Psalms 109

Psalms 109:1

Smote - Them with the piles. Reproach - He caused them to perpetuate their own reproach by sending back the ark of God with their golden emrods, the lasting monuments of their shame.

Psalms 109:2

Refused - He would not have his ark to abide any longer in the tabernacle of Shiloh, which was in the tribe of Joseph or Ephraim.

Psalms 109:3

Chose - For the seat of the ark and of God’s worship.

Psalms 109:4

Sanctuary - The temple of Solomon. Palaces - Magnificent and gloriously. Established - Not now to be moved from place to place, as the tabernacle was, but as a fixed place for the ark’s perpetual residence.

Psalms 109:16

Prevent - Prevent our utter extirpation.

Psalms 109:19

The prisoner - Of thy poor people now in captivity.

Psalms 109:23

Joseph - The children of Joseph or Israel. The name of Joseph, the most eminent of the patriarchs, is elsewhere put for all the tribes. Cherubim - Which were by the mercy seat above the ark.

Psalms 109:24

Before Ephraim - Here is an allusion to the ancient situation of the tabernacle in the wilderness, where these tribes were placed on the west - side of the tabernacle, in which the ark was, which consequently was before them.

Psalms 109:25

Turn us - To thy self.

Psalms 109:31

Preparedst - Thou didst root out the idolatrous nations. Deep root - Thou gavest them a firm settlement.