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OS/'
N O E
CRITICAL ^ NATORY
N
The Books of Pfahns and Proverbs;
INTENDED TO
CORRECT THE GRAMMATICAL ERRORS Of THE TEXl
FROM THE
COLLATIONS OF THE MSS. BY DR. KENNICOTT ON THE PSALiMS,
AND
BY HIM AND DE ROS3i ON THE PROVERBS ;
AND JO
RESTORE AND ELUCIDATE SOME CORRUPT AND OBSCURE PASSAGES,
B Y
COMPARING THE MSS. WITH THE ANTIENT VERSIONS,
PARALLEL PLACES OF SCRIPTURE,
THE
PROPOSED EMENDATIONS OF MANY ABLE CRITICS,
AND SUBMITTING SOME
Further ConjeSlural Readings to the Judgment of the Learned.
BY THE REV. H. DIMOCK, M. A.
RECTOR OF ST. EDMUND THE KING, AND ST. NICHOLAS ACONS, LONDON;
AND LATE OF PEMBROKE COLLEGE, OXFORD.
Non religiofi nnihi, fed fuperftitiofi videtur, velle illam ava/xa^TrxTiav tribuere exfcriptoribus
Judaeis, quam Novi Foederis exfcriptoribus Graecis, vel Latinis aflignare non audent.
Foffii Ifag. Chronol. Dijf. 5. <:. 5.
GLOCESTER:
PRINTED BV R. RAIKES.
ikd sold by j. r. and c. rivington, st. paul's churchyard, london; j. and j. fletchzk,
oxford; and ]. hough, GLOCESTER.
M OCC XCI,
-»»n;u;f!tt«"
.M .yLDOhlia .11 .73H EW
lom .Ta a>iA .oviix ;);, r a
./ (lul^bi/ iloi.iJ>jyjLj"l fas
B<
iii.
-
/ H 1^
^
J>vS77h
9
R E F A C E.
THAT the original text of the Bible, containing the Pentateuch,
the Hagiographa, and the Jiiajor and }ni7ior Prophets,^ is come down to
us as pure and corredt as it was at firft penned by its feveral authors, is
a point, which, though till of late years flrenuoufly defended, fcems now
to be given up. The collation of the MSS. by the late learned Dr. Ken-
nicott, to whom we are very highly indebted for that mofl: laborious and
ufeful work, has put the matter out of all difpute. For the fmallell va-
riation either by the change, addition, or defecft, of any one letter fuffi-
ciently invalidates the abfolute perfedlion of the whole ; and the number-
iefs various readings, which every where appear, fome of greater, others
of Icfs moment, efFedually overturn the long prevailing prejudice,, that
not the leaft alteration hath taken place.
It will fcarcely be denied that the Providence of God never works
miracles without the moft cogent reafons, but to maintain that it has in-
fallibly guided the hands of the feveral tranfcribers of the Hebrew Bible
from Ezra's, or Nehemiah's fettling the code of it to this prefcnt time,
is to fuppofe the mofl extraordinary miracle that ever was wrouo-ht,-f
which is ftill greater, if we agree with Prideaux, &c. as is mofl proba-
ble, that the canon of Scripture was completed by Simon the juji.%
* See Poole's Synops. on Luke xxiv. 44. f See Lowth's Pre). Diff. on Ifai,
p. 58. and Kennic. Gen. Diff, §. 7. % See Connefl. Vol. II, p, 816. and Ant, Univ.
im. Vol. X. p, 237.
Amongfl
Aniongft the feveral parts of H4 / Vvrit, thofe of the Pfalms, and
Proverbs feem to have fufferetl moft from the ignorance and negligence
of tranfcribers j for which fteibomius naturally accounts thus, ** cer-
tum Q^facros Libros omnibus feculis feparatim venditos fuifle, ut tenui-
oris fortunae homines PJalmos, Salomonis proverbia comparare fibi poflent.
Frequenti autem defcriptione Librariorum crevere errores, quos etiam
agnitos emendate plerunque noluerunt, ne codicis pretio ob lituras ali-
quid decederet. Omnium autem in manibus Pfalmi fuifle videntur ob
varia argumenta, quoe omni humanae vitae ftatui, et conditioni conveniunt.
Hinc corruptiffimum opus Pfalmi funt."* To reftore therefore thefe va-
luable parts of Scripture, which contain not only precepts of religious and
moral inflrudion, but predidlions of the mort: interefting nature to the
future good and happinefs of mankind,-}- from the feveral corruptions
they have undergone, and to bring them as near as poflible to their ori-
ginal perfedtion has been the employment of many learned perfons, par-
ticularly in this and the preceding century ; but after all their laborious
refearches, there feems to be a field ftill open to further emendations ; and
the collation of the MSS. has afforded ample matter for verbal as well
as literal corredlions ; and has recovered many readings of the greatefl
confequence. But even fuppofing that its ufe extended only to correifling
the grammatical errors of the text, furely tliis is a very valuable acqui-
fition ; it being at leaft as defirable a thing to have a complete edition of
the Hebrew Bible, as of the mofi: eminent Pagan authors. :{:
As the late learned Bifliop Lowth obferves in his Preliminary Difl*erta-
tion to his excellent Notes on Ifaiah, " the afilflance of manufcripts
and antient verfions united will be found very infufficient perfedly to
correifl the Hebrew text. Paflages will fometimes occur, in which nei-
ther the one, nor the other, will give any fatisfadtory fenfe, which
has been cccafioned probably by very antient miilakes of the copy,
antecedent to the date of the oldeft of them. On thefe occafiuns
* See alfo Hare's Proleg. p. 41. and Lowth's Prel. Diff. 'on Ifai. p. 58. \ See Luke
xxiv. 44. X See Lowth's Pr3ele«5l. 2d.
tranflators
V ]
tranflators are put to great ^piSTties, through which they force their
way as well as they can : they invent new meanings for words and
phrafes, and put us off either with what makes no fenfe at all, or with
a fenfe that apparently does not arife out of the words of the text. The
renderings of fuch defperate places, when they carry any fenfe with them,
are manifeftly conjedlural ; and full as much fo, as the conjedtures of the
critic, who hazards an alteration of the text itfelf. The faireft way of
proceeding in thefe cafes feems to be to confefs the difficulty, and to lay
it before the reader i and to leave it to his judgment to decide, whether
the conjedural rendering, or the conje(5tural emendation, be more agreea-
ble to the context, to the exigence of the place, to parallel and fimilar
pafTages, to the rules and genius of the language, and to the laws of
found and temperate criticifm." How far the propofed alterations in
the following work come under this defcription is fubmitted with all
deference to the decifion of the learned.
Indeed with refpedt to the poetical pQ.rts of the Bible, which are not in-
confiderable, fome aiTiftance may be had towards removing interpola-
tions, and fupplying defeds, by attending to their metrical compofition ;
for though it may not be poffible to afcertain the exadl number of feet,
and the quantity of each, the /even alphabetical Pfalms, and the four al^
phabetical chapters of the Lamentations of Jeremiah, may futficiently
prove that the lines confifted of a certain metre, and are ftrong fpeci-
mens of long and Jhort verfes ;* which amongft other ufes were proba-
bly intended to preferve, and convey down to future generations the
modification of the Hebrew poetry. The judicious Bp. Lowth remarks
alfo, '* that the lines of the three perfectly alphabetical poems -f- are
remarkably equal to one another in length, in the number of words
nearly, and probably in the number of Syllables." In fome of thefe com-
pofitions, the beginning of the verfes being preferved by the initial letter,
the apparent defe6t is in the end of the line, which is particularly
* See Lowth's Praeledl:. and Kennic. Collat. -)■ Pf. cxl. cxii. Lam. iii.
[ b ] difcernible
C vi X
difcernlble in Pf. cxix. and cxlv. And t». ^gh this circumftance of the
metrical ftrudure of the Pfalms, and other parts of the Bible, is not an
infallible guide to the corredion of the text, as Meibomius flattered
himfelf, and called it his Cynofura, yet that it may fometimes lead to the
difcovery of many unneceffary additions, and improper omiflions, can
fcarcely admit of a doubt. For as e'lghty^three MSS. fome of which are
of a very antient date, have the verfes of the Pfalms divided into He-
mifiichs, or into three lines, of nearly equal length,* when we fee a
chafm in one line, and a redundancy in another, though neither verlions,
nor MSS. affift in removing the exuberancy, or fupplying the defedl,
conjedtural criticifm may in fome meafure remedy both errors. The
authority of MSS. of at leaft 400 years ftanding feems to be a ftrong
prefumptive argument in favor of the metre of Dr. Kennicott's collation.
But if it fhould be thought that too much ftrefs has been laid on this
point in the courfe of the enfuing work, the Author hopes, that the fear
of dio'mg too little, may be an apology for having done too much; and
what is offered being merely by way of conje&ure, the reader is per-
fectly at liberty to admit, or rejedt, as he thinks fit.
Various have been the opinions with refpedl to the author, or authors
of the Pfalms. Chryfoftom and others have afcribed the whole of
them to David ;-{* but nothing can be clearer than that they were penned
by different perfons, on different occafions, and at different times jij: as the
fubjedl matter and titles of many of them may evince. Some indeed
have maintained that the titles were affixed to them by the authors
themfelves, or were at leaft added by Ezra, fo that they are authentic;
but though it may not be altogether conclufive that they are the authors
of the Pfalms, whofe titles they bear, they may be prefumed to be fo,
unlefs fufficient reafons can be given to the contrary. As it appears very
probable that though the 90th Pfalm is afcribed to Mojes, he was not the
* See Kennic. Collat. Pf, i. i. f See Poole. % See Hare's Prolegotn. and
Calmet's Didt.
author
L vii
vii ]
author of it.* And though t^cy^th Halm is by the title given to Afaph,
there may perhaps be reafon to fuppofe that David was the author of it
from the two firft verfes. There are twenty five which have no title
at all : fome of which were certainly compofed by David. See Matt,
xxii, 43. Adls ii. 25. iv. 25. It might be indeed fome gratification to
the minds of the curious to be able to afcertain the author of each
pfalm ; but it is a matter of no great importance ; for, as Theodoret ju-
dicioufly remarks, " quid mea refert, Davidis omnes, an illorum non-
nulli, fint, cum univerfos Sp. S. afflatu confcriptos fuifle compertura fit ?"-f-
And our bleffed Saviour himfelf has flamped the Pfalms with the fame
divine authority with which he has Mofes and the Frophets.\
They are ftiled ta*"?;!!! IflD, T^he Book of Pfalms, or Hymns, moft of
them being fongs of praife ; which is one argument that the divifion of
them into fve books is a matter of late invention, but a ftill ftronger
argument is, what Lorinus obferves, " receptus ab Ecclefia numerus
viginti duorum librorum tantum veteris teftamenti, juxta numerum li-
terarum alphabeti Hebraici." To which Chrifl: alfo bears teftimony, when
he calls it the Book of Pfalms ; which he would not probably have done,
had this divifion taken place before his time,§ Some have fuppofed that
David wrote 3,000 Pfalms, but as they refer to Chronicles, this feems
to be a mifiake arifing from Solomon's having compofed 3,000 Pro-
verbs, of which exprefs mention is made, 1 Kings iv. 32. but none of
the former; and the number of Pfalms received into the facred canon
has been 150. For though there is another extant in 6. Syr. Ar. &
^th. fuppofed to be written by David, according to the title, on his
vid:ory over Goliath, it has always been efteemed fpurious, except by
Athanafius, &c. See Kennicott's Gen. Difi*. Sedl. 18. 4.
That there is no particular order in the Pfalms feems very evident,
and the reafon afiigned by Lorinus for the prefent pofition of them from
* See Kepnjjc.. Gen. Difl", 80, 3, &c. f Sec Poole, f Luke xxiv. 44.
§ Luke XX. 42. aad Kenn. Gen. DilT. Cod. 41.
Philafter
Vlll
Philajler and others may be as goda~asli.->|^ " cum aliquoties perliffcHt
Pfalmi, ficut et alia^ Scripturas, potiflimum in captivitate Bahylonica, non
omnes ftatim recuperates ; prout autem recuperabantur, ita difpofitos
efle."* And as they are detached compofitions, and have feldom much
connedtion with each other, the prefent diftribution of them may be as
really ufeful, as if they flood in their proper order. But they may in ge-
neral be clafled under three heads, precatory, fenitentiaU and eucharijlical '.
and confidered in this light they are an excellent fyftem of thofe great
devotional duties. Prayer, ConfeJJion, and 'Thank/giving. In which laft
refpeft they have been more particularly ufed in the Chrijiian Church
from the very firft age of it j-f* and now make a very confiderable part
of our public worfliip. But they are equally adapted to the clofet and
the Church j and the moft illiterate Jinner may by a due ufe of them
pray with underftanding in private, as well as the moft enlightened faint
Jing with underftanding in the congregation.
The Pfalms of David, as they are generally called, are the moft va-
luable colledion of Lyric Odes now extant : " Carmen omnc cantioni
deftinatum, five afla voce five fidibus conjundlis canendum, Hebrasi "i'^,
Gra^ci j,^^i', appellant. — Et Odce origo ad ipfum poefeos initium recurrit,
quod cum religionis, hoc eft, cum ipfius humanse naturae ortu conjunc-
tum videtur."! It is plain, as fome learned authors have obferved,|| that
Lyric poetry was in its perfe(5tion among the Jews at the time of their
departure from Egypt, from that excellent poem, which Mofes com-
pofed immediately after their paflage through the Ked Sea, which was
upwards of 200 years before Orpheus. This fpecies of poetry has in-
deed this great advantage above all others, that the authors of it, being
* See Patrick alfo. f Ephef. v. 19. % Lowth's Prael. 3. Many Pfalms have "nOtO, fome-
trnies before, and fometimes after *'\i\i; ; whicK coming from 101, incidit, amputavit, " de-
notet carmen in breves fententias concifum, et ab omni verborum luxurie refe£him."
See Lowih. b'DJJ'D was another title of fome of the Pfalms. For which fee Pf. xxxii.
and xlvii. 8. H Ant. Univ. Hift. whence the foliowmg paragraph is chiefly taken.
divinely
[ ix ]
divinely infpired. feem to have confecrated it wholly to the honor of God,
and adapted it to the fervice of the Temple. And there is nothing fo
fweet, lb tender and pathetick, and at the fame time fo grand, (o ma-
jeftick, fo terrible, and fo harmonious, as the poetical part of the Bible,
to which all the heathen verfe is low and flat.
*' What their Mufic was, with which they ufed to accompany and en-
liven their poetical performances, we know little of but from conjedlure.
We have indeed nothing left of it, that can afllire us that it was equal
ta their poetry, and yet if we judge of the one from the other, and if
the moft elegant and harmonious words and phrafes corapofed upon the
fublimeft fubjedls could infpire a mufical perfon with a fuitable melody,
it will be abfurd to fuppofe their muflc to have been otherwife than
fweet, elegant, and beautifully varied, though attended with a noble gra-
vity anfwerable to the grandeur of the fubjedl and occafion. And if the
excellence of the Hebrew mufic may be inferred from its wonderful ef-
fects, fuch as we find it had upon Saul in his moft melancholy and dif-
traded moods *, and in calming the fouls of the prophets, and fitting
them for Divine Infpiration, we fhall be forced to own, that it was
equally, if not more, moving than any thing we have now. And in-
deed what wonder is it that it fhould have attained to fuch perfeftion, if
we confider the great diftance of time between its firft author Jubal, and
Mofes, and that from the time of the latter downwards it was in conftant
ufe, both in their worfhip, in their religious and civil feftivals, in their
publick and private rejoicings, and even in their mournings ?"-f- And fince
it is generally agreed that there is a very clofe connexion between Mu-
Jic, Poetry, and Prophejy, and the two latter amongft the Jews were un-
der the immediate diredlion and influence of the Holy Spirit, is there any
thing abfurd or extravagant in fuppofing that the invention of fome mufical
•instruments, and the improvement of others might be fuggefted by Divine
Infpiration ? Or that the Schools of th6 Prophets might be alfo fchools
* I Sam. xvi. 23. t Ant. Univ. Hift.
[ c ] of
C X ]
of Muftc, as mufic had fo confiderable a fliare in the religious worftjip
of the Jews !* We know too that the Grecians afcribed the invention
of moft, if not all, miifical inftruments to the Gods. But what improve-
ment it received in David's time may be eafily gueffed, if we confider
the great encouragements that Monarch gave it : he was a good Mujiciant
as well as an excellent Foet, and devoted 4,000 Levites to that province,
under the tuition of 288 excellent mafters, with Afaph, Heman, and
Jeduthun at their head.-f The Rabbins reckon to the number of
34 mufical inftruments, by taking the titles of feveral pfalms, fuch as
Michtam, Szc. for particular inftruments. But, fetting thefe afide, there
will be ftill a great number of different forts left. Thefe were of three
kinds, namely, i. w/Winftruments, fuch as the feveral forts oi flutes, and
trumpets; 2. Jlringed inftruments, of this kind were the Harp, Lute, in-
ftruments of three, eight, and te7i firings ;| and 3. fuch as were beaten
by the hand, or with a flick as the Tabor, Drum, and fuch like.
Thofe which were n.ofl in ufe amongfl the Jews are probably
mentioned in pfalm cl. and according to Muis, (See Poole) they
feem to have been ten in number, and upon this fuppofition I have ven-
tured to confider VpD as a mufical inflrument (mention being made of it
as fuch Ezek. vii. 14.) of the Trumpet kind, as it is joined with nfllB^,
which was certainly of that fort, as well as thernifVn, and was ufed to
proclaim the folemn feafls.|| Burney makes the Trumpet of the Jubilee
to have been an 'Egyptian inflrument it being ufed fo foon after the
flight from Egypt. But whereever, or by whomfoever it might be in-
vented, it feems probable that it was at iirft fuggefled by the 1^"^, cornu,
or horn of dead animals ; for, as it has been obferved, the horns them-
felves were long ufed as mufical inflruments.§
* See Kircher in Bedford's Temp. Muf. p. 50. and Stillingfleet's Orig. Sac. Book II. Ch. W.
+ See I Chron. xxiii. 5. xxv. 7. Ant. Univ. Hift. and Lowth's Prael, 25. % See
Calmet, who obferves they had thofe alfo of fix and nine firings. See Pf. xlv. and Ivii.
II See Lev. xxv. 9. and Calmet. § See Jofli. vi. and Poole.
The
c '■<; ]
The next inftrument is the "73^, from which came the vafw; of the
Greeks, and the Nablum of the Latins. The nebeJ, or nablum, is fome-
times rendered Pfalterium, and fometimes Ck/iara, and was a ftringed
inftrument, as Calmet obferves, " very near the form of a capital A, which
was played upon by both hands, and with a kind of bow. It founded
by means of a belly, that was hollow above and was touched below."
" Auguftinusait manibus portari percutientis, et ex fuperiorc parte habere
teftudinem, illud fcilicet concavum lignum, cuichordas innitentes refonant,
ficut Cithara habet inferne." Lorinus. And that it had a cavity feems
to be implied in the firft fenfe of the word, which fignifies a Sott/e.
