Bible Commentaries

Psalms 105:27 — to keep up the idea that it was by the command of God that this was done, or by his word. It was by no power of their own, but only by the authority of God.And wonders in the land of Ham - Miracles. Things suited to produce astonishment. See Psalms 105:5.

Psalms 18:32 — them; and, probably, with the additional idea that girding the loins contributed to strength. It is a common custom now for men who run a race, or leap, or engage in a strife of pugilism, to gird or bind up their loins. See Job 40:7, note; and Matthew 5:38-41, notes.And maketh my way perfect - Gives me complete success in my undertakings; or, enables me so to carry them out that none of them fail.

Psalms 59:8 — shalt have all the heathen in derision - All those referred to in this psalm - the enemies of David - who have the character, and who manifest the spirit of the pagan; that is, of those who are not actuated by true religion. See the notes at Psalms 59:5. This verse expresses the strong conviction of David, that all the efforts of his enemies would be vain; that God “would be” his Protector; and that he would save him from their evil designs.

Psalms 7:10 — My defense is of God - The meaning here is, that God was his protector, and that in his troubles he confided in him. The original word here, as in Psalms 3:3, note; Psalms 5:12, note; is “shield.” See the notes at thoses verses.Which saveth the upright in heart - whom he that searches the heart Psalms 7:9 sees to be upright; or to be sincere, truthful, just. The writer says that it is a characteristic of God that he saves

Psalms 72:10 — those of the Mediterranean. See the notes at Isaiah 41:1.The kings of Sheba and Seba - places in Arabia. On the word “Sheba,” see the notes at Isaiah 60:6. On the word “Seba,” see the notes at Isaiah 43:3.Shall offer gifts - See the notes at Psalms 45:12. Compare Isaiah 60:5-7, Isaiah 60:13-17.

Psalms 89:10 — in Egypt; and at other times, when the enemies of God and of his people had been discomfited.With thy strong arm - Margin, as in Hebrew, the arm of thy strength. That is, by his power - the arm being the symbol of power. See the notes at Psalms 77:15. Compare Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 7:8, Deuteronomy 7:19, et al.

Isaiah 17:4 — becomes feeble. The prophet sets forth the calamities of Ephraim by two figures; the first is that of a “body” that becomes emaciated by sickness, the other that of the harvest when all the fruits are gathered except a few in the upper branches Isaiah 17:5-6.And the fatness his flesh shall wax lean - He shall become feeble, as a man does by wasting sickness. Chaldee, ‘The riches of his glory shall be removed.’

Isaiah 31:1 — - (see the note at Isaiah 30:2).And stay on horses - (see the note at Isaiah 30:16).And trust in chariots - (see the note at Isaiah 21:7). That they were often used in war, is apparent from the following places Joshua 11:4; Judges 1:19; 1 Samuel 13:5; 2 Samuel 8:4.Because they are many - Because they hope to secure the aid of many. See the references above. It is evident that their confidence in them would be in proportion to the number which they could bring into the field.But they look not ...

Isaiah 38:20 — public rejoicing; and it is probable that this ode was composed to be used by the company of singers that were employed constantly in the temple.To the stringed instruments - We will set it to music, and will use it publicly (see the notes at Isaiah 5:12).

Jeremiah 24:4-10 — first destruction of Jerusalem and our Lord at the second. There the good figs were those converts picked out by the preaching of Christ and the Apostles; the bad figs were the mass of the people left for Titus and the Romans to destroy.Jeremiah 24:5Acknowledge ... for their good - Specially their spiritual good. Put a comma after Chaldaeans.Jeremiah 24:8That dwell in the land of Egypt - Neither those carried captive with Jehoahaz into Egypt, nor those who fled there, are to share in these blessings.

Jeremiah 48:34 — the Moabites break forth into a wail, heard as far as Elealeh, scarcely two miles distant Numbers 32:37, but thence spreading over the land to towns on the southern and southwestern borders of the land.An heifer of three years old - Applied in Isaiah 15:5 to Zoar, but here to Horonaim. Some take “an heifer” as a proper name, and render it: “Eglah for the third part” (compare Isaiah 19:24). Zoar, Horonaim, and Eglah formed a tripolis, or confederacy of three towns, and Eglah might therefore be put after

Ezekiel 25:15-17 — Assyrians Isaiah 14:31, and Egyptians Jeremiah 47:1-7, before the time of this prophecy, but further destruction came upon them in the general ruin of the inhabitants of Canaan, which commenced with the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.Ezekiel 25:16Cherethims - The inhabitants of the southern portion of Philistia Zephaniah 2:5.

Habakkuk 1:17 — Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations? - The prophet, like Isaiah Isaiah 18:4-5, stands at the very last point, before the fury and desire of the enemy was fulfilled. People, like fish, were gathered together for a prey; he who had taken them was rejoicing and exulting beforehand in his booty; his portion and meat were the choice

Malachi 1:1 — being the part of friendship, the other, the open admission of enmity.”“By the hand of Malachi;” through him, as the instrument of God, deposited with him; as Paul speaks of 1 Corinthians 9:17; Titus 1:3, “the dispensation of the Gospel 2 Corinthians 5:19, the Lord of reconciliation; Galatians 2:7, the Gospel of the uncircumcision, being committed to him.”

Matthew 10:3 — Philip and Bartholomew - These two were probably sent out together. Philip was a native of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. He is not the same as Philip the evangelist, mentioned in Acts 6:5; Acts 21:8. Bartholomew (literally, “the son of Tolmai”).Thomas - Literally, “a twin,” in reference to which he is also called “Didymus,” John 11:16. For his character, see the notes at John 20:25. “And Matthew the publican.” See the notes at Matthew

Matthew 19:3 — question which they proposed, as at that time the people were very much divided on the subject. A part, following the opinions of Hillel, said that a man might divorce his wife for any offence, or any dislike he might have of her. See the notes at Matthew 5:31. Others, of the school of Shammai, maintained that divorce was unlawful except in case of adultery. Whatever opinion, therefore, Christ expressed, they expected that he would involve himself in difficulty with one of their parties.

Luke 24:52 — he had left the world. If “they” worshipped an absent Saviour - a Saviour unseen by the bodily eye, it is right for “us” to do it. It was an example which we “may and should” follow. If worship may be rendered to Jesus, he is divine. See Exodus 20:4-5.

Luke 4:20 — that of a sexton now. It was his duty, among other things, to take charge of the books, to hand them to the reader of the law, and then return them to their place.And sat down - This was usual in speaking in their synagogues. See the notes at Matthew 5:1.Were fastened on him - Were intently fixed on him, waiting to see what explanation he would give of the words.

Luke 9:52 — that he was going to Jerusalem. He therefore made provision beforehand, and thus has shown us that it is not “improper’ to look out beforehand for the supply of our wants, and to guard against want and poverty.Samaritans - See the notes at Matthew 10:5. They had no dealings with the Jews, John 4:9.

John 10:17 — willing to lay down his life to accomplish his great purposes of benevolence.That I might take it again - Be raised up from the dead, and glorified, and still carry on the work of redemption. See this same sentiment sublimely expressed in Philippians 2:5-11.