The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 62

Vers. 1-7.-The effect of the anger of a perfectly righteous King. Most probably put into form by Solomon, even if David suggested the substance of it. It is the portrait of an ideal King, never yet realized completely by any earthly monarch, and finds its perfect fulfilment only in Christ and his kingdom. Solomon did not fulfil it. It shows the effects of tho reign of a perfectly righteous King such as Christ. J. HE PROCLAIMS AND ADMmlBTEBS ONLY RIGHTEOUS LAWS AND JUDGME").""TS. (Vers. l, 2.) In opposition to the injustice of the despot. But the true Kiog has a passion for justice. II. 'l'HE REIGN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BRINGS IN THE REIGN OF PEACE. (Ver. 3.) "Mountains and hills are mentioned as being characteristic features of the country." Peace is always spoken of in the Scriptures as the fruit of righteo\llllless-in public and in private. III. IT UPHOLDS AND vmDICATES TIIE RIGnTS OF THE POOR AGAINST ALL OPPRES- SION. (Ver. 4.) Those who are born to poverty are more or less regarded by an unrighteous government as having no rights. Christianity expresses the cause of the poor, and vindicates their rights against all injustice and selfishness. IV. RIGHTEOUS RULE TEACHES THE PEOPLE THE FF.AR OF GoD. (Ver.6.) Corrupt government encourages licentiousness and irreligion among the people. V. RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT QUICKENS AND FERTILIZES ALL THE AFFAIRS OF A NATION. (Ver. 6.) As rain quickens and fertilizes the dry earth. VI. GooD MEN PROSPER AND HAVE PEACE UNDER RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT. (Ver. 7.) But are mostly persecuted and despoiled of their liberty and rights under a tyrannical rule. It is the office of a righteous king to defend the righteous; but it is Christ's work to make men righteous by fashioning their minds anew by bis Holy Spirit.-S.  BOOK III. EXPOSITION. wl,en I saw the prosperity ot the wioked FSA Llli LXXIII. (oomp. Ps. :uxvii. 1). To envy the wioked Tms is the first of the "Ps&lms of Asapb," because they prosper is to m11ke more whc·rrof the present book contains eleven. account of the good things of this life th11n of God's favour-to prefer physical good to Tiley arc charncterized by a preponderating moral. _It is also to doubt that God governs use of the name" Elohim" over that of" Je- the universe by the striot rnle of justice. hornh," by a great calmness and solemnity The word translated "foolish " means of tone, Rnd by a perrnding melancholy. rather, "vain arrogant boasters." Snch The present psalm has for its snbject the the wicked commonly become when they prosper (comp. Ps. v. 5). well-wom problem of the prosperity of the Ver. 4.-l'or there are no bands in their wicked (Job xxi. 7-15; Ps. xxxvii. 1--38; death i or, no sufferings (liva-,rd8rnu, Aquila.: Jer. xii. 1-3, etc.) The writer has been "torments," Cheyne); comp. Job xxi. 13, troubled with respect to it, e.nd has well- "They spend their days in woalt~, and nigh fallen away from God in consequence in a moment go down to the grave;" and ver. 23, "One dieth in his full strength, (vcr. 2); but, after a severe struggle (vers. being wholly at ease and quiet." Such 13-16), his eyes he.ve been enlightened on deaths often happen, and are e. severe trial the subject, and he has found an explana- of faith to those who have no firm con- tion which is satisfactory to him (vere. viction of the reality of a hereafter. But 17-20). He contrasts his former state· of their strength is firm ; literally, their body is plump· (Cheyne). But the Authorized perplexity and danger with his present Version probably gives the true meaning. so.tisfaction and security (vers. 21-24); They drop into the grave while their and concludes by expressing e.n unqualified strength is still undiminished. trust in the ultimate salvation of the Ver. 5.-They are not in trouble 01 other rigb teous and destruction of the wicked. men; neither are they plagued like other men (comp. Job xxi. 8-10). There is, no Metrically, the psalm seems to fall into doubt, something of Oriental hyperbole in eight stanzas; the first and last of two this representation, as lhere is in the verses each, the remaining six each of fom account given by Job (l.s.c.), which he Terses. afterwards que.lifl.es (Job xxvii. 13-23). But still a certain immunity from suffering Ver. 1.-Trnly God is good to Israal; i.e. does seem often to attach to the wicked verily, in spite of e.ppee.rances to the con- man, whom God does not chasten, because trary, which he.d for e. time made the chastening would be of no service to him. writer donbt. It is suggested that the Ver. 6.-Therefore pride compe.sseth them triumph of Absalom me.y have been the about e.1 a cha.in; or, i, as a chain about circnrustancc that shook A.saph's faith. their neck (Revised Version)-m&kes them Even to such as are of a clean heart ; i.e. stiffen their neck, and hold their head aloft. to tl,e pious in Israel, who e.re the true Not being afflicted, they regard themselves Israel. God is really on their side, though as favourites of Heaven, and are therefore he me.y seem for e. time to favour the puffed up with pride, which they show in wicked. (On the need of a pure heart, see their gait and bearing. Violenoe covereth Ps. xxiv. 4.) them as a garment. Pride ancl self-conceit Ver. 2.-But as for me, my feet were naturally lead on to violence, which be- almost gone ; my steps had well-nigh comes so habitual to them that it seems slipped. The psalmist had doubted God's like their ordinary apparel (comp. Ps. oix. goodness and righteousness, on account of 18, 19). The violence of the great onca the prosperity of the wicked. He feels now in Israel is continue.Uy denounced, both by that his doubt had been e. sin, and had psalmists and prophets (see Pss. xi. 2; lv. almost caused him to give up bis confidence 9; Iviii. 2; luiL 14, etc.: Isa. i. 15; iii. and trust in the Almighty. He had well- 15; lix. 3-7; Hos. iv. 1, 2; Amos iii. 10, nigh dipped from the rock of faith into the etc.). abyss of scepticism. Ver. 7.-Their eyes stand out with fat- Ver. 3.-l'or I wu enTioua at the foolish, near Tbcir eyes, which gloat upon the PB, LXXIII, 1-28,] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 71