From which circumftance of its hollow form feems to have arifen the
fidtion that Mercury invented the lyre from finding a tortoife upon mount
Cyllene.* Perhaps in this alfo confifts the difference between the "723,
and the "lUD, which is the next inftrument mentioned by the Pfalmiilr,
and being one of thofe tnioo invented by Jubalf-f is undoubtedly of the
higheft antiquity. Some have fuppofed that under thefe are compre-
hended other Jiringed, and wind inftruments •,% but it appears probable
from other paflages of fcripture, that they are intended to denote two
particular inftruments, the one a Jiringed inftrument, the other a wind
inftrument.
The IIJD, Cinyra, PJalteriumy Lyra, and Cithara, (whence comes the
word Guitar J were nearly the fame. If there was any difference be-
tween them, it confifted perhaps only in the number, or difpofition of
the ftrings. The Cinnor, or antient Lyra according to Calmet, had
fometimes three, fometimes fix, and fometimes nine ftrings.|| Voffius
makes mention of thofe which had 7, 10, 11, 12, and 18 ftrings. But
the firft kind of harp was probably that of three ftrings, or the "Trichord ;
as it is moft natural to fuppofe that the firft inftrument of the kind con-
* See Thef. Graec. Ant. Vol. IV. p. 46, Burney from Apollodorus makes it to have
happened in Egypt. Vol. I. p. 209. f See Gen. iv. 2i, J See Poole.
II See Pf. xlv. and Ivii.
fifted
[ xii 3
fifted of the fmalleft number of firings. Diodorous afcribing the inven-
tion of the Lyre to Mercury, obferves thus, " Lyram a fe inventam
trichordem fecit, anni tempera imitatus, tres enim tonos induxit, acu-
tum, gravem, et medium, acutum ab ajlate, gravem ab hieme, medium a
vere defumpfit."* And we have an inftrumcnt called D^t^Vty i Sam.
xviii. 6 ; which might be fo denominated from having three firings ; but
if it was fo called from its triangular figure, (which has been with great
probability fuppofed to be the original fhape of the Lyre and Harp) I
fliould be more inclined to luppofe with fome learned authors.-f- that it
was defigned to contain a fet of firings one longer than another, in or-
der to be played upon either with Jlicks, as our old Dulcimors, or with
the fingers, as the harp, than to fuppofe with others,:}: that it was flrung
with a parcel of rings, fo that it being flruck with a flick, or fhaken by
the hand, made the rings flrike both againfl it and each other ; which
could not produce a very harmonious found. Whereas the Cinnor was
not only in very high eflimation among the Jews, but when fkilfuUy
played, produced the moil wonderful effedls on the human pafTions-H
The next inflrument is the t^in, or Tympanum, under which may be
comprehended all kinds of Drwns, Tabors, and Timbrels ; but the lafl
feems only to have been in ufe amongfl the Hebrews as a mufical in-
flrument, and was ufed chiefly by women. § Whether it was invented
by the AfTyrians, as Burney infers from Gen. xxxi. 26, 27. or whether
the Ifraelites borrowed it from the Egyptians is a matter of uncertainty j
and the name of it affords no help to the difcovery of its form ; but
Calmet conjedtures that it was of the fame kind as thofe antient Tympana
put into the hands of Cybele.
The next "word h'lnDl is rendered, " and with the dance." But I am in-
clined to think that it fignifies a pipe, an inflrument, which is generally
* See Thef. Rom. :Ant. Vol. V. 735. t See Ant. Univ. Hift. ^ % See
Calmet's Did. || See i Sanj. xvi. 23. § See Exod. xv. 20.
Pf. Ixviii. 25.
joined
C >^iii ]
joined with the former.* For both VVn and b)r\J2 are derived from
bbn, perforare, which fixes this infiirument to be the Fifiiila or Tibia,
of which there are various forts, the Flute, the Hautbois, &cc.
The next inftrument, which I fuppofe to be thtfeventh, is called here
Minim. Some indeed fuppofe the word to fignify a number of inflru-
ments. But as it is joined with a fingle inftrument, I fliould rather think
that by it is meant the -\W)f, or Decachord,^\- which having ten firings
might be called Minim Kar i^oxw, as confifting of the greateft number of
firings in ufe amongft the Jews.
The next is the l.ny, which our old verfion renders according to Ch.
the Pipe, but our Bib. verfion here, as in other places, tbe Organ. It
is equal in antiquity to the ")1iD, being the invention of Jubal, and v/as
probably a wind infl:rument.:|: Nothing can be coUeded from the name
to afcertain either the nature, or the fhape of this inftrument. As the
Greek word o^yavov, whence comes our word Organ, fignifies only an in-
ftrument of any fort. Calmet fuppofes it to be one of thofe antient
Flutes, compofed of feveral pipes of unequal thicknefs and length, which
gave an harmonious found, when they were blown in, by moving them
fucceffively under the lower lip.|| But the authors of the Univ. Hid.
obferving that it takes its name from i:iy, which fignifies adamavit, do
not think it credible, that, as it was invented before the flood, it (liould
have received fo fmall an improvement in all that time : though there-
fore, as Burney remarks, it might not be that complicated inllrument,
v.'hich goes by the name of the Organ, at prefent, yet we have the bell
authority to fuppofe that it afforded the mofl pleafing and agreeable
founds.
The two next ihflruments are the yat!^ 'bifbv, and nviin 'bivbyj
i. . Cymbals of diii'erent tones. That thefe were ufed on the mod fo-
1 occafions may be inferred from 2 Sam. vi. 5. This inllrument
I Sam. X. 5. Ifai. v. 12. and Pf. cxlix. 3. f See Pf. xxxiii. 2.
•; ', n. iv. 21. II See Calmet's Diet.
[ d ] takes
[ xiv ]
takes its name from blf^V, t'lnnire, to tinkle, and the various tones it pro-
duced might be occafioned from the difference of their fliape and fize :
Or perhaps from the difference of the metals they were compofed of i
feme being made of Silver, others of Bra/s i* and the DTlbVa, which
aie derived from the fame radix, and are rendered Cymbals, i Chron. xv.
19, might be inftruments of a fimilar kind j though Calmet from com-
paring Zech. xiv. 20. is inclined to think that this word fignifies Bells.
There is a -.vide difference in opinion what thefe inftruments were. The
common notion is, that they were two hollow plates of Brafs, made in
the form of caps, which were held in each hand one, and flruck againft
each other.-]- But Hammond, thinking that the common Cymbal, by
no means anfwers the defcription of the pfalmift, fuppofes from Hefy-
chius that they were wind injlruments of brafs. And other authors have
obferved that J?Ott> 'bifbV, and 7\VT\T\ 'blfby, were probably more melo-
dious than the common Cymbals, :{:. There is mention made in the
Pfalms of r)*n:in, which fome fuppofe to have been an Harp of Gath in-
vented by the inhabitants of that city, or at leaft found there. But fee
Pf viii. I. It is alfo fuppofed by fome that TKW and mtJi', which oc-
cur in Ecclel". ii. 8. denote fome kinds of mufical inftruments, but the
radix does not favor this opinion, nor do the antient verfions give any
fupport to it : for they feem to have read, as Durell obferves, D'pJ!^ and
nipt!;, pocillatores et pocillatrices. But from the uncertainty of their fig-
nification in this place, || together with their great fimilitude to DHty
and r\T\V going before, perhaps, as one MS. omits them, they may be
an interpolation. And this conjefture is corroborated by the concurrence
of a friend. The mufical band was under the diredion of fome princi-
pal perfon, ftiled nViO, prafeBus, precentor. Sometimes indeed this word
* See Grot, on i Cor. xiil. t See Lightfoot, Calmet, and Lowth, who renders
D'SJD /i/V, the winged Cymbal, If. xviii. I. and fuppofes it with Bochart, &c. to be the
S'l/irum of the Egyptians. See Jubb on Pf. Ixviii. 30. % See Ant. Univ. Hift.
II See Poole's Synopfis.
feems
C ''v ]
feems to denote one, who was the leader or condudlor on feme particu-
lar inftruments, as in Pf. iv. 5, &c. but Bedford fuppofes that it figni-
fies the chief tune.
The word nbD, which occurs 70 times in the Pfalms, and thrice in
Habbakuk, but no where elfe, has occafioned a great variety of opinions
both with refpe6b to its fenfe and ufe. Some have fuppofed that it has
no fignification at all, and is employed merely to fill up the metre ; but
it appears in many places, where it is wholly unnecefTary on that account.
Aben Ezra, &c. make it to anfwer to Avien ; but then, as Fagius ob-
ferves, why does it not appear in other places, where it would be equally,
if not more, proper ? Others therefore with greater probability make it
a mufical mark of fome fort or other, to denote either the elevation of
the voice, or a change of the tmie. But Calovius and others make it to
fignify the end^ or the paiife *. Which conjecflure is flrongly countenanced
by thofe Pfalms, which are terminated with this word. See Pf. iii. &c.
The manner of fmging the Pfalms, as now ufed in our choirs, though
fuppofed by fome to be introduced by Flavianus and Diodorus into the
Chriftian Church, -f- feems to have been of as early a date as the
days of the Apoftles,| who moft probably borrowed it from the JewiJIi
cuftom of chanting, or finging alternately. Which may be traced up to
the time of Mofcs -, for we read Exod. xv. 21. that Miriam and her fe-
male companions anfwered Mofes and the children of Ifrael in reciting
that divine Hymn, '* Sing ye to "Jehovah, &c." where the verb nJV gives
us the exadt idea of the Carmen Amcebaum ; and Lowth obferves, " apud
Hebrjeos omne fere carmen refponforii quodammodo formam habuit."||
Many beautiful inftances of this kind of compofition we have in the
Pfalms, particularly Pf. xxiv. in which facred Dialogue it is difficult to
determine, which is moft to be admired the fublimity of the fubjedt, or
the fublime manner, in which it is treated.
* See Poole's Synop.
t See Patrick.
X See Ephef. v. 19.
II Lowth's
Pral. 19.
A new
•*■ • 1
L >^vi J
A new tranflatlon of the Plalms was not attempted, becaufe the Au-
thor did not flatter himlelf, that he could have produced one, which
would have met with general approbation, and becaufe there are two
already publicly authorized, together with two profe ones by Mudge
and Edwards, and another metrical verfion by the ingenious Mr. Green ;
from all which together with Dr. Kennicott's tranOation of fome pfalms,
Mr. Street's late publication of the whole,* and the learned Dr. Ged-
des's intended verfion of them.f one hereafter may be compofed
for public ufe, whenever it fhall be thought fit to fet on foot that much
wiftied-for undertaking of a new edition of the EngliJJi Bible. Should
any defign of this kind be in contemplation, it is prefumed that it would
be neceffary to obferve as clofe an adherence to the received verfion,
as is confiftent with the Hebrew verity, and other rules requifite to an
exadl tranflation.J Under thefe reftrictions there might be no reafon
to apprehend any ill confequences from the introdudlion of a new ver-
fion. For the prejudices of mankind might in time be removed by
their being fufficiently convinced that the obfcure parts of Scripture
were only made more intelligible, and the whole of it better accom-
modated to their judgment and comprehenfion. One method to be
profecuted in this arduous tallc was humbly fubmitted to the confidera-
tion of the learned in a difcourfe on Matt. v. i8. publiihed a few years
ago. II Yet it may be proper to defer the execution of any fuch defign,
till the collation of the LXX MSS. be completed by the learned Dr.
* 'Which the Author has not feen, the greateft part of tliis work being printed off be-
fore it was pubhftied. f Part of whofe laborious work, A new tranfat'ion ofy and
Notes on the Bible, is already publiihed. J See an Eflay for a new Tranilation, pub-
liftied in the year 1727. || At the requeft of the late learned Dr. Wheeler, Regius
Profeflbr of Divinity in Oxford, wherein the following reading of Ezek. xxvii. 17. was pro-
pofed, JifJT ri'T D'Onn, " with Wheat, the Olive, and the Fig." But Meibomius in his Cri-
ticifm on the paffage, (which the Author had not then feen) reads nU CDFQ, " in frumen-
to : Githy i. e. Algella, et unguenta, &c."
Holmes ;
[ xvii ]
Holmes ; as this ufeful work will probably throw great light upon Ibme
dark and intricate pafThges of the Old Teftament, and ferve to reftore
many valuable and important readings, confirming perhaps fome of the
following conjedtural emendations, which may alfo receive a tarther
fandion from Heb. MSS. not yet collated.*
When the Author mentions the verfions without particularizing them,
he is to be underflood of thofe contained in Walton s Polyglott ; and
when he quotes the Syr. Ar, &c MtJu verfions, not having a know-
ledge of thofe languages, he is obliged to reft their authority upon the
veracity of that tranfiation, which from fome errors in the verfion of the
Chaldee, he has reafon to think muft: not always be entirely depended
upon.
As Dr. Kennlcott's Pofthumous Works were not publiflied till the
Author had nearly completed his remarks on the Pfalms, and De Rofii's
Collation of the MSS. on the Pfalms, and Dathius's Verfion and Notes
were not come to England before he had finiflied them, he has not availed
himfelf of them ; but if his obfervations at any time coincide with
theirs, they will be greatly corroborated. Nor could he take advan-
tage of the learned Dr. Snurrer's Remarks on the Proverbs through their
late arrival from abroad.
For the fake of brevity the MSS. are feldom dillinguiflied from the
printed copies j nor are thofe always mentioned which read fo or fo at
J^rji, or at prefent ; and in general the diftindlion of verfes according to
Dr. Kennicott's order in the Collation is followed, which was in a great
meafure necefTary on account of referring to the authority of MSS. Some
abbreviations alfo of the names of Authors are made ufe of, particularly
of thofe mentioned in Poole's Synopfis.
The remarks of many eminent modern Authors are frequently not
fpecified, becaufe they are agreeable to the critical Obfervations of thofe
* See the Bifhop of Waterford's Preface to his excellent Notes on the minor Prophets,
p. 9, 10. to whom the learned world is alfo indebted for other very valuable works.
[ e ] who
[ xviii ]
who preceded them, or becaufe the Author had no opportunity of con-
iulting them ; and he has in many inflances dropped his own opinion,
as being coincident with that of perfons of fuperior ilcill and learning.
It may have been expeifled by feme that he would have entered more
into the pijfikal meaning of the Pfalms; but, befides that this did not fall
in with the general plan of this work, the learned labors of Lorinus,*
and Dr. Horne,-f the prefent Biftiop of Norwich, have rendered it un-
necefrar)\
This Preface cannot be properly concluded without making the moll
grateful acknowledgments for the honor done the Author, by his Grace,
the Archbifhop of Canterbury (to whom he is under the higheft obliga-
tions for many other great and unmerited adls of friendship) in granting
him accefs to Archbifliop Seeker's Manufcripts j (which contain a very
large and valuable treafure of facred criticifm) as it gave him an oppor-
tunity of furnifliing himfelf with fome Remarks on the Pfalms and Pro-
verbs, which do not occur any where elfe.
He thinks it alfo incumbent upon him to embrace this opportunity
of noticing particular inftances of favor conferred upon him by the pre-
fent learned Bifhop of Durham, late Bifliop of Salifbury, who at firft
fu<ygefted the undertaking of the work on the Pfalms, has fmce encouraged
the profecution of it, and honored it with his remarks.
He likewifc takes this occafion of returning his beft thanks to a
learned friend for the ufe of his valuable Notes on the Pfalms and Pro-
verbs in Latin and Englifli, of which frequent mention is made in the
following work ; and alfo to his friend, Mr. Bradley, Vicar of Hamftead
Norris, Berks, late Fellow of C. C. C. Oxford, tor the kind commu-
nication of his obfervations.
And now he has only to wi{h that the integrity of the defign may
in fome meafure atone for the many errors and defedls in the execution j
and if he has contributed the leafl mite to the treafure of facred Li-
terature, he lliall think that he has not labored in vain.
* See his works in 3 vol. fol. on the Pfalms. t See his Commentary on the Pfalms.
ADDENDA
C >^i^ ]
ADDENDA ET ERRATA.
THE mofl material errata are only noticed here j which the Reader
is defired to confult, and to corredl thofe of the flops, &c. as occafion
may require.
Pfalm ii. 4. put the/wZ/rtop after », the contradion for mn*. 7. for
repeated r. repeat. 12. for *]T7 r. TiT. — Pf, v. 10, x, feems proper. —
Pf. vii. 5. r. is probably. — Pf. xi. 4. for UK r. ♦J^{ ; and 6. for 6. — Pf. xii.
I. for 6 r. 6. 5. r. is mojl. 7. for b^Vn r. b»byn. 9. put the full flop after
On3, and for 2. r. 25. — Pf. xiii. 1. for Collatiotis r. Collation here,
and elfewhere in the Pfalms. 4. for 'tDin r. 'tD^lH. — Pf- xiv. before
T^ThV r. V. I. and for 6. r. 6. and 2. before 6. & Syr. — Pf. xvi. in the
title for «»T r. uat, and is fo. 10. for I'TDn r. "j'TDn. — Pf. xvii. 4. r. for
the ufey and infert to before Ifai. Ixii. 10. 15. for UKl r. 'if^V — Pf. xviii. 5.
for 'b^n r. ♦Vnn. 12. r. are probably. 46. for I'rniD* r. I^TD'. — Pf. xix.
8. for is r. are. — Pf. xx. in the title zhtv fuccefs r. are. 4. for 1»nn3D r.
TnmD.— Pf. xxii. 2. for 'DVty'D r. »nyity»0, and ^DVItra for 'Wa'D. 22.
for 8 MSS. r. 31 MSS. 30. for n»n r. TVn. — Pf. xxiv. for nxibm r. V. r.
n«iVav— Pf. xxvi. 2. for ♦nn'73n r. »nv'7Dn. 6. for nDnoNi r. nniDKi.
7. for nnn r. 7X'\'\r\. — Pf. xxvii. 7. for 7, and 10, r. 15, and i. 12, 13.
for 6. r. 6. — Pf. xxviii. 5. dele ^«/, &c. — Pf. xxix. 4. for the Ch. read
r. Ch. reads. 9. for m^K r. m'^'K. — Pf. xxxi. 16. r. the firfl line thus,
♦nny. 47 MSS. read 'mny. and Syr. as Seeker obferves, Pi^TW' — P^- xxxii.
5. See Appendix. — Pf. xxxiii. 14. for nj;»n r. 15. 'yi*T\. — Pf. xxxiv. 14.
for lity'j r. ^:^\vh, and for -jJtyb r. IJlty*?. 22. after deJiruSlion r. 0/:—
Pf. xxxvi. 4. for I'D^nb r. n»JD>nb. — Pf. xxxvii. 3. for mD r. mD. 20. for
IpO r. -rp^D.— Pf. xl. 5. for^ 3D r. nO. 7. for iv. x. r. iv. 8. 13. for
imiW r. ♦miiy.— Pf. xli. 7. for mw^b r. ♦mmV. 9. dele unlefs, &c.—
Pf. xlvi. 5. for IDB^D' r. IJDK'O. — Pf. xlix. 15. for mVl'? ift r. m'jD^.
19. for ^/ ifl read te. — Pf. 1. 5. for Javors r. favor. 9. After properly
add ")»mN*73Da, ^«/ wo/? o/" /A^ verfions read with one MS, 1 5, r. "I'i'jnt?.
20.
