1The Psalmist complaineth of the desolation of Jerusalem: 8he prayeth for deliverance, 13and promiseth thankfulness.
0A Psalm of 1Asaph.
1 See Psalm 50 in the title.
1O GOD, the heathen are come into thine 2inheritance; 3thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
2 Understand the land of Canaan, and more particularly Jerusalem. See Psalm 68 on verse 9.
3 Or, the temple of thy holiness.
24The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy 5saints unto the beasts of the earth.
4 Hebr. the dead body; as verse 11 of the prisoner, that is, of the prisoners, as frequently elsewhere.
5 See Psalm 4 on verse 3.
3Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.
4Wea are become a 6reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
a Psalm 44:13; 80:6.
6 See Psalm 80:6 and compare Psalm 137:7; Ezek. 35:2, 12, 13, 15.
5Howb long, 7LORD? wilt thou be angry 8for ever? shall thy 9jealousy burn like fire?
b Psalm 89:46.
7 Or, How long, LORD, wilt thou be wroth continually?
8 Of the word for ever see Psalm 13 on verse 1.
9 See Exod. 20 on verse 5.
610Pourc out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
10 As water, see Hosea 5:10, that is, let the punishments surprise them abundantly and powerfully. Compare Psalm 69:24; Isa. 42:25; Jer. 7:20; 10:25; Ezek. 7:8; 20:33, 34; Rev. 16:1, etc. What it is: have not known God, see Job 18 on verse 21; though here it has a special regard to the general idolatrous condition of the heathen in matters of religion, who neither knew, nor served God.
cJer. 10:25.
7For 11they have 12devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.
11 Hebr. he hath, etc., that is, every one of them has, etc.
12 Compare Deut. 7 on verse 16; Psalm 14 on verse 4.
8 Od remember not 13against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very 14low.
dIsa. 64:9.
13 Other, unto us. Compare Jer. 2:2 and see Jer. 31:34; Ezek. 18:22 and the contrary Jer. 14:10; Hosea 8:13; 9:9, and further, concerning the manner of speaking, Gen. 8 on verse 1. Or, the misdeeds of the former ones, that is, our forefathers.
14 Or, exhausted, consumed, become very small.
9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and 15purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.
15 Or, cover graciously. Compare Psalm 65 on verse 3.
10Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? 16let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.
16 Other, let the revenge of the shed blood by thy servants be known among the heathen before our eyes. Compare Deut. 32:42, 43; Jer. 51:36, 37.
11Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the 17greatness of thy power 18preserve thou those 19that are appointed to die;
17 That is, according to Thy great power and might. See Job 40 on verse 9; Psalm 77:15.
18 Let them be preserved or kept alive.
19 That is, those who are appointed or condemned to death, as evil doers. See 2 Sam. 12 on verse 5; Prov. 31 on verse 8.
12And render unto our neighbours 20sevenfold into their 21bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
20 See Gen. 4 on verse 15; Psalm 12 on verse 6.
21 That is, abundantly, and so that they may feel it and it may stick upon them. Also Isa. 65:7; Jer. 32:18; Luke 6:38.
13So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to 22all generations.
22 Hebr. in generation and generation.