1.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
1-3. The vindication of God's
mercy and faithfulness (Psalms 25:10;
Psalms 36:6) is the "glory"
of His "name," which is desired to be illustrated in the
deliverance of His people, as the implied mode of its manifestation.
In view of the taunts of the heathen, faith in His dominion as
enthroned in the heaven (Psalms 2:4;
Psalms 11:4) is avowed.
2.
Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
2. Where is now, &c.—"now"
is "not a particle of time, but of entreaty," as in our
forms of speech, "Come now," "See now," &c.
3.
But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
1-3. The vindication of God's
mercy and faithfulness (Psalms 25:10;
Psalms 36:6) is the "glory"
of His "name," which is desired to be illustrated in the
deliverance of His people, as the implied mode of its manifestation.
In view of the taunts of the heathen, faith in His dominion as
enthroned in the heaven (Psalms 2:4;
Psalms 11:4) is avowed.
4.
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
4-7. (Compare Isaiah 40:18-20;
Isaiah 44:9-20).
5.
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6.
They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7.
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
7. speak . . . throat—literally,
"mutter," not even utter articulate sounds.
8.
They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
8. every one that trusteth—they
who trust, whether makers or not.
9.
O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
9-13. The repetitions imply
earnestness.
10.
O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11.
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12.
The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13.
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
14.
The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
14. Opposed to the decrease
pending and during the captivity.
15.
Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
15-17. They were not only God's
peculiar people, but as living inhabitants of earth, assigned the
work of His praise as monuments of divine power, wisdom, and
goodness.
16.
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17.
The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
18.
But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
18. Hence let us fulfil the
purpose of our creation, and evermore show forth His praise.