[ XX ]
20. for pi: r. Hl^.—Pf. lii- -■ before Uoub. r. 3.— Pf. Iv. 14. after MSS.
r. See Appendix Ff. ixxxviii. 9.— Pf. Ivi. 2. for 'J^nV r. »J!;nb'. 9. for
'nj r. 'nj. 10. for 9 M55. w//.^ 27 Mzr^. r. 35 ^55". 14. dele 8, and
for mnvvn r. mmK:i. — Pf. Ixiv. 8. for 8. r. 5. — Pf. Ixvi. 15. for D»mo r.
mDI. — pf. Ixvii. 5. After 13 add. This is a miftake occafioned by Cala-
fio's Cone. — Pf. Ixviii. 31. for xxii. r. xxi. — Pf. Ixix. in the title r. attri"
lutes it. 23. for Da'Vti'bl r. DD'vbc'bl. — Pf. Ixxiv. 3. for inimice r. inimici.
14. khtx Ezek. xxix. 3. add, ^n'l'? in the literaliznio. probably denotes
here the Crocodile. See Boch. &c. In Pf. civ. 16. it may fignify the
Whale; See Grot. &c. Job xli. i. and by it in Ifai. xxvii. i. is to be
underftood the Serpent. See Durell and Lowth. — Pf. Ixxix. 2. for n'n"? r.
n'nb — Pf. Ixxxiii. 15. for and herbas r. et herbas. 18. for dl' r. Idl*.
— Pf. Ixxxv. 7. for nW r. nna?. IT. for andx. et. — Pf. Ixxxvii. 4. for
l"?!' r. "irw — Pf Ixxxix. 9. dele 10. before n* j'tn. 46. for Vulg. 6. r.
Vat. 6. and in cxix. 49. cxl. 11. — Pf. xcii. 10. dele 'VviS lo MSS. 2d.
— Pf. xcv. 6. put the fpace before the laft and. — Pf. xcvi. 13. for Midi. 8.
r. 7. — Pf. xcvii. I. for xxxviii. r. xxxvii, and xxiii. for xxii. — Pf. civ. 3,
after -waters 3d add. Or who cover eth, &c. — Pf. cv. 12. dele luith after
place. 19. for nm r. Tim. — Pf. cvii. 10. r. hendiadyn. — Pf. cviii. ir.
r. -will have it, — Pf. cix. 18. zftex Muis zdd and Loivth's Notes on Ifai. p.
7. and for Kin r. Nlinv — Pf. ex. 3. for mpQ in two places r. mru,
and for obferoing r. it appearing. — Pf. cxiv. 5. dele 6. after fublime. — Pf.
cxvi. 7. for 29. r. 19. — Pf. cxx. for montanus r. Montaniis. — Pf. cxxvii.
2. for ♦'jfllK r. 'bDIK. — Pf. cxxxi. 2. foniV r. 'ijr. — Pf. cxxxv.r. V. i. be-
fore ibbn.— Pf. cxxxvii. 2. for I^'DIIOO r. li'mniiO.— Pf. cxxxix.
in the title for Jia^ofi r. fiaa-^rofai. 8. for ^\^\ti r. '71SC'. — Pf. cxli. 4. -for
xxxiii. r. xxiii. — Pf. cxliv. 2. for f]n>nn r, "nnn. In Append. Pf.
cxxxv. 2. for DnO'Vt!' r. DnoiVtt?. — Proverbs i. 5. for nauticum r. nauti-
cam. — ii. 1.6. for m r. mt. — xii. 28. iox participle r. participial. — xiii. 2.
for inecabit r. enecabit. — xxvi» 18. for mortiferas r. mortiferas, — xxx. 2.
before As Seeker r. ^.
CRITICAL
LIST of SUBSCRIBERS,
A
THE Right Rev. the Bifl:op of St. JJaph
Rev. Mr. Adams, Fellow of Pembroke College,
Oxford
Rev, Mr. Alleyne, RecSbor of North-Cerney,
Glocefierjh'ire
Rev. John Andrews, LL. B. Chaplain to the
Duke of Dorfet
B
The Right Rev. the Bifliop o( Bangor
Right Rev. the Bifhop o'i Briftol
Rev. Dr. Buller, Dean of Canterbury
Rev. Dr. Bathurft, Canon of Chrift Church,
Oxford
Rev. Dr. Blaney, Canon of Chrift Church, Ox-
ford
Rev. Dr. Barford, Fellow o^ Eton College
Rev. Dr. Benfon, Prebendary of Canterbury
Rev. Dr. Berkeley, Prebendary of Canterbury
Rev. Dr. Buckworth, Prebendary of Canterbury
Rev. Dr. Burrough, Fellow of Magdalen College,
Oxford
Rev. Dr. Bell, Prebendary of Weflmhfier
Rev. Dr. Buckner, Reftor of St, Giles's in the
Fields
Rev. Mr. Burgefs, Prebendary o( Durham
Rev. Mr. Bathurft, Fellow of New College,
Oxford
Rev. Mr. Butts, Reftor of Little Wilbraham,
Camhridgeflnre
Rev. Mr. Brereton, Re6lor of Edgewcrth, Glo-
cefierfloire
Mrs. Brereton
Rev. Mr. Buckland, Fellow of Corpus Chrifti
College, Oxford
Rev. Mr. Beaver, Fellow of Corpus Chrifti
College, Oxford
Rev, Mr. Beadon, Reftor of North Stoneham,
Hants; and Chaplain in Ordinary to his
Majefty
Rev. Mr. Bartholomew, Exeter
Rev. Mr. Bull, Bripl
Rev. Mr. Bradley, Vicar of Hamjiead Norr,
Berks
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CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY REMARKS
ON THE
PSALMS OF DAVID.
PSALM I.
THE firft Pfalm, without a title, feems to have been written by
the author of Pf. cxix. who probably was David. See Poole's Sy-
nopf. &c. compare Pf. i. 2. with Pf. cxix. 97 ; as he might fpeak of
himfelf, in the third perfon. See Lowth, Pf. xci. i.
Verfe i. nt^K, wherever this word occurs, connedled with a noun in
the Cng. number, Meibomius would by a tranfpofition read TJ^J^ ; but as
it never appears in this form elfewhere, and the word nfD{< is often ufed
as a participle, this pofition of the ♦ may be, as a learned friend fuggefts,
idiomatical ; and this fuppofition is favoured by the verfions, which feldom
tranflate it ae in regim, fee Prov. iii. i8. nj^Dm the full and true reading
is nLTiam as ninety MSS. have it, which my learned friend, Mr. Bradley,
Fellow of C. C. C. Oxford, renders thus, " and in the habitation of fcor-
ners hath not dwelt."
2. mn» fhould, I think with Edwards, be rendered, 'Jehovah, through-
out the Pfalms.
4. '♦ Like the chaff." an image frequently ufed by the facred poets.
Lowth.
6. vnv, approveth. Grotius. See Exod. ii. 25. Part. Ben. See Ar.
Verf. «' Shall caufe to be known." It being the caufative paffive voice.
Mr. Bradley.
P S A L M II.
THAT David was the author of this Pfalm is exprefsly affertcd by St.
Peter and St. Paul, Ads iv. 25. and xiii. 33. The rebellion mentioned
B 2 Sam.
C 2 3
2 Sam. viii. lo, probably gave occafion to it. The Jews and Soclnians un-
derftand it of David only ; Grotius and others fuppofe it fpoken of David
and Clirijl ; and feme with Calovius refer it folely to Chriji, but for the dou-
ble fenfe, fee the late learned Bp. Lowth. &c.
V. I. D'OwSV, perhaps fome of the tribes of Ifrael confpiring with other
nations againft David. St. Peter in his application of this paflage feems to
favour this fenfe. See Ads iv. 25.
V. 2. DOIim, may be fpoken of the />r///f^j of the tribes, who revolted
againft David ; and is applicable to the Jewifli Sanhedrim, which confpired
with the Roman governor againft Jefus.
3. npDJJ, One MS. reads more regularly pr):i. ID'mnV, as 24 MSS.
is more ufual.
4. »J^^<. 66. MSS. have niH'. See Pf. lix. 9. and it is obfervable once
for all, " that the Ch. has uniformly.'' Houbigant reads according to
6. Dpnil" with the affix.
5. 1,*DbniS flialljlrike them with a panic.
6. 'JNI, " But r, with Mudge, or " For I"
7. For Vk, Gejerus and others read HK, which the grammatical conftruc-
tion requires ; and 6 Ar. & ^th. repeated mns " I will declare the
decree of Jehovah. — Jehovah, &c." 6. MSS. have pin.
8. The metre feems to require another word ; perhaps niDKl. One
MS. repeats it; " even I will give."
10. May not yiN '!:£)£:; or as five MSS. 'LDfllK' be underflood of the
rebellious princes of fome of the tribes of Ifrael ? See verfe 2.
11. The metre appearing deficient, and one valuable MS. reading at firil:
iVlbjn, as 6. Syr. Vulg. and Ar. have the pronoun, perhaps the true
reading is "h lV:n.
12. As the kifs was undoubtedly^ among the eaftern nations, a mark of
veneration, "ipZ-'i is probably the right reading. Yet the ant. interp. (ex-
cept Syr.) feem to have read i:i5i>J ; which however appears to give but a
forced interpretation, "in. " the Son." Ploubigant retains this fenfe, and
though he makes David the author of this Pfalm, yet in Pf, Ixviii. 1 8, he
fays.
C 3 ]
fays, *' quod nulla erat Judaels cum Chaldacia geiite ac Ungiia, Davide reg-
nante, focietas : and the learned Dr. Geddes would render it, the chofen
one. But if the Chaldaifm be not here admitted, though we have it in
Prov. xxxi. 2. I fhould be inclined to read lil, kifs his Eon, i. e. David
or Chrift ; fee v. 7. and Adts iii. 13 ; I had once conjedlured that we fliould
read 12 " kifs him •" but the verb never occurring with this prepofition, a
learned friend fiiggefted that iptyj might be the right reading, " kifs him-"
the final l ferving both to diftinguifli the perfon of the verb, and as the
pronominal fuffix (which is frequently the cafe) and that fome commen-
tator, when the Jews ufed the Syriac language, put ^2 in the margin to
indicate that adoration was to be paid to the fame perfon, who in v. 7, was
called \iy and he is the more inclined to this opinion, becaufe the Syriac
is the only antient verfion wflich fays any thing about the Son. Perhaps
rather imptfJ ; fee Gen. xxxiii. 4, i Sam. x. i, in not being much unlike
*i:i. TTi, &c. Houbigant tranfpofes thefe words, *' etenim incedit & ar-
defcet ;" Hare would read ^'I'ra. Green TTll. Might not the word ori-
ginally be DDDTrn, " and ye perifli in your way ;" i. e. the way of the
wicked ? See Pf. xvi. and cxlvi. 9. Two MSS. probably read D'Din. See
Calaf. Concord.
PSALM III.
HAD this Pfalm been written by David, as the title imports, when
he jled from Abfalom, might we not have expecfted fome more pointed ex-
preflions on fuch an unhappy event ?
V. 3. 6 Vulg. iEth. and Arab feem to have read vn'^Sl. in his God;
more emphatically ; fo our oldeft verfion.
6. Twenty- two MSS. have ^DV'pn, as in Pf. cxxxix. 18, but the great
number of MSS. there confirm the text.
9. mrr. Houbigant would read miT ^b, to avoid the change of perfons.
As the word nbo terminates this Pfalm and fome others, Hammond in-
fers that it was not a mufical note, which it is generally fuppofed to be;
fee Poole.
B 2 PSALM
C 4 ]
PSALM IV.
SUPPOSING my^in, to be fome fort of ftringed inftrument, might
not the title be thus rendered, To the leader of the Jlringed injlruments ?
V. 3, nDbD*?. The reading of 6 TM^h lb, hoiv long ivill ye be hardened in
Heart, is approved by Muis, Houbigant, Lovvth, &c. Itypnn, better
Ityisam, andfeek, with 6 Syr. &c. 'h TDn, fome would read 'h HDn, as
Pf. xxxi. 22.
5. Compare the firft: part of this verfe with Ephef. Iv. 26, IIOK fome
would read inOS' If, confider this. Houbigant T^On, be forty, but perhaps
we might read nD kV, rendering I0"n, but be ye f lent ; " rebel not in your
hearts upon your beds ; but be ye filent." i. e. utter no more treafonable
fpeeches.
7. D'11> many of David's friends perhaps ; who had defpaired of his
fuccefs; and to whom, not to David, may be afcribed the prayer, " lift
up, &c." For riDJ one MS. and Ch. have Nti-'J, which compared with
Numb. vi. 26, feems to be the right reading.
8. May not nnnJ here bear a future fenfe Thou Jlialt put gladnefs, &c. ?
9. The metre of this verfe is thrown by Hare and the late learned Dr.
Kennicott into three very irregular lines j but if with one antient MS. we
omit l^rr, and with another ni'?, (both which feem unnecefTary) it may
be reduced into two lines nearly equal in length. '* I will lay me down
in peace, and take my reft — For thou, O Jehovah, makeft me to dwell
in fafety." Houbigant reads and divides otherwife.
P S A L M V.
mb'ni probably iignifies wind injiruments ; in contradiftin<flion to the
ftringed inftruments, mentioned in the preceding Pfalm, fee Poole's Synopf.
and Edwards j but perhaps we fliould read with two MSS. m'^nin* or
mbno, fee Pf. liii. 1.
V. 4.
• [ 5 ]
V. 4« "l")Vt*j ** In the morning I will prepare for thee, and will watch,"
i. e. for thy appearance in the Shechinah ; which avoids the ellipfis. See
Prov. xvi. I.
6. For D'b'^in perhaps rather D'b'jin, ** The prophane fhall not fland
in thy fight."
7. One MS. reads with 6 and Ar. nm "73, *' all them that fpeak,"
or as three MSS. '''-\y]i.
9- "liJ'in. 20 MSS. with Houbigant ")t:'M, but if a variation is ne-
ceflary, perhaps Tti^lH is moll: regular.
ID. Hare divides this verfe into four lines, and Kennicott into three,
but might it not be better to make only two of it by adding min D11|5
to the end of the firfl ?
in'i31. Houbigant's reading according to the Verf tDn*£31 proper.
Di"),l. 73 MSS. read DJ1"):i, in which form it appears every where
elfe.
II. Are not the lines in this verfe more naturally divided thus,
&c. D?J'tyK,T
&c. nnn
.? rwrv o
mn' added by Hare for the metre's fake, is countenanced by 6. Vul. & An.
PSALM VI.
nO'Dtyn. Some make it an inftrument of eight firings ; others a tune
of eight notes -, but Vatablus not improbably fuppofes it to be a tune,
wherein the oSlave note is prevalent. See Poole's Synopf.
V. 4. Houbigant with 52 MSS. for HKT reads HDNl, which is more
grammatical.
>n», fliould we not read flJKD 'DD, ** And how long wilt thou be cijigry,
Jehovah ?" See Pf. Ixxix. 4.
C 10. Hare
[ 6 ]
10. Hare rejefts the fecond la^lS Houbigant reads ilti^'T; but a learned
friend takes the firft verb in a frequentative fenfej fee other places. Se-
veral MSS. read the radical l in both verbs.
P S A L M VII.
tV.1t:' " Cantlo erratica; i. e. multiplex Cantu, qus omnibus rationi-
bus Mufics dccantabatur fimul, quam Tullius grsca voce dixit Symdiam"
Junius. Gejerus makes fome reproachful fpeeches, uttered againft David
by Cufn, a Benjamite, to be the occafion of this pfalm.
2. ♦mn VD2. From every one that perfecutes me." Mudge. 8 MSS.
rain.
3. A learned friend conjedtures with great probability, that 6 Vulg.
Syr. & Ar. read by a metathefis VvDT p")3 Ti** " There is no refcuer
or deliverer." See Cocceius for this fenfe of the firft verb. 12 MSS. have
4. This and the following verfe probably contain the fpecific charge
of Cufli againft David, which was a fufpicion of his defign againft Saul's
life, founded on i Sam. xxiv. 10.
5. ny^nNV Houbigant with others ingenioufly conjedure, that we fliould
read riinbNI et opprejji agreeable to the Ch. and Syr., " And if I have op-
prejj'ed him, that without any caufe is mine enemy."
''dl'C Edwards probably right in reading 'O'?:^^ j but then I would give
the words this fenfe agreeable to 6 Syr. 6c Ar.. " If I have repayed evil
to him that hath done it to me" For this fenfe of dVc fee Grot, on
If. xliv. 26.
6. Muis, with many others, renders, miDI, " and my foul." See Pf.
xliv. 26.
pti". Houbigant reads "IDw", projiciat.
7. mn^yn. 6 MSS. m:ivn, fmg. & n'T)\: may refer to Cufti, •' Lift
up thyfelf againft the fury of my enemy."
C 7 ]
tDfltJ>X3 '^ba* Perhaps ♦afitTD bn, " and awake to my judgment." See Pf.
XXXV. 23. 6 render >'7^? 0 ©wj j«8.
8. nnjy feems to be written for TXl\i^, fede ; and Mudge's fenfe of
the words appears to be the befl, " and fet on high over it." i. e. in
judgment over it. As a learned friend obferves, the Targum gave this
fenfe of the words, " and on their account return to thine habitation on
high." i. e. the Shechinah.
9. Pifcator, followed by Houbigant and Lowth, fupplies ^70^ in the lafl:
line of this verfe, which the metre and conftrudion require, *' and reward
me according to my integrity." See Pf. xiii. 6.
10. Is not the proper order of the words, which Hare and Le Clerc
allow to be difturbed, reftored befl in reading thus,
&c. nD.V
D'p-iif ni5-rjf pi3ni
&c. D^n"?}*
" Let now the wickednefs of the wicked come to an end — but let the
r'lghteoufnefs of the righteous be eftablifhed — O God, who tried the hearts
and reins" ?
ir. tyr^\^ bit mo. Durell renders ^y, " mo/l high" and quotes Hof.
xi. 7. for it. Gejerus and others fuppofe "7^ redundant ■■, but perhaps
D'hVk "hv PO is the true reading, " God is a Shield to me"
12. Green, by fupplying VLrn with the ch. after bNI, removes all the
difficulties. See Hare. " God judgeth the righteous man, and with the
wicked he is angry every day".
14. D'p'?!'?. Houbigant reads Dp'"?"!"?, " ad inflammandum eos." Bet-
ter perhaps 'j?'?"?'?, " For my perfecutor." i. e. Cuih. See the next verfe.
PSALM VIII.
V. I. D'DJin, if we might read lD»mn, " againft the Gittites" it would
llrengthen the opinion of Hammond and others, that this pfalm was
compofed on David's vidlory over Goliath.
c 2 2. mn.
C 8 ]
2. run. Certainly irregular as Lowth obfervcs ; he would read witi;
Houbigant nn:. Perhaps ;m:. See Pf. cxlv. 14.
3. David and his men might comparatively fpeaking be misd. l>al>es. See
Patrick and i Sam. xvii. 32.
63 MSS. read more regularly D'pJVI, for D'pj'i. Some render TV, or
as 19 MSS. tlV, praife ; for which they refer to 6 here, Pf. Ixviii. 25,
and Matt. xxi. 16.
*
4. "I'D:^ Hare with 6 and Ar. p\^£i>, the Heavens. A learned friend
1:^3!^, t/ie Sun.
