I. TESTIMONY OF THE PSALMIST (1). Concerning God. II. TRIAL OF FAITH (2-16). I. Perplexity of the Psalmist (2-3 ). Erro¯ Committed. 2. Prosperity of the Perverse (4-12). Their (i) Peace (4-5). (ii) Pride (6-7). (iii) Pretensions (8-9). (iv) Popularity (10-n). (v) Plenty (12). 3. Perplexity of the Psalmist (13-16).
III. TURNING-POINT OF FAITH (17). SOLUTION IN THE SANCTUARY. IV. TRIUMPH OF FAITH (18-26). r. Portion of the Perverse (18-20). 2. Perplexity of the Psalmist (21-22). Error Confessed. 3. Portion of the Psalmist (23-26). V. TESTIMONY OF THE PSALMIST (27-28). (a) Concerning Apostates (27). (b) Concerning Bimself (28). SUPNRSCRIPT.-A Psalm of (or for) Asaph. PRIMARY AssocrATION .-Second of the psalms ascribed to Asaph, see Ps. 1. note. In the present group there is some difficulty in understanding all as coming from the pen of the Asaph of David's day. Nevertheless if events are referred to which seem inconsistent with David's reign, we must remember that, like David himself, Asaph was a seer as well as a poet and may have been inspired to write of what was yet purely future. We are not shut up to this explanation, however, for some may have been written by an Asaph of later days. More probably in some cases at least, we should read "for (or, to) Asaph" ( the Heb. preposition admits of either rendering) as being dedicated by some anonymous writer to this famous singer poet of earlier days. It should not be overlooked that a similarity of style pervades the whole group. Ps. I. is connected with the sanctuary and it is significant that all the rest of the Asaphic psalms are found here in the "Sanct_uary Book." The historical occasion of our present psaln1 is unknown. It is a. record of personal experience common to saints of any time. Like Pss. xxxvii. and xlix. it "treats of the perennial problem of reconciling God's moral government with observed facts." How can an Almighty God be good and yet allow the wicked to prosper and the righteous to suffer? The fact that with the full revelation of the New Testament and hopes distinctly heavenly, even Christians are sometimes thus perplexed, should make them sympathise more readily with Old Testament saints who struggled with the problem, for the hopes of the latter were centred upon the earthly inheritance. Moreover, the Law had taught them that earthly blessing followed upon obedience and punishment upon qisobedience. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-As with the other Books, the first
psalm is prefatory and shows the general character of what follows. The faith of the godly remnant is here exercised amid the surrounding ungodliness of art apostate nation. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Faith may falter, but it never fails; it may flounderÍ but it still fights on. After reading this psalm who would care to change places with the wealthy wicked? The slipping foot of the saint is upheld (i); xciv. 18. Well-being is not to be judged by appearances (3). It is foolish to envy the wicked (3). The seeming inequalities of life should not embitter the soul or becloud the judgn1ent (3). A peaceful end to a prosperous life is no proof of the divine favour (4). The perverse in their prosperity have many parasites· (10). A clean heart is not without conflict, clean hands not without chastening (13); c£ Heb. xii. 9-1r. Stumble not any of God's family by parading your perplexities; doubts are best kept to oneself ( 15). Always consider the end ( 17). In com munion with God, problems are solved that defy the intellect of man (17). The pure light of the divine presence penetrates the most perplexing problems. God may seem to oe asleep (20) but it is not so, cxxi. 4. Ignorance and irritation breed doubts (21-22). In God's grasp and by His guidance I shall safely reach the glory (22-23). Is God "the Rock of my heart" (26)? Distance from God is death (27). This has been called "The Sceptic's Psalm." VERSE NOTES I. "Surely," or only; so 13, 18; (a) re£ to the nation; (b) re£ to the remnant; c£ Matt. v. 8. 3. Ctr. bocii., the righteous flourishing; "prosperity," lit. peace; "wicked" = lawless; so 12. 4. "firm," or well-fed. 5. Br. "They have not the travail of mortal man ... ," i.e. circumstances seem to justify their boastings. 6. I.e. the pride is ostentatious. 8. or, "They scoff and talk of evil; of oppression do they talk from on high," i.e. they speak as if they are gods and their words, oracles. 9. I.e. they blaspheme God and slander men. "b than" fc d fG d turn r. return, i.e. even some pro esse peop e o o are carried away by the evil example; "hither," i.e. to the wicked and their ways; (b) metaphor for enjoyment of pleasure. II. The words of the deluded followers; "God" = EL 13. Claim is to sincerity not sinlessness; (b) see xxvi. 6. r4. I.e. he was disciplined by God; "I" (emph.).
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