mine ears hast thou opened--Whether allusion is made to the custom of boring a servant's ear, in token of voluntary and perpetual enslavement ([Ex 21:6]), or that the opening of the ear, as in [Is 48:8]; (though by a different word in Hebrew) denotes obedience by the common figure of hearing for obeying, it is evident that the clause is designed to express a devotion to God's will as avowed more fully in [Psa 40:8], and already explained. Paul, however, uses the words, "a body hast thou prepared me" [He 10:5], which are found in the Septuagint in the place of the words, "mine ears hast thou opened." He does not lay any stress on this clause, and his argument is complete without it. It is, perhaps, to be regarded rather as an interpretation or free translation by the Septuagint, than either an addition or attempt at verbal translation. The Septuagint translators may have had reference to Christ's vicarious sufferings as taught in other Scriptures, as in [Is 53:4-11]; at all events, the sense is substantially the same, as a body was essential to the required obedience (compare [Ro 7:4]; [1Pe 2:24]).
9-10. I have preached--literally, "announced good tidings." Christ's prophetical office is taught. He "preached" the great truths of God's government of sinners.
11. may be rendered as an assertion, that God will not withhold ([Psa 16:1]).
12. evils--inflicted by others.
iniquities--or penal afflictions, and sometimes calamities in the wide sense. This meaning of the word is very common ([Psa 31:11]; ; compare [Ge 4:13], Cain's punishment; [Ge 19:15], that of Sodom; [1Sa 28:10], of the witch of En-dor; also [2Sa 16:12]; [Job 19:29]; [Is 5:18]; ). This meaning of the word is also favored by the clause, "taken hold of me," which follows, which can be said appropriately of sufferings, but not of sins (compare [Job 27:20]; [Psa 69:24]). Thus, the difficulties in referring this Psalm to Christ, arising from the usual reading of this verse, are removed. Of the terrible afflictions, or sufferings, alluded to and endured for us, compare [Lu 22:39-44], and the narrative of the scenes of Calvary.
my heart faileth me--([Mt 26:38]), "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."
cannot look up--literally, "I cannot see," not denoting the depression of conscious guilt, as [Lu 18:13], but exhaustion from suffering, as dimness of eyes (compare [Psa 6:7]; ; ). The whole context thus sustains the sense assigned to iniquities.
13. (Compare [Psa 22:19]).
14-15. The language is not necessarily imprecatory, but rather a confident expectation ([Psa 5:11]), though the former sense is not inconsistent with Christ's prayer for the forgiveness of His murderers, inasmuch as their confusion and shame might be the very means to prepare them for humbly seeking forgiveness (compare [Ac 2:37]).
16. (Compare [Psa 35:27]).
love thy salvation--delight in its bestowal on others as well as themselves.
17. A summary of his condition and hopes.
thinketh upon--or provides for me. "He was heard," "when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears, unto Him that was able to save him from death" [He 5:7].
Psalm 41
Psa 41:1-13. The Psalmist celebrates the blessedness of those who compassionate the poor, conduct strongly contrasted with the spite of his enemies and neglect of his friends in his calamity. He prays for God's mercy in view of his ill desert, and, in confidence of relief, and that God will vindicate his cause, he closes with a doxology
1-3. God rewards kindness to the poor ([Pr 19:17]). From [Psa 41:2], it may be inferred that the Psalmist describes his own conduct.
poor--in person, position, and possessions.
4. I said--I asked the mercy I show.
heal my soul--(Compare [Psa 30:2]). "Sin and suffering are united," is one of the great teachings of the Psalms.
5-6. A graphic picture of the conduct of a malignant enemy.
7-8. So of others, all act alike.
9. mine ... friend--literally, "the man of my peace."
eat ... bread--who depended on me or was well treated by me.
hath lifted up heel--in scornful violence. As David and his fortunes typified Christ and His (compare Introduction), so these words expressed the treatment he received, and also that of his Son and Lord; hence, though not distinctly prophetical, our Saviour ([Joh 13:18]) applies them to Judas, "that the Scripture may be fulfilled." This last phrase has a wide use in the New Testament, and is not restricted to denote special prophecies.
10. A lawful punishment of criminals is not revenge, nor inconsistent with their final good (compare [Psa 40:14], ).
11-13. favourest--or tenderly lovest me ([Ge 34:19]), evinced by relief from his enemies, and, farther, God recognizes his innocence by upholding him.
Psalm 42
Psa 42:1-11. Maschil--(See on Psa 32:1, title). For, or of (see Introduction) the sons of Korah. The writer, perhaps one of this Levitical family of singers accompanying David in exile, mourns his absence from the sanctuary, a cause of grief aggravated by the taunts of enemies, and is comforted in hopes of relief. This course of thought is repeated with some variety of detail, but closing with the same refrain
1-2. Compare ([Psa 63:1]).
panteth--desires in a state of exhaustion.
3. Where is thy God?--implying that He had forsaken him (compare [2Sa 16:7]; [Psa 3:2]; ).
4. The verbs are properly rendered as futures, "I will remember," &c.,--that is, the recollection of this season of distress will give greater zest to the privileges of God's worship, when obtained.
5. Hence he chides his despondent soul, assuring himself of a time of joy.
help of his countenance--or, "face" (compare [Nu 6:25]; [Psa 4:6]; ).
6. Dejection again described.
therefore--that is, finding no comfort in myself, I turn to Thee, even in this distant "land of Jordan and the (mountains) Hermon, the country east of Jordan.
hill Mizar--as a name of a small hill contrasted with the mountains round about Jerusalem, perhaps denoted the contempt with which the place of exile was regarded.
7. The roar of successive billows, responding to that of floods of rain, represented the heavy waves of sorrow which overwhelmed him.
8. Still he relies on as constant a flow of divine mercy which will elicit his praise and encourage his prayer to God.
9-10. in view of which [Psa 42:8], he dictates to himself a prayer based on his distress, aggravated as it was by the cruel taunts and infidel suggestions of his foes.
11. This brings on a renewed self-chiding, and excites hopes of relief.
health--or help.
of my countenance--(compare [Psa 42:5]) who cheers me, driving away clouds of sorrow from my face.
my God--It is He of whose existence and favor my foes would have me doubt.