5. In conformity to Pi", cxliv. 3. miT iliould be added here.
6. in"lDnm. The prefix i, which Hare omits, is here converljve, and
its force extends to the verb beginning the next verfe.
8. nJlf. 1 1 MSS. have nJt^i', but the true reading is ^Ki*, or ^KV."! ; as
Houbigant.
9. Either read .m in the fing., or with Seeker agreeable to 6 and Syr.
nny in the -plur. Several MSS. have nmj^ more regular.
PSALM IX.
p*?. Some luppofe this to be the name of a prince or chief in the
enemy's army, whofe death David celebrates. See Poole's Synop.
2. The 6. Ar. and Mth, Verf, together with the context juftify Hou-
bigant's reading, *l"nK for rT\^^, *' I will praife thee, O Jehovah."
7. I'lKH, fiic. Lowth favors Merrick's conftrudlion of thefe words,
♦* Defolations have confumed the enemy for ever." Green, by a tranfpofition
fimilar to Pf. xviii. 41. renders them, •* The defolations of the enemy are
ceafed for ever." Perhaps we might read D'ni D\S*n, " The houfes of the
enemy are defolations for ever." Two MSS. read 3'Kn T\*27\. 6. Vulg. Ar.
and i^th. probably read n^ni, ** ivith a found." Houbigant reads with
our Bib. Verf. Dnn. A learned friend reads nDHD, " like themfehes."
8. The
[-9 ]
8. The Ch. fupplies D»»tyi after ati^S " But Jehovah dwelleth for ever
in the Heavens."
10. nnifl. The Ch. and Syr. probably read niVn, both here, and
Pf. X. I .
12. \'\'t. Hare, &c., with one MS., read ^V«fn j but it Urikes me that
we fhould read with another MS. 'nlTV, " Sing unto Jehovah, ye mhabi-
tants of Zionr See If. x. 24. ']'] MSS., have more regularly nun.
13. DmN, or rather as 34 MSS. Dn^<, may refer to D'DT more proper-
ly, " For he that requlreth blood remembereth zV." i. e. taketh an ex-
ad account of all that has been (lied.
tym. 19 MSS. more grammatically ti^ll^.
15. TD^nn. 39 MSS. better, •qnbnn. See Deut. x. 21.
16. ntTK probably dropped before It^jr, " Which they made, See the
Ant. Verf.
17. r\m. Lowth in conformity with 6 & Vulg. reads rW^Vy " Jeho-
vah is known, wheri he executeth Judgment. And the participle Ben. in
the latter part of the fentence countenances this fenfe. " Snaring the
wicked, &c."
tV:in might be feme foft toned inftrument. See Pf. xcii. 4.
18. A learned friend confiders D'VI as in regim., omitting the n final
in nblNty*? as redundant, and prefixing it to "jD, " The wicked fhall go
down to the receptacle of all thofe that forget God."
19. MSS. 18 read with the keri D"jy for DniV. "rnxn one MS.
with all the verfions reads here "flXD n'?. " The expectation of the
aJfiSled iliall not perifli for ever."
PSALM X.
6 and Vulg. make this a continuation of the former Pfalm ; but it
feems to begin a new fubjedt, relative either to dome/lie enemies, as
Pifcator thinks ; or to foreign onts, as Mudge fuppofes.
D V. I.
p-
["lO ]
V. I. c'^yn. Houbigant with one MS. tD^Vn **abfcon(iitus es." Hare
Dbynn, as in Pf. Iv. 2. The latter probably right. For the laft word
in this verfe, fee Pf. ix. 10.
-:. Misht not the words in this verfe bear this conftrusflion, *' For
the wicked applaudcth himfelf upon the defire of his foul, — and blejjing
his gain defpifeth Jehovah" ?
4. nn,1D. 6 here read nmo ««Ta to wxjiflcj. 14 MSS. have niin, which is
better ; perhaps we fliould alfo read WVlT, " The wicked in the pride
of his countenance -cv/"// not feek him." i. e. Jehovah. For ^D read with
Houbigant ^"21- 13 MSS. tynT.
5. ^yr\ iVrr. Read for the conftruftion's fake with 53 MSS. the keri,
and mofl of the verlions VD"n ; or with Durell according to the Ar. in
the fing. Vns " He hath polluted his way continually." But reading
the veib without the ", with Pifcator, &c. and 2 MSS. feems to be
moft: regular, and conformable with 6. " His ways are always pol-
luted."
C3*11X2. o. Vulg. and &th. read IS^in, plur. in Hoph. or ISIIJ in
Niph. The Ar. Dnn, abftulit ; " He hath removed th.y ]\xdgn\znts irom.
his fi^ht." i. e. he doth not confider or regard them. But a learned
friend with one MS, and Syr. reads IDSK^D, " Thy Judgment is re-
moved 6rc."
6. Tl^'N*. Durell derives this word from y\\L*, and renders the words
thus, " I Jliall not fee evil." Houbigant, followed by Lowth, makes it
the hrft perf. fut. from ItTN*, " incedam fine malo." Some confidering
it as a conjundion render it, " hecaiife he hath not been in adverfity j"
or perhaps it may be rendered, " being happy, without any misfortune."
But the verfions omit it. Syr. with one MS. omits the negative parti-
cle ; or perhaps by a change of the letters read '^K "l:^•♦, " He con-
templates, or meditates upon evil."
7. im. Perhaps an interpolation, neither the fenfe nor metre requir-
ing it, " His mouth is full of curfing and deceit — and under his tongue
is mifchief and iniquity." One MS. reading nrim.
nana
C 11 ]
nO'^a 6 interpretantur *' acerbitas." Houb. vid. Pro. xii, 20.
8. DnVn. Houbigant, approved by Lowtb, reads D»i;"in, ** In the
fnares of the fits."
lifli'*. Hammond juflifies the prefent -text from Pf. Ivi. 7,
10. This verfe is not only corrupt, as Hare and others have obferved,
but probably defedtive ; this emendation the efore is fubmitted to con-
fideration, feveral MSS. reading mtri,
*' He boweth himfelf down, and croucheth in his den — And the feeble
fall by his mighty ones." D'KD V'n authorifed by 3 MSS. is adopted
by two learned friends. Houbigant's reading D'N^n'? is preferred by
Lowth, " in Laqueos." But with deference to thefe great authorities
does MDn ever fignify laqueus ? Durell, from various readings, gives this
conftrudion, " The oppreffed is caft down -, and the whole band of the
afflidted falleth, when he prevaileth over them." But fee Poole.
12. ^^. Is not ibK better, *' Arife, O Jehovah, againjl him, lift up
&c. ?
14. nnti'1. 26 MSS. read nn^i^'l, and xj D'i^T ilill more grammatically.
Houbigant reads DnnS, " to requite them." 6 & Vulg. read DID''?.
" Orphano.",
15. ")lty. 48 MSS. having "yo.^ the praet. in puh. and reading with
Hare, &c. ^ys jriri, for bn IVtyi, the words give this fenfe, " The arm
of the ungodly and the wicked is broken. — Thou (halt feek the wicked,
but fliall not find him." See Pf. xxxvii, 36. Houbigant reads inVt!?"!,
" require ejus iniquitatem."
ly. MSS. 3 conformably to the verf. . read D"JV " The defire of
the poor, or the affliBed"
D 2 PSALM
[ 12 ]
P S A L M XI.
SOME fuppofe this Pfalm compofed by David, in conlequence of
the advice of his friends ; others, in anfwer to the reproach of his enemies.
See Crit. fac.
V. I. mi 58 MSS. with the Keri read mi, and the reading of
6. Syr. and Ar. mS^D 'd'''yr\ is adopted by Lowth, &c. " Flee as a
bird to the mountains."
2. DVn. The true reading feems to be DH'yn or D'2fn, " the arrows,"
or " their arrows" See the verf.
'^. niDkyn' Durell and others agreeable to 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. and
iEth. with one antient MS. r\r\^r\; " Although thou ejtablijhejl , they
will deftroy. What can the righteous do ?" One MS. returns an an-
fwer to this queftion in the fame words which we have in Pf. cxxix, 4.
** The righteous Jehovah cutteth afunder the cords of the wicked.
4. Lowth fupplies ♦jiy, after V^J^, agreeable to 6. Vulg. and Ar. and
the metre and fenfe require it. See the Collat. " His eyes behold the
poor.
5. ytym. One MS. reads W'^i which affords a very good fenfe,
'* The righteous Jehovah trieth the wicked." Green tranfpofes the verb,
" The Lord, rather Jehovah, fearcheth out both the righteous and the
wicked."
6. D'ni3. Hare fuppofes this word to be an interpolation. Houbigant
and others would read »onfl " prunas," which muft be the fenfe of the
word, as Lowth obferves, in this place. See Pf. cxix. 53.
7. ^n"i. Perhaps pT^f' in pih. 3 MSS., read ^K-'n, and Houbigant
Vi£J for lO'iS ; " But Jehovah will jujiify hiva. that loveth righteoufnefs;
(in oppofition to him that loveth violence) — And Ins countenance will re-
gard him that is upright."
PSALM
C 13 ]
P S A L M XII.
FOR the title fee Pf. vi. For the fubjedl Muis and others refer to
1 Sam. xxii, 23.
V. 1.6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth., followed by Hare &c., read ♦JPtl'in. " Save
IDA. Seeker would read 1SD. One MS. has Vi^5 i both of which verbs
occur frequently.
2. nfltl-'. Houbigant, &c. read with the ant. verfions TliJti'. fee the
next verfe.
4. ]r^b. One MS. reads pt:?"?!, with mofl of the verfions, " And the
tongue"
5. Hare's divifion of this verfe mofl natural.
6. lb n»fl'. Houbigant reads with Syr. 6c Sym. j;'S'1, " Et lux erit."
One MS. omits them, as a friend obferves. Mr. Bradley would read with
Fenwick, n^5N*, " I will caufe refrefhment." from n5J. Perhaps we
fliould read, '*? Vn', " I will put in fafety him that trufteth in me." Since
this reading was propofed, I find fome inclined to read I'^n'J^, which they
think might be the reading of 6., " I will make him to hope."
7. ^DD. Hare obferves that D is dropped before this word ; fee alfo Ar.
& iEth. Verf. For pf<V Houbigant and Lowth read \T\r\\ rather piriD;
and for V^bl, which occurs only here, perhaps we might read VVd adver-
bially ; <' As the filver ejitirely refin'ed — As the fne gold purified itv^n
times." But fee the learned BiHiop Watfon's Chym. Eilays. Vol. III.
P* 319-
8. One MS., with 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. Houbigant^ &c., reads
^2^a:^•n, which the context requires ; " Thou O Jehovah, flmlt keep us"
or ij-nroti'D.
9. DinD 2 MSS. read with Hare £Dnn, " In the exaltation of the vilefl
of the fons of men."
, E PSALM
E M ]
PSALM XIII.
THIS pfalm probably compofed by David in a ftate of perfecutlon ;
and if we might read nJK ly before ]i:i», which the metre of the collations
very ftrongly countenances, we have a mofl beautiful anaphora in the five
firfl lines.
3. Some propofe nW for mW, according to Syr. & JEth.y and read ])}.%
" How long fhall I indulge grief, or anxiety in my foul — ^W daily forrow
in my heart ?"
4. 'Jjy riD'nn. As one MS. reads »JiVl, perhaps we fhould read 'DIH.
** Behold me, and hear me, &c.j" or with one MS. O'lH.
man. 6. Syr. & Mth. with Houbigant, &c. read m^'?. Vulg. with
Hare DTJl. Ar. probably nan, mortuus ; but Merrick fupports the pre-
fent text, " Leji I Jleep death:"
6. A friend fupplies nVO after 'jm with the Ch. & Vulg. \ but fee Pf.
cxvi. n. Lowth from 6. concludes this pfalm with the Hemiflich, which
ends Pf. vii.
PSALM XIV.
L E C L E R C and others fuppofe this pfalm from the laft verfe to have
been written during the Babylonifh captivity. Grotius, &c. make David
the author of it, as the title fets forth ; fee Green on verfe 6.
xh'hVi 6 read mybv ; in Pf. liii. we have 'jiy ; neither of which ac-
cords well with the preceding verb; and as 2 MSS. omit the former, and
one the latter, might we not read ^"h"^, " They are altogether become
abominable ?"
6 & Syr. with Houbigant read ll^yrim, and 16 MSS. {j;-in, which is
more grammatical.
2 MSS.
C 15 ]
V. 3. MSS. 2 have recovered thofe verfes which we have in 6. Vulg.
^th. & Ar. and in Rom. iii. 13—18. See alfo Kennic. Gen. Dill' Sed.
84. 9. but Mr. Bradley thinks St. Paul cited from feveral paffages.
4. 'VdK. 2 MSS. read more grammatically ♦^Dlt*.
^b^a. Hare's reading ibSKD, preferable j ** Eating up my people, as they
eat bread." See Vulg.
5. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with one MS. fupply, as in Pf. liii., nnD
6. Corre<5t Pf. liii. 6. by this.
Win. Rather with one MS. and Houbigant Iti^'in, '* They have Jliamed,
7. All the ant. verfions, except the Ch., read with one MS. r\W% " And
Ifrael ihall be glad."
PSALM XV.
THIS feems to be a counter part to the preceding pfalm ; and as in
the former Saul and his adherents might be defcribed, in this Jehovah, to
whom David folemnly appeals, may delineate him, whom he condefcends
to call the man after his own heart.
2. MSS. 23. read *7yi£31, and 11 lam, more agreeable to the preceding
participle.
4. Vyrh. Whether we render this word with moft of the antient ver-
fions, proximo fuo, or with Hammond and others, ad fuum damnum, the
true reading probably is inV^b.
MSS. ^j have TD*. more grammatically.
PSALM
C 16 ]
PSA L M XYl.
CDD^. This pfalm fo called «aT eIo^w, as Pythagoras's verfes ; (fee Poole's
Synopf.) proved to be David's from Adls ii.
2. n'^^a. 21 MSS. with all the verfions, except Ch., and Houbigant
with others read 'maS*, " I /aid unto Jehovah, &c."
"I'bV bl 'DIIl). Seeker gives up thefe words as inexplicable. Houbigant
with Lowth, following the Syr. & Ch., read ']nvbl ^3, " Nihil boni mihi-
eft Jifie tf." But one MS. has probably reftored the true reading ^D,
which had been before fuggefted by an ingenious writer, mentioned by the
prefent learned Bifliop of Norwich. " ^// my goodnefs is with thee, or
from thee-" Mr. Bradley has communicated this reading yTjf bD, con-
nedling thefe words with what follows, " yf// f/iy tejlimoniesy which are
on the earth, are holy." Reading alfo in the next verfe "inx* N*in for
■nnxi nan, " He ivill magnify all them that delight in them."
3. For the various readings, and fenfes, put upon thefe words confult
Houbigant, Mudge, Lowth, &c. The emendation I would ofter is to
read niN' for linKI, and by a catachrefis underftanding DHJ'np'? to
{\gn\iy falfe Gods, I would give the words this conftrudion, " As for the'
holy ones, that are on the earth, ihtk JJiall dejiroy all that delight in them."
4. Hare, with others, fuppofes the word D^H^rK to have been dropped
after nnK ; but by reading with Houbigant DHnriN*, the difficulty is re- |
moved, if the remark above be admitted, '* They fhall multiply their m
forrows, who haften after them." i. e. the falfe Gods. But a friend jufti-
fies -in{< from If. i. 4. and.obferves, that Chald. renders the firft part of the
verfe, *' They have multiplied their idols; they have gone backward
haftily."
5. I'Sin. 23 MSS. with 6 read -]3in, probably right.
9. 6. Vulg.
C 17 ]
9. 6. Vulg. & Ar. render mi3, " //;?^z/^ mea." See alfo Adls ii. 26.
10. blKtyb. " Hsec vox de corpore proprie dicitur, & loca fign. intra
terram, & plerumque Sepulchra vifui hominum fubdufta ; inde ad animum
humanum fadla tranflatione, pro ea regione ponitur qu« Ipiritus humanos
ad tempus judicii fervat, turn eorum qui bene, turn eorum qui male, vixe-
runt : nullum enim hac voce eft ejus rci Difcrimen. Vid. Matt. xi. 23."
Grot, in Numb. xvi. 33. And Seeker infers from this paflage in the
text, Pf. Ixxxix. 49., Prov. xxiii. 14., that blN'jy is the place of t^'flj,
the Soul; and that feme conjundtion or vicinity between the place of dead
bodies and fouls was apprehended. He alfo confiders "^IK!:^ as a perfon
in thefe places, and the text may be more literally rendered, " Thou
ihalt not leave my Soul to Hell." Which, as he obferves further, is the
fame as Hole; and is called blS'ti^, becaufe it is always craving. See
Prov. XXX. 16.
"J'TDD. 180 MSS. read *]TDn. A remarkable inftance of the utility
of the collation of the MSS. : See alfo gen. Diflert. Sedt. 17. and Adts.
ii. 27.
11. V1^> Houbigant with Syr. V1^^\ 26 MSS. vnVw', which may be
confidered as the Part. Ben. in Pyh.
DK ninct:'. probably DHDIi^ DwV, ** being filled with the joy of thy counte-
nance" One MS. reads nnaiT.
PSALM XVII.
THIS pfalm generally allowed to be David's.
V. I. pi\;. Lowth reads with 6. Vulg. 6c Ar. 'plif.
3. rb'h. Perhaps 'nr'7D, '* Thou haft tried ny heart ; thou haft vifited
my reins. Houbigant reads nV"? »V, with Syr. & Ch.
^1. I ft- 6. Vulg. & Ar. "7^. " And fhalt not find mine iniquity."
Durell as equivalent to »n HOf renders 'DOT, " no crime in me." mnv 3 MSS.
F 4. Lowth
[ 18 ]
4- Lowth affixes a non liquet to this verfe. Mudge and others con-
nedl the firfl: part with the words preceding. Houbigant for Dl'^VSV
reads by a metathefis mbiDyb, " Non tranfibit os meum ad Jimulationes
Adam." A friend gives this verfion of the text. " My mouth fhall not
tranfgrefs, according to the pradtices of men, (i. e. as men generally
do) the word of thy lips." referring to the ufe of the Prepos. n after "laV,
If. Ixii. 10.
5. IOT:::. 44 MSS. more regularly lOtDJ; and 54 have mC'K. Perhaps
we jfhould read vh\ See Verf.
6. yrD'. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar., with 4 MSS. and Hare, read V^Z'\
7. nVsn. Houbigant with 35 MSS. K^Sn.
D'Din. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^Eth., with Houbigant, &c., "J'Din. " Of
them that trujl in thee."
8. nn. The learned Dr. Blayney reads n'n, with perhaps one MS. j
but may it not be redundant ? See Deut. xxxii. 10.
9. D'SJl. Hare with others 't^'i3Jn, which is favoured by the Vulg. &
An, conneding 'Vv with the following verie. Others read 'u'Dj, rather
perhaps 'B^DiH, in conflrudlion, " The enemies of my Soul watch for me.
10. laa'^n. Houbigant, followed by Lowth and others, reads labnn,
" rete fuum clauferunt." Durell with a friend T^nbn, "contra mc eorum
cor clauferunt." And the metre of the collations being defedlive, perhaps
"hv may have been dropped from the end of the line, the preceding termi-
nating with the fame word, which fee; or retaining the word in the text,
la'lbn may have been omitted through its great fimilitude to it, ** their
hearts are inclofed in their own fat." See Pf. cxix. 70.
