The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 99

1t11.tntes ; or, " perfect in thy stntutes "-in his servants t.o obee1ve and keep hie oom- the knowledge and in the pl'RCtice of them. mandments. That I be not &lhamed (see ver. 31) ~ LAMED. ::, CAPH. Ver. 89.-For ever, O Lord, thy Word is Ver. 81.-lll[y soul f11.inteth for thy 111.ln- settled in heaven. God's Worcl, or Law, is tion (comp. Ps. lx:uiv. 2). The phrase eternal and unchanging-fixed and estab- need expresses the most intense desire pos- lished for ever in the heaven of heavens sible. But I hope in thy Word. (So al~o ver. (comp. Ps. lxxxix. 2; Jae. i. 17). 74.) While almost fainting, the psalmist is Ver. 90.-Thy faithfulness is unto all sustained by his hope e.nd trust in God's generations. God "keopeth his promise for promises. ever" (Ps. oxlvi. 6, Prayer-book Version). Ver. 82.-Kine eyes fail for thy Word. If his "Word" generally is unchanging, so Yet even here his "eyes fail"- he he.s especially must be his promises. Thou hast looked so long for the aid promisecl, and it established the earth, and it abideth. Even he.s not come. Saying, When wilt thou God's phyeice.l le.we he.ve a character of comfort me f "Lorcl, how long?" is the perpetuity a.bout them. "The constancy of constant cry of God's servants under afflic- God in bis works is e.n argument for the tion or persecution. When will relief come fe.ithfulnessofGodin his Word" (Chahuers). and the tyranny be overpast? Ver. 91.-They oontinue this day accord- Ver. 83.-For I am become like a bottle ing to thine ordinanoes. Heaven and earth in the smoke. Keble'e paraphrase brings continue to observe the ordinances given out the true sense- them by God at the first (comp. Jer. xxxi. " As wine-skin in the smoke, 35, 36; xxx:iii. 25). For all a.re thy ser- My heart is sere e.nd dried." vants j rather, all things, or all creatures. Ver. 92.-Unlese thy Law had been my Wine-skins were smoked to toughen and delights, L should then have perished in harden them. Yet do I not forget thy mine aflliction (comp. vere. 16, 24, 35, 47, statutes. The severity of the discipline 70, 77). Only e. real love of God's com- does not alienate me from thee, or cause me mandments can sustain men under severe to depart from thy Le.w (comp. vers. 23, 51, affliction. 161). Ver. 93.-I will never forget thy preoepta Ver. 84.-Row many are the days of thy (comp. vers.16, 61, 83). For with them thou 1ervant ! i.e.. How little of my life is left I hast quickened me (comp. ver. 50, "Thy If thou dele.yest much longer, my de.ye will Word hath quickened me"). all be gone. When wilt thou exeout,, jndg- Ver. 94.-1 e.m thine, eave me. "Save ment on them that perseoute me! (,ee the me," i.e., e.s being thine own-thy true ser- comment on ver. 82b). vant and follower. For I have sought thy Vo!' 85.-The proud have digged pits for precepts. And thus shown my fidelity. me; i.e. "baveeet tre.psto catcbme"(comp. Ver. 95.-The wicked have waited for me Pee. vii. 15; ix. 15). Which are not after to destroy me; or, "laid in we.it for me" thy Law. God's Le.w is opposed to all under- (comp. Ps. lvi. 6, where the ea.me verb is hand und treacherous dee.ling-therefore to used). But I will ooneider thy teetimoniea all traps and snares. I will look to thy word of promise, 11nd so Ver. 86.-All thy co=andmente are faith- sustain their assaults upon me. ful; literally, are faithf,ilness. This is Ver. 96.-I have seen an end of all per- so.id in respect of the promises attached to fection; i.e. to e.11 other perfection I have them. They (i.e. my enemies) pereeonte me seen, and see, a limit; but there is no limit wrongfully; or, "with lies"-lyingly(comp. to the perfection of thy Le.w. Thy com- vera. 69, 78). Help thou me; i.e. help me mandment is exceeding broad. Unlimited against them, so the.t their "lies" me.y do -meusureleae in its range. It inouloe.tes me no harm. on man an absolute perfection. Ver. 87.-They had almost conenmed me upon earth; or, "me.de e.n end of me," "de- ~ l\IEM. stroyed me." But I fcreook not thy preoepte (cowp. vel'I!. 69, 78, 83). Persecution me.de Ver. 97.-0 how love I Thy law! (comp. the psalmist cling the more to God's La.w. vers. 47, 48, 113, 119, 127, etc.). As the Ver. 88.-Q.uioken me after thy loving- psalmist goes on wiih bis meditation he be- kindne■s (comp. vers. 25, 37, 44, 107, 149, comes more e.nd more :IJJJed with e. deep love 156, 159). So shall I keep the testimony of of the Law of God, which is not to him I\ thy mouth (compare" the le.w of thy month," restraint or e. burden, but e. solace and 1, in ver. 72). It is God's "qnickening"-i.e. "delight." It is my meditation all the day his life-giving grace-which alone enables (see vers. 15, 23, 4.11, 78, eto.). PS, CXIX. 1-176,] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 109