1.
Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
Title. Mascbil = Instruction. The tenth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, Psalms 82 , and App-65 .
of Asaph = by, or for Asaph. Asaph was a "seer" or prophet (2 Chronicles 29:30 ). This Psalm is concerning the choosing a site for the Sanctuary. The seventh of the twelve Asaph Psalms. App-63 .
ears. Hebrew text = ear. Some codices, with Aramaean and Syriac, read "ears".
2.
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
I will open, &c. Quoted in Matthew 13:35 .
parable . . . dark sayings. Compare Psalms 49:5 . Same words. The Psalm has a moral: showing that Divine history contains more than appears on the surface.
3.
Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
known = come to know.
4.
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
children = sons.
Shewing = Recounting.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
wonderful works = wonders. Compare Psalms 77:11 , Psalms 77:14 .
5.
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
commanded our fathers. Compare Exodus 10:2 ; Exodus 12:26 , Exodus 12:27 ; Exodus 13:8-10 , Exodus 13:14 , Exodus 13:15 .Deuteronomy 4:9 ; Deuteronomy 6:7 , Deuteronomy 6:20 , &c.
6.
That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7.
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
8.
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
rebellious. Compare Deuteronomy 9:24 ; Deuteronomy 31:27 .
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
with. Some codices, with six early printed editions, read "toward".
9.
The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
Ephraim. The mention of Ephraim is not "perplexing". See explanation in next verse, and in the events of Judges 12:1-6 ; Jdg 12:17 , Jdg 12:18 : viz. the introduction of idolatry. It is sin which is spoken of. See Psalms 78:57 , "deceitful bow". Compare Hosea 7:16 ; Hosea 10:6-8 .
carrying bows: i.e. though equipped as bowmen, yet were faithless. This is transferred to the moral application.
10.
They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
kept not. See note on Psalms 78:9 .
11.
And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
12.
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Zoan. See note on Exodus 1:10 .
13.
He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
divided. Compare Exodus 14:21 .
as an heap. Compare Exodus 14:22 ; Exodus 15:8 .
14.
In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
led them. Compare Exodus 13:21 ; Exodus 14:24 ; and note the correspondence of 13-16 with 52-55, in the Structure above.
15.
He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
clave. Hebrew. baka' (in Piel), implying repeated cleaving.
rocks. Hebrew. zur. Same word as in Exodus 17 . The two events brought together here.
drink as out of. Some codices, with seven early printed editions, read "drink in the".
16.
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
17.
And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
sinned. Hebrew. chata'. t
he MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4 . Compare Psalms 78:35 , and Psalms 77:10 .
18.
And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.
lust = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
19.
Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
spake against. Compare Numbers 11:4-6 .
20.
Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?
21.
Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
22.
Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
trusted not = confided not. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .
23.
Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
clouds = skies.
opened the doors. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Compare Genesis 7:11 .
24.
And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
manna. Bread; not "the drops of the tarfu or tamarisk tree", as alleged. See John 6:31 , John 6:49-51 .
of heaven: i.e. from heaven; not from trees.
25.
Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.
angels' food = bread of the mighty ones. Septuagint, Syriac, Arabic, Ethiopic, with Targums, render it "bread of angels". The "of" may be Genitive of Agent. See App-17 .
26.
He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.
27.
He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
rained. As in Psalms 78:24 .
as the sand. Figure of speech Paroemia . App-6 .
28.
And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.
29.
So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
30.
They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,
not estranged = not turned away from.
their lust. What they had longed for.
31.
The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
The wrath, &c. Compare John 3:36 . Ephesians 5:6 . Colossians 3:6 .
32.
For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
For all this = In, or amid all this.
33.
Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
in vanity = in a breath. i.e. the whole generation of men quickly died out. Compare Numbers 14:29 , Numbers 14:35 ; Numbers 26:64 , Numbers 26:65 .
34.
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.
35.
And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
THE HIGH GOD. Hebrew ' El 'Elyon . = EL MOST HIGH.
redeemer. Hebrew. ga'al. See note on Exodus 6:6 ; Exodus 13:13 .
36.
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
tongues. Hebrew = tongue (singular)
37.
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
covenant. If that of Exodus 34:5-10 , then note the reference to it in Psalms 78:38 , below.
38.
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
iniquity. Hebrew ' avah . App-44 .
destroyed = laid waste.
39.
For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
He remembered. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. Compare "They forgat", Psalms 78:11 .
flesh. Compare Genesis 6:3 ; Genesis 8:21 .Psalms 103:14-16 .
A wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
40.
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
How oft. Ten times at least in the first two years (Numbers 14:22 ).
41.
Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
turned back: i.e. again and again.
limited. Hebrew. tavah , to set a mark (Ezekiel 9:4 ), the only other occurrence of the Hiphil ; hence, to set a limit.
the Holy One of Israel. This title occurs only three times in the Psalms: here (Psalms 78:41 ); in the last Davidic Psalm of the second book (Psalms 71:22 ); and in the last Psalm of this third book (Psalms 89:18 ).
42.
They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
They remembered not. Contrast Psalms 78:39 , "He remembered".
delivered. Hebrew. padah, as in Exodus 13:13 .
43.
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
signs in Egypt. The Psalm, verses: Psalms 78:44-51 , does not profess to give a list of the "ten plagues"; so that there is no ground for the assumption as to only a "Jehovist" document being known to the writer. He selects according to his special purpose. He names the first and the last, and omits the third (lice), fifth (murrain), sixth (boils), and the ninth (darkness).
44.
And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.
turned their rivers. The first plague (Exodus 7:17 , &c).
45.
He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
flies. The fourth plague (Exodus 8:21 ).
frogs. The second plague (Exodus 8:5 , Exodus 8:6 ).
46.
He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.
caterpiller = corn locust. A more specific word than Exodus 10:1-20 . It occurs in Joel 1:4 ; Joel 2:25 .
labour. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the fruit of labour.
47.
He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.
destroyed = killed.
hail. The seventh plague (Exodus 9:18 ).
frost. Word occurs nowhere else. Probably = hailstones.
48.
He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
hot thunderbolts: or lightnings (Exodus 9:23 ).
49.
He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
sending = letting loose.
evil angels. In distinction from "demons". Compare 1 Timothy 4:1 , where both are mentioned. Compare Exodus 12:23 . 2 Samuel 24:16 .
50.
He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
made = pondered, or weighed. Compare Proverbs 4:26 ; Proverbs 5:6 , Proverbs 5:21 . Contrast Isaiah 26:7 .
soul. Hebrew. n ephesh. App-13 .
51.
And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:
strength = strengths (plural) Manly vigour. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the firstborn. Compare Genesis 49:3 .Deuteronomy 21:17 . Psalms 105:36 .
tabernacles = tents. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 .
Ham = Egypt. Compare Psalms 105:23 , Psalms 105:27 ; Psalms 106:22 .
52.
But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
wilderness. Compare Isaiah 63:11-14 .
53.
And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
led = gently led. compare verses: Psalms 78:13-16 .
overwhelmed. Compare Exodus 14:27 ; Exodus 15:10 .
54.
And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.
His sanctuary: i.e. Zion. See App-68 .
this mountain: viz. the one in the writer's view; not in "the memory of an exile in Babylon".
55.
He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
heathen = nations.
by line. Sometimes this is put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the inheritance itself which was measured off by it. Compare Psalms 19:4 .
56.
Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:
the MOST HIGH. Hebrew. 'eth 'Elohim 'Elyon. App-4 .
57.
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
turned back. See the Structure (17-20 and 56-58).
a deceitful bow: disappointing the bowman. Compare Hosea 7:16 .
graven images. Same word as Deuteronomy 7:5 . Includes all images, whether carved, graven, or molten.
58.
For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.
59.
When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
When God heard this, He. There is no "When" in the Hebrew Render: "God heard this, and He was wroth"
heard. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
60.
So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;
tabernacle = habitation. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40 (2).
Shiloh. Compare Judges 18:1 , Judges 18:31 ; 1 Samuel 4:3 .
men. Hebrew. adam.
61.
And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.
strength. One of the names for the Ark of the Covenant (Compare Psalms 63:2 ; Psalms 132:8 ). See notes on Exodus 25:22 . 1 Chronicles 13:3 .
glory. Another name for the Ark (1 Samuel 4:22 ).
62.
He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.
unto the sword. Compare 1 Samuel 4:10 .
63.
The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
were not given to marriage = were not praised: i.e. had no marriage song.
64.
Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
priests. Compare 1 Samuel 4:11 .
65.
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
the LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim changed "Jehovah" to "Adonai". See App-32 .
as one out of sleep. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ) = "as one [awaketh] out of sleep".
66.
And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
the hinder parts = rear, or backward.
67.
Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
chose not. Ephraim did not lose inheritance, but lost precedence, which was transferred to Judah.
68.
But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
which He loved. The proof of which was the removal of the Ark to Zion.
69.
And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
Like the earth. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read ( Beth = in) instead of ( Kaph = like) = "In the land".
70.
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
chose David. Compare 1 Samuel 16:11 , 1 Samuel 16:12 . This is the climax of the Psalm.
71.
From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
To feed = To shepherd.
To feed Jacob. Compare 2 Samuel 7:7 , 2 Samuel 7:8 .
His people. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "His servant".
Israel. Note the two names: Jacob, the natural seed; Israel, the spiritual seed. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .
72.
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
skilfulness = discernment, or understanding.