11. 1j"ltl'N*. Mudge with Green, " JVe have gone on profperoiijly." Ed-
wards inti'N', " How happy are ive l" and MSS. 19. favor this reading.
Houbigant and Lowth, 'Jl"lty{<, " incedunt in me." Hare with Seeker
IDH^N, " Iheir Jieps have now encompafled me," which feems as pro-
bable as any, or rather iamt:'N*. See MSS. mOiV. The Syr., followed
by Plammond and others, might perhaps read according to one MS. I^'IDJ'?,
or
L 19 J,
or rather 'triDjV, " ut projiernerent me In terram." but the prefent text
may defcribe their clofe watching him, leaft he fliould efcape.
12. iroi. There can be little doubt but we fliould read with Durell
according to 6. Vulg. Ar. & Ri\\, 'JlOl, but deriving it from DOl. I
would render it, " Tihey watch for me, as a lion, &c." See MS. 35.
14. The fenfe, if not the metre, feems to require another word, per-
haps 'Vi'S " Let thy Hand, O Jehovah, deliver me from the men."
"ibnrj. Perhaps for Dn'7, " From the men, to ivhotn their portion is in
this life."
irS^fl. 42 MSS. ^Jlii'l.
15. »JK. One MS., with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. ^th. 6c Houbigant, ♦.IKI.
" But I."
\*'(5ni, " In waiting for thy likenefs." i. e. the appearance of tJie She-
chinah ; or perhaps we fliould read D'nni, " In beholding thy likenefs."
See Numb. xii. 8. 6. Vulg. & Ar., which alfo probably read "]lin3 for
nnilDn, " Tly Glory."
PSALM XVIII.
THIS pfalm, and 2 Sam. xxii., to be correded by each other exi-
gentia loci :
V. 3. ''b^. rather 'n^K ; See 2 Sam. xxii. 3.; where 'b is probably re-
dundant in V. 2. 6. & 2 MSS. 'n.l^SV
5. MSS. 5 fupply O, at the beginning, as 2 Sam. 22.
'b^n. '"intyo, as in 2 Sam., avoids the tautology ; fee Pf. cxvl. 3.
7. "Vlth, probably redundant; fee 2. Sam., & Hare. Klin. 38 MSS.
9. VflD. Hare, with others, reads according to 6. Vulg. & iEth.
VJSa ; but in the parallel pafTage 6 & Vulg. agree with the text ; and
no MS. authorizes the alteration : See Pf. cxliv. 5.
II. Kin. This reading is confirmed by the number of MSS. in 2 Sam.
and many of the verfions.
F 2 12. The
C 20 ]
12. The words probably tranfpofed J reading then with 2 MSS., as in
2 Sam., and ni^*n with Houbigant and others for DDtVn, as in Sam., the
whole may be rendered thus, " Aiid he made darknefs his covert, — round
about him was a girdle of waters, — and his covering the clouds of Hea-
ven. 6. Vulg. & ^th. with 2 MSS. read nJ!>n.
13. 14. For the correction of thefe two verfes. See Kennicott's firft
DilT. ; but for X2'''2'C1, 2 MSS. with 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & iEth. read, as
in parallel place, xy'y^^C:, " Out of Heaven." 53 MSS. '\b^p.
16. D'3. 4 MSS. read D% as in 2 Sam. ; *' Alludit ad detedtionem
maris rubri." Gejerus. " And the channels of the fea were feen."
28. As this pfalm relates particularly to David, Dy feems to be written
for DN, " For thou fhalt fave the humble"
Read DO"! as in the parallel place.
29. pK. 52 MSS. more regularly \*inK.
"lit:'. Rather ")::>, Princeps. " And by my God I fliall leap over." (i. e,
fubdue) a prince" viz. Saul. See Kennicott and others on Gen. xlix. 6.
34. 'ni!::2. Rather nV^n, '*' Upon the high places." See Hare, &c.
35. nnnJV Houbigant ^Dlim. Mudge, Lowth, 6cc. with 6. Vulg. &
iEth. nnn:"!, " And thou makefl" But if an alteration be neceffary, per-
haps we {hould read nDDDl, " And mine arm Jliall break a bow of brafs."
See 2 Kings, xviii. 4.
37. Several MSS. here and 2 Sam. xxii. 37. read 'blD'lp.
38. »nVi^. 42 MSS. read 'n»j<j as this noun is ufually written.
41. Lowth reads with 2 MSS. DD'aVNl 'NJC'O.
43. DpnK. 10 MSS. with Lowth and others read DpHK, as in 2 Sam.
45. 'WT\y. If we retain this word, it muft bear the fenfe, which Cail.
gives it in Niph. " Subjicientur " See alfo the Syr. & our Bib. Verfion j
but Houbigant reads, yt'iy. See alfo Pf. Ixvi. 3. and Ixxxi. 16.
46. "blK Houbigant iVn^', " fhall be difmayed." But the prefent
text may be rendered with the Ch. " fiall he confumed ;" or deriving it
from V^Dj ** Jl'all be counjounded"
47. 'mbx 59 MSS. have 'nbi^, as it is written elfewhere.
48. niTI,
C 21 ]
48. nm*1, Cocceius and others defend this fenfe of the word from Pf.
Ixvii. 4. See alfo 2 Chron. xxii. 10; but in the parallel paffage, as Buxtorf
obferves, it is inNH.
49. The metre appearing to be defeftive, perhaps ^bii from its fimili-
tude to the preceding word may have been dropped, " My God delivereth,
&c." or nriN, " 'T/iou delivered me, &c." which anfwers better to the
following Verb. See 6. & Vulg. " My deliverer from mine enemies, &c."
Durell.
** From the violent man." 1. e. Saul.
50. ♦n'7J?. perhaps wanting at the end of this verfe, " And fing praifes
unto thy name, O my God" See Pf. xcii. 2.
51. blilD. 35 MSS. with Hare and Houbigant, read V'TID ; as in 2 Sam.
myia.'». 14 MSS. with Syr. 6c Ch. nriL^S fmg.
TWWS 5 MSS., which agrees better with the preceding participle.
The lafl: words refer to Chrift, the fon of David. See Poole.
PSALM XIX.
'fo the Condu6lor of the Mufic.
V. 3. MSS. 28 read noit^, ** Verbum." nempe, de Deo, quod per
Zeugma hie repetendum. Genebrard.
4. 'bn Dnm. Green reads with Hare, 'bl3 nm ; but for 'Vn, might
we read hT\y ** There is neither fpeech nor language, ivhere their voice is
not heard ?
5. Dip. Bellarmine thought this word a fufficient proof of the corruption
of the text ; but Pocock with others, borrowing its llgnification from the
Ar., renders it, " vociferatio eorim.*' Muis, who is followed by Patrick
and others, gives the word this fenfe, " Unea eoriim," i. e. fcriptura, qua
tanquam volumine, Dei gloria omnibus legenda proponitur. However
0*7^, the reading of 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar,, approved by Glaffius and
many others, feems to be preferable, ** their voice"
G 6. 6. Vulg.
[ 22 ]
6. 6. Vulg. Ar. JEth. 6c Syr. with 22 MSS. read NVV, " And he, as
a bridegroom going forth out of his chamber,— rejoiceth, &c.
7. This verfe may refer both to the annual and diurnal motion of the
fun, or rather the earth, by which every part of the globe is warmed and
enlightened.
8. The expreffions in this, and the following verfes, {hewing the fupe-
rior influence of the hii: upon \k\^joiil to that of the fun upon the earth,
is very beautiful.
10. ipTi\ Hare reads pTil, undoubtedly rights " The judgments of
Jehovah are truth, and Righteoufnefs together."
12. There is a play upon the words in this and the preceding verfe, and
i") ?£3 there feems to be oppofed to m npV here; though Meibomius
would read :2py "TV, " even unto the end." See Pf. cxix. 33.
13. mS'ilw' feems to denote ym of infirmity, miDDi wilful fns committed
fecretly; and Dnt overt aSls of iniquity. See Poole's Synopf. Hare pro-
bably right in reading imN",1ii% " his errors^
14. Cn'^?. Hare, with others, reads DD 'ns* ; but the Lexicographers,
with Houbigant and 5 MSS,, read Dn^{ in Niph. ; which anfwers better
to the following verb, for which Edwards would likewife read 'pil; but
Jud. XV. 3. may jullify the text.
PSALM XX,
THE prayers and wiflies of the priefts, and people, for David's fuccefs,
the fubje<5t of this pfalm. Muis, & Crit. fac. See the preceding title.
V. 2. Dtt*. Hare conliders it as an interpolation j but fee Lowth on
Ifaiah. Rather with a friend, ** exalt thee."
3. C'liJO. Houbigant with Syr. ltl>li5D, " out of his fanduary."
4. niDP 14 MSS.
"J'nnjO. We Ihould either read with 17 MSS. TmnJDj or with 23
inmo, l:ng.
[ 23 ]
nit^T. The bed fenfe of this word is that of Vatablus and others, " re-
digat in cineres." See our Marg. Verf. unlefs with Hammond we borrow it
from the Ar. ** acceptabit." perhaps it is written by miftake for T\'^'y. See
Pf, li. 1 8.
6. bilJ. Lorinus and others read according to the 6 Vulg. & i^th.
Si. 13, " magnificabimur."
J. Mudge fuppofes thefe to be the words of the High Prie/l. Junius
more probably to be the words of David. Hare fupphes the defeift of
the firfl line by reading '3}< after nnj?; but perhaps VI'' may have been
dropped, from the fimilitude of the words, before or after 'nj/1\ " Now
know I ajfuredly." See i Sam. xx. 3, xxvili. i.
MSS. xix. with Syr. and Ar. riTinJin.
8. The fenfe, if not the metre, is defedive in the firfl: line of this
verfe; as therefore many with our verfions fupply, conjidunt, fee Lorinus,
may not the word D*Din have been dropped after D'DlDl, from their fimi-
litude ?
"I'DTJ. Lowth, with others, reads according to 6 and Syr. T2.1.^ But
Jofli. xxiii. 7. Ifai. xlviii. i, feem to juftify the text.
9. This and the preceding verfe are probably a chorus.
10. 1Jiy». Houbigant, with many others, reads according to 6. Vulg.
Syr. & iEth. iJjyi. " May Jehovah fave the King. — and hear us, &c. !"
PSALM XXI.
THE fubjcdl of this pfalm nearly the fame with that of the foregoing j
and in its fublimefl: fenfe relates to Chrift, the Son of David. Some re-
fer it folely to Chrift. See Cocceius, &c.
1. nJD probably an interpolation, as Hare and others fuppofe, it beino-
found only in the Ch. but fee Lowth's Prel. DilT. on Ifai. Houbigant
rejeds this with "tkD j the laft improperly. 58 MSS. have b,V for V.V.
The true reading probably bvv. See Prov. xxiii. 24. though it is often
found in Hiph.
G 2 ■ 3. nt:nKv
C n ]
3. nty^NV This word, being an s^ral yeyof^ov, may be written for
nVNi:'\ See V. 5. Houbigant borrows the fenfe of the text from Samar.
4. Hare's conjedlure probable, that the prepofition 2 is dropped before
mDnn, or as 7 MSS., with Syr. DDll, fing.
5. The lafl words of this verfe are literally true only of the fpiritual
David.
nnni. All the verfions, except the Ch., read nnn:i ; which Is better,
or rather nnil ; fee the MSS.
7. tA' " Nam pofuifti eum /// fecula benedicendum." Houb. and
Lowth. Perhaps DvV, " For thou (halt make him a blefling to the
l^eopk," which is truly charafteriftic of the Mefliah.
10. "njnD. Perhaps better with 3 MSS. niJna, " Thou fhalt put them
hi afurtiace of fire, &c."
D'jyi'. Seeker reads with the Syr. tD"\yn», *' Shall burn them in his an-
ger s" which the context favors. Gejerus thinks that here is an allufion
to the overthrow of the Sodomites j and the words may be prophetical of
the deArudtion of Jerufalem.
13. DDli*. The various fenfes put upon this word make the prefent
text fufpicious. Mudge reads DSrD, " as Shechevi," which became a
proverbial expreflion ; See Pf. Ix. and cviii. Seeker refers to Syr. which
renders the text, " turpitudinem.'" Hare and others fuppofe that D'Vn
has been omitted in the laft line ; See alfo our Bib. Verf. Durell would
read DOC, ** Thou flialt make them thonjs," or Dltritt, ** thou wilt
place then' abode in the cords (or nets), &c." perhaps rather nOSt!',
•* Thou flialt make them a dejolation." See Jerem. ix. 11. but Cocceius
renders the text, " Thou Ihalt make them a mark" i. e. to fhoot at,
which, if the word will bear this fenfe, agrees better with what fol-
lows.
P S A L M
[ 25 ]
PSALM XXII.
dVk. For the different interpretations of this word, fee Poole's Synopf.
&c. Grotius thinks that 6. read DliN, T^; avrtM^^tj;. Might it not be ori-
ginally nbV, *' For a -morning lamentation ?" Calovius and others refer
this pfalm folely to Chrifl:.
V. 2, ♦nVL^'a. 7 MSS. read with Hare and others TWli!^, " being far
from my cry." Houbigant, following Symmachus, for pim reads ipm,
** The words of my crying are far from helping me."
3. ri'DTT. Houbigant D'Dn, " quietem das." But a friend, with feve-
ral MSS. omits 1 in N^l 2d, " Et node non eft filentium mihi."
4. A friend renders with 6, " And yet thou dwelleft in the fmcftuarv,
O thou praife oflfrael." Or, by an cllipfis of the prepofition 2, " among
the praifes of Ifrael. But fee Lowth in Merr. 4 MSS. read with 6,
Vulg. & Ar. nVnn, (ing. or rather nbnn.
5. MSS. 33. have irmiN. The ufual reading.
6. MSS. 46. 11;:^.
8. From this verfe to the 20th, the words are prophetical of Chrifl,
and literally fulfilled in him. See Matt, xxvii. 39. 1 1 MSS. 'Kii, and
23 i:ij^b'. See 2 Sam. xvii. 15. and Calas. Concord.
TO. This verfe was fulfilled in the miraculous birth of Chrift. See
Genebrard, &c. 'm. Several MSS. 'm,"i3 " EdiiSlor mens" Metaphora
ab obftetricibus. Riv. and we have the Verb in this Senfe Job. xxxviii.
8. See Pf. Ixxi. 6. 127. 3.
'n'tDnC. 8 MSS. with 6. Vulg. Syr. & Ar. Mudge and others read
'ntOlJD, " Spes mea."
12. See Matt. xxvi. 56. For ]»« O, Syr. and Ar. read \'>^\ One MS.
VKD, " without any helper."
^ - 13. Horned
C 26 ]
13. Horned beads were amongft the antients emblematical of power,
and may be here defcriptive of the Jewifh rulers, and the Roman gover-
nor, who confplred againd Jefus. See Poole's Synopf.
14. nn^^. One MS. reads with all the verfions nHNO; 22 MSS. tjniD;
and 20 .INIB'I. See the Verf.
17. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read with Hare D»m after D'1*?D, ** for
many dogs, &c."
nXD. 4 MSS. read nKD, and one MS- reads TO^ which is a drong
proof of the utility of the collations, as it redores an eminent predidtion
of the fingular death of Chrid, which the Jews pretend that the Chridians
have forged; notwithdanding 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^th. read fo. Sec
Kennicott's fird difTert. and Poole.
18. IflDK. 6 Vulg. Ar. and ^th. read "nSD, " they numbered all my
bones." as it was cudomary, fay Le Clerc and others, to expofe the body
in crucifixion quite naked. See alfo John xix. 3 1 — 33. A friend reads
with 6. "iNTI. See our Bib. Verf.
19. Thefe words were fo literally fulfilled in Chrid, that infidelity, one
would think, could not withdand their force. 6. Vulg. and one Ed. read
Ip^jn, which is more proper.
20. 'mTN. Notwithdanding the great authority of Lowth and Seeker ;
Mudge and others, reading ♦n'7N, are probably right ; ** O my God, hade
thee to help me."
21. 'nTn'. From comparing Pf. cxliii. 3. is it not probable that we
diould read here and Pf. xxxv. 17. irvn, *' My Life from the power of
the dog?" A friend thinks it might be "jins " 'Thy only begotten i"
See 6.
Jt12. 3 MSS. read with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & M\h. "T»J2i.
22. D'0"1. Durell renders it, " from the horns of the mighty ones."
referring to Job. xxi. 22. and obferving that horns are figuratively attri-
buted to men. Pf Ixxv. 10. &c. But 8 MSS. read with Houb. and 6.
Vulg. Ar. & iEth. CONI, which feems to be right; See Numb, xxiii. 22,
&c. Though in Job. xxxix. 9. it is written Dn, and whatever bead this
was,
C 27 ]
was. It was probably Co called from its height. Bootlus fuppofes it to
be the Urus, or wild bull. Bochart underftands it of the Oryx, a fpe-
cies of the wild goat, which abounded in Judea. The Bifhop of Nor-
wich fuppofes it to be of the i/eer kind. Sec Calmet alfo. That it is not
a one horned htzik may be inferred from Deut. xxxiii. 17., and this verfe.
" And thou wilt hear me." l at the beginning of the fentence affedling
the verb. Lowth.
24. Is not the metre better diveded thus,
&c. »KT
&c. bo
? &c. m^T
25. And again, 1 &c. n"? ♦JJ
&c, Nbl
? &c. witi^m
Some would read the affix in the firft perf. •* Neither hath he hid his
face from me 5 and when / cried unto him, he heard me." Suppofing the
Meffiah to fpeak. See Heb. v. 7.
26. VK"l». Houbigant reads y^XV, " before them that fear thee''-, more
agreeably to the context.
27. DDll'?. One MS, reads with all the verfions and Houb. Dll"?
*« their heart." Some read with 6. & Vulg. D'»3y, " pauperes."
28. I'JD'?. One MS. reads with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & &x\\. vJD'?,
** before him" ; which is better.
29. Hare reads Nim. Lowth inferts NIH after blif^fy], that one of them is
right appears from 6. Syr. Vulg. & JEih. 142 MSS read Vt^ai. See 6.
Vulg. & Syr.
30. pN^ityi. Houb. concludes that Syr. read »jt)D, " fame/ici" which
he is inclined to follow. " I muft own, I am wholly at a lofs to explain
this to my own fatisfadlion without admitting the rendering of thefe words
given by Mr. Fenwick, *• all that are fattened" ', i.e. fuftalned and fed
with or from the Earth -, i. e. all mortals, parallel and fynonymous
with all that go down to the dujl in the other part of the verfe,"
H 2 Lowth.
