I. JUDGES EXPOSED (r-5). THE SIN PROBED. The Unrighteous Judges. I. Accusation of Judicial Corruption (r-2). By the Psalmist. 2. Assertion concerning the Wicked (3-5). IL JUSTICE EXPECTED (6-9). THE SENTENCE PREDICTED. r. Appeal to the Lord {6-8). Invocation. 2. Address to the Lawless (9). Intimation. III. JUDGMENT EXECUTED {ro-n ). THE SATISFACTION PRODUCED. The Righteous Judge. r. Approbation by the Righteous (ro). 2. Admission of Just Retribution (n). By the Peoples. SUPERSCRIPT.-Michtam of David. SUBSCRIPT.-For the Chief Musician. Al-tashhcth (=Destroy not).
n;scLO SURES CONCERNING THE ENEMY REPROBATE 151 PRIMARY AssocrATION.-Composed by David probably during the period of Absalom's rebellion, 2 Sam. xv.-xvii. This view clears up the difficulty generally experienced in understanding the language of verse I, for the reference will be to the boastful claims of the leaders of that revolt. Note that David blames others rather than his own son. In contrast to what is generally found in the psalms, the last verse gives the theme. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-During the days of Antichrist's rule, corruption will characterise the judicial systems, and godly . ones suffer.injustice and oppression to a degree unknown hitherto. This will lead to deep exercise of heart and great longing for the mani festation of God in judgment upon the oppressors. The remnant's divinely inspired prayers will be answered-their hopes abundantly fulfilled. The poet-seer describes the utter defeat cf Israel's enemies by direct divine interposition in seven bold figures: (a} Power broken (6a); (b) Attacks fail (6b); (c) Forces routed (7a); (d) Weapons futile (7bc); (e) Resources exhausted (8a); (f) Hopes blighted (Sb); (g) Destruction completed (9). The meaning of this last verse sorely puzzles many commentators because they do not perceive the prophetic significance; see Rev. xix. 20-21. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Fair words of false-heatted flatterers always fail of fulfihnent (I). The hartds work the will of the heart (2). The scales of injustice weigh out violence (2). He who stops his ear§ to the voice of God must be classed with the wicked (4). It is evident that a time must come when evil can no longer be tolerated in the earth, but must be extirpated (6-9). The now silent right eousness will one day reign; ( r) with Isa. xxxii. I. Despite what men now say, they will soon be forced to acknowledge that wickedness does not pay and that there is a God who judges righteously (rr). VERSE NOTES I. Br. "Will ye indeed utter long silent righteousness ... ?" See 2 Sam. xv. 2-6. 2. ) "ThrouP,h_out the land your hands |}igh out vi~lence"; so XX, etc. 3, estranged, i.e. from God; f. Gen. vm. 21; Eph. 1v. r8; Col. 1. 21. 4. Worthy children of the Old Serpent! Snake-charming is alluded to Eccles. x. n; Jer. viii. 17. 5. The serpent typifies subtlety, i.e. insidious evil; the lion, ferocity, i.e. rampant evil; the adder, utter indifference to the voice of God. 6-9. According to the Heb. text the verb forms imply denunciation, but in di LXX they are predictive.
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