Bible Commentaries

Psalms 104:2 — Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment - Referring to the first work of creation Genesis 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.” He seemed to put on light as a garment; he himself appeared as if invested with light. It was the first “manifestation” of God. He seemed at once to have put on light as his robe.Who stretchest

Psalms 104:4 — and storm - to go on errands such as he commands; to fulfill his plans; to do his bidding. For the application of this to the angels, and as employed by the apostle Paul to prove the inferiority of the angels to the Messiah, see the notes at Hebrews 1:7.

Psalms 105:8 — He hath remembered his covenant forever - That is, God has had it constantly in remembrance, or always. Compare the notes at Luke 1:72. Though the covenant was made long since; though many generations of people have passed by; though great changes have occurred; though many calamities have come upon the nations, yet his ancient covenant and promise have never been forgotten. All

Psalms 107:10 — Such as sit in darkness - The reference in these verses Psalms 107:10-14 is evidently to the children of Israel, when in Babylon; and the design is, to show the goodness of God to them in their trouble, and the occasion which they had for praising him on that account. To “sit in darkness” is significant of great

Psalms 107:26 — They mount up to the heaven - The mariners. That it refers to the seamen, and not to the waves, is apparent from the close of the verse: “their soul is melted.”They go down again to the depths - The word here is different from that used in Psalms 107:24, and rendered “deep,” but the idea is essentially the same. It is the sea or ocean considered as “deep;” as bottomless. The idea here is, that they seem to descend into the very depths of the ocean.Their soul is melted because of trouble - It seems

Psalms 112:3 — constitute wealth - variety of garments, articles of furniture, etc. This promise is of the same nature as that of the previous verse. It pertains to a general truth in regard to the influence of religion in promoting prosperity. Compare the notes at 1 Timothy 4:8.And his righteousness endureth for ever - That is, The effects of it shall be transmitted from age to age in the prosperity, the respectability, the wealth, the happiness of his descendants. It travels on from age to age, and blesses distant

Psalms 113:5 — Who is like unto the Lord our God? - Who can be compared with Yahweh our God? See the notes at Isaiah 40:17-25. The meaning is, that no creature - no idol - can be compared with Yahweh. The remark here has special reference to his attributes as immediately specified - his humbling himself to behold the things in heaven and in earth; his raising up the poor,

Psalms 115:1 — and the language at the same time expresses a hope of the divine interposition, and a feeling that the praise of such interposition would belong wholly to God. The phrase “give glory” means, give all the honor and praise. See the notes at Psalms 29:1-2.For thy mercy - The mercy or the favor which we seek and look for - thy gracious help in the time of trouble.And for thy truth’s sake - Thy faithfulness to thy promises; thy faithfulness to thy people. The psalmist anticipated this manifestation of

Psalms 116:1 — felt in his soul. The main reason for loving God is his own excellency of nature; but still there are other reasons for doing it, and among them are the benefits which he has conferred on us, and which awaken the love of gratitude. Compare the notes at 1 John 4:19.

Psalms 119:109 — life - was always in jeopardy. The expression seems to be proverbial. Anything taken in the hand is liable to be rudely snatched away. Thus a casket of jewels, or a purse of gold in the hand, may at any moment be seized by robbers. See the notes at Job 13:14. Compare 1 Samuel 19:5; Judges 12:3. The meaning here is, that his life was constantly in danger.Yet do I not forget thy law - Notwithstanding the danger to which I am exposed, and the care necessary to defend my life, I do not allow my mind to

Psalms 119:111 — law of God was to him as such a possession. He regarded it as one does a rich inheritance. He chose it as his portion above all things else.For they are the rejoicing of my heart - My happiness is in them. I find constant comfort in them. See Psalms 119:77, Psalms 119:92. Compare the notes at Psalms 1:2.

Psalms 119:97 — wonder that he loves it at all; all who are truly religious ought to be so filled with love to it, that it will be difficult for them to find words to express the intensity of their affection.It is my meditation all the day - See the notes at Psalms 1:2.

Psalms 124:8 — Our help is in the name of the Lord - In the Lord; in the great Yahweh. See Psalms 121:2.Who made heaven and earth - The great Creator; the true God. Our deliverances have led us up to him. They are such as can be ascribed to him alone. They could not have come from ourselves; from our fellow-men; from angels; from any or all created

Psalms 141:2 — fit; to establish; to make firm. The psalmist desires that his prayer should not be like that which is feeble, languishing, easily dissipated, but that it should be like that which is firm and secure.As incense - See the notes and illustrations at Luke 1:9-10. Let my prayer come before thee in such a manner as incense does when it is offered in worship; in a manner of which the ascending of incense is a suitable emblem. See the notes at Revelation 5:8; notes at Revelation 8:3.And the lifting up of my

Psalms 142:5 — when I looked on every hand and there was no “man” that would undertake for me.I said, Thou art my refuge - (a) My “only” refuge. I can go nowhere else.(b) Thou art “in fact” my refuge. I can and do put my trust in thee. See the notes at Psalms 46:1.And my portion - See the notes at Psalms 16:5.In the land of the living - Among all those that live - all living beings. There is no one else among the living to whom I can come but to thee, the living God. My hope is not in human beings, for they are

Psalms 145:21 — strong than that God should be praised, adored, honored by all intelligent creatures; that he should be known and acknowledged in all the earth as the true God; that his praise should ascend from all parts of the universe forever. See the notes at Psalms 100:1-5.

Psalms 76:12 — allusion is to what he had done as celebrated in this psalm. He had shown that he could rebuke the pride and self-confidence of kings, and could bring them low at his feet.He is terrible to the kings of the earth - When they are arrayed against him.(1) they are wholly under his control.(2) he can defeat their plans.(3) he can check them when he pleases.(4) he can, and will, make their plans - even their wrath - the means of promoting or carrying out his own purposes.(5) he will allow them to proceed

Psalms 79:13 — So we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture - See the notes at Psalms 74:1.Will give thee thanks for ever - Will praise thee always; will acknowledge thee as our God, and will evermore render thee thanksgiving.We will shew forth thy praise to all generations - Margin, as in Hebrew, to generation and generation. That is, We

Psalms 92:6 — exalted idea of the greatness of God. As a matter of fact there are many in human form - many made in the image of God - who seem to have no more notion of God, and who see no more wisdom and goodness in his works, than the horse or the ox. Compare Isaiah 1:3.Neither doth a fool understand this - A fool, in the sense that he has been made foolish and stupid by sin; that he does not worship and honor God. He has no right understanding in regard to the Maker and the Governor of the universe.

Psalms 98:1 — O sing unto the Lord a new song - Compare Psalms 33:3; Psalms 96:1. “For he hath done marvelous things.” Things suited to excite wonder, or to fill the mind with astonishment. See Psalms 77:14; Psalms 86:10.His right hand - The instrument by which we execute any purpose. Compare Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5.And his holy