WALKING IN THE WAY I. THE WORD. SUBJECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS EMPHASISED. SELFWARD ASPECT. Sections Aleph to Zayin (1-56). IL THE WORD. SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS EMPHASISED. MANWARD ASPECT. Sections Cheth to Nun (57-112). III. THE WORD. SANCTUARY RELATIONSHIPS, EMPHASISED. GODWARD AvPECT. Sectiow Samech to Shin (n3-168). IV. THE WORD, THE WORSHIP AND THE WITNESS. SHEPHERD RELATIONSHIP EMPHASISED. Section Tau (169-176). I. ALEPH. ADVANTAGE AND AIM The Word-Its Power for Blessing. I. PREFATORY AFFIRMATION (1-4). Third and Second Person (General). Felicity in the Law.
r. Double Beatitude (1-3). (Third Person). Six-fold Description-Five positive, one negative. 2. Divine Behests (4). (Second Person). (a) The Author (4a). (b) The Aim (4b)'. II. PROFOUND ASPIRATION (5-8). First Person (Individual). Fulfilment of the Law. r. Prayer (5-6). 2. Protnise (7-8a). (a) Of Praise (7). ( b) Of Performance (Sa). 3. Prayer (Sb). PERSONAL APPUCATION .-Happiness and holiness. The holy will of God is the only happy way for man. The word is witness to the way in which we should walk (2a). The way of self-will is the way of sin, Isa. liii. 6. "Seeking" involves not merely approach in heart, but application of mind to understand (2b). Desire must be followed by determination and devotion (5 ff.). No real disgrace or dis appointment befalls those who are obedient to God (6). Without God's presence with us our best resolves prove abortive (8). VERSE NOTES r. "Blessed"= Happy; "perfect" i.e. those whose whole course of life is governed by a single-hearted devotion to God. 2. "keep"= guard. (b) c£ IO. 3. Connects with 2. "Yea, have done no unrighteousness, (But) have walked in His ways." 4. "Thou (emph.) hast commanded Thy precepts, That (men) should observe them diligently." 5. Prayer evoked by the thought in 4. I" c£ 8. not utter y = not m any wise, . 43. 2. BETH. BASIS OF BLESSING The W.ord-Its Power for Sanctification. I. PURPOSE OF THE WORD (9). Ministration. II. PROTESTATIONS AND PRAYERS (10-14). r. Protestation (10a). "I have." The Heart. 2. Prayer (rob).
PERSOAL .APPlICATION.-Opened eyes and an open word are both. essential (c£ Luke xxiv.)-a subjective illummation and an objective revelation (18-19). A traveller is helped by signposts that point the way. The proud are they who exalt themselves out of their place. Every saint of God possesses a privy council (24). VERSE NOTES 8 " " Ii . il "b h Id" d. I 1 1 . open, t. wive , wicover: e o = IScem, see c ear y. 19. An alien needs instruction as to conduct in the land where he sojourns. Moreover, in the Law God made provision for the stranger guest, though he were but a fugitive slave, Deut. xxiii. 15-16; x. 18-19. See also Lev. xxv .. 23. This entire dependence upon God is a significant reference to the recently returned exiles. Jehovah's commands stand ready to meet their material and spiritual need_s. "b aks " Ii . h d nl L 6 " din re t. 1s crus e , s. .w. o y am. m. 1 ; or ances = JUSt · decisions. 21. "the proud" here refers to apostate Israelites, those who sin wilfully and presumptuously. 24. Though enemies take counsel against him, he too has counsellors (lit. "men of my counsel ") to direct him; "also,, = nevertheless. 4. DALETH. DISTRESS AND DESIRE The Word-Its Power for Reviving. I. THE PLAINT (25a). The Psalmist's Depression. II. THE PRAYER (25b). "Revive me." ill. THE PLEA (26a). His Confossion. IV. THE PRAYERS (26b_-27a). "Teach me-make me understand." V. THE PURPOSE (27b). MEDITATION. VI. THE PLAINT (28a). The Psalmist's Depression. VII. THE PRAYERS (28b-29). "Strengthen me, etc." VIII. THE PLEAS (30-31a). His Choice. IX. THE PRAYER (31 b ). "Shame not." X. THE PURPOSE (32). MINISTRATION. PERSONAL APPUCATION.-Though our soul may "cleave to the dust" (in grief), let us "cleave to the word" (in trust) (25, 31). Tell God thy ways and He will teach thee His will (26). With
