1.
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
Title. Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. See App-65 .
Song. Hebrew shir. See App-65 .
of Asaph. The fourth of the twelve Asaph Psalms. See App-63 . In this Psalm the enemies of the Sanctuary are warned, and God's People are encouraged.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
Thy name. See note on Psalms 20:1 . It denotes God's saving presence. Septuagint, Syr, and Vulg, read "and we shall call on Thy name".
Thy wondrous works declare = Men tell of Thy wondrous works.
2.
When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
I shall receive the congregation = The set time has come, &c.
I = I, even I. Very emphatic.
3.
The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
bear up = have established.
Selah. Connecting the set time of judgment with the judgment itself as it will affect the wicked and the righteous.
4.
I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
fools = arrogant.
wicked. Hebrew. rasha'.
horn. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for pride connected with the wearing of it.
5.
Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
Speak not with a stiff neck. According to the primitive orthography = nor speak arrogantly of the Rock.
not. See note on "no" (Genesis 2:6 ),
6.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
south. Therefore it comes from the north. The immediate place of God's throne, to which Satan aspires. Compare Isaiah 14:12-14 . See Job 26:7 . This is where promotion comes from.
7.
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
But = No.
8.
For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.
hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
a cup. The symbol of God's judgment. Isaiah 51:17-23 (Compare Psalms 19:14 ). Habakkuk 2:15 , Habakkuk 2:16 . Ezekiel 23:31 , Ezekiel 23:34 , &c. Jeremiah 25:27 ; Jeremiah 48:26 ; Jeremiah 49:12 .
red = foaming.
mixture = spice. Compare Revelation 14:10 .
9.
But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
declare. Septuagint reads "exult".
God of Jacob: i.e. the God of Grace, who met Jacob when he had nothing, and deserved nothing but wrath.
10.
All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
the righteous = a righteous one.
To the chief Musician. See App-64 .
Neginoth = smitings; refers to the smitings of the wicked in judgment. See App-65 .