Psalms 29
DOYLYVer. 1. — them that go down into the pit.] Those that are abandoned to destruction. Bp. Patrick.
Ver. 2. — worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.] In other words, Worship ye the Lord in that beautiful and glorious sanctuary, where He exhibits his presence to his people. Bp. Hall. See the margin.
Psalms 29:3
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Draw me not away with the wicked.] Cast me not off with them. Bp. Wilson.
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The voice of the Lord is upon the waters:] That is, the thunder, called here the voice of the Lord, is upon the waters, collected in the clouds. Green.
Psalms 29:4
4, 5. Give them according &c.] In these verses, as indeed in most of the imprecatory passages, the imperative and the future tenaces are used promiscuously: “Give them—render them—he shall destroy them.” If therefore the verbs in all such passages were uniformly rendered in the future, every objection against the Scripture imprecations would vanish at once, and they would appear clearly to be what they are; namely, prophecies of the Divine judgments, which were afterwards to take place. Bp. Horne.
Psalms 29:5
- — the cedars of Lebanon, See note at 1 Kings v. 6. 6. He maketh them also to skip &c.] This description is figurative and poetical. The figures are rather too strong for a modern language; but they are agreeable to that of the Hebrews, in which they have a singular beauty. Calmet.
Psalms 29:7
- — the flames of fire.] That is, the flashes of lightning. Mudge.
Psalms 29:8
- The Lord is their strength, &c.] It is the Lord who gives courage and strength to his servants, and protects him whom He hath appointed king over his people. Bp. Patrick.
A prayer collected out of the above Psalm: O heavenly Father, we humbly beseech thy goodness, when we cry unto Thee, to hear our supplications; for if Thou turn away thine ear, and neglect to give us audience in these our pressures and afflictions, the men of thy hand will prevail against us, and bring down our life into the pit. We acknowledge before Thee that our