PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3
George Rawlinson [1812-1902] · 356,243 words · 377 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 181
Ver. 9.-Piety blessing national life, "Yea, because of the house of the Lord our Goel, I will seek to do thee good" (Prayer-book Version). Piety is seen in the tender, almost pathetic, interest the man has in the temple, where the worship of God is con- ducted; the temple which is so rich with hallowed associations. Th…
1,119 wordsSECTION 182The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 182
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1--4.-0ur refuge in trouble. Beside and beyond the ordinary cares and vexations of this present time, there are- I. Tnrns OF PECULIAR TBIAL. It may be (1) the nation that has to pass through this period; e.g. Israel in Egypt, and again the Jews in Babylon; or, in modem times, Poland or the Italia…
592 wordsSECTION 183The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 183
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-4.-" Unto thee lift I up mine eyes." These psalms are called "Songs of Degrees." For some thought that they were sung on the steps that led from one court to another in the temple of the Lord, and so they were called the songs of degrees, or steps. But though this explanation has b…
852 wordsSECTION 184The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 184
. Ver. 2.- Watching for Divine favour and direct[on. In the East orders are rarely given to an attendant m words, but commonly by signs. These are often eo eliaht as to escape notice unless the eyes of the servants are kept fixed on the master or mi~tress, When waiting upon his master, the servant stands upon the farth…
1,114 wordsSECTION 185The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 185
PSALM OXXIV. for sudden o.nd oomplete destruction (comp. Pas. lvi. 2; !vii. 3; Prov. i. 12; Lnm. ii. 2, "A FRESH, bright lyrio" (Cheyne), com- 5, 8, oto.). When their wrath was kindled posed of two stanza.a-the first po.rt (vers. against us; or, " blazed out against us." 1--5) reoounting e. danger and e. delivcro.nce;…
1,189 wordsSECTION 186The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 186
exact circumstances which are referred to; but many times in Israel's history had there b~en the t~reatening of overwhelming cal~mtty. _In t~e old times, in Egypt, in the wilderness, Jn Judah and Jerusalem, as durmg the 1nvas1on of Sennacherib when they were carried off to captivity, and during that captivity (see the …
858 wordsSECTION 187The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 187
What will attract one will not another. Satan knows when to have us-where and 110w we are most open to his assaults. What need we have to obey our Lord's words, ",Vatch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation" I III. THE FOWLER THAT SEEKS TO ENTRAP TIIE souL. It is he whom the Bible calls Satan. We dare not ign…
888 wordsSECTION 188The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 188
Vers. 2-4.-Jehovah's effective resistance. Perowne thinks that the figures of these verses remind of the earlier deliverance from Egypt. "The Egyptians did • rise u ' against them. Pharaoh and his chariots and his horsemen followed hard after them, and did seem as if about to swallow them up, when they were en~gled in …
771 wordsSECTION 189The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 189
which the bird can take advantage. The rescue from Egypt is the type of God'd deliverances. God removed the obstacle of the sea; but Israel had to take advantacre of this, and show promptitude and energy in crossing. It may sometimes be best f~r God to do the whole redemptive work, bL1t usually he does so much only …
865 wordsSECTION 190The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 190
resolve, that in the Name of Jehovah they will ever trust. Help in a r,:imel Why not eoy, help in God 1 Explain that the Jews had a special name for God, of which they were profoundly jealous. And they were in a covenant which was sealed with that special name. In Scripture it is usual to find a person's attributes or …
955 wordsSECTION 191The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 191
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-5.-Divine providence. Does righteousness answer? Is piety rewarded? Is the good man much the better for his goodness? That is the question, both old and new, suggested by the psalm. The reply is in the affirmative; but the fourth verse indicates that the writer's mind is not altogether untrouble…
923 wordsSECTION 192The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 192
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-5.-Such as cannot be moved. There can be little doubt, eo it seems to me, that these psalms, from one of which our text is taken, were all of them songs of the exiles returning from their captivity in Babylon. Their very name-" Songs of Degrees "-denotes that they were sung as the …