[ 28 ]
Lowth. Would it be too bold a conjedure to read nn:^ for ib^K,
and ^ycai for ^yci, " all t/ie chiefs of the earth Jhall ferve and wor-
fhip •" thefe two verbs being often joined together ; but if we retain "i'7DNS
it niuft refer to the peace offerings ; and the chiefs of the earth may be op-
pofed to thofe that go do'wn to the dujl to fhew that rich and poor fliall
become the fubjedls of Chrift's kingdom. See Pf. Ixxii. lo, ii.
rrn nV lii'D^l. Lowth and others, reading with 6. Vulg. Syr. 6c Ar.,
and connefting thefe words with the following verfe, give them a fofitive
fenfe. Hare and others, joining them to the preceding words, give them
a negative meaning. Following then Dr. Kennicott's divifion of the me-
tre in the three lall verfes, and reading with 34 MSS. mn'V for 'iTTK*?,
and with all the verfiuns, except the Syr, Randolph and others ii^y*
for 1N:i', I fubmit the following reading to the confideration of the
learned ;
** And the Soul not living, the feed of ft rangers y fljall ferve him — It fliall
be counted unto Jehovah for a generation to come." referring, as Randolph
obferves, to the calling of the Gentiles. Others following the reading of
6., which is countenanced by MSS., nr)*n lb 'li'SJl, " hut my Soul livetb
unto him," underftand it of the Refurredion of Chrift. But fee Houb.
32. 7blJ J fome give this participle the future fenfe, *' populo, qui
nafcetur," underftanding it of the Gentiles. Others the paft, *' populo,
qui natus eji ;" See Poole's Syn. following then the latter, the words
may be thus rendered, " And they, i. e. the Heathens, iLall declare his
righteoufnefs to the people, ivhich is born ; for he, i. e. Jehovah, hath
done it." See Ifai. xliv. 23. where nJJ'V is fo ufed : and they may re-
late to the final converfion of the Jews, the people of God, through the
falvation of the Gentiles. See Rom. xi. 11, 31.
P S A L M
C 29 ]
PSALM XXIIL
QU I D concipi poteft fuavlus 5c venuflius quam ilia Dei Paftoris Effi-
gies. ? Lowth.
V. 2. nmJD feveral MSS. mnUD, plur. ; but 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. and
Mth. have the fing. and the true reading is probably nmiD. See i Chron.
xxviii. 2.
3. Syr. read ♦jniH* ** attd leadeth me."
4. 'JDHi'. 47 MSS. 'ilDniS which all the verfions and the conflrudtion
juftify.
5. MSS. 40. n"ni'.
6, Tllti?"). Meibomius probably right in reading »r)lH"1. See Poole
alfo.
PSALM XXIV.
IT is generally agreed, that this pfalm refers to the tranfadtion recorded,
2 Sam. vi. Rivet. Lowth, &c. but fee ver. 7. Habet etiam haec Ode
forma dramatici Carminis. Praeled. 27.
nSlbtOI 13 MSS. read nN'^Cl, as it is written elfewhere.
3. The fingers on each fide of the ark might feverally afk thefe queftions ;
fee Lowth's Praeleft. 27. But Delany &c. fuppofe the king to fpeak thefe
words, when he was at the foot of the mount.
4. Kityb is here oppofed to mn'"?, and might be perhaps better ren-
dered, ** to vain idols ;" fee Jerem. xviii. 15. There feems to be a play
upon the words in this, and the following, verfe.
I 6. Hare,
C 30 3
6. Hare, Lowth, &c, agree, that this verfe is corrupted, and the fol-
lowing reading may be admitted on the authority of 6. and MSS.
*• This is the generation of them that feek him; of thofe that feek the
face of the God of Jacob." or with Syr. " thy face, 0 God, &c."
7. The Sublimity of the dialogue in this and the following verfes is not
equalled in any other author. See Lowth. *' Dicuntur Portse attolkre
capita, quum ita ^dificantur, ut furfum verfus eleventur. Tales ang.
Portcullis vocamus, quce ufurpantur in locis munitis, qualis erat Sion.
Et Portae Sionis, feu templi, atern(t dicantur, quod illic Area eflet per-
petuo habitatura ; h. e. ufque ad deftruftionem templi. Sed de Chrijlo ma-
gis quam de area, Chrifti figura, accipienda funtt" Muis, &c.
8. It is much more emphatical to fupply Nin with feveral MSS. as
in V. ic, «♦ who is he, this king, &c. ?"
9. MSS. 5., with Houb. and all the verfions for Wii^ read 1Niyjni>
as in V. 7. Nin'i 14 MSS.
PSALM XXV.
THE moft probable defign of the alphabetical pfalms, which are
Jeven in number, was for the more eafy learning and retaming them ;
and for preferving the Hebrew Metre. See the Preface.
V. I. Hare's correction of this verfe is approved by Lowth and others j
but from comparing Hare's, and the metre of the collations, I am inclined
to think, that we fliould omit nin' with one MS., reading the verfe in
one line, »nVN ^^^ ♦tt'D: T^^K, " O my God, unto thee do I lift up
my foul." or omit 'nbx, " Unto thee, O Jehovah, do I lift up my foul."
2. MSS. 7, with Ar. & Hare, read "JKI in the fecond place. »a'K.
48 MSS.
3. One
- C 3i ]
3. One MS. with the Alex. Verf. reads V^ be^e tD'-Jiinn, " le! all
them be aHiamed." Several MSS. in both places Win'.
4. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^th. with 2 MSS. read I'mmNI " and teach
me thy paths."
5. & 6. ^mK. Kennicott's method of reftoring the alphabetical letter
by reading with 3 MSS. inKI, and the deficient Hemiftich, feems pre-
ferable to Hare's, though this agrees with Meibomius and is followed
by others. "lOr 40 MSS.- fee v. 7. alfo.
7. Mr. Bradley brings the fecond line, according to the divifion of the
collat., into the vacant fpace of v. 6.
8. Hare for the fake of the metre joins p bv to the end of the firll: He-
meftichj but mn may perhaps have been omitted through the fimenefs
of the letters in the preceding word,
mn mn* n::"i mo
** Jehovah is good and upright."
9. Cocceius reads IDDlTXii, " in his judgment.'*
10. nyi:*? 14 MSS.
11. Mudge and others fupply 'bip V^V after mn'. Meibomius »JJn;
and we ought either to read with Syr. nbo pardon; or according to
6. & Vulg. confider the "i as wholly converfive, " thou lailt pardon.
12. The verbs in this verfe afford a beautiful paronomafia.
14. DVninV. " ut doceat eos.''* Ch. fo alfa Mudge and others. Seeker
from Noldius fuppofes that *? with the infin. bears the fignification of
the future, but perhaps this word is written by miftake for DVHV, ** and
he will make them to know his covenant."' See Syr. 6c Ar.
17. >l'n*in. Meibomius & others probably right in reading l'n"in, in
the imperat. Hiph. and joining "1 to the following word, which 2 MSS.
juftify, and the T is detached from the Verb in the collat. ** Enlarge
the ftraits of my heart, and bring &c." but Houbigant reads lin'^n,
' ' multiplicatce J'unt . ' '
18. That this verfe fhould begin with the letter p is very certain i
Meibomius for nN"^ reads nVp " Jini," Hare and others :np, '• draw
I 2 near
[ 32 ]
near to my aTuiHiloi^' but Mudge fays he reads thus for want of fome-
thing better ; Koubigant has l^fp, " pone modum ; a friend propofes ♦♦jya
Knp, " invocans fum in anguftiis meis." but does not n;? anfwer ftill better
to Nti'l ? for ^^J'^, I would therefore read n: np " Take aivay, I pray thee,
niine aitlidion, &c."
2 0. The true reading feems to be ^tyfliH "IDty, or rather mi:::'.
2-1. The defedt in the laft Hne of this verfe requires that we ihould
fupply with 6 .^th. & Ar. mn% or OTV ; fee Hare and others.
22. The laft period probably added by another hand, as Hare and
others thini: ; and one MS. omits it.
P S A L M XXVI.
I T is generally agreed, that this pfalm was compofed on account of
fome injurious charge brought againft David by fome of Saul's cour-
tiers. See Poole's Synops.
1. To fupply the manifeft defed in the ift line of this verfe. Hare
repeats the verb, " judge me, O Jehovah, judge me,'' but 'n^K rather
feems to have been dropped, " judge me O Jehovah, my God." or ")pTjf3
" judge me accordwg to thy righteoufnefs, O Jehovah." See Pf. xxxv.
24. Edwards and Green reduce the three lines into two. 'DIDl 10 MSS.
TtHLD::. It is better to read with 6 Vulg. and others niDU, as in pf.
xxvii. 3. " and trujiing in Jehovah, &c."
2. The true reading feems to be Ti'lbnn ^T\'i.
4. Niti' 'ns. " Cum Ido/o/at> is " Mariana. So it feems to fignify. Job.
xxii. 14. and the word oViy, or as I would rather read Dlby, feems to
anfwer to tD^dlVi here, being both defcriptive of the Jecret manner in
which they worfhipped idols ; fee Deut. xxvii, 16. As therefore we may
render the paffage in Job, " Haft thou marked the Jecret way, which Ido-
laters have trodden ?" thefe words may be alfo rendered, ** and with Mf
Jicret ones, I will not go."
'* I will
[ 33 3
6. naiDJiV S5 MSS' "^^^^ nnmONI, more regularly.
" / will wajli my hands in innocency" Alludit ad externum ilium ab-
lutionls rltum apud Hebr^eos ufitatum. vid. Deut. xxi. 6. Grot. See
pf. Ixxiii. 13.
7. min. Houbigant reads "IIID, " the voice of thy praife." But a friend
reads with feveral MSS. V'Oty*?, " that I might make knowny and declare all
thy marvellous works v/ith the voice of praife."
8. The laft part of this verfe might be better rendered, *' and the place
of the habitation of thy glory." alluding to the Shechinah.
9. fp^D. Tho' 16 MSS. read ti'DN*n, is it not better to give this verb
the paffive fignification, " My {q\A Jhall not be united with finners ?"
10. njy{^ might be rendered, " For mifchief, &c." See i Sam. xv. 15.
11. The metre in the laft Hemiftlch feems to be defedivcj may
not "h^ then have been omitted through its fimilitude to the laft word in
the former, ** 0 my God deliver me, and be gracious unto me?" »0in3
7 MSS.
12. "nty'Si. Hammond renders it, *' in a plain place,*' underftandlng
by it the coiirt, where the altar ftood. Might we read ty"rpm, *' My
foot ftandeth in the fan5fuary ?" VaT is always feminine in the ling.
PSALM XXVII.
I T is not altogether improbable that this pfalm might be written on
David's viOiory over Goliahj compare v. 2, 10, 12.
V. 2. This verfe may refer to i Sam. xvii. 44.
inpn 16 MSS. & 5 biDN*?.
3. DNt^. /'. e. ** in hoc bello." Gejerus. A friend refers this pronoun
to what follows, *• in this thing I will be confident," viz. one thing, &c.
4. ^m^?. 25 MSS. more properly HDJ^ " this very thing will I feek
after. See pf. xc. 17.
K 5. r\y:)':i.
[ 34 ]
5- nSDl. Houb. with one MS. and all the verfions, except Ar.,
1DD2, " in his tabernacle." or rather IDIDn.
6. nvnn. Hare and others would read rnin» " facrifices of praife"
But why not, ** facrifices of triumph ? " which fenfe the word in the text
may admit of.
7- 'JJm 7 MSS. &; lo'Marg. with 6. Syr. Vulg. 6c ^th. read >ijn,
** have mercy upon me."
8. »J£) itypn. Reading VJ3 ii'lp:], the words might bear this fenfe, " Go,
my heart faid, feek his face — thy face Jehovah, &c." ^ is made the impe-
rat. of iV; But fee Lowth, Durell reads with Vulg. Syr. & Ar. "jliypn
*' my face will feek thee.'" A friend by reading Itypnn, and with one
MS. TJi), gives this fenfe, ** my heart faid to thee, while it was feek-
ing thy face, thy face, &c."
10. 'D might be rendered although, and 1, yet ; " although my father and
my mother fliould forfake me, yet Jehovah would receive me." And of
this he might have fome mifirufl: in confequence of his brother's beha-
viour towards him, i Sam, xvii. 38. But as the metre, if not the fenfe
is defedive, and this verb governs b^?, perhaps y^H may have been
dropped,' *' yet Jehovah will take me to himfef."
11. n-nty yy MSS. See alfo Pf. v. 9.
12. 13. abil. As Seeker obferves, 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. read i*?, Va-
tablus, with many others, fuppofcs that fome verb is underftood ; fee
Poole's Synops. and our verfions. Houb. followed by Lowth, reads bub,
" in Deum credidi j" Durell obferving that the particle nViV is not known
in Hebrew, propofes Nib, " Oh that I might believe to fee — / But may
not the word be written for 'bx, " and violence breatheth out upon me."
See Hab. ii. 3; alluding to i Sam. xvii. 45, or to Doeg? Some propofc
this reading, 'nJSNm 'bv DOH in'D'l, " and they breath out violence againft
?ne i — but I will truft, &c."
14. nipT &c. probably an interpolation, as Hare and others think;
but Kennicott's metre feems to be right.
PSALM
[ 35 ]
PSALM XXVIII.
MUDGE fuppofes this pfalm to have been written by David for a
vidlory over fome foreign enemy. Mariana thinks it refers to the confpi-
racy mentioned 2 Sam. xx. ; perhaps rather to that of Abfalom and Ahi~
tophel, 2 Sam. xvii.
V. 2. Kennicott's metre probably the truefl.
I'll. *' Oraculum erat Sandlum Sandorum, ubi deus refponfa dabat."
Pifc. &c.
3. 'bnS 8 MSS. and 4 nin, more regular. There is a beautiful pa-
ronomafia in the laft part of this verfe.
5. From comparing this verfe with Ifai. v. 12. it may be fufpeded,
that y^>y- nS has been dropped after TT, and that the verfe fhould be
divided thus,,
&c. a
: &c. DDnn*
*' Becaufe they underftood not the work of Jehovah ; — neither regarded
the operation of his hands; — he ihall, &c." 6. Vulg, Syr. Ar. & i^th.-
have the plur. & 19 MSS. read m'7J'i3, and 2 mblVSj but the true read-
ing feems to be ni'JVlS.
There is a beautiful paronomafia between CDii' and li'l'.
7. n'ty:2T 'nb 'hV- Lowth thinks that 6. Syr. & Vulg. read ♦n'701 ntfl
tbV'» " My feJJi fhall rejoice, and with my heart will I praife him." which
he prefers. Houb. &c. would read iy\vy\ ; but D has fo often the
fignification of in, or ivith, that this alteration feems unnecefTary.
niv 7 MSS.
K 2 8. id"?,.
[ 35 ]
S. ^di. 6 MSS. and another at firft with 6 Syr. Vulg. Ar. and JEth.
fead T^yb ; which is approved by Houb. &c. " Jehovah is the ftrength of
his people." See Kennic. gen. DifT. Cod. 39. and Pf. xxviii. 8.
ny 16 MSS. and 3 omit mvii:'' ' which is neither requifite to the fenfe
or metre; " and he is thejirength of his anointed."
PSALM XXIX.
G 11 O T I U S conjedures with great probabiHty, that this pfalm was
compofed on the vidtory of David over the Syrians, mentioned 2 Sam. viii.
r ; when the divine interpofition might diftinguifh itfelf by a violent
thunder florm. It abounds in beautiful anaphoras.
V. I. D'Vn 'jn. Houb. &c. according to Syr. *' flios Arietum,'' but this
fenfe is not favored by the two parallel places, pf. xcvi. 7. i Chron.
xvi. 28. Others, " flii potei2tium'\ i.e. principes, five magnates; or ac-
cording to 6 Vulg. Ar. & ^th. " flii Dei," as diftinguifhing the people
of Ifrael from the Heathen world; fee Gen. vi. 2. but then it fhould
be written D'n*7N. Would not D^J< correfpond better with the two pa-
rallel places. " O ye fo?ts of men' ? See pf xxxvi. 7.
nn 34 MSS.
2. jyip nmrm- Our marginal verfion feems to have read tt^lpn y\T\1*
Houb. with Syr. and Vulg. mina, " in atriot" or Jl/lpn "nnn, •* in the
chamber of holinefrt or the holy chamber." i. e. Sandum Sandtorum ; but 6.
read ^U^^ in his holy court."
3. Green reduces the three lines in this verfe into two. Hare fupplies
blp^ before bt^ in the fecond line. Houb. with one MS. repeats D'yin. A
friend reads with him, but omits niiT with one MS. Perhaps we fhould
read ibipi after mnDH, *' the glorious God thundereth with his voice."
See Job. xxxvii. 5.
4. The
[ 37 ]
4- I'he lenfe, with the metre, feems to require another word In botli
thefe Hemiftichs : the Ch. read ySD' in pyli. but perhaps mn was dropped
in both places from its limilitude to mn* preceding. S^e Green's verfion.
mDl two valuable MSS. ; and although this word is written with the
T only in Dan. xi. 6. this fcems to be the right reading.
5. The cedars of Lebanon may be underftood both literally, and figu-
ratively ; as the lightning might not only fhiver f/ie frees, but deRroy the
Syrian Chiefs. See Poole. A friend would omit the fecond mn* with
one MS., and it feems redundant on account of the metre.
6. nDTp"TT. Perhaps better Tp"T% " cifid he made Lebanon to fkip like
a calf — and Sirion like a young unicorn." Whatever bead ax"l may de-
note, it feems to be fo called from its height. See pf. xxii. iz.
7. minV. n fupplendum, " fatnmis ignis." i. e. per flammantia fulgura
diflipat arbores & alia. Gejer. &c. See alio Ifai. Ixvi. 15c but the pfalmiil
might only defcribe the fucceflive flaflies of lightning.
9. DiVn b'jins *' dolore afficit quercus." Lowth, &c. for, as Seeker ob-
ferves, though mVs* be found no where elfe in the plur. ; yet as there is
n'jN, there might be mbi< and m*7>J^. As the fecond line in the Collat.
is evidently too fhort, I would fupply 'i'j; before miVS *' the voice of
Jehovah maketh the oaks to JJiake. — And he maketh bare the trees of the
woods." and as Mr. Bradley obferves, the root of the verb in the fore-
going verfe, and this, is the fame ; but he would render this, ** caiifeth to
JJiake violently."
"iDt* "ibD. Hare and others would read ibp or iblp, " his voice pro-
claimeth." Houb. &c, with one MS. nON» ^D, " every one Jliall pro^
claim." Merrick n^K lb Vd. But as 21 MSS. have IDIJJ, it might
be naiN* b^, " let every man be /peaking k,c. Hare with all the ver-
fions reads ITinD, " his glory." t]ltrn'T 12 MSS.
10. 2.W. " cohibet diluvium." Ar. " revocavit." Syr. I am therefore
inclined to think that the true reading is nilC?', " Jehovah maketh the
food to retire, or refraineth, the flood." i. e. from doing any injury to his
own people, at the fame time that it deftroyed the enemy.
C 38 3
mn' 3ti*'1. From comparing the Collat. with the Ar. Verf. it ftrikes
me that we fliould tranfpofe thefe words, and read 1{J» mnS and thereby
rcflore a moft beautiful anaphora, which Green in his verfion hath done.
II. nv. 17 Mss.
PSALM XXX.
n'2n DDin. This title bears no relation to the fubjed: of the pfalm ;
may it not then be a corruption for HTtn n^Sn, ** A fong of^ or for t
the ejlablijhtnent of Health ?" See v. 4.
V. 4. MSS. 39 read with Houbigant HTD, inftead of nnVD; fo Ch.
" ne defcenderem."
5. See pf. xcvii. 12.
6. m. Syr. rn^-l. " Increpatio" all the other verfions ti"l, " /Vi?."
