psa 41:4. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 41:12”

By this I know that thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. 11. By this I know that thou delightest in me. In the confidence of faith he can use the present: I know. Cp. Psa 20:6. For delightest in me, cp. Psa 18:19; Psa 22:8; Psa 35:27 ; 2Sa 15:26. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 41:11”

But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. 10. But thou, O Jehovah, in contrast to their malignity, be thou gracious unto me: though they say ‘he shall rise up no more,’ raise me up. that I may requite them ] The words have a vindictive … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 41:10”

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up [his] heel against me. 9. mine own familiar friend ] Lit. the man of my peace. Cp. Psa 7:4; Jer 20:10; Jer 38:22; Oba 1:7; and the similar complaints of ingratitude in Psa 35:12 ff., Psa 55:12 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 41:9”

An evil disease, [say they], cleaveth fast unto him: and [now] that he lieth he shall rise up no more. 8. Render: A deadly mischief is poured out upon him. The phrase a thing of belial is variously explained to mean an incurable disease or a matter of wickedness (cp. note on Psa 18:4). The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 41:8”

All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. 7. The scene outside the house is graphically depicted. We see the associates waiting, eager for news. With a transparent pretence of secrecy they whisper together, and divert themselves with anticipating the worst. do they devise my hurt ] Or, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 41:7”

And if he come to see [me], he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; [when] he goeth abroad, he telleth [it]. 6. And if one of them comes to see me, he speaketh falsehood. If one of these enemies comes to visit him, as was usual in sickness (2Ki 8:29), he speaks vanity … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 41:6”

Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? 5. speak evil of me ] R.V. against me. Psa 41:5 takes up Psa 41:2, as Psa 41:4 answers to Psa 41:3. When &c.] The words of the enemies, expressing their impatient eagerness for his death, and even for the extinction … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 41:5”