587 wordsSECTION 193The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 193
"They who trust in the Lord shall be," etc. No object was more familiar to the devout Jew than Mount Zion and the mountains round about Jerusalem. As often as they went up to the house of the Lord, and day by day, all those who dwelt in or near Jerusalem, as did most of those who came back from the Exile, Zion and the …
854 wordsSECTION 194The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 194
inwardly. With the wicked, when suffering comes, there is no alleviation, no blessed peace c)f God, no communion with him, no bright hope, no sustaining Holy Spirit . .Hut these are all in the lot or the righteous, God's saints have ever enjoyed them. Hence it matters but little, if the inward grace be given, whether t…
1,186 wordsSECTION 195The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 195
Ver. 2.-The encircling of Divine defence. "The Lord is round about his people." Robinson says, "The sacred city lies upon the broad and high mountain range which is shut in by the two valleys Jehoshaphat and Hinnom . .All the surrounding hills are higher. On the east, the Mount of Olives; on the south, the so-called…
466 wordsSECTION 196The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 196
enemies of God's people, shall not abide upon the land. The trial is- to prove faith, not to endanger it by a too sharp pressure; lest, overcome by t\is, even t.lie faithfui put forth a hand (as in Gen. iii. 22) to forbidden pleasure, or (01 in Exod. xxii. 8) ta contamination; through force of custom gradually persuadi…
838 wordsSECTION 197The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 197
Ver. 5.-God is against the wilful. The Targum reads," And thoso that turn after their depravity, he shall bring them into Gehenna as their portion, with the workerr of falsehood." Literally, the first sentence of tho verse reads, "bend their crooked paths," i.e. so turn their paths aside as to make them crooked (Jud…
1,201 wordsSECTION 198The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 198
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-4.-Spiritual bondage. In the Divine deliverance from ~piritual captivity, vf which the return from Babylon may bo regarded as a type, we have n crowning kindness from bis gracious he.nrl. It is said that there is no sensation so exquisitely delightrul as that we experience when there is a sudden ce…
768 wordsSECTION 199The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 199
Vers. 5, 6.-Spirit'll,(1,Z farming. Our Lord told the apostles that be would make them" fishers of men." We may hear him telling us that be will make us farmers of men; for there is much to be done in the way of sowing and reaping in spiritual husbandry. • I. THE son. OF THE HUMAN souL. That in which the sacred see…
753 wordsSECTION 200The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 200
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-6.-" Like them that dream." I. THE DREAM. It was a delightful one. 1. T!tere are many of quite another kind--dreams full of trouble, terror, and distress. Many such are recorded in Scripture (Gen. xl.; Dan. ii.; Job vii. 14; Jllatt. xxvii. 19). 2. But this was full of joy and raptu…
662 wordsSECTION 201The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 201
Vers. 1-6.-The history of a soi,il. That which wai written of and for the returned exiles of Judah lends itself so accurately and beautifully to describe the history of a redeemed soul, that it seems as if that larger and higher history were meant as well as that of Judah. The same words tell of both. I. THE SOUL W…
883 wordsSECTION 202The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 202
weight anu responsibility. And he who shall be a rejoicing reaper in the Lord's harvest- field is one to whom his sacred toil has been the burden of the Lord to him. This burden is made up of a deep sense (1) of his own insufficiency for the ,vork; (2) ot the urgent need for the work to be done; (3) of the shortness…
981 wordsSECTION 203The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 203
Ver. 2.-Signs of joy. Polybius, in describin:;i: the joy of the Greeks when unex- pectedly rescued from 1he Macedonians, says," Most of the men could scarcely believe the news, but imagined themselves in a dream as they listened to what was said, so extraordinary and miraculous it seemed to them." I. Joy .AND GLAD:…
725 wordsSECTION 204The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 204
that the "good hand" had been on the nation all through its time of captivity. It had been in the purifying fires, but the silver had been kept safe through all the testings. And the brightness and joy of a Christian life always makes this witness for God. It says- "I bav·e been upheld till now: Who could hold me up …