confession of my ways let there be confidence in God's way (26, 30). Note the contrast of the two ways (29-30). The Law though holy is not harsh (29b). VERSE NOTES 25. I.e. is bowed with grie£ "Quicken," first of nin prayers in this psalm for "quickening;" see 25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, and 159; Heb. verb may be variously understood according to context, "to give life to, preserve alive, revive the heart, impart fresh courage to, etc." Life repeatedly promised as a reward of obedience to the word of God, Deut. viii. 3; xxx. 6, 15, 19-20; xxxii. 47. 26. Br. " ... have rehearsed ... hast ap.swered." 27. Prayer for deeper insight recurs 34, 73, 125, 144 and 169. (b) "That I may meditate ... " as in 15, 23. "wonders," i.e. the mysteries of God's will as revealed in His word (18). 8 B " h . lf 2 • r. weepet 1tse away ... 29. (b) hr. "AQ.d (with) Thy law (here= instruction) be gracious unto me." 31. (b) i.e. disappoint me not of the promised blessing. 32. When the heart is freed from restraint of trouble and anxiety, his libertr, will be nsed for more energetic obedience. Some read, "For Thou dost enlarge ... ' 5. HE. HEART .AND HEAD The Word-Its Power for Establishing. I. REQUESTS AND ·REASONS (33-36). 1. Request {33a). 2. Reason (33b). "That." 3. Request (34a). 4. Reason {3l•). "That." 5. Request {35a). 6. Reason (35b). "For." 7. Request (36). II. REQUESTS AND REMINDERS (37-40). 1. Requests (37-38a). 2. Reminder (38b). 3. Request (39b). 4. Reason (39b). 5. Reminder (40a). 6. Request (40b ). PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Obedience should be unlimited (33) and unreserved (34). To translate desires into deeds means a struggle, hence the need of divine aid (35). Our profession (35b) should be
made petition (36). Attachment to God means detachment from tlie world (36). This world is ever a rival to His word (36). We must understand the will of the Lord if we are to observe it aright (34). The life which pleases God is its own reward (33b) (alternative translation). The heart is often led astray by the eyes (36-37). VERSE NOTES 33. Lit.• Make me see ... " (b) Br. "That I may ... "; "unto the end," Heb. gen. means reward, so here thought may be " . . . as a reward." 34. "Make me understand ... (b) "That I may ... " 1k 35. to go = wa . L. "Mak fr . " . 1 d all th . thl 37. 1t. e my eyes turn om . . . ; varuty me u es at is wor ess, eal dr_L cc 'k unr an 1.w;e; quic en = revtve; see note verse 25. 38. "word" i.e. utterance -(of promise); (b) i.e. which leads to reverence of Thee; or may be trans., "Confirm Thy promise to Thy servant, who is (inclined) to Thy fear." 39. "Make my reproach pass away . . . ; " i.e. the scorn which he has to bear because of his loyalty to the word of God. 40. The heart is willing, but he needs reviving in strength. 6. VAU. WITNESS AND WALK. The Word-Its Power for Testimony. I. PRAYERS AND PLEAS (41-44). "Let ... lovingkindness." r. Petition (41 ). Positive. 2. Pleas (42). "So shall ... for." 3. Petition (43a). Negative. 4._ Pleas (43b-44). "For ... so shall." \ II. PRAYER AND PROMISE (4'.5-48). "Let ... liberty." r. Prayer (45a). '2. Plea (45b). 3. Promise (46-48). Fourfold "I will." PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Every Christian should have the double testimony of lip and life. One who is constrained by his affections walks in true liberty (45). Restraints that are loved are not bonds (45, 47). Israel waits for a salvation already enjoyed by the Christian (41).
