The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 358

greatness in nnt11re, e.nd in the general le.ws hl'&rt (oomp. Judg. ix. 13); eeconilly, of under which he has plnced it. Neither oil to make hie faoe to shine, or give him a turn age.in to cover the oe.rth. This law, cheerful countenance; and thirdly,ofbread, once broken by the miracle of the Deluge, which strengtheneth man's heart, which is 'l'l"RS thenceforth made e.bsolute and inviol- "the staff of life," nnd tho main sueteno.noe able (Gen. ix. 15). of the entire body, It ,vae the glory of the Yer. 10.-Xe sendeth the springs into the promised land to produce in e.bundo.noe ve.lleys; rather, ;,,1;o the water-coui·sl>S, or these three essentials (Deut, viii. 8; xi. 14: torrent-beds-dry for the greater part of the 2 Kings xviii. 32). year, but derfring life and beauty from the Ver. 16.-Tbe trees 11f the Lord are full oprin~s wLich, aft~r rain has fallen, ftow of sap: rather, m·e satisfied, or haoo their into them. WhicL run among the hills; fill; i.e. drink in sufficiently God's re.in, so literally, between the hills (i.e. the hill- that they grow up and flourish amazingly. slopes on either side) they wend their way. Even the oede.rs of Lebanon (see Pss. xxix. Yer. 11.-They give drink to every beast 5, 6; xcii. 11). These nre pnrticulllrized ns of the field. God's mercy is "over all his the grandest of God's vegetable prod notions works" (Ps. cxlv. 9 ). He oareth for the whole known to the psalmist (comp. Judg. ix. 15; animal creation (see Exod. xx. 10; xxiii. 19; 1 Kings iv. 33; 2 Kings xiv. 19; Isa. ii, Deut. xxv. 4; Pe,. civ. 27; cxlv. 15, 16; 13; Ezek. xxxi. 3). Which he hath planted Jonah i,·. 11, ck). The wild asses quench (comp. Numb. xxiv. 6). _ their thirst. Herodotus (iv. 192) says that Ver. 17.-Wherein the birds me.ke their wild asses a.re itr.oro,-i.e. "do not drink"- nests (comp. above, ver. 10), As for the but modem travellers declare the contrary. stork, the fir tress a.re her house. Again, They drink infrequently, a.nc! are so shy, God's care for the e.nimal creation is in the tliat at such tiwes tbey rarely fall under p~alrnist's mind. As tile grass is "co.used human obsel'Vation. to grow for the cattle" (ver: H), so trees- Ver. 12.-l!y them; i.e. "by the springs" even the grandest-are partly intended for (see Yer. JO). Sha.11 the fowls of the hee.ven the birds. have their habitation. Birds need water Ver. 18.-The high hills are e. refuge for as much as any other aninials, and in dry the wild goe.ts. Even the desolate ranges tracts frequently c,mgregate a.t the f pringa. of the higher mountains e.re designed by Which Bing (or, utter a "oice) among the God for the good of hie creatures. 'fhey branches of the trees which in the East furnish e. refuge for the ibex, or wild goat, spring np wherever there is moisture. when the hunter presses on him; and, if Ver. 13.-He (i.e. God) watereth the they cannot give him food, give him safety, hills from his chambers (comp. ver. 3). The And the rocks for the conies; rather, for mountains themselves, even their highest the marmot&. Marmots still inhabit Pales- tops, are not left dry. Wliere springs can- tiue, though they are rarely seen; "conics," not reach, rain falls from God's "chambers" i.e. re.bbits do not. The marmate are "a in tLe sky, and spreads equal refreshment. feeble folk, that make their houses in the The ee.rth ii satisfied with the fruit of thy rocks " (Prov. xxx:. 26). works. Tile w!iole earth-mountains, hills, Ver. 19.-Xe appointed the moon for plains, valleys - is thus "satisfied,'' i.e. aee.sollll (comp. Gen. i. 14). 'l'he Jewish sufficiently supplied with water, by tLe festivals depended greatly on the moon, meens wliieh God has elaborated. the Passover being celebrated at the time Ver. 14.-Xe causeth the grass to grow of the full moon of the first month (Exod. for the cattle. The results of God's careful xii. 6), and the other festi vale dependiug arrangements are now spoken of. In the mostly ou the Passover. And the sun first place, grass--fodder of every ki.nd-i~ knoweth his going down. Observes the provided for the beasts on which man's life lo.we, that is to say, appointed for him. so greatly depends-a. boon both to man Vere. 20, 21.-'Ihou makest de.rkness, e.nd beast, of inestimable value. Next, there e.nd it ii night. The mention of the moon is brought forth herb for the service of and sun introduces a picture of night (vere, me.n-i.e. for his direct service-vegetables 20, 21) and a picture of the day (vere. 22, and fruil.s for bis food; spicy shrubs for his 23). 'fhe day draws in-darkness descends delectation ; flax, papyrus, saffrou, aloes, -nigllt is come. At once there is a stir in etc., for his use. That he may bring forth the animal world, Man has gone to his food out of the earth. That man hilIIJielf rest ; but the time is o.rri ved wherein all may by I.is labonr, by the cultivation of the the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The Il!ltural products, obtain lrom tile earth the primeval jungle is alive with motion and food suitable to him. sound. All the animals are on the alert, Yer. 15.-And wine that ma.keth glad the seeking tbeir prey. The young lions are hea.rt of me.n. The food suitable to man beard above all ; they roar after their consists, first, of wine, which gladdens his prey, and seek their mee.t ttom God. Thq PB, OIV, 1-36.] '!'HE BOOK OF PSALMS, 399