The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 153

EXPOSITION. Neh. xii. 27). Here the timbrel (9n) seems PSALM LXXXL to take the place of the cymbal. PnoFESsoa CHEYNE regards this psalm as Ver. 3.-Blow up the trumpet in the new moon. There was e. blowing of trumpets composed of "two distinct lyrica.l pa.sea.gee," at the beginning of every month (Numb. accidentally thrown together ( compare his x. 10), in connection with the appointed theory of Pas. xix., xxiv., x.xxvi., lv., lxxvii., sacrifices (Lev. xxvili. 11-15); so that eto.); and certainly there is more reason the month intended cannot, so far, be for this than can be adduced for his other fixed. As, however, the chief blowing of trumpets wo.s on the first day of the separations. It is difficult to trace o.ny seventh month (Lev. x:xiii. 24), most com- connection between the joyous opening mentators regard tbe psalm as composed for strophe (vers. 1-5) o.nd the sad and this occasion. There are some, however, chastened monody which follows (vors. &s Hengstenberg, Professor Cheyne, and 6-16). Professor Alexander, who consider it to ~e o. Passover psalm. In the time a.p!)ointed; Vere. 1-5 appear to be the preface of rather, at the full moo:l; i.e. on the fifteenth a song of thanksgiving, intended for publio day of the seventh month, when the Feusf. recitation o.t one of the great publio festive.ls of Tabernacles was opened (see Numb. xxix. --either the Passover or the Feast of 12). Trumpets were probably blown then Tabernacles. also. On onr solem!l feast-day. The Feast of Tabernacles is called KaT" •!o xhv, "the V cl's. 6-16 are pnrt of e. psalm of com- feast," in many passages of the Old Testa- plaint, wherein God expostulates with his ment (see Professor Cheyne·s comment on people. this psalm, • Book of Psalms,' p. 228). Ver. 4.-For this we.a a statute for Israel, Ver. 1.-Sing aloud unto God onr Strength. o.nd e. law of the God of Jacob; mther, tMs is "Lond" singing is regarded os indicative a law (Kay, Cheyne, Revised Ver■ion). See of earnestness and sincerity (ere 2 Chron. xx. the passages quoted in the preceding note. 19; N eh. xii. 42; Pss. xxxiii. 3; xcviii. 4, Ver. 5.-This he ordained in J'oseph for e. etc.). (On God e.s Israel's "Strength," see testimony. The special mention of "Joseph" Pss. xnii. 1 ; xxviii. 8; xlvi. 1; oxi. 7.) here is stmnge. Professor Cheyne expbius, l'ila.ke e. joyful noise unto the God of Ja.cob. "God appointed the Law to be valid in 'l'he word translated "mo.ke o. joyful noise" northern as well o.s southern IsraPl." Heng- is especially used of the blare of trumpets stenberg and Professor Alexnnder account (Lev. xxiii. 24; Nnmb. xxix. 1). for the expression by the pre-eminence of Ver. 2.-Take a. pen.Im; or, lift up a soog. Joseph during the sojolll'n in Egypt. When And bring hither the timbrel; rather, strike he went out through tha land of Egypt. the timbrel. The p)eo.sa.nt harp with the When he (Joseph) wont out over (or, psaltery. The instruments ordinarily used across) the lo.11,l," i.e. at the time of the in the eervke of the eanetuo.ry wore hnrpe, Exodus. Wh( re I heard a language that pso.ltorioe, a.nd oymbe.ls (1 Ohron. xv. 16; I understood not. It oau soa.roely be xvi. 5; u.v. G; 2 Chron. v. 12; xxiv. 25; eupposecl tlmt this clause beluug~ properly  lGS THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PS, LXXXI. 1-10,