VERSE NOTES In Hebrew each verse begins with "And." li d 42. answer = t. a wor . 43. Br. "An¤ pluck not .. .'! i.e. be deprived of the power for testimony. 45. Br. "Let me walk ... " "at liberty "= lit. a broad place, c£ 32; (b) or, "For I have studied ... " i.e. have given diligent heed to. 46. Compare the experiences of Danid, Nehemiah, etc. 48. "which I have loved" should probably be omitted in this verse; "lift ... hands " indicates (a) the attitude of prayer, and (b) as here, the swearing of an oath. 7. ZA YIN. ZEST AND ZEALOUSNESS The Word-Its Power for Comfort. I. REMEMBRANCE AND REST prollllSe. (49-50 ). "Remember Thou Thy II. REACTION TO RIDICULE (51). Increased Loyalty. ID. REMEMBRANCE AND REST (52). "I have remembered Thy judgments." IV. REACTION TO REBELS (53). Indignant Lament. V. REASON FOR REJOICING (54). VI. REMEMBRANCE AND REST (55-56). "I have remembered Thy Name." PERSONAL APPLICATION.-History, both personal and national, should be read in the light of the divine purpose. True hope is based upon the word of God (49); c£ Heb. xi." 1 with Rom. x. 17. "To be laughed out of one's faith is worse.than to be terrified out of it" (51). Cling to God's name in the dark (5 5). Indignation r,gainst the forsaking of God's word is not inconsistent with sorrow for those who thus forsake it (53, 136). Let God's word (the written word and the living word) be the theme of our songs (54). It ever brings joyful satisfaction to the saint to keep God's precepts (55). It is the word of God that revives us (preserves us alive) in affliction (so). VERSE NOTES 49. (b) Br. "On which .. .'' 50. See note verse 25. 52. Br. " ... ordinances (which have been) from ancient times.''
the restraint of the divine precepts (69). The whole section is a reminder to the believer of Rom. viii. 28. VERSE NOTES If we begin 67 with" Til " and 71 with " 'Tis ... " each verse of this stanza will correspond to the Hebrew acrostic. Five of the eight verses in the Heb. begin with the word "Good." d" 5. wor = prormse. 66. (a) Lit. " ... goodness of taste." 67. "· ... I (emph.) did err ... " 68. "Thou " (emph.). 69. (b) Br. "As for me, with ..." 70. Or, "Gross is their heart as fat, As for me, I ... " i.e. their heart is utterly insensible to divine things. He opens his heart, they close theirs. 71. "Good for me ... "=right, fitting. 72 also begins thus. II. 3. YOD. YEARNINGS AND YIELDING The Word-Its Power for Accomplishment. I. APPEAL FOR COMPLETENESS (73 ). "Give me." 11. APPEAL CONCERNING ASSOCIATES (74). The God-fearing Ones. III. ASSURANCE IN AFFLICTION (75). IV. APPEAL FOR CONSOLATION (76-77). "Let ... let." V. ACCUSATION AGAINST ADVERSARIES (78). VI. APPEAL CONCERNING ASSOCIATES (79). The God-fearing Ones. VII. APPEAL FOR COMPLETENESS (So ). PHRSONAL APPLICATION.-0 Lord, complete the gracious work Th_ou hast begun in me ( 73) ! Sorrows are still grievous although sent in love, hence we need sustaining and solace (76). Chastisement without comfort would overwhelm us (75-76). Have we the same ·assurance as the psalmist concerning affiiction (75)? VERSE NOTES 73. I.e. he desires to be perfected in spirit. 74. Br. "Let them that fear (=revere ) Thee see ... " i.e. fulfil Thy promise to me so that oth¡r God-fearing ones may be encouraged.
