SOUL I. THE APPEAL (1-2). I. Continual Prayer (1). 2. Cogent Pleading (2). II. THE AFFLICTION (3-8). I. Dissolution Expected (3-6). 2. Divine Displeasure Exhibited (7). Waves of Wrath. 3. Desolation Experienced (8). III. THE APPEft_L (9-14). I. Continual Prayer (9 ). 2. Cogent Pleading (10-r2). Questions. 3. Continual Prayer (13). 4. Cogent Pleading (14). Question. IV. THE AFFLICTION (J5-18). I. Dissolution Expected (15). 2. Divine Displeasure Exhibited (16-17). Waves 9f Wrath. 3. Desolation Experienced ( 18). SUPERSCRIPT.-Maschil of (or, fot) Heman the Ezrahite. PRIMARY Assoc14TION .-Heman was celebrated for wisdom, r Kings iv. 31; r Chron. vi. 33, 44; xxv. 4-5, which expressly attests he was sometimes inspired of God in his utterances. He. was a Koha thite by birth, but reckoned with Zerah ofJudah, because among Levites dwelling there ( r Chron. ii. 6) ; Ezrahite = Zerahite. For similar examples of reckoning cf. Elkanah, I Sam. i. I, and the young Levite, Judges xvii. 7. For note on the double superscript (A.V.) see lxxxvii. This psalm is an elegy, the saddest song in the Psalter. The writer is in deep but not utter despair, for prayer proves the presence of a lingering hope. Note also his title for God (r). The psalm should be viewed in connection with the next, which is very opposite in sentiment. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-" Maschµ" indicates the viewpoint of the psalm. It has special instruction for the "wise" at the time of
REALIZATION OP THE DIVINE HOLINESS the end. Here Israel is seen afllicted in soul under a deep sense of a broken law. If the physical affiiction of the psahnist was a form of leprosy, which would account for the language used, this would have a typical significance concerning Israel. God has to bring the nation to a realisation of its need before He can reveal His remedy. PERSONAL.APPLICATION.-Like the psahnist, let us cling tenaciously to God in the dark. When we are afflicted there should be confession of sin, not censure of God ( 7, 16). '' There is only one psalm like this !11 the Bible to intimate the rareness of the experience, but there is one to assure the most desperately affiicted that God will not forsake him." There is ever a Heart behind the Hand that applies the rod. God chastises His chosen. Acquaintances may be many, but friends are few; those who truly love us are fewer still ( r 8). VERSE NOTES 3 . He pleads the urgency of his need; "full," lit. saturated. 4. He is regarded as a dying man; cf. Num. xvi. 3I-'33· 5. "slain," i.e. in battle, whose corpses were flung into a common, nameless grave. 6. (a) i.e. treated as though actually dead; "lowest pit "= nether world. 8. Acquaintance, i.e. familiar friends. Like Job, he seems to describe himself as a leper, Job xix. 21; xxxi. 34; or, as a hopeless prisoner, Job iii. 23; xiii. 27; xix. 8. 9. Sunken, lack-lustre eyes are a sure sign of suffering. 10. Br. "Wilt Thou do wonders for the dead? Shall the shades ... "; "shades"= the dead viewed as weak and nerveless ghosts. Remember that the viewpoint is that of an Israelite whose hopes are earthly not heavenly. II. To proclaim God's lovingkindness and faithfulness is ever the delight of God's people, xl. ro; xcii. 2. These two attributes are the keynote of the next psalm; (b) see margin; cf. Rev. ix. II (name of the angel of the abyss). 13. Br. "But as for me, unto Thee,Jehovah, have I cried for help." He contrasts himself with the dead-he, -at least, can still pray! While there is life there is hope. (b) the first thought of each day shall be prayer. 15. "I have borne Thy terrors (till) I am distracted." 16 ff. "The fiery streams of Thy wrath have gone over me; Thine alarms have made an end of me; They have surrounded me ... have compassed ... " 18. In this flood of calamity there was none to hold out a helping hand; (b) "My familiar friends are darkness," c£ Job xvii. 14. Note the three circles of companion ship, expressing three degrees of devotion and a ripening experience of intimacy ( a) acquaintance, (b) friend, (c) lover.
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