But the contraft is befl: preferved by the prefent text : See our Bib.
Marg. Verf.
T\V1. One MS. reads n'lyb ; anfwering to "ip^bl, " Heavinefs may
endurey^r the evening, but joy is for the morning."
8. mnV. 6. Vulg. & Ar. with Mudge and many others read mnV,
which one MS. fupports : and for ty I would read ?t<, placing it at the
beginning of the next line. " Jehovah, by thy favor thou didft efta-
blifh my Beauty. — T^hen thou didft hide thy &c." But 12 MSS. read
tlV 31 MSS. niayn without the laft n.
9. mrr fecond. 60 MSS. read »3"TK ; and two ^■^'7^?. One of which
feems more proper j fee the former line.
10. I had once conjedlured that the reading of the laft Hemiftich might
be, "inON* T.1N nnsy Tirn " when I go down to the dujl, Jliall I declare
thv truth ?
II. A.
C 39 ]
II. A friend renders with 6. Vulg. Ar. Sz JEth. " Jehovah /ia!h
heard, &c."
ntV- 42 MSS, ntiy, which is more regular.
13. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with Hare and others for TinD read mn^,
" my glory" See pf. xvi. 9. But a friend remarks that the fuffix pro-
noun is placed at the end of the preceding verb, " in order that thy
glory may be celebrated, and not paffed over in filence." Examples pf
which he inftances in Gen. iii. 15. Deut. xix. 6.
MSS. 37. read DIT; and one with 6. Syr. & Vulg* DHK ; the for-
mer is preferred by a friend.
PSALM XXXI.
MUDGE infers from v. 13., compared with Jerem. xx, lo,,
that he was the author of this pfalm 3 but Hare with equal probability
fuppofes that the prophet borrowed from David ; to whom Patrick &c.
afcribe it.
V. 2. 6. Ar. & iEth. add 'Jlfbmi ** free me, and deliver me, in thy
righteoufnefs."
3. From the expreffions in this, 6c the following verfe, David may be
prefumed to have been the author of this pfalm. See 2 Sam. xxii. All
the verfions with 16 MSS. miifD. See the next verfe.
5. Following Kennicott's metre in this pfalm, as preferable to Hare's,
but obferving that the laft line of this verfe, and that in the beginning
of the next are too fhort, I would join them together. *< For thou
art my ftrength ; into thy hands I commend my fpirit."
nyo. 64 MSS. with Houb. read mVO.
6. nnnfl. j^ MSS. dhd.
♦mt^. 19 MSS. read more regularly 'DK.
7. Ti^W. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & iEth. with Houb. and others read
DNitl'. " ^hou hatejl ;" but as one MS. has mn' Dimity, perhaps the word
L 2 in
[ 40 ]
in the text is written contradledly for thefe two words. '* Thou hatejl, 0
Jehovah, Sec" See gen. diflbrt. fed. 25, 6. MSS. have Dnai::',-!.
8. nVT. 6. Viilg. Ar. & iEth. nW^ " ^hou hajl faved my foul &c."
If the text is retained, it might be rendered. *• Thou hajl acknowledged."
9. ::\y 4 MSS.
10. One very ant. MS. omits 'yoiVC'Di ; and from comparing the lat-
ter part of V. II. they feem unneceffary. 'JED2 here fignifies body. See
Deut. xxviii. 4. Durell.
11. »n. One MS. reads 'D'. *' Yox my days are fpent in grief, and my
years in fighing." And Job xxxvi. 11. ftrongly corroborates this reading.
12. hy2. Houb. 'tdV, better, and reading nO'N for "TKa, which leaves
the itwit imperfedt, we fliall have a beautiful climax ; " I am become a
reproach unto all mine enemies — and a terror to my neighbours, a dread
alfo to mine acquaintance. — They that fee me in the flreets fly from me."
'Nil 4 MSS. but fee Hare.
13 ^m^{ 13 MSS.
16, mnv. 47. MSS. read 'nny, and Syr., as Seeker obferves, 'mnjr
tempora; which Ainfworth and others underftand of the various events
of his life; but the fenfe of this word not being very certain, fee Poole,
6cc. might we read 'nnj, " / have given myfelf' into thine hand &c. ?
'i'lK. 45 MSS. have »n»K, as it is more ufually written ; and 4 »i3*T"n01
more regular.
18. IDT. 6. Syr. & Vulg. with Lowth read HT. Ch. with Houb. read
both ; but making it the niph. of HDl, with Hare and others, it affords
a very good fenfe, " let them be cut down to the grave," or " let them
perilh in the grave;" fee pf xlix. 13, 21. IL^)!'. is, MSS. Sec the for-
mer Hemiflich.
19. mnmin 8 MSS. Ch. read nipW; fee alfo our Bib. Verf.
21. HDlDn 13 MSS.; but Syr. & Vulg. read 1D1D1 " in thy taber-
nacle." which feems right; fee pf. Ixi. 5. where we have *Tfl:D "IDDI in-
ftead of "|»JD 'nnDa> " in the covert of thy wings;" alluding to the Che-
rubim covering the ark.
22. mvo
C 41 3
22. "^lya yV2, may be well applied to David, and may refer, as Muis
and others think, to i Sam. xxiii. 7. Mr. Bradley queries whether it
might not be, "ilVD *1V»2> " /« a wood from the enemyt" or, from dijirefs,"
referring to v. 26. of the fame chapter ?
23. 'nmi. The better reading feems to be 'ntrn,1i, ** / am cajl out-
from thy fight." See Jon. ii. 4.
24. Kennicott's metre being here defedive in the fecond line, it may
be properly redified by reading with Ch. n.tD after nvi, " Jehovah
preferveth the faithful />•(?//? evil."
^n* '^y. By reading bv ID', there Is no neceiTity for fupplying pjr after
Vy with Hare J " but he will repay abundantly the proud doer." See
Vulg, &c. ntyiy 7 MSS.
25. All the ant. Verf. with Mudge, &c. give \*t2N»1 a paiTive figni-
fication, " and let your heart be Jirengthened."
PSALM XXXII.
P S A L M U S erudltlonc plenus. Vatablus. Therefore properly ftilcd
bOtya. See V. 8, and our marginal verfion, with Pf. xlvii. 8.
V. I. niyj. Houb. derives it from nj^i obllvifci, " blefled Is the man,
whofe fin is forgoiten." But one MS. reads N^L^'J, which all the verf. autho-
rize, and Buxtorf himfelf admits ; fee alfo v. 5. A friend propofes *ic*s*
after nSTN*. See Pf. I. i.
2. irrni. 6. & Ar. irrsn, " and in whofe mouth there Is no guile."
1WW 9 MSS. The metre Is very irregular ; unlefs we might add py iV to
the beginning of the fecond line ; but fee Hare.
3. A friend tranfpofes o with the Ar. "I kept filence, becaufe my
bones were confumed by my roaring all the day long." i^D 1 1 MSS.
See Prov. v. i i .
4. ♦m^nn. Houb. 'iimnV -, but 96 MSS. read 'Jn'nnn. For the fenfe
fee Pf. xxii. 15.
M 5. I'jy.
C 42 ]
5. 'bV- Hare's note on this word according to 6. Vulg. & JEth. Teems
to be right, and there feems to be a miftake in Seeker's remark ; but flill
i? it not written for ^D ? and admitting Green's reading in the following
line, which is very probablf, the whole might rtand thus, " I acknow-
ledged my fin unto thee, and mine iniquity did I not hide — I faid I will
confefs a// my trangrefllons unto Jehovah — And thou forgaveft mine iniquitf
and my Jin."
6. NVO DvV, " tempore inveniendi," fc. Deum. vid. Efai. Iv. 6. Gro-
tius, &c. " ^10 tetnpore obvenerit," nempe inundatio calamitatum ; Juni-
us. A friend reads IS'VD, " in the time when thou mayefl: be found."
But from comparing Pf. cxviii. 5. with this verfe, it feems probable that
we fliould read *1V2, " in the time of dijlrefs." But 59 MSS. have
7. 'Jl. Muis juftly calls cantionibus liberare, a harfli expreflion ; and
Houb. concludes that this word was borrowed from the preceding ; but I
rather think that it was written by miftake for 'V, and that nn{< has been
dropped, as Hare conjedlures, the whole therefore might ftand thus,
** Thou, who art a covert to me, fhalt keep me from diftrefs — Thou,
who art my deliverer, flialt compafs me about."
Houbigant's reading of the iaft Hemiflich gives this fenfe, " et libe-
rabis me a circumdantibus me"
8. nVV'K. Hammond thinks that 6. Vulg. Ar. & ./Eth. read nfV'N.
Houb. &c. read ^V■y^?, or nVVK; " / ivill keep mine eye." See Prov;
xvi. 30.
9. vnn. 2 MSS. read Tin in the fing. which the context requires,
** Be not tJio7i as the horfe."
Dlbiib. Perhaps better dVu, " whofe mouth is held with bit and
bridle." But fee 6. & Vulg. nilp. 31 MSS. nnp j which the grammatical
conftruftion requires ; unlefs we read with Hare, &c. mip' ; and we
ihould probably read ^y\ for ^1, which may be rendered, " left he fall
upon
r. 43 3
upon thee," or with Mudge, &c. " elfe he will not come near thee."
Houb. reads nip Vn IDVi ^2, fuppofing Viy to be plural, but it is
probably fing. Ezek. xvi. 6.
1 1 . Hare, &c. agree that this verfe belongs to the next pfalm ; fee
Lowth in Merr.
PSALM XXXIIL
6. Syr. & Vulg. afcribe this pfalm to David ; but whoever was the
author of it, it might be compofed for one of thofe three folemn feafls»
when all the maks were to appear before the Lord, as a teftimony of their
confidence in the divine protedlion.
V. 2. *ntyy. 6. ^exaxi?^(-i, with all the other verf. ** upon the tenjlringed
harp,"' or, viol'" See Pf. cxliv. 9. Genebrard, &c. But Muis, &c. fup-
pofe an ellipfis of 1, ** in habel et decachordo." Nam diver fa htec eife in-
flrumenta patet, ex Pf. xcii. 4.
4. intyyD. All the verfions read in'S^^VD, ** and all his works are in
truth."
7. 1^2. Grotius, Lowth, &c. read according to the ant. verfions "TNJD,
or as Houb. "TKHD, ** velut in utre." But Hare defends the prefent text ;
and why may it not be applicable to the waters of the fea being colleded
together at the creation into one great body ? See Gen. i. 10.
8. pKH "73 may be confidered as in regim. ** all the men of the earth;
otherwife the noun muft be taken in a collective fenfe to agree with the
mafc. verb plur. 'lirv 16 MSS.
9. One MS. nayi.
10. This verfe may relate to fome hoftile defign of the neighbouring na-
tions at one of thofe feafts abovementioned, which the fignal interpofi-
tion of Jehovah difconcerted. See v. 12. nfln 3 MSS. and 3 MSS.
infert a verfe, which is found, Prov. xix. 21.
M 2 II. mi
[ 44 ]
II. mi 1-fV. A great number of MSS. nm 'Tn'7 which is more ufual;
and 12 TlDyn.
13, 14. " Tetracolon efl; 13, 14, & peculiare eft artificium in fenten-
tiarum dillributione. vid. Pf. cxiii. 5, 6." Lowth.
Syr. & Ar. with 12 MSS. HKm ; & 15 '^^^''
-lyn. 48 MSS. have nvvn. See 6. alfo, and Seeker.
1 7. If David was the author of this pfalm, thefe words may refer to his
vidory over the Syrians, 2 Sam. x. 18 ; where it is faid he flew 40,000
horfemen.
18. o'jr^dV. Vulg. read D'^n'D'JI, " ^fi^ upon, &c." One MS. fup-
plies the two verfes after this, which are found in Pf. cxlvii. 12, 13;
but the infertion of them here would difturb the conneiflion.
PSALM XXXIV.
THIS is the fecond alphabetical pfalm, and is generally fuppofed to
relate to Achifh king of Gath, who is here called Ahimelech^ " quod vi-
detur fuiffe cognomen omnium regum Philiftaeorum." Muis, &c. unlefs
*]bO':iJ< is here written for *]bO'^^^ and the word tyOKI has been dropped,
before Ahitnelech and Achijli ; which the ftory in i Sam. xxi. gives fome
countenance to, and the word »m"n:iO in the 5th verfe, which might be
rendered ** my fojournings." i. e. to Nob firft, and then to Gath.
5. 'mTma. o. TBI- Trafowiav /xu, " out of all i?iy fojoumitigs" See above,
and Lorinus, but 56 MSS. have TH^:.^.
6. This verfe according to the alphabetical order is only the fifth.
Mr. Bradley reads with 6. Vulg. Syr. & Ar. DD'3£3 '* look unto him^
and ye (hall be enlightened — and your faces fliall not be artiamed." There
js a verfe wanting, beginning with the letter \ which may be fup-
plied
[ 45 3
plied from the redundant verfe at the end :of the pfalm thus by .-i
metathefis,
■ : &c. ro'in
&c. nms
&c. Nbi
: &c.— Dn'Jfll
" Look unto him, and ye fhall be enlightened — 'Jehovah redeemeth the
foul of his fervants — and they that truft in him JJiall not be dejlitute — nei-
ther fhall their faces be afliamed." But fee Hare, and Houb. /
7. 'JV ni may be fpoken of David himfelf. See Merrick.
10. vi^np 30 Mss.
II. DH'fiD 6. Syr. Ar, & ^th. probably read D'TID, divites ; Houb.
with one MS. perhaps O^y^D, potentes ; but the text is equally proper.
w\yl^ 7 MSS.
mD Vd. Thefe words Hare and others juflly think to be redundant,
** but they, that feek Jehovah, (hall not be deftitute."
13. l^^«. One MS. with Syr, & Ar. reads iriKT ; & 6. Syr. Vulg:
Ar. & ^th. with Hare CU'lID for mto, " and loveth to fee good days."
See I Pet. iii. 10 ; or as 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & Mth. read \*iyinn, perhaps
we fliould read nmK"), 13 MSS. having nniN.
14. The context, as well as the authority of the Apoflle, feems to juf-
tify M\ihy and mSti'l, inftead of ''\wb, and ^'DiJiyi, and we may render
the verbs in the third perf. ** Let him keep, or he kcepeth his tongue
from evil, and his lips, &cc." Though 36 MSS. and the verf. read
"llVi ; and the following verb is in the imperat.
15. See the former verfe.
17. ^B'lyn 19 MSS.
18. The difficulty, which Mudge and Green have with refpecl to the
connedion, is removed by reading with all the verfions, Houb, &c. D»pn5f
after ipy^f, " The righteous, &c."
20, 21. For thefe two verfes confidered as a predidlion of the Meffiah
fulfilled in Jefus, fee Kennicott's gen. DifTert. Sedt. 65.
N 21. There
[ 46 ]
2 1 . There being an hiatus in the firft Hemiftich of this verfe in the
Collat., and the Vulg. and Ar. reading dominus, mn», which one MS.
fuppHes, has been probably dropped after not^, *' Jehovah keepeth all his
bones."
22. yti?"!. Kennicott has afugned many reafons for reading D»yty*i, fee
Seft. 65, but with the greateft deference to this learned perfon the fame
reafons, which he has given for confining [JHi* to the MeJJiah, may juftify
the limitation of Vk^n to Judas Ifcariot, who is prophefied of in two
other pfalms, and will ftrengthen the appropriation of the former title
to Jefus ; the premature death of Judas alfo, as well as the de(lfu<!^ioa
the Jewilli nation, will be foretold. 'NJISyi 6 MSS.
23. Lowth and others conclude that this verfe is the addition of fome
later hand; but fee verie 6.
PSALM XXXV.
THIS pfalm, though in fome noeafure applicable to David, the author
of it, is more flriftly fo to Jefus. See John xv. 25.
V. I. Hare for the fake of the metre in the fecond Hemiflich inferts
mn' after Dn"? J but I fhould prefer C\lbiS*, which might be eafily dropped
from its fimilitude to the word preceding, and thofe that follow j " Con-
tend, O Jehovah, with them, that contend with me — Fight, O God, with
them that fight with me."
2. nJ^. Houb. renders it fpictilum. See Jofli. xxiii. 13, &c. Lowth,
Gejer. 6cc. read Tl'ltyV, which is more ufual.
3. *i:iD% 56 MSS. read "lUDI, which may perhaps flrengthen the fuppo-
fition of Grotius and others, that it fignifies a warlike inflrument called
the Sagaris among the Perfians ; but Houb. renders it, " et cekriter oc-
curre." A fenfe not found elfewhere.
♦DTn 6 MSS., and 10 mOK.
4. ity-D' ? MSS. UID' 8, and 3 'Ityin.
5- P3.
[ 47 ]
5 X^^' ^3 MSS. read more regularly pOD.
nm. All the verfions, except Ch., read Dni» ** and let the an-
gel of Jehovah perfecute them." See v. 6.
6. npbpbm. 79 MSS. have mpVp^m; fee Jerem. xxiii. I2.
7. Hare, &c. have reftored the true reading, by tranfpofing nnt!' and
^Ts^'s, ** for they have hid their net for me without a caufe, — with-
out a caufe have they digged a pit for my foul," See v. 8, and Matt.
vii. 6.
8. HKIty " procellci cujn fragore erumpens. Schultens in Prov. i. 27."
Lowth. Mudge and Hare give 'p,\XW, the fenfe of T\T\^ which feems
to be unprecedented J but if for HKId in the 3d line, we might read
"isn nnt:', which the fenfe and metre feem to require, the whole might
be thus rendered, *' Deftrudlion fhall come upon him, which he is not
aware of — and the net which he hath hid fhall catch himfelf— T^^ ///,
njohich he hath dug, he fhall fall into." lijnmight be dropt from its fimi-
litude to bfl*.
9. 'tl'flil fhould be rendered with 6. Vulg. & Syr. " But my foul, 6cc.
10. The perfonification here is very beautiful.
♦JV1. 10 MSS. with Vulg. and Hare read ♦ij; and 7 lVn:iO.
11. It feems probable that 'by has been dropped before nv, through
their fimilitude, " falfe witnefTes did rife up againji me" See Pf. iii. 2.
For the application of thefe words to Jefus, fee Matt. xxvi. 60.
12. blD^. Houb. &c. read with Syr. l^DtJ/. Durell fuppofing it a
compound word of ty & h'O renders it, " in order to take away my life."
See Ecclef. ii. 24. ; but as Hare obferves, mendum latere fufpicor. A
friend fupplies from Ch. 1^'pn», " They feek deftrudlion to my life;" the
verb TMil being frequently ufed by Ch. as the correfponding verb to
\i}p'2.. See Pf. xxvii. 4, &c. and the metre feems to require another
word, b^ty 8 MSS.
13. 'trinb. Houb. reads 'Dtt'lb, with all the verf. j perhaps ♦trmV, the
part. Ben., might have been the word.
N 2 \'if.
C 48 ]
by. II MSS. read^K; which removes the neceiTity of the emendation
propofed by Hare, &c.
14. nip, " atratus" from comparing this verfe with Jerem. viii. 21.
it is probable that black was the colour ufed by the Jews in their deepell
mourning.
15. 'Vbv^. " In claudicatione mea." Muis, &c. referring to Jerem.
