The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 356

16-18), is BI.most peculiBr to it. Metri- sky for weeks or ruontbs together caasos co.lly, it seems to divide into three stanzas B longing of the intensest kind for sl1a<le or strophe.-one of six (vers. 1-6), one of and moisture. lllan and beast alike re- joice when the time of the autumn ra.ina fivo (vers. 7-11), o.nd ono of nino verses draws near, and the cloudless blue of the (vcrs. 12-20). summer heaven gives place to a. sky that is grey o.nd overcast (comp. Job xxxviii. 25- Ver. 1.-Praise ye the Lord: for it is 41; Ps. civ. 13). Who m.aketh grass to good to sing prBises unto our God (comp. grow upon the moUJ1tains. The "moun- l's. xcii. 1). For it is pleuant (see Ps. tains," and even the plains of Palestine, are, cxxxv. 8). And praisa is comoly; rather, with rare exceptions, completely burnt up becoming, or seemly-suitable, that is, to Bl the close of summer, and show no verdure, such 6 Being as we know God to be. but merely an a.rid sapless, brown or buff Ver. 2.-The Lord doth build up Jeru- vegetation. When the" former re.in" begins, salem. The rebuilding of Jerusalem nfter a. greo.t change begins. Tender green blades tho return from the Babylonish captivity of grass at once sprout np, and in a little covered a space of above ninety years, froru time the whole country shows a tinge of B.O. 588 till B.O. 445. Fil'at the temple wo.s verdure. built (n.c. 588-515); then the city; finllllJ, Ver, 9.-He giveth to tha beast his food the walls Bnd the gates (s.c. 445). It was (comp. Pss. civ. 27; oxlv. 15, 16). The in connection with this last portion of the constant supplies of their own proper food building that the present psalm seems to to nil classes of animo.ls are among tho ba.vo been written. He go.thereth together principal proofs of God's power and gooJ- the outcast& of Israel. The exiles returned ness, And to the yoUllg ravens which cry. gradually-some with Zerubbabel (n.c. 538); Even the unclean raven, with his harsh &ome with Ezra., in n.o. 457 ; others, doubt- croak Bnd inelegant form, is not neglected less, with Nehemiah, in n.o. 445 ; Bnd o.go.m (comp. Luke xii. 24, "God feecleth them"). in B.O. 484. Vcr.10.-Hedelighteth not in the streng1h Ver. 8.-He healeth the broken in heBrt of the horsa. In e. certain sense, Goel no (comp. Ps. Ii. 17; Isa. lvii. 15). Israel in doubt "delights" in tho glory und excel- exile was broken-hearted, wretched, miser- lency of all his creutures; but their physical Bble (see Ps. cxxxvii. 1-4; Isa. I.xiv. 6 endowments do not give him the sensiblu -12). Their restoration to their own land pleasure whioh he derives from the mor11l "healed" them. And bindeth up their quulities of his rational creation (see ver. WOUlldB (comp. Iso.. h:i. 1, "He ho.th sent 11). The negation is not absolute, but me to bind up the broken-hearted"). rolo.tive (compare" I will ho.ve mercy, and Ver. 4.-He telleth tha number of the not sacrifice"). He te.keth not pleo.sure stars. Nothing escapes God's knowledge. in the legs of e. man; i.e. in bis alrength He knew the number of the exiles, and the o.nd swiftness. place ond name of co.oh, just as he knows Ver. 11.-The Lord taketh pleasure in the number of the stars and their names th6m that fear him (comp. Ps. cxlix. 4). (comp. lsB. xl. 26). He calleth them all by The " fear" intended is, of conrse, that their names (see Job ix. 9; Isa.., Z.e.c.). which includes trust o.nd love (see the Ver. 5.-Grest is our Lord, Bnd of great next cl11use). In those that hope in hi.I power; or, "1nighty in strength" (comp. mercy; or, "tho.t wnit for his loving-kind- No.b. i. 8), His Ullderstsnding is infinite. ness." He is ot onco omnipotent and omniscient. Ver. 12.-Pre.ise the Lord, 0 Jerusalem. Ver. 6.-The Lord lifteth up the meek The other exhortations to prnise in the (comp. Pss. oxlv. 14; oxlvi. 8). He casteth pan.Im a.re genornl (vcrs. 1, 7); now a special the wicked down to the groUlld (comp. co.11 is mo<lo on Joruao.lom to give him Ps. cxlvi. 9, and the comment ad Zoo.). pre.i.so, since Joruso.lem ho.a lately expe- Ver. 7.-Bing Ullto the Lord with thanks- rienced speoio.l mercies (vors. 18, l 4). Praiso giving. God is not only to be pro.ised for thy God, 0 Zion (comp. Ps. cxlvi. 10). his greatness (ver. 5), but also to be thanked Ver. 18.-For he bath atrengthened the for his loving-kindness (vers. 2, 8, 8, 9). bars of thy gates. 'fhe strength of go.tee Bing praise upon the harp unto our God. in the o.ncient world depen<led wholly upon The glad sound of the ho.rp should o.ccom- their bars, which were genernlly strong pBny his praises. boa.ms of wood passed a.cross from side to Ver. 8.--Who coveroth the heaven with side of the gntoway, about midway up tlie eloudB, who prepareth re.in for the earth. gate, having their en<ls inserted into strong In the parched o.nd sultry East "clouds" iron hooks or clumps, which were let into 11nd "ro.in " e.rn u boon that we of the the stonework of the walls. The "bBrl!" of temperate West can sc:1roely o.pprccio.te. the go.tea of Jerusalem ore mentioned in 'fhi, cruel he1.1t of we sol.,r rays in 1.1 ole~r Nehemiah repeatedly (eh. iii. 3, G, 13, 1-1. 4.00 THE DOOK OF PSALMS. [IS, CXLVII, 1-20.