Psalms 8
DOYLYVer. 2. Lest he tear &c.] Lest mine enemy tear, &c. Green.
Psalms 8:3
- — done this:] With which I am falsely charged. Bp. Wilson.
Psalms 8:4
- If I have rewarded &c.] David probably alludes to the circumstance of Saul’s life having been twice preserved by him, when he had been pressed by his attendants to embrace the opportunity of taking it away. See 1 Sam. xxiv. and xxvi. Bp. Horne.
Psalms 8:6
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— awake for me to the judgment &c.] Inflict that punishment upon mine enemies which Thou hast commanded should be inflicted upon malicious oppressors and persecutors. Dr. Clarke.
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So shall the congregation—compass thee about: So, by seeing justice done to me through thy special Providence, shall the congregation of the people be induced to resort unto Thee to do them justice. Dr. Wells. “Compass thee about” with praises for thy goodness to me, and for the manifold blessings they shall enjoy under my government. S. Clarke.
— return thou on high.] When God seems to take no notice of the transgressions of men, it is as if He descended from the place of his power and from his judgment-seat; but when He visits and judges their iniquities, He seems to elevate Himself on high, or to return to his judgment-seat. Edwards.
Psalms 8:9
- — trieth the hearts and reins.] That is, knoweth intimately the very thoughts and desires of all men. Bp. Horne.
Psalms 8:11
- God judgeth the righteous.] The meaning is, God will maintain the cause of the righteous. Dr. Wells.
Psalms 8:12
- If he turn not, he will whet &c.] If the wicked will not repent, God will whet &c. Dr. Wells. “Whet his sword,” prepare and speedily execute his judgments upon him. S. Clarke.
Psalms 8:14
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Behold, he travaileth &c.] See the folly of these wicked plots and contrivances against my life, which shall all miscarry, and deceive the expectation of this wicked slanderer. Travell.
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He made a pit. This alludes to the method of catching wild beasts in pits covered over slightly with reeds or small branches of trees. Dr. Shaw.
We learn from this Psalm, that the wickedness of the ungodly shall come to an end; that God lets them alone, and bears with them for a tune; but if they persist in their wickedness, He prepares for them the punishments they deserve, and will make the evil which they design for others fall upon their own heads. These are powerful motives to induce us to adore the justice of God; to improve by his forbearance and longsuffering; and to avoid every thing that may expose us to his vengeance. Ostervald.
Psalm VIII. The scope and meaning of this Psalm seems plainly to be this: to display and celebrate the great love of God to man, not only in his creation, but especially in his redemption by Jesus Christ; whom, as He was man, He advanced to the honour and dominion here mentioned, that He might carry on that great and glorious work. Thus Christ is the principal subject of this Psalm, of whom it is interpreted, both by Christ Himself, Matt. xxi. 16, and by his holy Apostle, 1 Cor. xv. 27; Hebr. ii. 6, 7. Poole.
In a prophetic sense, it is understood of Christ’s victory over Satan. Reeves.
This Psalm is suited to the service of the Ascension-day, when we commemorate so signal a proof of the Divine love, as the exaltation of our nature, in the second Adam, to the right hand of the Majesty on high. Travell.