I. RENDERING OF PRAISE (r-6). Ýallelujah. (From civ. 35d). II. REASONS FOR PRAISE (7-12). The Remembered Covenant. Promise. III. REVIEW OF HISTORY. The Patriarchs (13-22). Divine Foresight demonstrated. I. Their Destined Migration (13). 2. The Divine Protection (r4-r5). 3. Their Dire 4-ffliction (r6). 4. The Delivering Mission. JOSEPH (17-22). (i) The Sending (17). (ii) The Suffering (r8-r9). Joseph's Prison. The Word of Jehovah. (iii) The Saving (20-22). IV. REVIEW OF HISTORY. The People (23-41 ). Divine Faithfulness demonstrated. r. Their Destined Migration (23 ). 2. The Divine Protection (24).
ANALYTJCAt STtJOtES lN tl-tE PSALMS 3. Their Dire Affliction (25). 4. The Delivering Mission (26-41). MOSES and AARON. (i l The Sending (26). (ii The Smiting_(27-36). Egypt's Punishment. The "Words." (iii The Saving (37-41 ). V. REASONS FOR PRAISE (42-45b ). The Remembered Covenant. performance of His Signs. VI. RENDERING OF PRAISE (45c). Hallelujah. PRIMARY AssocIATIPN .-The psalm is anonymous and the occasion unknown, but the poet inco!porates (verses 1-15) a large section of the psalm of thanksgiving written by David for the translation of the ark of God to Zion ( 1 Chron. i.). Closely related to the next psalm with which it forms a pair in designed contrast. Both are retrospective and didactic. Keynote to cv., Jehovah's mighty deeds remembered; keynote to CV\., Jehovah's mighty deeds forgotten. Jehovah's constant faithfulness; His lovingkindness celebrated; the ·obverse of the national history; God's ways with Israel, cv. Israel's continual faithfulness; their lawlessness confessed; the reverse of the national history; Israel's ways with God, cvi. Note that the closing "Hallelujah" of Ps. civ. probably belongs to the beginning of our present psaln1 (so the LXX etc.) in. which tase cv. and cvi. begin and end alike, as also do ciii. and civ. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-These words will be upon the lips of the faithful remnant in the last days and doubtless of the restored nation in millennial celebrations. Verse 8 points to what will then have been a recent experience. It is very significant that the first "Hallelujah" psalm immediately follows the announcement of the destruction of the "lawless ones" (civ. 35); c£ the first "Hallelujah" in the New Testament (Rev. xix. 1-2). PERSONAL APPLICATION.-What we know of God we should make known (1). While singing, meditate; while meditating, sing (2). Seek strength from its Source (4). Present-day believers are also of the "seed" of Abrahain (6 with Gal. iii. 29). Because God in faithfulness remembers us, we should in gratitude remember Him (5, 8). He may use a famine to fulfil His loving purpose (10). Many of His devoted servants have been in prison (17-18). God's promise tests all His children sooner or later (19). In Joseph's case patience had its perfect work (19), cf. Jas. i. 4. All trials are only
"wicil the time" appointed. The world ever hates those whom God favours (25). When God delivers, He does so with abundance of blessing and great joy (37). Those whom He delivers He also cares for (39 ). The object of His delivering grace is to have an obedient people (45). Obedience was the condition of Israel's retaining these blessings (45). What God has done is the best revelation of what God is ( r). Without a clear and close knowledge of God our witness will be cold and cheerless (4). VE RSE NOTES I. Transfer'' Hallelujah" from civ. end. It is significant that the first" Hallelujah" in the Psalms immediately follows upon the announcement of the destruction of the wicked, c£ Rev. xix. 3££ (a) Rather " ... proclaim His Name," as in Exod. xxxiii. 19, etc.; (b) indicates Israel's mission. Jehovah's works and wonders are Israel's witness to the world. 2. "sin P. praises"= make melody, lit. psalm (as a verb). 4. (a)' Seek" indicates attitude; (b) "Seek" indicates act; not s.H.w. 5. (b) I.e. the sentences pronounced and executed upon the Egyptians. 7. "He, Jehovah, is our God." Though He has a·special relation to Israel, yet He exercises universal rule. 8. Obligations under which God has placed Himself with regard to Israel, represented as (a) a covenant, implying mutual responsibilities; (b) a word, i.e. His will expressed in an articulate utterance; (c) an oath, i.e. a solemn sanction and pledge given. 9 ff. The promisÍ made to Abraham was renewed to Isaac and Jacob because in their persons it was limited to a particular branch of Abraham's descendants. n. (b) _: for your appointed inheritance. 12. A.V. and A.R.V. punctuation correct here; "sojourners" i.e. without rights of citizenship. 13. (a) "And {when) they ... " 15. "anointed,' because set apart and endowed for appointed tasks; "prophets" as receiving divine communications. 16 ff. Îote 'divine agency, 17. "He had sent ... a slave." 18. The Genesis narrative does not give these details. Here are further particulars divinely revealed; (b) "He was put in irons." 19. (a) Omit comma at the end of the line; (b) "word," or promise. 22. Ctr. 18. 23. "So Israel came ... ," i.e. Jacob and his family. '' , b 24. stronger, 1.e. m num er. 25. (b) i.e. by their crafty plans to destroy the nation. The psalmist sees but one hand at work-Jehovah's. 27. Most ancient versions read, "He set ... " 28. Plagues mentioned out of chronological order. Ninth first probably because 'R
AN AL YTICAL STU DIES IN THE PSALMS it seems to have wrought conviction in the minds of the Egyptian peopli::. Of the plagues recorded here the fust two attack the elements; the next three. concern animal life, the following two concern vegetable life; the last destroys human and animal life; (b) refers to the Egyptians. For a time they were appalled into ·perfect stillness and obedience. Egyptians were worshippers of the sun-god. 29. First plague. 30. Second plague. 3 1. (a) FoUfth plague, = "gadflies " ; ( b) Third plague, = sandflies, or more probably mosquitoes. 32-33. Seventh plague. 34-35. Eighth plague. 34. (b) Ref. to locust larv.e. 35. (a) "herb," Heb. word includes all vegetable growth except trees. 36. Tenth and last plague; (b) br. " ... the fustlings of their strength." 37. "So He ... not one that stumbled.,, Israel marched out like a victorious army with spoils which were virtually the reward of their long compulsory service; " ... His (Jehovah's) tribes." 38. "fear " = dread. 39. The Cloud here regarded as a canopy to shelter them from the burning rays of the desert sun; c£ Isa. iv. 5-6. 40 ff. Israel's murmuring not mentioned for it is the psalmist's purpose to emphasise God's goodness not Israel's unbelief 41. (b) "They flowed through the deserts-a river." 42. The psalmist returns to his theme, c£ 8. 43. (b) "(And) " br. Even ... 44. (b) "labour," metonym for what is produced by labour. These two verses show the completion of that which began in Egypt. 45. Br. "To the end that ... ," shows the object of God's favour; the practical effect He desired.
This book has 150 chapters