" . h " Ii · h "affii d" h bled "· d 75. ng teous = t. ng teousness; cte or, um ;. JU gments here = providential acts. 6 ,td" 7 . wor = pronuse. 77. "tender mercies"= compassions; (b) the ground of his appeal. 78. " ... for they have subverted me by falsehood." 79. Or, "That they may know . .. " 80. "perfect" c£ 1, i.e. thorough, or fully devoted to. II. 4. CAPH. CRY OF THE CRUSHED The Word-Its Power under Testing. I. ACUTE AFFLICTION (81-84). Integrity under Trial. 1. Plaint (81a). 2. Plea (81b ). 3. Plaint (82a). 4. Problem (82b). Consolation-when? 5. Plaint (83a). 6. Plea (83b). 7. Plaint (84a). 8. Problem (84b). Vindication-when? II. ARROGANT ADVERSARIES (85-88). Insolence against Truth. 1. Accusation (85). 2. Assurance (86a). 3. Accusation (86b). 4. Appeal (86c). 5. Accusation (87a). 6. Avowal (87b). 7. Appeal (88a). 8. Avowal (88b). PERSONAL APPLICATION.-It is not doubt but delay that often tries the soul of the saint (82). However intense the trial, let us maintain our integrity like the psalmist and Job. Wrongly persecuted saints have a sanctuary refuge in God (86). The prophecies of God may be pleaded as promises {86). The "word" for which Christians wait (81b) is indicated, I Thess. iv. 16; it also is a word of deliverance, Rom. viii. 23-25 . VERSE NOTES ur. · th " H ur. il " 1. 1amte , s. .w. 1a . 82. His soul grows faint and his eyes ache with the strain of watching for the word ( = promise) of deliverance. (b) "Saying, when . .. "
"th " . th 92. en = m at case. 94. "souĪht0 or studied. 96. '' end , = limit. Earthly perfection has its limit, but God's law is all embracing. 6. MEM. MEDITATION AND MATURITY The Word-Its Power of Enlightenment. I. WELCOME FOR THE WORD (97). II. WISDOM FROM THE WORD {98-100 ). Threefold Result-Three Reasons. ill. WALK ACCORDING TO THE WORD (101-102) . IV. WELCOME FOR THE WORD (103). V. WISDOM FROM THE WORD (104). PERSONAL APPUCATION.-· The word is a well of wisdom, who.se waters never waste. Pondering the precepts (99) should be followed by practice (100 ff.). Note the moral order for the attainment of true wisdom: (a) the word with me; (b) my meditation; (c) I have kept (98-100). Abstinence from evil must be accompanied by obedience to the word -a positive attitude as well as a negative (101). A study of the word gives the power of discernment to "prove the spirits," 104 withJno. iv. 1-4; I Cor. xii. 10. With the detection of mere sophistries there should be detestation of forbidden paths ( 104). Love for the light is a mark 6£ God's children (97). The Bible is the true educator of the human race. Conntries possessing "an open Bible" may be traced by their comparative intellectual gain in other directions. VERSE NOTES This stanza and that of" Shin" contain no petition. 98. Lit. "For it is mine for ever." The use of the singular in this line implies the unity of God's law. " ch " · th · d " di · nal" ch th h d · 99. tea ers, i.e. e appomte tra tlo tea ers, or, ose w o enve their learning from other sources. 100. "I have more discernment ... " The aged have learned from experience. IOI. "way" includes religious .ways. 102. Br. "For Thou Thyself hast instructed me." th bl 103. sweet = smoo , agreea e, nots. .w. m xix. 10.
