I. THE INTRODUCTORY AVOWAL (1-4). The Psalmist's Confession. 1. Perpetual Praise (1). 2. Proclaimed Purpose (2-4). The Theme. Retrospection. Selah. (a) Divine Principles (2). (b) Divine Promises (3-4). II. THE INCOMPARABLE CREATOR {5-18). The Divine Character Extolled. 1. His Praise in the Heavens ·(5-7). Celestial Beings. (a) Its Rendition (5). (b) Its Reason {6-7). - His Power in Nature and History {8-14). 3. His Praise in the Earth (15-18). Terrestrial Beings. (a) Its Rendition (15-16). (b) Its Reason (17-18). III. THE INVIOLABLE COMPACT (19-37). The Davidic Covenant Elaborated. 1. Promises concerning David's Self (19-27). (c£ 2). Faithfulness and Lovingkindness. 2. Permanence of the Covenant (28). (see verse 3). 3. Promise concerning David's Seed (29-32). (see verse 4). 4. Promises concerning David's Self (33). (see verse 2). 5. Permanance of the Covenant (34-35). (see verse 3). 6. Promises concerning David's Seed (36-37). (see verse 4). Selah. IV. THE INCOMPATIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES (38-45). The Distressful Contrast Emphasised. Protests of the Psalmist on Present Plight. I. Rejected by God (38-40). "Thou" repeated. 2. Reproached by Men (41). "All." 3. Rejected by God (42-45). "Thou" repeated. Selah. V. THE IMPASSIONED APPEAL (46-52). The Psalmist's Cry. 1. Powerful Pleas (46-51 ). The Throb. Expostulation. (a) Plaint (46). (b) Plea (47-48). "Remember" my frailty. Selah. (c) Plaint (49). (d) Plea (50-51). "Remember" my reproach. 2. Perpetual Praise (52). Doxology to Psalm and to Book III. SUPERSCRIPT.-Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. PRIMA,RY AssocIATION.-Ethan's other name was Jeduthun,, see r Chron. xxv. and xvi. 41-42. He was one of Solomon's wisest co.unsellors ( I Kings iv. 3 I) and 1nust have known the divine declara-
tion recorded 1 Kings xi. 9-13. This would come as a shock to all who had.rejoiced in the covenant which God had made with David, 2 Sam. vii. With that covenant in mind Ethan here utters his impassioned acknowledgment and appeal to Jehovah. It is possible that Ethan outlived Solomon and saw the break-up of the kingdom. See also notes to Ps. lxxxviii. In light of vv. 38-45 some think the psalm must have been written at a date just prior to the Babylonian captivity by a poet of the same name. It is true that the last kings of the Davidic line were cut off or deposed in early life but this divine judgment was doubtless foreseen by the psalmist-prophet. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-The eventual restoration of Israel is seen to rest upon Jehovah's faithfulness to His covenant with David. Because of national apostasy, consistency with the divine character of absolute holiness demands chastisement upon God's people and their genuine repentance before the terms of. the covenant can be fulfilled. Elsewhere we have seen that expiation of sin by Messiah was necessary before God could righteously redeem His promises. The last section anticipates the events referred to in Rom. xi. 1-2, 11-15, which cuhninate in the "time ofJacob's trouble" immediately preceding the coming of the Deliverer out of Zion. At that point the godly remnant will undoubte_dly take up and plead with God the words which the Spirit has prepared for them in this and in other psalms. The full answer to the final appeal is given in the Fourth Book. Only in Christ is much that is here recorded ful£illed, e.g. verses 19, 26, 27, 28, 36. The covenant referred to is a covenant of grace ratified by His precious blood. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Note the two keywords "faithfulness" -and "lovingkindness," both occurring seven times, though variously translated, 1, 2, 14, 24, 28, 33, and 49. Lovingkindness is connected with Jehovah's character, faithfulness with Jehovah's covenant. These are excellent themes for grateful and perpetual song. Both are related to performance in the past and to promise for the future. With the faithfulness of the living God contrast the futility of pagan gods, 1 Kings xviii. 27; cf. 1 Peter iv. 17. Jehovah Himself is the source and the subject of His people's joy (16). Sin brings chastise ment but cannot annul the promise (30 ff). Paternal relation involves the duty of discipline, Prov. xxiii. 13 ff; Heb. xii. Men may violate God's laws, but He will never violate His covenant (34). "God works on a bigger scale than one man's lifetime (47)."
