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(a) This psalm seems to have been made by some excellent prophet for the use of the people when the Church was in extreme misery, either at their return from Babylon or under Antiochus or in similar afflictions. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. How thou didst drive out the {b} heathen with thy hand, and plantedst {c} them; how thou didst afflict the {d} people, and (e) cast them out.
(b) That is, the Canaanites. (c) That is, our fathers. (d) Of Canaan. (e) That is, our fathers. 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. 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 {f} favour unto them.
(f) God's free mercy and love is the only fountain and beginning of the Church, De 4:37. Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for {g} Jacob.
(g) Because you are our king, therefore deliver your people from their misery. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. {h} Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
(h) Because they and their forefathers made both one Church, they apply that to themselves which before they attributed to their fathers. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies. But thou hast cast off, and put us to {i} shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
(i) As they confessed before that their strength came from God, so now they acknowledge that this affliction came by his just judgment. Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves. Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen. Thou hast given us {k} like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
(k) Knowing God to be author of this calamity, they murmur not, but seek remedy at his hands who wounded them. Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price. Thou sellest thy people {l} for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
(l) As slaves who are sold for a low price, you do not look for him who offers the most, but take the first offer. Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me, My {m} confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
(m) I dare not lift up my head for shame. For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger. For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and {n} avenger.
(n) Meaning, the proud and cruel tyrant. All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. All this is come upon us; yet have we not {o} forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
(o) They boast not of their virtues, but declare that they rest on God in the midst of their affliction: who did not punished their sins now, but by hard afflictions called them to the consideration of the heavenly joys. Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a {p} strange god;
(p) They show that they honoured God correctly, because they trusted in him alone. Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Shall not God {q} search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
(q) They take God to witness that they were upright toward him. Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yea, for thy sake {r} are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
(r) The faithful take comfort in this, that the wicked punish them not for their sins, but for because of God, Mt 5:10, 1Pe 4:14. Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. For our soul is {s} bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
(s) There is no hope of recovery, unless you raise us up with your hand. Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake. Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy {t} mercies' sake. (t) Which is the only sufficient ransom to deliver both body and souls from all kinds of slavery and misery. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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