--- title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible" author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 210 of 927 url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/210/ cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 210. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/210/" --- # Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible *Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown* The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation. ## 210. Psalms · 17 of 57 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/210/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/210/#p-N [¶0] 35-36. of which a picture is given, under the figure of a flourishing tree (compare Margin), which soon withers. [¶1] 37. By "the end" is meant reward ([Pr 23:18]; ), or expectation of success, as in [Psa 37:38], which describes the end of the wicked in contrast, and that is cut off (compare [Psa 73:17]). [¶2] 38. together--at once; entirely ([Psa 4:8]). [¶3] 39-40. strength--([Psa 27:1]; ). [¶4] trouble--straits ([Psa 9:9]; ). In trust and quietness is the salvation of the pious from all foes and all their devices. ### Psalm 38 ### Psa 38:1-22. To bring to remembrance, or, remind God of His mercy and himself of his sin. Appealing to God for relief from His heavy chastisement, the Psalmist avows his integrity before men, complains of the defection of friends and persecution of enemies, and in a submissive spirit, casting himself on God, with penitent confession he pleads God's covenant relation and his innocence of the charges of his enemies, and prays for divine comfort and help [¶7] 1-4. He deprecates deserved punishment, which is described ([Psa 6:1]), under the figure of bodily disease [Psa 38:3]. [¶8] 5-8. The loathsomeness, corruption, and wasting torture of severe physical disease set forth his mental anguish [Psa 38:6]. It is possible some bodily disease was connected. The [¶9] loins are the seat of strength. His exhaustion left him only the power to groan [Psa 38:9]. [¶10] 9. That God can hear ([Ro 8:26]). [¶11] 10. My heart panteth--as if barely surviving. [¶12] light ... from me--utter exhaustion ([Psa 6:7]; ). [¶13] 11-12. Friends desert, but foes increase in malignity. [¶14] 13-14. He patiently submits, uttering no reproaches or replies ([Joh 19:9]) to their insulting speeches; [¶15] 15-17. for he is confident the [¶16] Lord--literally, "Sovereign" (to whom he was a servant), would answer his prayer ([Psa 3:4]; ), and not permit their triumph in his partial halting, of which he was in danger. [¶17] 18. Consciousness of sin makes suffering pungent, and suffering, rightly received, leads to confession. [¶18] 19-20. Still, while humbled before God, he is the victim of deadly enemies, full of malice and treachery. [¶19] enemies are lively--literally, "of life," who would take my life, that is, deadly. [¶20] 21-22. (Compare [Psa 22:19]; ). All terms of frequent use. In this Psalm the language is generally susceptible of application to Christ as a sufferer, David, as such, typifying Him. This does not require us to apply the confessions of sin, but only the pains or penalties which He bore for us. ### Psalm 39 ### Psa 39:1-13. To Jeduthun (1Ch 16:41, 42), one of the chief singers. His name mentioned, perhaps, as a special honor. Under depressing views of his frailty and the prosperity of the wicked, the Psalmist, tempted to murmur, checks the expression of his feelings, till, led to regard his case aright, he prays for a proper view of his condition and for the divine compassion [¶23] 1. I said--or, "resolved." [¶24] will take heed--watch. [¶25] ways--conduct, of which the use of the tongue is a part ([Jas 1:26]). [¶26] bridle--literally, "muzzle for my mouth" (compare [De 25:4]). [¶27] while ... before me--in beholding their prosperity ([Psa 37:10], ). [¶28] 2. even from good--([Ge 31:24]), everything. [¶29] 3. His emotions, as a smothered flame, burst forth. [¶30] 4-7. Some take these words as those of fretting, but they are not essentially such. The tinge of discontent arises from the character of his suppressed emotions. But, addressing God, they are softened and subdued. [¶31] make me to know mine end--experimentally appreciate. [¶32] how frail I am--literally, "when I shall cease." [¶33] 8-10. Patiently submissive, he prays for the removal of his chastisement, and that he may not be a reproach. [¶34] 11. From his own case, he argues to that of all, that the destruction of man's enjoyments is ascribable to sin. [¶35] 12-13. Consonant with the tenor of the Psalm, he prays for God's compassionate regard to him as a stranger here; and that, as such was the condition of his fathers, so, like them, he may be cheered instead of being bound under wrath and chastened in displeasure. ### Psalm 40 ### Psa 40:1-17. In this Psalm a celebration of God's deliverance is followed by a profession of devotion to His service. Then follows a prayer for relief from imminent dangers, involving the overthrow of enemies and the rejoicing of sympathizing friends. In He 10:5, &c., Paul quotes Psa 40:6-8 as the words of Christ, offering Himself as a better sacrifice. Some suppose Paul thus accommodated David's words to express Christ's sentiments. But the value of his quotation would be thus destroyed, as it would have no force in his argument, unless regarded by his readers as the original sense of the passage in the Old Testament. Others suppose the Psalm describes David's feelings in suffering and joy; but the language quoted by Paul, in the sense given by him, could not apply to David in any of his relations, for as a type the language is not adapted to describe any event or condition of David's career, and as an individual representing the pious generally, neither he nor they could properly use it (see on Psa 40:7, below). The Psalm must be taken then, as the sixteenth, to express the feelings of Christ's human nature. The difficulties pertinent to this view will be considered as they occur [¶38] 1-3. The figures for deep distress are illustrated in Jeremiah's history ([Jr 38:6-12]). Patience and trust manifested in distress, deliverance in answer to prayer, and the blessed effect of it in eliciting praise from God's true worshippers, teach us that Christ's suffering is our example, and His deliverance our encouragement ([He 5:7], ; ; [1Pe 4:12-16]). [¶39] inclined--(the ear, [Psa 17:6]), as if to catch the faintest sigh. [¶40] 4. Blessed--([Psa 1:1]; 2:12). [¶41] respecteth--literally, "turns towards," as an object of confidence. [¶42] turn aside--from true God and His law to falsehood in worship and conduct. [¶43] 5. be reckoned up in order--(compare [Psa 5:3]; ; [Is 44:7]), too many to be set forth regularly. This is but one instance of many. The use of the plural accords with the union of Christ and His people. In suffering and triumph, they are one with Him. [¶44] 6-8. In Paul's view this passage has more meaning than the mere expression of grateful devotion to God's service. He represents Christ as declaring that the sacrifices, whether vegetable or animal, general or special expiatory offerings, would not avail to meet the demands of God's law, and that He had come to render the required satisfaction, which he states was effected by "the offering of the body of Christ" [He 10:10], for that is the "will of God" which Christ came to fulfil or do, in order to effect man's redemption. We thus see that the contrast to the unsatisfactory character assigned the Old Testament offerings in [Psa 40:6] is found in the compliance with God's law (compare [Psa 40:7], ). Of course, as Paul and other New Testament writers explain Christ's work, it consisted in more than being made under the law or obeying its precepts. It required an "obedience unto death" [Php 2:8], and that is the compliance here chiefly intended, and which makes the contrast with [Psa 40:6] clear.