PERSONAL APPLICATION.-ln these days of weak compromise, it is refreshing to read of the devotion and determination of saints of old. The godless life is a blwider as well as a sn:i (r18b). Wholesome dread is not i.nco111patible with whole-hearted devotion (119b and 120). Separation is the portion of in1penitent sinners, both now and in the world to come. If the believer keeps con1pany with evildoers, he will find it 111ost difficult to obey the word of his God (n5). God's people are as silver to be purified from dross; the lawless are regarded as all dross (n9). To live aright needs sustaining grace (n6). VERSE NOTES I14. "Thou "(emph.). (b) or, "I have waited for Thy promise." II6. "ashamed," i.e. disappointed. II8. Or, "Thou hast rejected." (b) i.e. the principles upon which they act are false and baseless; or, they are self-deceived by false hopes. Laxity and lawless ness are twins. 119. "Therefore," i.e. because in this judgment he sees God's righteousness manifested. 120. "My flesh shudders (or, creeps) for awe of Thee;" Heb. lit. "hair stands on end (gooseB.esh)," i.e. at the judgment executed upon the wicked. II3. I.e. the waverers, who one moment are for God and the next for Baal. They have no real conviction. u7. " .. . so shall I be saved." ill. 2. AYIN. APPEAL FOR AID The Word-Its Power in Prayer. I. APPEAL FOR DELIVERANCE (121-124). Oppression of Men. I. Prayer (121-122). "Thy Servant." 2. Pining (123). 3. Prayer (124). "Thy Servant." II. APPEAL FOR DSCERNMENT (125-128). Obliquity of Men. r. Prayer (125). "Thy Servant." 2. Portent (126). 3. Protestations (127-128). PERSONAL APPLICATION.-The saint's conduct should correspond to the character of God (121). To urge our relationship to God as His servants is a sound plea, for the righteous God will not fail to
THE WORD OF (;QO REVEitED fulfil His obligations as Master (125). If we fail in our obligations we can plead His lovingkindness (124). The more men depart from the word of God, the more we should cling to it (126 ff.). God will act in due time and deal with those who rebel against His will (126). VERSE NOTES 122. I.e. guarantee Thy servant'. s welfare. 123. Cf. 81-82, note; "righteous word," i.e. the promise of deliverance which God in righteousness is pledged to fulfil. 126. "It is time for Jehovah to act, They have broken (or, frustrated) Thy law." ill. 3. PE. PRAYER FOR PRESERVATION The Word-Its Power unto Wisdom. I. PRONOUNCEMENT CONCERNING THE WORD (129-131); Desired by the Psalmist. 1. Admiration for the Word (129). 2. Action <?f the Word (130). lliumination. 3. Aspiration for the Word (131). II. PRAYpR BASED UPON PRIVILEGE (132-135). r. Petitions (Two) (132a). For Return of Divine Favour. 2 .• Plea (132b). The Privilege. 3. Petition (133a). 4. Purpose (133b). "so." 5. Petition (134a). 6. Purpose (134b). "so." 7. Petitions (Two) (135). For Return of Divine Favour. III. PLAINT CONCERNING THE WORD (136). Disregarded by Men. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Compare the psalmist's longing for the word (131) with his lament (136). Our longings may be either lawful (131) or lustful (133b). The depths and difficulties of God's word do not stumble devout souls. It is the "simple" heart, not the sharpened intellect that penetrates the deepest ( 13 o). Steps established in the word will preserve us from the tyranny of sin (133). To look upon forsakers of the word aroused various emotions in the psalmist's heart: (a) indignation (53); (b) grief (-136), cf. Mark iii. 5; (c) zeal (139); find others. God's works are wonderful (lxxvii. u
11-14) and His word is wonderful (129). The word is the "door way" to wisdom (130). Intense longing for the word is rare to-day ( I 31). Here is an example of coming boldly to the throne of grace (132). VERSE NOTES d fii.tl ,, 1i d " k th cl " k th 129. won er t. won ers; eep em, more exac y, eep em safdy." 130. "opening" = doorway. In the East a doorway is the open way for light in the absence of windows; "simple," i.e. single-minded not weak-minded. 131. He is like a wild creature panting open-mouthed for water. 132. " . .. and be gracious unto me." (b) Lit. "According to the ordinance unto .. . " See A ppenclix XI. Here = "as is the right (or, privilege) of those that ... " -a bold plea; 133. "And (so) let no iniquity ... " 134. "Redeem,"= Heb .. padah = deliver by power; (b) or, "That I may ... " 136. C£ English icliom "floods of tears." 4. TZADDI. ZENITH OF ZEAL The Word-Its Power unto Righteousness. I. ATTRIBUTES OF THE WORD (137-138). Righteousness. II. ADVERSARIES OF THE WRITER (139). His Zeal for the Word. III:" ATTRIBUTE OF THE WORD (140). Purity. IV. AFFRONT TO THE WRITER (141). His Zeal for the Word. V. ATTRIBUTE OF THE WORD (142). Truth. VI. AFFLICTION OF THE WRITER (143). His Zeal for the Word. VII. ATTRIBUTE OF THE WORD (144a). Righteousness. VIII. APPEAL OF THE WRITER (144b). His Zeal for Wisdom. PERSONAL APPUCATION .-Nothing should move us from allegiance to the Word of God (141, 143). The Law is a true tran script of the righteous character of God ( 13 7). God recognises and fully discharges His obligations (138b). The moral essentials of the Law are everlasting, though certain elements (the ceremonial) are transient (142, 144). The same fire of affiiction tried both the loyalty of the psalmist and the faithfulness of the word (140, 143). Let us magnify the promise that enables us to stand.
