I. PRAISE FOR PRESERVATION (1-3). Past Experience. "Captivity turned." I. Comparison (1). Like dreamers. Parallel drawn.
ANALYTtCAL STU01ES 1N THE PSAL1v1S 2. Cdebration (2-3). joy expressed. (Shouts of Joy). (i) Israd's Triumph (2a). (ii) Gentiles' Testimony (2b ). (iii) Israd's Tribute (3). II. PRAYER FOR PROSPERITY (4-6). Present Entreaty. "Captivity-turn." 1. Comparison (4). Like streams. Parallel drawn. 2. Cdebration (5-6). Joy expected. (Shouts of Joy). SUPERSCRIPT.-A Song of the Degrees ( or, Ascents). PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Anonymous writer probably Hezekiah, see notes to preceding psaln?.s. The reference to the'' captivity" may be connected with those taken away by Sennacherib (2 Kings xviii. 9-13). Hezekiah had the welfare of all Israel ever on his heart, 2 Chron. xxx. 6-11. However, the Hebrew words commonly bear another construction, see verse notes. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Points to the rim:e of the partial restoration of the Jews to their land. With renewed hearts and hopes they appeal to Jehovah for the full accomplishment of the promised blessing in restoring also the ten tribes, that Israel may once more be a united nation enjoying the full favour of Jehovah their God. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Partial fulfilment of divine promises should encourage us to continue praying for the complete blessing. Realities are sometimes like pleasant dreams substantiated. Every saint of- God in every age can echo the words of 3. Precious promises for pioneer workers are found in 5-6. Between sowing and reaping there is much patient toil. Earnest Christian workers know what it is to shed tears; c£ Acts xx. 19, 3 I. VERSE NOTES I. C£ 4. "turn ... captivity," the Heb. idiom may be rendered "restore the prosperity of," or as R.V. See Job. xlii. IO. This very ambiguity seems designed by the Holy Spirit to suit both the historical circumstances and the prophetic outlook;" dream," i.e. they could hardly believe the reality. Cf. the record, 2 Kings xix. 35 2. "laughter," c£ Job. viii. 31; "singing"= shouts, or cries of joy. Last line is an exclamation of wonder and envy. C£ A.V.m. with 2 Chron. xxxii. 22-23. 3. Omit "Whereof"; the very terseness is expressive. 4. Or, "Restore our prosperity ... " see notes I. (b) "Like watercourses in the Southland," i.e. the arid Negeb whose wadies run out into the Arabian d_esert.
These dried up watercourses become raging torrents in the rainy season. So the psahnist desires to see Israel returning not as a mere trickle, but as a surging flood. 5. Br. " ... reap with shouts," or cries of joy. The scene is not that of exiles in Babylon, but of agriculturalists in the land. 6. The Hebrew implies persevering work despite tearful disappointment; see Jehovah's sign to Hezekiah, 2 Kings xix. 29. There may be a reference also to the king's own faithful efforts to reunite all Israel by recalling the remnant of the northern tribes to the true worship of Jehovah, 2 Chron. xxx. "doubtless" = surely; " ... with joyful cries when he bringeth (home) his sheaves." Prophetically of those who" shall tum many to righteousness," Dan. xii. 3.
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