919 wordsSECTION 205The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 205
III. SOWING-TIMES OF ATMOSPHERIC PERIL. The weather is but seldom just to the farmer's mind, and in ROme seasons the sowing seems hopeless: what can the seed do but rot in the ground? This may suggest the dispositions both of the Christian workers, and of those among whom they work. These often make a sort of atmosp…
858 wordsSECTION 206The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 206
EXPOSITION. gives to men that whioh ho knows they PSALM OXXVII. have need of, if they ha.ve only the faith to A DIDACTro psalm, preaching a contented "sit still " 11,nd " we.it." Ver. 3.-Lo, 11hildren 11,re an heritage of trust in God as more conducive to the pros- the Lord. The teaching is enforced by Bn perity of …
677 wordsSECTION 207The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 207
fall, the watchman will wake and the soldier will fight in vain. If God intends to humble a man whose pride needs to be brought down, his utmost exertions in his trade or in his profession will not bring success. Many a man hae found, as he at first thought to his cost, but as he afterwards knew to his great advanta…
838 wordsSECTION 208The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 208
I. THE TEMPLE-BUILDERS. 1. We know that this was one of the solicitudes of the returned exiles-to uprear again the temple of the Lord. And in the books written after the return from Babylon we read about this and the difficulties they bad to encounter, and the success they at length achieved. Continually they needed to…
1,279 wordsSECTION 209The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 209
Ver. 4.-(Jhildren as a"ows. The psalmist takes far other than that pessimistio view, so common in our day, as to God's gift of children. Men now too often look upon them as so many misfortunes and incumbrances, and as compelling poverty and privation where else these evils had not been, and as so many channels throu…
1,112 wordsSECTION 210The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 210
Ver. 1.-The true city watchman. "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." Thie would come home very forcibly to the restored exiles if, as we may well assume, the psalm was written before Nehemiah restored the walls of the holy cily. Then the only protection of the city must have been the vigila…
1,003 wordsSECTION 211The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 211
life is completed. Signe of Divine favour cheer and encourage a~ life progresses. Some married people do not have families, but we have no right to regard the withholdrng as a judgment. vVe need only say that, when chilnren are sent, they are a sign of Divine favour, .And this is not saying that all children who come i…
1,073 wordsSECTION 212The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 212
Ver. 1.-7'ze Divine BuiMer. (For the opening or reopening of a church.) "Except the Lord build the house," etc. I. OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GoD FOR ALL REAL PROSPERITY. 1. Consider the 'IIUI,terial of tM house we are building. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, e.nd that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" "Ye al…
879 wordsSECTION 213The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 213
HOMILETICS. Vere. 1-6.-Presenl recompense. It is quite certain that the true and loyal servant of God will be abundantly rewarded ; it is not certain when or how he will receive his recompense. There are three spheres in which that reward may lie. It may be largely, almost wholly, in the future. Bitter and protracted …
1,302 wordsSECTION 214The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 214
the parent root, so they are like their pirent, and they gather round, as the children do round the table at home. Yes, tho children are as the parent. The godly man will be blessed in his children : their father's God will their God; they will be as their father, and will hand on the fear of the Lord which they first …
789 wordsSECTION 215The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 215
Sentiment and superstition aro always satisfied with themselves; make a centre of eclf; and feel relieved of all claims of duty and ri<>hteousncss. III. 'l'nE FEAR THAT INSPIRES ENDEAVO;R. He who fears aright finds the fear inspire walking in ways of obedience. This is indeed the test of all forms of fear. l'he tru…
791 wordsSECTION 216The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 216
not fit to one another. The secret of family joy is each one getting shaped to the other, so that individuality is perfected in relationship. III. FAM.U.Y JOYS COME OUT OF AFFECTION. There is a peculiar feeling toward each other cherished by m~mbers of one family. We call it family affection. Illus- trate by the joy o…