VERSE NOTES 13 7. "Thou " (emph.); "And upright . . . " br. "And faithfulness to the uttermost." 140. Br. " ... well tried by fire, And Thy ... " 144. "righteous," lit. righteousness. 5. QOPH. QUEST FOR QUIET The Word-Its Power unto Hope. I. CALLING IN PRAYER (145-149). Promise in the Word. I. App!!al (145-146). "Answer ... save." 2. Anticipation (147-148). Morning and Evening. 3. Appeal (149). "Hear ... revive." II. CIRCUMSTANCES OF PERIL (150 ). The Presence of Danger. Foes nigh. III. COMFORT IN PERIL (151). The Presence of the DefeJ!der. Jehovah nigh. IV. CONFIDENCE IN PROPHECY (152). Permanency of the Word. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Mischief-makers may gather, but with God near we need not fear (150-151). Waves that ruffle the surface do not reach the depths; the passing storm that sways the branches does not disturb the roots (152). Let us, like the psalmist, resist the temptation to join the ranks of them that abandon the word of God (151). God's word is eternally valid, whatever its enemies may say (152). Persecutors may be near, but our Protector is nearer (151). VERSE NOTES 146. Or, "That I may observe ... " 147. Br. "In the early twilight did I cry for help, (While ) I waited with hope for Thy words." 148. Be compares himself to a sentinel who wakes before time to go on duty; · or, perhaps, to a Levite rising for his watch in the temple, and while waiting, meditates upon God's law. 149. "Hear " (emph.) = Oh, do hear! "ordinances," here and frequently= ru1es or principles of action. (b) "Quicken," see note verse 25. 150. " . . . that maliciously persecute me, that have gone far . . . "
APPENDIX. TAV. · TROUBLE AND TRUST. Repentance of the Remnant. This stanza seems to point to Israel's regeneration day-their spiritual birth as a nation. It is the sigh for salvation addressed to the Shepherd of Israel by His "sheep," fully conscious of their sin. "Threads that have run through the psalm are here knotted firmly together" and the unique pattern of the composition stands out in all its exquisite beauty. I. PRAYER (169-170). 1. Petitions (Two) 2. Plea. Jehovah's Promise (169). 3. Petitions (Two). 4. Plea. Jehovah's Promise (i70). II. PRAISE (171-172). 1. Promise. 2. Prompting (171). "Because." 3. Promise. 4. Prompting (172). "Because." ill. PRAYER (173). 1. Petition. 2. Plea. The Psalmist's Purpose. IV. PLEAS (174). 1. Desire for Divine Deliverance. 2. Delight in Divine Decrees. V. PRAYER (175). Petitions and Plea. The Psalmist's Praise. VI. PLAINT (176a). Expression of Penitence. VII. PRAYER (176bc). The Psalmist's Piety. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-·Manifold petitions of the psalm are condensed here into two (a) for nnderstanding and (b) for deliverance. These meet the twin needs of man for inward illumination and outward salvation (169-170). Note how petition no'Y passes into praise (171-172). Our devbtion to the Lord should not consist of grudging service but of c9nstant delight (174). Our hope lies not in our docility as sheep, but in the active seeking of the Shepherd (176). Profession of present devotion is not inconsistent with con fession of past defection (176).
