Bible Commentaries

2 Chronicles 20:13 — 5-13. Jehoshaphat stood . . . in the house of the Lord, before the new court—that is, the great or outer court (2 Chronicles 4:9) called the new court, probably from having been at that time enlarged or beautified.

2 Chronicles 20:5 — 5-13. Jehoshaphat stood . . . in the house of the Lord, before the new court—that is, the great or outer court (2 Chronicles 4:9) called the new court, probably from having been at that time enlarged or beautified.

Job 21:5 — 5. lay . . . hand upon . . . mouth— (Proverbs 30:32; Judges 18:19). So the heathen god of silence was pictured with his hand on his mouth. There was enough in Job's case to awe them into silence (Judges 18:19- :).

Job 30:5 — 5. they cried—that is, "a cry is raised." Expressing the contempt felt for this race by civilized and well-born Arabs. When these wild vagabonds make an incursion on villages, they are driven away, as thieves would be.

Psalms 10:15 — 15. arm—power. till thou find none—So far from not requiting (Psalms 10:11; Psalms 10:13), God will utterly destroy the wicked and his deeds (Psalms 9:5; Psalms 9:6; Psalms 34:16; Psalms 37:36).

Psalms 107:42 — 42, 43. In this providential government, good men will rejoice, and the cavils of the wicked will be stopped (Job 5:16; Isaiah 52:15), and all who take right views will appreciate God's unfailing mercy and unbounded love.

Psalms 109:4 — 4, 5. They return evil for good (compare Psalms 27:12; Proverbs 17:13). I give myself unto prayer—or literally, "I (am) prayer," or, "as for me, prayer," that is, it is my resource for comfort in distress.

Psalms 137:5 — 5, 6. For joyful songs would imply forgetfulness of their desolated homes and fallen Church. The solemn imprecations on the hand and tongue, if thus forgetful, relate to the cunning or skill in playing, and the power of singing.

Psalms 19:5 — 5, 6. The sun, as the most glorious heavenly body, is specially used to illustrate the sentiment; and his vigorous, cheerful, daily, and extensive course, and his reviving heat (including light), well display the wondrous wisdom of his Maker.

Psalms 69:5 — 5. This may be regarded as an appeal, vindicating his innocence, as if he had said, "If sinful, thou knowest," &c. Though David's condition as a sufferer may typify Christ's, without requiring that a parallel be found in character.

Psalms 99:7 — 7. cloudy pillar—the medium of divine intercourse (Exodus 33:9; Numbers 12:5). Obedience was united with worship. God answered them as intercessors for the people, who, though forgiven, were yet chastened (Exodus 32:10; Exodus 32:34).

Proverbs 11:17 — 17. merciful—kind to others; opposed to cruel. Such benefit themselves by doing good to others (compare Proverbs 24:5), while the cruel injure themselves as well as others. flesh—that is, his body, by penuriousness (Colossians 2:23).

Proverbs 12:20 — 20. that imagine—or, "plan" (Proverbs 3:29). They design a deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed (compare Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18).

Proverbs 13:15 — 15. Right perception and action secure good will, while evil ways are difficult as a stony road. The wicked left of God find punishment of sin in sinning. hard—or, "harsh" (compare Hebrew: Deuteronomy 21:4; Jeremiah 5:15).

Proverbs 14:5 — 5. A faithful witness, c.—one tested to be such. utter lies—or, "breathe out lies"—that is, habitually lies ( :- compare Acts 9:1). Or the sense is, that habitual truthfulness, or lying, will be evinced in witness-bearing.

Proverbs 31:4 — 4, 5. Stimulants enfeeble reason, pervert the heart, and do not suit rulers, who need clear and steady minds, and well-governed affections (compare Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 22:29). pervert . . . afflicted—They give unrighteous decisions against the poor.

1 Timothy 4:13 — time by the presence of the apostle himself (1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:14). reading—especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luke 4:16-20; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:21; 2 Corinthians 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church

Titus 1:7 — of driving. not given to wine—(See on 1 Peter 4:17- :; 1 Peter 4:17- :). not given to filthy lucre—not making the Gospel a means of gain (1 Timothy 3:3; 1 Timothy 3:8). In opposition to those "teaching for filthy lucre's sake" (Titus 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:5; 1 Peter 5:2).

James 2:22 — made perfect—not was vivified, but attained its fully consummated development, and is shown to be real. So "my strength is made perfect in weakness," that is, exerts itself most perfectly, shows how great it is [CAMERON]: so 1 John 4:17; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 5:9. The germ really, from the first, contains in it the full-grown tree, but its perfection is not attained till it is matured fully. So Hebrews 5:9- :, "Let patience have her perfect work," that is, have its full effect by showing the most perfect degree

Revelation 14:3 — 3. sung—Greek, "sing." as it were—So A, C, and Vulgate read. It is "as it were" a new song; for it is, in truth, as old as God's eternal purpose. But B, Syriac, Coptic, ORIGEN, and ANDREAS omit these words. new song— (Revelation 5:9; Revelation 5:10). The song is that of victory after conflict with the dragon, beast, and false prophet: never sung before, for such a conflict had never been fought before; therefore new: till now the kingdom of Christ on earth had been usurped;