1,045 wordsSECTION 217The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 217
Vers. 1-6.-.A sunny picture of tl,e life of a good man. "Blessed is every one that fcareth the Lord," etc. l. THE GREATEST, MOST INFLUENTIAL, RELiaION IS COMPOUNDED OF "THE FEAR" OF TIIE CONSCIENCE AND THE TRUST AND LOVE OF THE HEART. "The fear,, is the elevating fear of offending against the highest law, and the stro…
1,045 wordsSECTION 218The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 218
HOMILETICS. Vors. 1-8.-Sin afai1ure. Neither the violence of sin against others nor its effort on its own behalf is successful. L TuE FAILURE OF ITS VIOLENCE. The enemies of Isro.el are regartletl as tha enemies of the Lord; their attempts to despoil and destroy Israel were sins ago.inst God. They consequently proved…
1,114 wordsSECTION 219The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 219
For they who hurt tho body soon have no more that they can do; bot these can eternally torment us-they can destroy both sonl aml body in hell. Therefore we may well, as Christ bids us, fear them. Nor a.re the most terrible of the prayers in these imprece.tory psalms out of place when we think of these foes. We are boun…
934 wordsSECTION 220The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 220
Ver. 4.-Righteousness may involvejudgment. The cutting asunder of cords figura- tively presents the liberating of Israel from the Babylonian captivity, and also the yet earlier experience of the nation, when Jehovah cut the cords of Egypt, and set his people free. This is the consideration which relieves the psalmis…
1,243 wordsSECTION 221The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 221
Vers.1-8.-Sztjfering and victory, "Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth,• etc. The connection is shown thus- I. 'l'HE PSALMIST BA w THE REDEMPTIVE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GoD .AS SUPREME. (Ver. 4.) God's strength and justice surely prevail against all the devices of evil men. JI.· GOOD MEN PREVAIL WHEN TilEY USE…
1,109 wordsSECTION 222The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 222
the Lord, and that we deserve whatever kind of distress we may be experiencing. Sorrow proceeds from sin and points to it. IV. THE noPE OF THE PENITENT. This is not in God's justice, but in his mercy. If God were to "ma.rk iniquities," i.e. to mark them for immediate punishment accord- ing to their desert, no ma.n …
1,055 wordsSECTION 223The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 223
Ver. 4.-The assurance cif God's forgiveness. The psalmist had this, and his history is recorded for our help--for the help of all those who desire this assurance. I. NOTE TO WHOM THIS BLESSED .ASSURANCE IS GIVEN. 1. Not to every one. For many do not care for it-they think there is no need; they persuade themselves t…
1,144 wordsSECTION 224The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 224
Ver. 1.-The cry of the humbled. The psalm belongs to the nge of true national contrition, when nothing would satisfy but deliverance from sin, as well as from its punishment (comp. Lam. iii. 65; Jonah ii. 2). When men are disheartened and depressed, overwhelmed with anxieties and troubles, we familiarly speak of them a…
1,183 wordsSECTION 225The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 225
gence. No man knows the hatefulneBB of his sin until he realizes that it is divinely forgiven. II. Gon's FORGIVENESS PBODUOES A WORTHY FEAR. That kir.d of fear which makes us anxiously watchful lest we should prove unworthy of such foroiveness, and even need that forgiveness again, The sense of forgiveness binds us to…
760 wordsSECTION 226The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 226
weakness and impotency of mind to be unable to forgive." The point on which we now dwell is the strong demand that Israel shall hope in Jehovah himself. The sense of personality in God is to be most jealously treasured. In India it is conceived that the personality of god is but a step towards the higher realization of…
1,173 wordsSECTION 227The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 227
PSALM. OXX.XL aelf in great matters, or m things too high for me j litero.lly, too wonderful (comp. Tms psalm has been eaid to be " like a Ps. exxxix. 6, "Suoh knowle<lge is too string of a Christinn • Lyre. Innooeatinm '" wonderful for me: it is high : I cannot (Bishop Alexander). It breathes the pro- attain unto it"…
1,174 wordsSECTION 228The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 228
llevil has planted pride in all men's hearts, as he has, God has so ordered the world that every man's hand shall be against such pride. 2. It isfr~from ambition. "Nor mine eyes lofty." The man's eyes are not for ever fixed on and hankering after something higher up in the world than it has yet reached. Blessed is the …
