Geneva Study Bible <{a} of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD.>> Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my {b} cry come unto thee.
(a) By which is signified, that even though we are in great misery, yet there is always room for prayer. (b) He declares that in our prayer we must lively feel that which we desire, and steadfastly believe to obtain. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily.
For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. For my days are {c} consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
(c) These excessive kinds of speech show how much the affliction of the Church should wound the hearts of the godly. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget {d} to eat my bread.
(d) My sorrows were so great that I did not eat. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I am like a {e} pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
(e) Always mourning in solitude and casting out fearful cries. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are {f} sworn against me.
(f) Have conspired my death. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, For I have {g} eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,
(g) I have not risen out of my mourning to take my refreshment. Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. Because of thine {h} indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.
(h) He shows that not only the afflictions moved him, but chiefly the feeling of God's displeasure. My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.
But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. But thou, O LORD, shalt {i} endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
(i) Though we are frail, yet your promise is sure, and the remembrance of it will confirm us forever. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the {k} set time, is come.
(k) That is, the seventy years which by the prophet Jeremiah you appointed, Jer 29:12. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. For thy servants take pleasure in her {l} stones, and favour the dust thereof.
(l) The more the Church is in misery and desolation, the more the faithful should love and pity it. So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear {m} in his glory.
(m) That is, when he will have drawn his church out of the darkness of death. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be {n} created shall praise the LORD.
(n) The deliverance of the Church is an excellent benefit, and therefore he compares it to a new creation for in their banishment the body of the Church seemed to have been dead, which by deliverance was as it were created anew. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are {o} appointed to death;
(o) Who now in their banishment could look for nothing but death. To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. When the people are gathered {p} together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
(p) He shows that Gad's name is never more praised, than when religion flourishes and the church increases: which is chiefly accomplished under the kingdom of Christ. He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. He {q} weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
(q) The church lament that they see not the time of Christ, which was promised, but have but few years and short days. I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: {r} They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:
(r) If heaven and earth perish, much more man will perish: but the Church by reason of God's promise endures forever. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall {s} be established before thee. (s) Seeing you have chosen your Church out of the world, and joined it to you, it cannot but continue forever: for you are everlasting. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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