The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 332

EXPOSITION. Ver. S.-For my days e.re oonsumed like PSALM CII. smoke; or, according to another reading THE ''title" of this psalm is altogether (it!iP:l, instead of i:,p;:i ), " e.re consumed into peculinr, being "e. Prayer for the afflicted, swokc," i.e. "disappear, po.as e.we.y into whtn he faints, and pours out his complaint nothingness." And my bones e.re burned as before Jehovah." This is clearly e. general an hearth. Dr. Kay tre.nsle.tes, " My bones smoulder like a firebrand," which is better <lirection for the use of the psalm by afflicted (compare the Prayer-book Version, and see vcrsons, either universally, or, e.t e.ny rate, Lev. vi. 2 and Isa.. xxx.iii. 14). (For the when in circumstances resembling those of sentiment, see Pss. .xxxi. 10; xxxii. S; tbe writer. The writer appears to he.ve .xiii. 10.) belonged to the period of the Captivity, Ver. 4.-llly hee.rt is smitten. As with a stroke from the snn (see Ps. cxxi. 6; Hos. and probably to the later portion of it (ver. ix. 16). And withered like grass. As grass 13). It he.s been conjectured that he is upon the house-tops (Pa. cxxi.x. 6), or, indeed, Daniel; bnt there e.re no sufficient grounds in any exposed place under an Ee.stern sun. for assigning the composition to any specie.I So tbe.t I forget to ee.t my bread; litere.ll'y, individual. It is the voice of a represente.- for I forget, etc. The fact is ndduced as e. proof of the heart's condition (comp. Job tiv-: sufferer in Babylon, mourning over his xuiii. 20; 1 Se.m. i. 7; xx. 34, etc.). , GD afflictions e.nd those of his nation. Ver. 5.-By reason of the voice of my The psalm consists of three main por- groaning ; i.e. " by reason of the affliction tions: fu-st, e. complaint, prefaced by an which causes my groaning." My bones appeal to God for a.id (vers. 1-11); secondly, cleave to my akin; literally, to my fleJJh, but the Authorized Version rightly expresses the a confident expression of e.n assured hope meaning (comp. Job xix. 20; Le.DJ, iv. 8). and trust in e. speedy deliverance ("rnrs. Ver. 6.-I am like a pelican iD the wilder- 12-22); e.nd thirdly, e. contre.st between ness. The Hebrew word here rendered human weakness and God's strength e.nd "pelican" is elsewhere in our version trans- nnche.ngeableness, resulting in a conviction lated by "cormomnt" (Lev. xi. 7; Deut. xiv. 17; Tue.. xxxiv. 11; Zeph. ii. 14); but that, whatever becomes of the writer, the it is now generally believed the.t the peli- seed of Israel will be preserved e.nd este.~ can is intended (compare the Septuagint lished before God for ever (vers. 23----28). ..-,>..,,cav<, and see Mr. Houghton's Jetter in the .,foademy, April 5, 1884, e.nd the ver- Ver. 1.-Hea.r my prayer, 0 Lord, e.nd let sions of Hengstenberg, Kay, Cheyne, and my cry come llllto thee ( comp. Pss. xxvii. 7; our Revisers). The pelican is e. bird which x:ui..x. 12; liv. 2; Iv. 1, etc.). "Stereotyped haunts marshy e.nrl desolate places. It expressions," but the fittest to express • a.bounds in the Le.ke Holeh in Northern sufferer's urgent need. Galilee (Thomson, 'The Le.nd and the Ver. 2.-Jlide not thy faoe from me (so in Book,' p. 260). I am like e.n owl of the Pll.8. xxvii. 9; lxi.x. 17; c.xliiL 7). As the desert; or," of the ruins." The owl haunts "light of God's countenance" is the greatest ruins in the Ee.et no less the.n in our own of e.11 goods (Pd. iv. 6), so its withdrawal is country (Le.yard, 'Nineveh e.nd Be.bylon,' tLe worgt of evils. ID the day when I am p. 484, note). in trouble; litere.lly, in the day of mg trouble, Ver. 7.-I watch, and am aa a sparrow or of my 11'raiu. Incline thine ea.r Ullto me a.lone upon the house-top, Sparrows e.re (comp. Pss. xvii 6; h:xi. 2 ; lu.xviii 2, very common in Pe.leatine. Dr. Thomson ttc.). ID the day when I oe.ll1 e.uwer me fe.ys the.t he has often heard e. sparrow 1peedily. Compare the versicles of our ·,vhich he.d lost its mate, uttering "by the Prayer-book, "0 God, make speed to saVt' !,our" its se.d lament, seated upon e. house- 11s ; 0 Lord, me.ke he.ste to help Ill!." top (' The L~nd and the Book,' p. 48). PB. CII, 1-28.] THE DOOK OF PSALMS. 371