---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 230 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/230/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 230. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/230/"
---

# 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.

## 230. Psalms · 37 of 57

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/230/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/230/#p-N

[¶0] 5. The writer resumes--

[¶1] This and that man--literally, "man and man," or many ([Ge 14:10]; [Ex 8:10], ), or all ([Is 44:5]; [Ga 3:28]).

[¶2] the highest ... her--God is her protector.

[¶3] 6. The same idea is set forth under the figure of a register made by God (compare [Is 4:3]).

[¶4] 7. As in a great procession of those thus written up, or registered, seeking Zion ([Is 2:3]; [Jr 50:5]), "the singers" and "players," or pipers, shall precede.

[¶5] all my springs--So each shall say, "All my sources of spiritual joy are in Thee" ([Psa 46:4]; ).

### Psalm 88

### Psa 88:1-18. Upon Mahalath--either an instrument, as a lute, to be used as an accompaniment (Leannoth, "for singing") or, as others think, an enigmatic title (see on Psa 5:1, Psa 22:1, and Psa 45:1, titles), denoting the subject--that is, "sickness or disease, for humbling," the idea of spiritual maladies being often represented by disease (compare Psa 6:5, 6; 22:14, 15, &c.). On the other terms, see on Psa 42:1 and Psa 32:1. Heman and Ethan (see on Psa 89:1, title) were David's singers (1Ch 6:18, 33; 15:17), of the family of Kohath. If the persons alluded to (1Ki 4:31; 1Ch 2:6), they were probably adopted into the tribe of Judah. Though called a song, which usually implies joy (Psa 83:1), both the style and matter of the Psalm are very despondent; yet the appeals to God evince faith, and we may suppose that the word "song" might be extended to such compositions

[¶8] 1-2. Compare on the terms used, [Psa 22:2]; .

[¶9] 3. grave--literally, "hell" ([Psa 16:10]), death in wide sense.

[¶10] 4. go ... pit--of destruction ([Psa 28:1]).

[¶11] as a man--literally, "a stout man," whose strength is utterly gone.

[¶12] 5. Free ... dead--Cut off from God's care, as are the slain, who, falling under His wrath, are left, no longer sustained by His hand.

[¶13] 6. Similar figures for distress in [Psa 63:9]; .

[¶14] 7. Compare [Psa 38:2], on first, and [Psa 42:7], on last clause.

[¶15] 8. Both cut off from sympathy and made hateful to friends ([Psa 31:11]).

[¶16] 9. Mine eye mourneth--literally, "decays," or fails, denoting exhaustion ([Psa 6:7]; ).

[¶17] I ... called--([Psa 86:5], ).

[¶18] stretched out--for help ([Psa 44:20]).

[¶19] 10. shall the dead--the remains of ghosts.

[¶20] arise--literally, "rise up," that is, as dead persons.

[¶21] 11-12. amplify the foregoing, the whole purport (as [Psa 6:5]) being to contrast death and life as seasons for praising God.

[¶22] 13. prevent--meet--that is, he will diligently come before God for help ([Psa 18:41]).

[¶23] 14. On the terms ([Psa 27:9]; ; ).

[¶24] 15. from ... youth up--all my life.

[¶25] 16-17. the extremes of anguish and despair are depicted.

[¶26] 18. into darkness--Better omit "into"--"mine acquaintances (are) darkness," the gloom of death, &c. ([Job 17:13], ).

### Psalm 89

### Psa 89:1-52. Of Ethan--(See on Psa 88:1, title). This Psalm was composed during some season of great national distress, perhaps Absalom's rebellion. It contrasts the promised prosperity and perpetuity of David's throne (with reference to the great promise of 2Sa 7:12-17), with a time when God appeared to have forgotten His covenant. The picture thus drawn may typify the promises and the adversities of Christ's kingdom, and the terms of confiding appeal to God provided appropriate prayers for the divine aid and promised blessing

[¶29] 1. mercies--those promised ([Is 55:3]; [Ac 13:34]), and--

[¶30] faithfulness--that is, in fulfilling them.

[¶31] 2. I have said--expressed, as well as felt, my convictions ([2Co 4:13]).

[¶32] 3-4. The object of this faith expressed in God's words ([2Sa 7:11-16]).

[¶33] with--or literally, "to"

[¶34] my chosen--as the covenant is in the form of a promise.

[¶35] 6-7. This is worthy of our belief, for His faithfulness (is praised) by the congregation of saints or holy ones; that is, angels (compare [De 33:2]; [Da 8:13]).

[¶36] sons of the mighty--(compare [Psa 29:1]). So is He to be admired on earth.

[¶37] 8-14. To illustrate His power and faithfulness examples are cited from history. His control of the sea (the most mighty and unstable object in nature), and of Egypt ([Psa 87:4]), the first great foe of Israel (subjected to utter helplessness from pride and insolence), are specimens. At the same time, the whole frame of nature founded and sustained by Him, Tabor and Hermon for "east and west," and "north and south," together representing the whole world, declare the same truth as to His attributes.

[¶38] 15. His government of righteousness is served by "mercy" and "truth" as ministers ([Psa 85:10-13]).

[¶39] know the joyful sound--understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts to which the people were called by the trumpet ([Le 25:9], &c.).

[¶40] walk ... countenance--live in His favor ([Psa 4:6]; ).

[¶41] 16-17. in--or, "by"

[¶42] thy righteousness--Thy faithful just rule.

[¶43] glory--or, "beauty."

[¶44] of their strength--They shall be adorned as well as protected.