I. GOOD COUNS¶L (1-n). Exhortations_ and Encouragements. 1. The Recommendations (1). The Commencing Admonition. 2, The Reasons (2). "For."
when a very distinct line of cleavage is seen between the lawless ones and the loyal ones, the way of apostasy and the way of allegi ance to Jehovah. Here is counsel for the corning crisis. Note the characteristic promise for the remnant; they shall dwell in the land - (Canaan) (3, 9, 11, 22, 34). This looks on to millennial days and beyond. The slight irregularities in the acrostic suggest that the perfect state is not yet reached though it is seen approaching. ]?ERSONAL APPLICATION.-A psalm of the rule of recompense. Note the positive and negative exhortations, the former predominating. All may be·summed up in the phrase "exercise faith and patience." Compare the three-fold "Fret not" (more lit. "Do not get heated!') and the three-fold "Be not ĵnvious." The prosperity of the ungodly is precarious and not permanent (1-2). Let our souls feed upon the faithp.tlness of our God (3). The antidote to envious discontent is patient trust and persistent well-doing (3-4). Such discontent is not only foolish and useless but dangerous, as it may lead to evil-doing (8). The loyal must not copy the tricks of the lawless (8). Disappoint ment and destruction are the destiny of the destroyers (19-20). The fate of the wicked has been foreseen and foreordained from the :first (13). The enemies of Jehovah's people are enemies of Jehovah (20). While the wicked rave (12) the righteous rest (7). The principle of retribution may be traced in human history (14-15). The truly "strong man" gets his strength from the Lord (23a). The steps and the stops of the saint are all ordered of God (23). His failurĶs are not fatal or final (24). There is a definite relation between our walk and our talk (30-31). Not only keep God's way (34) but delight in it (23). It is the end o_f the way that matters (37-38). VERSE NOTES 2. "grass . . . green herb," common figures in Scripture for what is transient and perishable. 3. "land" = Canaan, the land of promise; "follow after . . . " lit. "feed on faithfulness," i.e. Jehovah's. "d . ,, esrres = pettttons. 5. Note margin; c£ Prov. xvi. 3, 1 Peter v. 4; (b) lit. "and He (emph.) will do (it)." The result of the "doing" seen in next verse, i.e. "thy cause will be vindicated." 11. Cf. Matt. v. 5. 12. Br. "doth laugh . .. for He hath seen." 13. "day," i.e. the appointed day of retribution.
affii d d " 'h "Ii " 'h f 14. poor = etc or oppressc ; upng t ... , t. upng t o way. 6N d ll 1 • otc wor many. 17. I.e. their misused power rendered of no effect. " il" al . 19. ev = c amity. 20. (b) as A.V. and R.V. m. The rneanin¹ is that they who would not be consecrated to God in life shall be "devoted' to Him in their death, consumed by the fire of His wrath, even as sacrificial animals under the ban. 21. The greediness of the wicked and the graciousness of the righteous contrasted. "him him " · J h ah 22. . . • , i.e. e ov . 23. Read, "When a man's (Heb. geber, Appendix X.) steps are made firm by Jehovah, and he (the man) delighteth in His (Jehovah's) way; though he ... " 24. (a) i.e. shall not lie prostrate; cf. Prov. xxiv. 16; (b) hr. as R.V. m. 25. An appeal to experience. The righteous is never deserted by God, despite appearances. 27. (a) cf. xxxiv. 14; (b) cf. 3b, 29. 28-29. Cf. Prov. xi. 31. 35. Another appeal to experience (25). (a) or" ... lawless one"= ruthless. 36. Br. "And I passed by ... 8 " d d " "fi £i b 1 37-3 . en ... en , or uture . . . uture ; transgressors = re e s; "wicked" =lawless men.
This book has 150 chapters