1.
Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
Why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis . App-6 .
times of trouble = the great time of tribulation. Compare Psalms 9:9 .
2.
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
The wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. r asha". App-44 .
persecute = hotly pursue.
the poor = an oppressed one. Compare Psalms 10:18 , and Psalms 9:9 . Hebrew. 'ani. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
3.
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
heart's = soul ' s. Hebrew. nephesh. .
blesseth, &c. One of the emendations of the Sopherim (see App-33 ). The primitive text of this line read, "the covetous man (or robber) blasphemeth, yea, abhorreth Jehovah". Compare 1 Kings 21:10 , 1 Kings 21:13 .Job 1:5 , Job 1:11 ; Job 2:5 , Job 2:9 .
4.
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. i.e. "no sign of God in all his thoughts".
5.
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
sight = ken. [perception]
enemies = adversaries.
puffeth at = despiseth.
6.
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
said in his heart. Compare Psalms 10:11 .
7.
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
His mouth, &c. Quoted in Romans 3:14 .
8.
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
the poor = a weak one. Hebrew. helkah.
9.
He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10.
He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11.
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
forgotten. Compare Psalms 10:12 , and Psalms 9:12 , Psalms 9:17 , Psalms 9:18 .
never see it. Compare Psalms 10:14 .
12.
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
Arise. Compare Psalms 9:19 .
the humble = the humble ones. Compare Psalms 10:17 .
13.
Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
Wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.
require it = investigate.
14.
Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
Thou hast seen. Compare Psalms 10:11 .
15.
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
the evil = an evil one. Hebrew. raa'. App-44 .
16.
The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
The LORD, &C. Quoted in Revelation 11:15 .
for ever and ever. Compare Psalms 9:5 .
heathen = nations. Compare Psalms 9:5 , Psalms 9:15 .
17.
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
heard. prepare. cause. Figure of speech Anabasis .
prepare = establish.
ear. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
18.
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
oppressed. Compare Psalms 9:9 .
the man of the earth. Spoken of above as the "lawless one".