1.
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 . Note the Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ) in this verse.
shew Thyself = shine forth.
2.
Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
judge of the earth. This is in keeping with the subject of Book IV. See notes on p. 809.
3.
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
how long. Note the Figure of speech Anaphora.
wicked = lawless ones. Hebrew. rasha App-44 . Not the same word as in Psalms 94:23 .
4.
How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
iniquity. Hebrew ' aven . Same word as in verses: Psalms 94:16 , Psalms 94:23 ; not Psalms 94:20 .
5.
They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
6.
They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7.
Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4 .
8.
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9.
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
planted the ear. Consult works on physiology for the wonders of this expression.
10.
He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
heathen = nations.
man. Hebrew. 'adam, App-14 .
11.
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
knoweth, &c. See 1 Corinthians 3:20 .
12.
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
Blessed = Happy. See App-63 .
man. Hebrew. geber.
13.
That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
the wicked = a wicked one. Same word as Psalms 94:3 .
14.
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
For the LORD. See Romans 11:1 , Romans 11:2 .
15.
But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
16.
Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
Who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.
evildoers. Hebrew. ra'a. App-44 .
17.
Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
almost = quickly. See note on Proverbs 5:14 .
dwelt in silence. Figure of speech Euphemy ( App-6 ), for dying.
18.
When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
held me up. Compare Psalms 91:12 .
19.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
thoughts = perplexities.
comforts. Occurs only here, Isaiah 66:11 , and Jeremiah 16:7 , where it is rendered "consolations".
20.
Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
the throne of iniquity: i.e. the throne which administers injustice.
iniquity. Hebrew. havvah = cupidity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the injustice produced by desire for gain.
mischief Hebrew. 'amal. App-44 .
21.
They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
the righteous = a righteous one (singular no Art.)
blood. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for man.
22.
But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
23.
And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.