to Yer. 5. It is rather an introduction to proportioned to our el\ger longing for them. the monody whnewith the psalm (as it lms As Christ could not do hie miracles in one come clown to us) ooncludes-the mournful place because of their unbelief (Mo.rk vi. 5, complaint of God l\gRinst his peopk So 6), so God cnnnot give lavishly uulese we Professor Cheyne, who translates, "The desire lnrgcly. discourse of one whom I had not l"Ilown (i.e. Ver.11.-Ilut my people would not hearken of God) did I hee.r." to my voioe ( comp. Pa. lxxviii. 10, 41, 5G; 2 Kings xvii. U; 2 Chron. xxxvi. 15, lG), Vers. 6-16.-The "discourse" is now And Israel would none of me; literally, given. It commences somewhat abruptly, would not obey me (see the Prayer-book and is, perhaps, itself a fragment, the be· Version). ginning of which is lost. God r~minds Ver. 12.-So I gave them up unto their Israel of his past fayonrs (vers. 6, 7), ex- own hearts' lust. God's Spirit will not horts them to faithfulness (vers. 8, 9), always strive with men (Gen. vi. 3). After a time, if they persist in evil courses nnd promises them blessings (,·er. 10), com- disobedience to his comruauds, he " gives plains of their waywardness (vers. 11, 12), them up,'' withdro.ws from them, lenves and finally makes a last appeal to them to them to themsel ve.,, to the "lust," or rather turn to him, and recover his protection, "stubbornness" of their own hearts-to before it is too late (vers. 13-IG). their own perverse wills and imaginations. And they walked in their own oounsels "Ver. 6.-I removed his shoulder from the (comp. Jer. vii. 24). This result is inevit- burden. In Egypt, burdens were borne able. If God no longer guides tlleir thoughts upon the shoulder, either simply held upon and enlightens their un<lerstandings, they it with both hands, or distributed between can but follow their own foolish counsels, the two shoulders by means of a. yoke (see and the result cannot but be disastrous. Rawlinson's • Herodotus,' vol. ii. p. 214). Ver. 13.-Oh that my people ha.d heark- His hands were delivered from the pots ; ened unto me! rather, would hearken unto r1<ther, from the basket; i.e. the basket in me! (see Professor D1·iver's 'Hebrew Tenses,' which the clav we.s carried before it was § 145, and compare the Revised Version). made into bricks. And Israel had walked in my ways! rather, Ver. 7.-Thau celledst in trouble, and I v,ould walk ! delivered thee (see Exod. ii. 23; iii. 7; xiv. Ver. 14.-1 should soon have subdued 10, etc.). I answered thee in the secret (rather, 1 should soon subdue) their enemies, place of thunder. Tbe pillar of the cloud Israel is still surrounded by enemies, anxious seems to be meant. In tbis, and from this, for his destruction. God could subdue them Gori answered the cry of his people (Exod. and sweep them away in a moment, if he xiv. 24). I prove:i thee at the waters of pleased ; and would do so, if Israel would 111:eribah (Exod. nii 7). The "selah" repent and return to him. Tbe appeo.l is to after these words marks a pause, during the living Israel-the Israel of the psalmist•~ which the people adclrcssed might reflect timr, which is given one more ch11nce ot on the manifuld mercies which God had triumph over its enemies. And turned my vouchsafed to t!,em in Egypt, in the wilder- hand against their adversaries. Logically, ness, and elsewhere. the two clauses should have been inverted, Ver. 8.-Hear, 0 my people (comp. vers. since the subjugation of Israel's enemies 11, 13). Israel Ill still "God's people," would be the effect of God's hand being however rebellious ( verd. 11, 12). God bas turned against them. not yet given tliem up. And I will testify Ver. 15.-The haters of the Lord, Israel's unto thee; or, "prute.t unto thee" (Kay, cnemie3 are always spoken of as God's Cheyne). 0 Israel, if thou wilt hearken enemies also ( comp. Pas. iii. 2, 7; ix. 3; unto me; or, "if thou wouldst but hearken Ix viii. 1 ; lxxix. 6, 7, etc.). They " hate " nuto me I" Jehovah (Pas. xxi. 8; lxxxiii. 2), not merely Ver. 9.-There shall no strange god be as Israel's Protector, but as the Source of all in thee; neither shalt thou worship any good, whereas they delight in evil. Should strange god (comp. Exod. xx. 3; Deut. v. have submitted themselves unto him; rather, 7 J. tiucl:I worship had evidently begun, Bhould BUbmit themBelveB, or " should yield and required to be forbidden afresiJ. feigned obedience" (Authorized Veraion, Ver. 10.-1 a111 the Lord thy God, which margin). llut their time (i.e. lere.el's time) brought thee out of the laud of Egypt. should have endured for ever; rather, should 'I'Le reminder was continually needed (see endure. Exod. xx. 2; Lev. xxvi. 13; Deut. v. 6; Ver. 16.-He should have fed them also; Hos. xii. 9 ; xiii. 4 ). Open thy mouth wide, rather, 1te should feed. With the finest of and I will fill it ( comp. 2 Kings xiii. 19). the wheat; literally, with the fat of the God's gifts, bt;th temporal and spiritual, are wliau (comp. Deut. xxxii, 14 and Ps. cxlvii, PS, LXXXI. 1-16,] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 1G9
14). And with hone:, out ot the rook sho,ld native honey, stored by tl1e beee in clefts I have satisfied thee; rnther, would I Betlisjy of the rocks. Of course, both the " wheat" thee. The expreeaion, "honey out of the and the "honey" a.re metaphors, which rock," ie taken from Dent. xxxii. 13. It we are to regard a.e shadowing forth a.11 evidently moons "honey of the beet"- temporal and spiritual bleeeinga.