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.
Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
Thy name — Thy self; art present with us, and ready to help.
2.
When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
Receive — The whole congregation, all the tribes.
3.
The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.
The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. /*Selah*/.
Dissolved — Or, destroyed; by intestine divisions and wars.
I hear — I support it, by maintaining religion and justice, by setting up good magistrates, and encouraging good ministers, and good men, who are indeed the pillars of a nation.
4.
I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
I said — I charged them.
Deal not — Desist from your practices.
Lift not up — Do not carry yourselves scornfully and maliciously.
5.
Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
Lift not — A metaphor from untamed oxen, which will not bow their heads to receive the yoke.
Stiff neck — With pride and contempt.
6.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7.
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
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.
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.
For — God is here compared to the master of a feast, who then used to distribute portions of meat and drink to the several guests.
A cup — Of vengeance.
Red — Such as the best wine of Judea was.
Mixture — The wine is mingled not with water, but with strengthening and intoxicating ingredients.
Dregs — The worst and most dreadful part of those tribulations.
Shall wring — This dreadful draught was brought upon them by their own choice and wickedness.
9.
But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
Declare — The praises of God.
10.
All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
Horns — Their honour and power, which they made an instrument of mischief.
Will — When I shall be advanced to the throne.
But — Good men shall be encouraged and promoted.