I. APPEAL TO JEHOVAH (r). Negative Aspect-Positive Aspect. II. ARGUMENT FROM EXPERIENCE (2 ). III. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SOVEREIGNTY (3 ). IV. ABSURDITY OF IDOLATRY (4-8). TRUST OF THE HEATHEN NATIOéS. The Psalmist's Expostulation. "I. The Fetishes (4a). 2. Their Fahricatipn (4b ). 3. Their Futility (5-7). 4. Their Fabricators (Sa). $· ·The Followers .(Sb).
V. ASSURANCEOFI SR AEL(9-n). T RUST OF TH EHOLYNATION. The Psalmist's Exhort ation. I. The Appeal (9a). 2. The Answ\r (9b ). 3. The Appeal (10a). 4. The Answer (10b). 5. The Appeal (na). ]- The Answer (nb) . VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF BLESSI NG (12-13). VII. ARGUMENT FROM EXPERIENCE (14-I6). VI I . ASCRIPTION TO JEHOVAH (17-18). N egat ive Aspect-Positive Aspect. PRIMARY Assoc1ATION.-Author and date unknown, but the psalm seems to belong to the early post-exilic period. It is suited to anti phonal singing, a reference to which is found in Ezra iii. I I ; also at Neh. xii. 40. The Babylonian captivity cured the nation of idolatry and Israel here answers the taunt of the heathen nations. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-The unclean spirit in Israel (Matt. xii. 43-45) went out, it is true, but it was not cast out nor the house occupied by the stronger One; the time, therefore, is coming when the spirit of idolatry will return in greater virulence and an image be set up in the very temple of God in the midst of those who have returned (mostly in unbelief) to their own land. The desolating judgment that follows is often alluded to in the psalms. This back ground helps us to understand the mention of ido4itry in our present psalm in its prophetic significance. In the millennial celebrations this old controversy between God and man will be remembered and, in pre-millennial days the faithful remnant will contrast the object of 91eir trust with that of the nations. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Man manufactures the gods he worships (4). Gods of silver and gold often take the form of sovereigns and dollars. Anything that displaces God in the human heart is a fÑe god, cf. I Jno. v. 21. Idol deities are idle deities (5-7). Idolatry degrades its devotees (8). The Infinite is neither impotent nor impassive (9 ff.). Idolatry assimilates the worshipper to his god (8): A cruel god has c;ruel devoteÒs. God first made man in His own ip:iage; then (after the fall) men began to make gods after their own image; finally the gods make men after their image (8). Men win
ANALYTICAL STUDIES IN TH.E PS.ALMS their pleas with God when they sue in forma pauperis (1). If God's people suffer it is because He wills it, not because He lacks power, whatever may be the taunts of men (2). God is known by His works; man is known by his (8). "Small and great" are seen in mercy (13) and in judgment (Rev. xx. 12). God is no respecter of persons. VERSE NOTES 1 ff. Appeal to God to vindicate His honour in succouring His people. 2. Br. "Where, then, is their God?" 4 ff. As much as to say, "Do they taunt us with the impotence of our God? What of their own deities?" The psalmist identifies the god with the image-it has no separate existence. 5. The idols cannot teach their devotees or see their needs, hear their prayers or smell the incense of the sacrifices. 8. "Like unto them shall their makers become, Even everyone ... " 9-n. First lines probably sung by the precentor, second lines by the choir. The "He" is emphatic in each case. The threefold· division recurs cxviii. 2-4; cxxxv. (with "house of Levi" added). 12. Br. "Jehovah, who hath remembered us, will bless us." t3. (b) I.e. one and all without distinction of rank or condition. 14. This is a specially appropriate promise to the small community of returned exiles. 15. "ye" (emph.). 16. Expands thought in 15; (k) contrast the Christian heritage, Eph. i. 3; "children of men" = sons of Adam . . 18. "But we, we (the living) will bless Jah .. . " The LXX transfers the closing "Hallelujah" to the beginning of Ps. cxvi.
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