Bible Commentaries

Psalms 102 overview — This psalm purports, in the title, to be a “Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord.” It is a prayer, made up of earnest supplications, as of one who was in great affliction, whether he refers to

Psalms 102:13 — Thou shalt arise - Thou wilt come forth - as if God had been inattentive or inactive.And have mercy upon Zion - That is, Upon Jerusalem - represented as in a state of desolation. God would at length pity her, and interpose in her behalf.For the time

Psalms 106:4 — Remember me, O Lord, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people - literally, “Remember me with the favor of thy people.” This is the language of the author of the psalm: a pious ejaculation such as will occur to the mind in recounting what God

Psalms 107 overview — This psalm is without a title, and its author is unknown. The occasion on which it was composed is not particularly designated, though from Psalms 107:2-3, it is probable that it was on a return from exile or captivity. There is nothing in the psalm

Psalms 139 overview — This psalm purports to be a psalm of David, and there is no reason to doubt that it is properly attributed to him. See introduction to Psalms 138:1-8. At what time it was composed is, however, unknown. It contains reflections which might have occurred

Psalms 18 overview — This psalm is found, with some unimportant variations, in 2 Samuel 22:0. In that history, as in the inscription of the psalm here, it is said to have been composed by David on the occasion when the Lord “delivered him from the hand of all his enemies,

Psalms 20:1 — The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble - According to the view expressed in the introduction to the psalm, this is the language of the people praying for their king, or expressing the hope that he would be delivered from trouble, and would be successful

Psalms 22 overview — I. “The author of the psalm.” This psalm is said to have been composed by David: “A Psalm of David;” compare the notes at the title of Psalms 3:1-8. It cannot be absolutely demonstrated that these titles to the psalms are all of them correct, as it cannot

Psalms 35 overview — This psalm is ascribed to David. The title in the original, לדוד ledâvid - “by David” or, “of David” - is without anything to designate the occasion on which it was composed, or anything to mark the character of the psalm, as distinguished from others.

Psalms 44:10 — Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy - Instead of giving us the victory. That is, we are defeated.And they which hate us spoil for themselves - They plunder us; they take our property as spoil, and carry it away. That this was done at the time

Psalms 45 overview — This psalm is entitled “To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil. A song of love.” On the phrase” To the chief Musician,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 4:1-8. The words “Upon Shoshannim” occur also, as a title, or

Psalms 50:16 — But unto the wicked God saith - This commences a second part of the subject. See the introduction. Thus far the psalm had reference to those who were merely external worshippers, or mere formalists, as showing that such could not be approved and accepted

Psalms 55:4 — My heart is sore pained within me - Heavy and sad; that is, I am deeply afflicted. The word rendered is “sore pained,” means properly to turn round; to twist; to dance in a circle; to be whirled round; and then to twist or writhe with pain, especially

Psalms 60 overview — In the title, this psalm is ascribed to David. The occasion on which it is said to have been composed was after he had been engaged in wars in the East - in Aramea - and when he was meditating the completion of his conquests in the subjugation of Idumea.

Psalms 68:29 — Because of thy temple at Jerusalem - The word rendered “temple” here properly means a palace; then, the abode of God considered as a king, or his residence as a king. It might, therefore, be applied either to the tabernacle or to the temple, erected

Psalms 73 overview — This psalm (with the ten succeeding psalms, together with Psalms 50:0 - twelve in all) is ascribed to Asaph, unless the reading in the margin, “for Asaph” be correct. The most natural sense of the expression in the title, however, is that they are psalms

Psalms 80:2 — Before Ephraim, and Benjamin, and Manasseh - Ephraim and Manasseh were the two sons of Joseph, and their names were given to two of the tribes of Israel. See the notes at Psalms 78:67. They seem to have been particularly mentioned here, because Joseph,

Psalms 88 overview — This psalm is altogether of a mournful and desponding character. The author is a sufferer; he is expecting to die; he fears to die; he longs to live; his mind is overwhelmed with gloom which does not seem to be irradiated by one ray of hope or consolation.

Psalms 98:4 — Make a joyful noise unto the Lord - By singing; by instruments of music. See the notes at Psalms 95:1.All the earth - All lands. The event is of sufficient importance to be celebrated by all nations. It is a matter of universal exultation and joy.Make

Hebrews 5:6 — As he saith also in another place - Psalms 110:4. “Thou art a priest forever.” It is evident here that the apostle means to be understood as saying that the Psalm referred to Christ, and this is one of the instances of quotation from the Old Testament