성경 주석서

« To the chief Musician upon Gittith, [A Psalm] of Asaph. » Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

Upon Gittith — An instrument brought from Gath, or used by Obed Edom, the Gittite; or a psalm to be sung at the vintages, i.e. at the Feast of Tabernacles. It containeth a solemn thanksgiving (for which cause also that feast was instituted), with so great joy, that Plutarch took occasion therehence to write, but falsely, that the Jews did then keep a feast, or holy day, to Bacchus, ωσχοφορια .

Sing aloud unto God — Be loud and large in his praises, set them forth cheerfully and courageously. God loveth zeal in all his services, In symposio gaudium cantu accendite.

return to '

Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

Bring hither the timbrel — These instruments then used in God s service (as a part of the Jewish pedagogy) were types of that spiritual joy which we should express in holy duties, no less than if we heard the most exquisite music. There should be continual music (habitual joy) in the temple of the Holy Ghost.

return to '

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon — And the like at other solemn feasts, three whereof (all in the seventh month to be kept) Beza thinketh to be here plainly and distinctly noted. These feasts were a shadow of things to come, but the body is in Christ, Colossians 2:16-17 .

return to '

For this [was] a statute for Israel, [and] a law of the God of Jacob.

For this was a statute — The keeping of it therefore is not arbitrary, but necessary: Aut faciendum aut patiendum.

And a law — Which was to be kept as the apple of the eye, Proverbs 7:2 .

return to '

This he ordained in Joseph [for] a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: [where] I heard a language [that] I understood not.

This he ordained in Joseph — Put for all Israel, as Psalms 80:1 , though the Chaldee understandeth it of Joseph in person, and the next words of his going through the land of Egypt to gather corn in the seven plentiful years, and that at his first coming into Egypt he understood not their language.

When I heard a language — Idolatrous language, say some, contrary to the language of Canaan: this God knew not, that is, liked not, Isaiah 19:18 ; or, rather a strange foreign language, which is no small grievance, Jeremiah 5:15 Ezekiel 2:6 1 Corinthians 14:11 , to those especially who understand no otherwise than by blows, as beasts do men.

return to '

I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

I removed his shoulder from the burden — From the woeful slavery of Egyptian tyrants and task masters, Sordidissimo ministerio.

His hands passed away from the pots — Or baskets, wherein was carried earth for brick clamping and pot making, …, whereunto they were so close tied that they might not stir a foot from their daily work, till God delivered them. Some say that the pyramids were built by them.

return to '

Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

Thou calledst in trouble — Their trouble called, though themselves had been silent. I have seen, I have seen the afflictions of my people, …, but they cried to the Lord at the Red Sea, Exodus 14:10 ; Exodus 14:15 , and were delivered.

I answered thee in the secret place of thunder — i.e. In the pillar of cloud that stood between the two armies, and thundered against the Egyptians, Exodus 14:24 ; confer Lamentations 3:44 .

I proved thee at the waters of Meribah — When thou hadst but newly foot out of snare, and yet there and then thou showedst thyself. O thine ungratefulness, … This hath been thy manner from thy youth.

return to '

Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

Hear, O my people, … — Notwithstanding thy many and mighty provocations at Meribah and elsewhere, I made a covenant with thee at Mount Sinai, and gave thee right judgments and true laws, good statutes and commandments, Nehemiah 9:13 .

return to '