The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 3 — Section 367

anticipations of future vengeance, through God thanks for it. Let them sing a.loud God's help, on heathen enemies that o.re upon their beds. Not, as in former do.ye, weeping through the long night (Pas. vi. 6; still bent on persecuting God's "loving lxxvii. 2-6), and watering their couches ones." The tone is that of Ps. ci.x., though with their tee.re, but, like Paul and Silas the expressions used are less fierce. Mctri- (Acts xvi. 25), singing hymns of praise to ca.lly, the psalm seems to divide itself into God "at midnight" e.s they rest upon their three stanzas of three verses eo,oh (vers. 1- beds. Ver. 6.-Let the high praises of God be 3, 4-6, 7-9). in their mouth; literally, in their throat Ver. 1.-Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto (comp. Isa. lviii. I). And a two-edged the Lord e. new song. A "new song" on sword in their hand. Some understand account of e. new deliverance (comp. Pd. this metaphorically. But the weapons of x:uiii. 3). The deliverance me.y have been Jewish we.rfe.re in Nehemiah's time were one of those under Nehemiah (iv. 7-23; thoroughly carnal (Neh, iv.13, 16, 17, 18); vi. 2-16). Alid his praise in the oon- and again8t adversaries such a.a Se.nballu.t, grege.tion of saints. The pse.1.m would Geehem, e.nd Tobiah, e. nation threatened seem to have been composed for a speoie.l with extermination is certs.inly entitled to thanksgiving service. use the sword. Ver. 2.-Let Israel rejoioe in him that Ver. 7,-To execute vengeance upon the me.de him; or, "in his Maker" (comp. Ps. heathen. Not private revenge, but the just xcv. 6). This ground of tbe.nkfnlness vengeance which a threatened nation he.s, Israel possesses in common wilh e.ll the from time to time, to execute on its perse- rest of mankind; but he has also another cutors in self-defence. And punishments exclusive ground-let the children of Zion upon the people ; rather, 11,pon the people,. be joyful in their lung (comp. Judg. viii. A variant of the phrase in the preceding 23; I Sam. viii. 7; x. 19; xii. 12, etc.). clause, without e.ny serious modification of Ged, by covenant with Israel, be.d con- the meaning. stituted himself in an especial way their Ver. 8.-To bind their kings with chains. King (Hos. xiii. 10). Even royal captives were thus treated in Ver. 3.-Let them praise his Ne.me in the the ancient world. Assyrian and Baby- dance (comp. Ps. cl. 4). (On the employ- lonian monarchs al ways represent their ment of dancing by the Hebrews as a reli• captives, even when kings, as fettered. gious exercise, and in their most solemn N ebuche.dnezzar IC bound Zedekiu.h with octs of worship, see Exod. xv. 20; 2 Sarn. fetters of brass" (2 Kings xxv. 7). Pe.rthie., vi. 14-16.) Let them sing praises unto and later Persia., and even Rome, followed him with the timbrel and harp. (On the the ea.me practice. And their nobles with tcph, or "timbrel," see the comment upon fetters of iron. On the monuments, co.p- Pa. lxvili. 25.) It wos used to accompany ti vee below the rank of kings are not often 11, hymn of rejoicing by Miriam (Exod. xv. seen " fettered.'' Their arms, however, are 20), by Jephthab's daughter (Judg. xi. 34), frequently tied together with e. cord, and and by David (2 Sa.m. vi. 5). they are fastened one to another by a stout Ver. 4.-For the Lord taketh plea.sure in rope. his people. God bad ~bown by the mercy, Ver. 9.-To exeonte upon them the judg- whatever it was (ver. 1), recently vouch- ment written. 'fhe allusion is Jlrobo.bly to safed to bis people, that he we.swell pleased Dent. xxxii 41, 42, wher~ God announces with them, e.nd might be counted on to the judgrnents that ho will exeouto upon support e.nd sustain tbem. He will beautify the oppressors of his people. This honour the meek with ee.lve.tion. Those who pe.- have all his Hints ; rather, a glory is U1is tieuily submit to his chastisements God tc all his saints. "The viotoriee of their will ultimately "o.dom,'' or 'beautify," Lord reflect glory on 111l his faithful and with his ee.lvation. clovotcd eervo.nts" (Kn",). Praise ye the Ver. 5.-Let the &&inta be jo7ful in glory. Lord (comp. ver. I). l'S, OXLIX, 1-9.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 413