1,215 wordsSECTION 229The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 229
Ver. 1.-0n knowing owr spheres. Prayer-book Version, "I do not exercise myself in great matters: which are too high for me." The poet disclaims three distinct kinds of pride; secret conceit of heart; the ostentation of the man of lofty bearing ; and the presumptuous self-importance which intrudes. One of the things …
958 wordsSECTION 230The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 230
Ver. 3.-Man's personal experience may be the basis of his hope In God. "Let Israel hope in the Lord;" let him, because he has such abundant reason for so doing, in the experience that he has had of the Lord's gracious working. This is the refrain of several of these "songs of degrees," which, wo have seen, are essentia…
1,214 wordsSECTION 231The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 231
"brought up from the house of Obed-E<lom of Chronicles, which runs thus: "0 Lord into the city of David with gladneee" (2 Se.m. God, turn not e."a.y the face of thine vi. 12), but which he had only established anointed: remember the mercies of David in e. temporary a.bode of the nature of e. tent, thy servant." T~e mea…
1,200 wordsSECTION 232The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 232
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-18.-The service of the sanctuary. Wee.re accustomed to think of devotion in connection with the house of the Lord. The two things are clearly, though not inseparably, associated with one another. There may be piety where there is no sanctuary; there may be a sanctuary where there is no piety. Pr…
689 wordsSECTION 233The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 233
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers.1--5.-Thepowerofaholysoul. I. THAT DAVID WAS SUOB WE ABE BOUND TO BELIEVE, notwithstanding the flagrant and most grievous sins which are recorded against him. They stagger us when we read of them, and we wonder how such a man could ever have been called "the man after God's own heart.…
1,009 wordsSECTION 234The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 234
Vers. 6, 7.-Led of the Lord. We do not know for certain what" it," in ver. 6, means. Probably the ark of tbe covenant-" the ark of thy strength" (ver. 8). Nor do we know exactly where Ephratah was, and "the fields of the wood" (see Exposition for a possible iuterpretation). But we may suffer the expressions used in …
803 wordsSECTION 235The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 235
Vers. 13-15.-" Zion of the Lord beloved." I. SHE IB THE OBJECT OF THE LORD'S CHOICE. 1. We cannot get rid of the truth of God's election. Many would like to do so. It calls up in their minds thoughts of a very painful kind. It clouds for them and to them the face of God. 2. But we see it everi.Jwhere. Are not we oursel…
648 wordsSECTION 236The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 236
of life, and so get it and are rich. But the rich desire not, and so have not and are poor. .And Zion's poor shall be satisfied. Oh to be of these poor 1-S, C. Ver. 18.-The shame of Ohrist's enemies and the glory of his crown. That part of the Old Testament history to which this psalm refers is in all probability th…
1,187 wordsSECTION 237The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 237
Ver. 2.-The Mighty One of Jacob. Every man has-should have-his own appre- hension of God, and name for him. (For this name, see Gen. xlix. 24.) It does not appear that Jacob called him "The Mighty One." 'l'his is the name which those find for Jacob's God who can read aright the story of God's dealings with the great pa…
563 wordsSECTION 238The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 238
surroundings. On t~e other hand, it is urged, as by the lliudns, that precisely what man bas to do, precisely what has to be the issue of life, is lull deliverance from the sensible and material, from all reliance on form, symbol, sacrament, or other outward help; and absolute absorption in, and sntisfaction with, spir…
842 wordsSECTION 239The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 239
Ver. 7.-Gorfsfootstool. "Worship at bis footstool." By the" footstool" is meant the cover of the ark,on which the Shechinah-light was retarded as resting. Round the top of the ark ran a crown or wreath of pure gold, and upon it was the mercy-seat, of the same dimensions as the ark, made, not of wood overlaid with go…
819 wordsSECTION 240The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 240
forms of disgrace and filthiness, or of beauty and glory, into which the inner man of the soul may be fashioned-wearing Heaven's livery, or that of sin. Ae character is the roul's dress, and dress analogical to character, whatever has power to produce a. character when received, is represented as a dress to be put o…
880 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.