1.
We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
1-3. This period is that of the
settlement of Canaan (Joshua 24:12;
Judges 6:3).
have told—or, "related"
(compare Exodus 10:2).
2.
How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
2. plantedst them—that is,
"our fathers," who are also, from the parallel construction
of the last clause, to be regarded as the object of "cast
them out," which means—literally, "send" them out,
or, "extend them." Heathen and people denote
the nations who were driven out to make room for the Israelites.
3.
For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
1-3. This period is that of the
settlement of Canaan (Joshua 24:12;
Judges 6:3).
have told—or, "related"
(compare Exodus 10:2).
4.
Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
4. Thou art my King—literally,
"he who is my King," sustaining the same covenant relation
as to the "fathers."
5.
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
5. The figure drawn from the
habits of the ox.
6.
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
6-8. God is not only our sole
help, but only worthy of praise.
7.
But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
7. put . . . to shame—(compare
Psalms 6:10), disgraced.
8.
In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
8. thy name—as in .
9.
But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
9. But—contrasting, cast
off as abhorrent (Psalms 43:2).
goest not forth—literally,
"will not go" (2 Samuel 5:23).
In several consecutive verses the leading verb is future, and
the following one past (in Hebrew), thus denoting the
causes and effects. Thus (2 Samuel 5:23), when defeated, spoiling follows; when delivered as
sheep, dispersion follows, &c.
10.
Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
11.
Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
11. The Babylonian captivity not
necessarily meant. There were others (compare ).
12.
Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
13.
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
13, 14. (Compare Deuteronomy 28:37;
Psalms 79:4).
14.
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
15.
My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
15. shame of . . . face—blushes
in disgrace.
16.
For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
16. Its cause, the taunts and
presence of malignant enemies ().
17.
All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
17-19. They had not apostatized
totally—were still God's people.
18.
Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
18. declined—turned aside from
God's law.
19.
Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
19. sore broken—crushed.
place of dragons—desolate,
barren, rocky wilderness (Psalms 63:10;
Isaiah 13:22),
shadow of death—(Compare
Psalms 23:4).
20.
If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
20, 21. A solemn appeal to God
to witness their constancy.
stretched out . . .
hands—gesture of worship (Exodus 9:29;
Psalms 88:9).
21.
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
22.
Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
22. Their protracted sufferings
as God's people attests the constancy. Paul () uses this to describe Christian steadfastness in
persecution.
23.
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
23-26. This style of addressing
God, as indifferent, is frequent (Psalms 3:7;
Psalms 9:19; Psalms 13:1,
&c.). However low their condition, God is appealed to, on the
ground, and for the honor, of His mercy.
24.
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
25.
For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
26.
Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.