AN AL YTtCAt StUDlES lN tH'.E PSALMS VERSE NOTES 1. (b) i.e. aloud and publicly. 2. Words of Ethan reminding Jehovah of His promise; note same verbs occur in 4. LXX and other ancient versions read," For Thou hast said ... (Thy faithful ness shalt Thou establish in the very heavens). Thou saidst, 'I have made ... "' 3-4. Summary of the promise to David and his seed; "David" may be regarded as a dynastic name. 6. Jehovah is unique among celestial beings. 8. His power and faithfulness are pledge of performance. 9-10. Pronouns emphatic; "pride" = proud swelling. The sea represents the most turbulent and formidable powers of nature, and is emblematic of the nations. At the Red Sea, God proved His sovereignty over both. "Rahab" (pride)= Egypt. II. "Thine ... Thine ... Thou" all emph. 13. Lit. "Thine (emph.) is an arm with might ... "; arm and hand denote the exercise of power not merely its possession. 14. Righteousness is the principle of justice; judgment is the application of it, the basis of all true govemment; (b) hr. " ... shall attend Thy presence." These attributes are personified as attendants to do God's bidding rather than as couriers to run before. 15. Note margin; Lev. xxiii. 24; Num. xxix. I. The trumpet sound was the signal which called Israel in the wilderness to attention, and especially on solemn occasions; perhaps a hint here of the events recorded 2 Chron. xxxv. 1, 15, 18. 18. "shield," metaphor for the king as protector of the people. 19. "Then," i.e. the well-known occasion referred to.in 3; "have laid," i.e. conferred help (as a gift) = endued him with power to help his people as well as him th ffi th " £ S " h "c£ Kin ass1gnmg e o ce; one. at ... , c . 2 am .. xvn. 10; c osen . 1 gs viii. 16. 23. "And," hr. But. 24. "But," br. And,. 25. C£ Pss. lxxii. 8; lxxx. II. 26. "My Father ... My God (El)," c£ John xx. 17, of Messiah. The Son acknowledges the Father (26); the father honours the Son (27-28). 27. "I also" corresponds to the " He" in 26; David's posterity included in his person; points to fulfilment in Messiah; c£ Rev. i. 5; hr. "appoint him as firstborn, Most high above ... " 30 ff. "children," lit. sons; c£ 1 Kings ix. 6-7. 32. transgression = revo t. 33. Br. "But ... not break off from him. Neither be false to My faithfulness," 2 Sam. vii. 15. 34. s.H. verb in 3 I. "O " ' r all 35. nee . . . 1.e. once ror 37. "faithful witness," prim. ref. to the sun according to the Heb. parallelism, but symbolic, (a) ofGod,Jer. xiii. 5;Job xvi. 19, Rom. iii. 3-He attests His own oath; (b) of Christ, Rev. r. 5; Rev. iii. 14.
38 ff. 'J'he present realities seem to be in appalling contrast to the terms of the covenant. Sin came in to interrupt and delay the promised blessing, cf. I Kings. xi. II-IJ, 38. "Thou" (emph.) ... "; the audacity of this expostulation is the boldness of faith not of irreverence. 39. "abhorred,, =disowned. 40. The king is identified with the'nation whose representative he was; "hedges" = fences, lxxx. I2. 4r. "neighbours," i.e. surrounding states once tributary to Israel. 42. Malignant delight of the foes aggravates the bitterness of Israel's adversity. 43. I.e had to give way in battle. 44. "Brightness," i.e. the lustre of the.kingdom. cc th" 45. you = prllne. 47. The psalmist desires to see the fulfilment of the promises in his own lifetime. 8 "Ii " Ii dix X 4 . ve = ve on; man, =strong man, see ppen 49. The prayer resumed, cf. I ; returning to the thoughts first expressed. 50. (b) br. as margin; re£ to Israel's enemies, cf. 2 Kings xxiv. 2; ellipsis hr. "that of." 5r. (b) I.e. like a rabble hooting and insulting him wherever he goes. It is interesting to note that the Jewish Targuni interprets the words of the delay of Messiah's advent, cf. 2 Peter iii. 3-4.
Book Four. Israel's Relapse and Recovery: xc.-cvi. This book shows Jehovah renewing His relationship with His ancient people. Israel is the representative nation. In her national history is mirrored the story of man in general. The future blessing of the world under Messiah's righteous rule is bound up with the restoration of Israel to her true position at the head of the nations. In this "Numbers" Book we find many references to the wilderness wanderings of Israel, and figures usec:l (hills, floods, grass, etc.) are mostly those suggesting the earth. Four is the "earth" symbol. For further notes see Introduction. I. RECOGNITION OF COVENANT RELATIONSHIP. The Redeemer's Person, xc.-xciii. Rest for the Earth desired. r. Contrasted Characters, xc.-xci. Man and Messiah. 2. Consequent Celebration, xcii.-xciii. II. REVELATION OF COVENANT RELATIONSHIP. The Redeemer's Presence, xciv.-c. Rest for the Earth anticipated. I. Appeal for the Advent, xciv. 2. Anthems of the Advent, xcv.-c. III. REJOICING IN COVENANT RELATIONSHIP. The Redeemer's Praise, ci.-cvi. Rest for the Earth enjoyed. I. Essential Preparation, ci.-cii. (a) The King's Purpose, ci. (b) The King's Passion, cii. 2. Ensuing Praise, ciii.-cvi. The Nation's Retrospect. Book Four. I. Recognition of Covenant Relationship. The Redeemer's Person: xc.-xciii. I. Contrasted Characters, xc.-xci. Man and Messiah.
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