31I VERSE NOTES 169. "cry" Heb. indicates an outwaJd expression of urgent entreaty. 170. "supplication" here refers to the substance of his prayer; "deliver"= d" rescue; wor = promise. 171. Br. "My lips shall pour forth ( or, bubble over with) praise." 172. Br. "My tongue shall ... " 173. C£ Deut. xxx. r-3. 174. Closely connected with preceding verse. Three reasons pleaded for answer to prayers: (a) his deliberate resolve; (b) his long and eager waiting; (c) his delight in the will of God. 175. Br. " .. . live, that it may praise Thee." (b) "ordinances" here probably r£ to acts of divine judgment by which the enemy is punished (Isa. xxxvii. 33-36); or, just decisions. 176. "lost" = strayed and in danger of perishing, c£ Matt. xviii. II; Luke xix. 10. Book Five. IV. The Ways of God Recalled in the National Homecoming: cxx.-cxxxiv. Songs of Pilgrimage. The Pathway to the Presence. Much has been conjectured concerning the origin of this group of psalms distinguished by the title over each composition, "A Song of Degrees." The Hebrew word, for "degrees" is variously rendered in the Old Testament, e.g. "going up," "ascents," "steps," "stairs." It is certainly used of making[ilgrimage to Jerusalem for the great annual festivals (1 Sam. i. 3; Ps. cxxii. 4) an we know from Isa. xxx. 29 and Ps. xiii. 4 that it was customary for the pilgrim bands to sing etz route. Many therefore have concluded that these songs were then used. In the majority, however, the subject-matter seems to have nothing whatever to do with pilgrimage. A second view associates the group with the steps ( traditionally fifteen) which led from the great court of the temple to the inner court, and it is suggested that these songs were sung upon the steps at festival times. The third and most acceptable view is that suggested by Dr. John Lightfoot some three hundred years ago and more recently put forward by Dr. Thirtle who connects these psalms with King Hezekiah and the "degrees,, on the "sundial" of Ahaz. For the double record, see 2 Kings xx.; Isa. xxxviii. Briefly stated the reasons are (a) Hezekiah's· reference to "my songs" which were to form part of the temple liturgy at least during the rest of the king's lifetime; (b) Hezekiah himself was a poet as his composition recorded Isa. xxxviii. shows; (c) there are just fifteen songs corresponding to the number of years added to his life; (d) apparently the king himself wrote the ten anonymous songs, corresponding to the number ·of the degrees, the remaining five beinĖ chosen from a royal collection of poems as suitably expressing his feelings; (e) the contents of these songs are in close keeping with the circum,stanCC$
of the triple crisis in Hezekiah's days-the Assyrian invasion, the king's desperate sickness and the lack of an heir to the throne. The Hebrew word for "degrees" has the article, "of ( or relating to) the degrees," and the only degrees Scripture actually records are those mentioned 2 Kings xx. 8-II. To our finite understand ing the miracle then worked by the Creator seems even more remarkable than the miracle of Joshua's day (Josh. x. 12-14). That it made a profound impression upon the surrounding nations is clear from 2 Chron. xxxii. 31. There are strong reasons for believing also that Hezekiah was the author of other psalms relating to his life and times. He employed a company of men as copyists to transcribe and transmit the sacred text, Prov. xxv. 1. This formed part of the service he rendered in his zeal for God, 2 Chron. xxxi. 21. The work of these copyists no doubt included transcriptions of the Law and of the words of David and of Asaph the Seer, Dent. xvii. 18-19; 2 Chron. xxix. 30. Note that this last view does not rule out the possibility of the later use of the songs by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem and the exiles returniné from Babylon. The fifteen 'Songs" group into five triads (see Analysis), each triad covering the threefold experience of Trouble, Trust and Triumph, or Distress, Dependence and Deliverance. The central psalm is by Solomon and each of the two sevens thus separated contains two by David and five are anonymous. The last psalm of each group has blessing and peace for its theme, reminding of Hezekiah's last recorded words, 2 Kings xx. 19. Psalms cxx.-cxxxiv. are sometimes called the "Pilgrims' Song-book"; "A Psalter within a Psalter"; "A Pentateuch of Song" corresponding to the larger pentateuch of the Psalms as a whole. Cycle r. Human Stress and Divine Sufficiency: cxx.-cxxii. Jehovah the National Refuge. The Keeper of Israel.
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