XX. 10. 6. Vulg. Ar, & iEth. render it ««t e/^s, reading perhaps »Vy. Houb.
from Jerom. '''ibvi- But Ch. & Syr. feem to have read »m2fn, " in tri-
bulatione mea."
DOJ. Le Clerc's reafbns for retaining this word, as according with
the former, not very fatisfa(flory ; fee Hare ; for what connexion has it with
'JIVT nVi ? but if we might with a fmall addition read DHDJ, and with
one valuable MS. omit IflDt^J, which is neither neceflary to fenfe or metre,
the whole might be rendered thus, ** but in my trouble Jirangers and thofe
whom I knew not, rejoiced and were gathered together againft me.
16. '5in2. 6. Vulg. Ar. 6c iEth. read 'JUnn. '^they tempted me. Syr.
probably D"nnii but as one MS. reads 'S^nO, & 6. Vulg. Ar, & ^th.
read iiyV liV*? for :nV23 'JlV"? as Houb. &c. have obferved, and all the
verfions lisin for p"in» I would propofe the following reading of the whole,
: 'styyD 'by ipnn
** Like Hypocrites they mocked me exceedingly — They gnnJJied upon me with
their teeth." A friend renders 'S^FQ " in contaminando me •" admitting
the other various readings.
17. 'ilK. 16 MSS. have mn*.
^DTIT. Perhaps 'n'n, " my life." See Pf. xxii. 21.
A friend propofes Ti^n'.
MSS. 28 read Dn'NIB'a, which is more regular, fee Pf. xxxv. 8.
19 One MS. reads 'KJJ^I, and 2 'KJIty, but the true reading feems to
be, 'Nilt^'l, the force of the negative being carried on, fee our verfions.
20. \lh. Houb. &c. read with 6. Vulg. Ar. and R^, "h* Hare, &c.
read with Syr. 6c Ch. according to the text.
'yj-i.
r. 49 ]
♦Wl. o. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. feem to have read r.i"in, " w iracundid'
unlefs thefe words may be fynonymous, fee Lowth on Ifai. p. 245. But
as the Ch. read in addition »pn5f, 6. Syr. Ar. & iEth. omit nil, and
the metre both in Hare and Kennicott appears irregular, reading pnif for
*W1> might not the text {land thus,
&c. ■h '3
&c. m<t:nD v"iJ< pn^ "JVi
** Ahhough they fpeak peace to me — yet againft the righteous of the land
they devife deceits?" this was eminently fulfilled in the Son of David.
Matt. xxvi. 60.
23. As Durell has obferved, here is a metathefis, the natural order of
the words being this,
: 'in*: 'HKi n^'pn
See alfo Green's verfion ; but for ♦:iKi y MSS. have mn'lj *' Stir up thy-
felf, 0 my Gcd, unto my judgment. — Awake alfo, 0 Jehovah, unto my
caufe."
24. 'ribs*. We fliould probably either read this word at the end of
the fecond Hemiftich, or read 'I'ti inftead of it, as in Pf. xxv. 2. ** Judge
me according to thy righteoufnefs. 0 Jehovah — and let them not rejoice
over me, O my God." or, *• and let not jnine enemies rejoice over me."
25. IJil'flJ. " perhaps in preterit. Niphal. iice are refiejhed"
Seeker; and for this fenfe a friend refers to Exod. xxiii. 12. where
the word is a verb. Houb. 6cc. read 1ilii:.'Dn, " apprehendimus etwi," fee
Pf. Ixxi. II. Durell unLyDi, *' let us tear him in pieces" fee Lam. iii.
II. perhaps we fhould read, liiflQJ, " we Jiiali dajli him to pieces." See
Pf ii. 9. ; but if we make it a noun, fome verb muft be underftood, or for
nS'n we muft read with Ch. mn, " our foul is joyful -y' or as Syr. probably,
niJ, " our foul is at reft."
26. itini' 6 MSS. and 5 nvo..
28. ^"2. Syr. and Ar. "^DV which here feems better.
O P S A L ]M
C 50 ]
P S A L M XXXYl.
ft
DAVID probably ftiles himfelf t/ic fer-vant of Jehovah in contradi-
ilindlion to the wicked man, by whom he might denote Saul ; fee Poole's
Synopf.
V. I. Lowth's metre is, I think, preferable to Hare's, or Kennicott's.
DS3. " Contemplatur." Syr. fo that it probably read fome other word,
and as tliis word DS*J is equipollent to n:3NS might not the former by fome
tranfcriber be written for the latter, which fignifies alfo when relating to
the heart, as it does here ; cogitavit, fee the Lexicons ? or might it not
by a tranfpofition be written for pN, nutrivit ?
»nb. One MS., with 6. Syr. ^'ulg. Houb. 5cc. reads nb, " The re-
bellious man meditates, or nouriJJies wickednefs in his heart. — There is no
fear, '&c."-or thus with a friend, " the wicked fpeaketh according to the
wickednefs of his heart, there, &c." Lowth renders thus, " Diclum prjE-
varicationis impio in intimo cordis fui, non eft timer Dei ante oculos meos."
See Seeker alfo.
2. There are various criticifms on the laft words of this verfe. Houb.
reads Nu2V, for NJi^'b, and renders thus, " etenim fibi indulget, futu-
rum fperans, " ut iniquitas fua impunitatem habeat." Others, reading
•with 6. ^y:h^ for ^W'l, render the words thus, " his iniquity muft be
found, and ilTue in hatred;" fee Mudge, &c. A friend propofes NVD
^ " quoniam fibi blanditur, non invenit iniquitatem fuam, adeo
ut odio habeat." See alfo Merrick and Lowth. Durell renders thus,
" yet he flattereth himfelf in his own eyes, both with difcerning
iniquity, and with abhorring it." I would propofe the following verfion,
«« For he flattererh himfelf in his own eyes — to ptirfue his iniquity, and
to repeat it," fee Pf. xciv. 7. For this fenfe of NJfD'?, fee the Lexicons,
and we have the verb KJK'j iteravit mutavit. 2 Kings xxv. 29.
4. n'O'nb
C 51 ]
4. n'JS'n*? one MS. n'Dnbl, •* and to do good" which feems to be the
true fenfe ; fee our verfions. For the firft words fee Pf. iii. 3.
5. The fenfe, as well as the metre, feems to require that we fliould
read mc'^b before j/-|, or after D^SQ', " He refufeth not to do evil." See
the collat. One ant. MS. if not another, reads with 6. Vulg. Ar. 5ciEth.
m.
6. Perhaps, " Thy mercy reacheth unto the Heavens." See Pf. Ivil.
JO." Seeker. 10 MSS. read "jm^DSn with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 5c ^Elh.
'7^f, in this place may be confidered as the vocat. cafe, " Thy righte-
oufnefs, O God, is like the mountains j" anfwering to Jehovah before ;
but fee Poole.
Dinn. 6. Syr. and Ch., as Seeker obferves, read DinHD, " as the
great deep." and the 3 might be dropped from its ending the former
word.
8. See Pf. xxxi. 21.
9. tn")'. We fliould either read v/ith -^^j MSS. and Houb. pn"l^ con-
formably to the preceding verb, or VTIS as perhaps 2 MSS.
10. Thefe expreffions feem as applicable to the tabernacle, as to the ten\-
ple ; but fee Mudge, &c,
11. -]'y-rvV T,S MSS.
12. 'JTI-I 58 MSS. more regular.
13. 'byiij 9 MSS. ^^\n n. il2V 6. See Gen. xix. J9.
PSALM XXXVII.
THIS is the xmxd. alphabetical ^(-sXm, and at firft confiiled of 22 verfes
of four lines each according to Hare and others ; or of two long lines ac-
cording to Mudge. David may be fuppofed fpeaking to himfelf, or ex-
horting Others to affiance in God from his own example. As Lowth has
obferved, '* ab incuria tranfcribentium errores multi orti funt."
O 2 V. I.
[ 5^ ]
V. I. and 2. The firft line anfwers to the 3d, and the 2d to the fourth.
^H 2d. All the verf. with 16 MSS. read bii^ ; and 15 ^mV2.
O. All the verfions read it, and there is no reafon for fuppofing it to
be redundant with Hare.
3. Is not this the true order of the words,
&c. 2ia ntyy
" Truft thou in Jehovah, and thou Jlialt (hvell in the /ami— Do good 3 amf
verily thou /halt be fed ?"
rijT-K, " in faith," or " fecurely." n omitted." Sscker. Ludovicus
Capel. &c. read with 6. Vulg. Ar. & -.Eth. HJI^H, " and thou fhalt be
fed with its abundance"
5. Vn 49 MSS. read V:i, as in Pf. xxii. 9 ; which feems neceflary to
diftinguilli it from blA, exfulta. Durell renders nt^Vn, " and he will pre^
pare it i" i. e. thy way. See V. 23 and Ezek. xlv. 22.
7. Hare makes the defedl to lie in the 3d line ; the collat. in the 4th.,
and the redundant line in v. 14 comes in very well here; " refl in the
Lord, and wait for him — fret not thyfelf becaufe of him, who profpereth
in his way — becaufe of the man who worketh wickednefs — tofiay thofe who
are upright in the way" or as others read with 6 and feveral MSS. i*?,
" the upright in heart." 7\'Z'^V J MSS.
8. j/in*? IX. " ut quidem malefacias." Caftellio and Lowth. Houb.
fuppofes that "JK is here ufed pleonalHcally -, or it may fignify valde, fee
Taylor's Concordance. " Fret not thykli greatly becaufe of the wicked
man." Or the words may be rendered, " fret not thyfelf, it is only to
hurt." i. e. with Mudge and others, to the hurt of the wicked man, or
with Cloppenburgius, " it is only to thine oilh hurt." See Pf. xv. 4.
or it may be written for nriN*. A friend omits it according to one MS.
13. " His day." i. e. the time cf his vifitation. See Jerem. 1. 27.
Kn» 10 MSS. and 16 read mn'.
14. iVnXI feems here redundant; for the laft line in this verfe according
to the collat. fee v. 7.
it cm.
C 53 ]
1 6. iD'n'l. " of great wicked men." Mudge and others j but all the ant.
verfions read m or nai, agreeing with ]10n2, and one MS. has ni"i ; fee
our old verfion.
20. Houb. referring to 6. & Syr. reads thus, I'jD X^V^ CDuiTID 'hi
Cnp^D, *' Sed impii interibunt, inimici Domini fimul in honore fuerint,
marcefcent, funul exaltati fuerint lit fumiis evanefcent." A friend offers this
reading 1^3 Itt'VD'l— DVd "bl CaTll— Bip'l, " Sed impii peribunt, et
inimici Jehovs fimul in honore fuerint, fimul fuerint evecti, marcefcent
omnes eorum, et ut fumus evanefcent," Le Clerc renders DHD ^p'3, ** ut
pretium agnorum; i. e. ut pretiofi agni; by which he underftands lambs
confumed in Holocaujls." See Merr. Durell reads "JpO, " as the burning
of lambs;" referring to Ifai. x. 16. Hare adds 'byi£3 ^3 \\V at the end
of the V. for the fake of the metre. But as 33 MSS. read with 6. Vulg.
Ar. & Mth. and others \^)f'2y and as the 3d line in v. 25. is redundant,
and might have a place here, fee the Collat. ; reading ^"2 for the ift 1^3,
and OVin for ivnn in the lail line, the words might bear this fenfe,
" For the wicked fhall perifh — and the enemies of Jehovah, as the fat
of lambs ; they fhall all confume as Jmoke — and their feed JJiall beg their
bread'' See Lev. iv. 26.
22. It may be better to render with 6. Vulg. Ar. & lEth. " For
they that blefs him. (i. e. the righteous man) fliall poflefs the earth —
and they that curfe him, &c." See Gen. xii. 3.
23. "Q.I. Unlefs we render with Seeker, the, or that man, or tranflate
the verfe with Green, this word is too general ; and 3")£D or fome fuch word
muft be underftood ; fee our verfions.
24. All the verf. read with 5 MSS, *iaD»
25. That the 3d line of this verfe is redundant may be inferred from
the laft of the next, and v. 20.
27. Hare conjedures very probably that \"li<n fhould be added at the
end of this verfe, ** and dwell in the landiox ever."
28. DblJ^"?. The verfe ihould begin according to the alphabetical or-
der with the letter j; ; Hare therefore, with others, prefixes D'13;i^> " the
P humble
C 54 ]
liumhk are preferved for ever." But Lowth, with a friend, follows the
Alex. verf. which reads D'Vu*, and nClTJ for "notyi, " the ivkkedjliall
be dejlroyed for ever." And this fenfe feems to agree better with the fol-
lowing part of the context. Houb. retains both readings j but the metre
militates againft this.
31. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar, & ^th. read with one MS. kVv
inii'N ''W'm. The grammatical conftrudion requires that we fhould
read with all the verfions nyJDS unlefs we read with Houb. Tm^ TVOD,
in the fing. ; but 44 MSS. have vnVw'K-
32. All the verf. read with 13 MSS. niDJ^ i but the following partic.
favors the text.
33. WJ^T. Rather with Junius, Sec. " nor will fuffer him (i. e. the
wicked man) io condemn him. Sec."
34. According to Hare's metre, which feems to be right, a line feems
wanting in the 2d, not the 3d, place ; might it be this,
" Wait on the Lord, and keep his way — and he Jliall direSi thy paths —
and /hall exalt, &c. ?" See Prov. iii. 6,
2,S- n"iyn::i. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read nVyDOl, " et elevatwn"
approved by Hare, Lowth, &c.
py"l m)iS*2. 6. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^th. read pnb »nN3, " ficut cedros Li-
hani" which accords better with the former emendation, " I faw the
wicked in great power — and exalted as the cedars of Lebanon."
36. -Qy»1. or as 4 MSS. miV'V All the verfions, except Ch , with
Hare and many others, read "niJ/KI, " I pajfed by." One MS. reads nilT
laV'l ; " Jehovah paffed by."
37. mat!^ one MS. See Seeker for li^N*? in v. 23.
38. nnnK, &c. " nmDJ perhaps may be a noun fignifying excifion."
Seeker. Rather, ** The pojlerity of the wicked fliall be cut off." See
Gejer.
39. ny.lu'm. 2 MSS. read ^\V^^n, which the alphabetical order re-
quires, as Hare and others have obferved.
40. dd'^s*.
C 55 3
■ 40. iDlDbfl'. One valuable MS; omits this word, which is not neceffary
either to the fenfe, or the metre ; fee the Collat.
PSALM XXXVIII.
WHEN David compofed this pfalm, he laboured under fome fore
difeafe, w^hich eftranged even his friends from him, Muis, &c.
V. 2. MSS. 4. "jnorQ "JKI, which the metre and fenfe require.
4. Many MSS. read ODD here, v. 8, and Ifai. i. 6.
5. ^nW. 48 MSS. read more regularly 'mW-
6. ♦n'llin. II MSS. have 'miinn more grammatically. As a friend
obferves, 6. read Ipail.
7. There is a beautiful climax in this verfe, *' I am deprefled, I am
exceedingly dejedted — I go mourning all the day long." ^D^Dil^ feems to
be the true reading.
10. '^iN. II MSS. mn'.
11. Dn. Notwithflanding the various methods taken by Houb. and
others for reconciling this word with the context, upon the authority of
6. Syr. Vulg. 6c ^th. with one MS. it feems to be redundant, " and
the fight of mine eyes alfo is not with me." i. e. is gone from me ; fee
our Bib. marg.
12. Hare and Green would bring DH D!l from the preceding verfe into
this to complete the metre ; but as that of the Collat. feems preferable to
theirs, or Edwards's -, inflead of 'yrii *7:i3D, perhaps we fhould read n^^D,
*' My lovers and my friends flood oppofite to me — and my neighbours flood
afar off."
^irm 5 MSS. and pinna 39.
13. MSS. 2. 'tynnv
14. nn£)\ One MS. with Syr. reads nriDt* ', likewife 2 MSS. with Syr.
read '£3, and thefe readings feem to be right, " And, like a dumb man,
I did not open my mouth.'" P 2 15. mriDin.
[ 56 3
15- mnDin. " Argumentai" quibus fc. increpet adverfarios fuos, &
convincat nequitlae {\ix. Jun.
1 6. For »J1N feveral MSS. read mn*. Hare, &c. for rUVil read ac-
cording to Syr. OJyn. " Thoujlialt hear me, O Jehovah, my God." For
the different metre fee Hare, Edwards, and the Collat.
in. \Q. " Locutio imperfeda pra? paflione animi." Ainfw. *' Fori
faid, left they fhould rejoice over me," giving the reafon of his filence,
V. 14, 15. Seeker. But as one MS. reads O, might not the true reading
be »n, " For I faid within mxfeif, they will triumph over me ?" or \T[, *' /(?,
they, &c. ?"
19. To fupply the defedl in the firil: line of this verfe. Hare, and others
with Syr. add 'p at the end. One MS. reads TiK n;i:K, " for I /aid I
will confefs, &c." but the Alex. verf. feems to have read 'JK OIV, and
the pronoun might be ealily dropt from its fimilitude to the former word.
20. D'TT. Hare, Lowth, £cc. conformably to parallel places DJn,
'* But mine enemies without caitfe, dec." But Seeker, following 6. & Ch.,
juftifies the text from Exod. i. 19. *' But mine enemies are li'vely: they
that hate me wrongfully are ftrong and multiplied."
21. 'flinn. 45 MSS. with Houb. '>tm» rather with 7 »£)111.
22. TiVk. I would read this word at the end of the 2d line, rather than
at the beginning with Hare, " Forfake me not, O Jehovah ; — neither be
far from me, O my God"
23. ♦JTK. 25 MSS. rWf; but one reads 'n^K, " 0 Gcd of my falva-
tion," which is more ufual. Hare, &c. fupply the laft word, and make
the verfe to confift of two lices.
PSALM XXXIX.
1inn»'?, or as 41 MSS. ^inn''?. Grotius and others fuppofe this to be
the name of a principal mufician mentioned, i Chron. xvi. 41. Mudge
and others make it the name of a mufical inflrument, quoting Pf. Ixii. and
Ixxvii. V. 3. n'DP.
C 57 ]
3. n»an. All the verfions rca^ 'DDT, or ♦DD'TI, which makes a good
climax, " / was Jikjit"
"IDJ'J. It is not eafy to fay what 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read here, un-
lefs it was tyinJ, renovatus ejl, which is very far from the text. Syr. feems
to have read mw, agitatus efl. One MS. and perhaps another, reads m:;/:,
but this does not afford any pertinent fenfe ; perhaps we might read 1133,
<* when my forrow laas great, or heavy."
4. MUni. Syr. probably reads n.!!, " in my Body a fire burned ;" which
feems more agreeable to the context.
5. r\V^^- Several MSB. read with 6. 'nVl^^, " that I may know," the
verb fignifies to confider attentively, as a friend obferves.
bin and ibn are fynonymous terms ; or perhaps there may be a tranf-
pofition of letters, fee Buxtorf.
6. MSB. 18, with the parallel place V. 12, omit the ift bO.
nVJ, is omitted by Hare, and in v. 12. " Verily every man is vanity."
Houb. reads ^yrh- Durell bnnV \2^, or '3 *]K, " Veri/y every fnan is
Jixed to vanity" He alfo propofes "rinVD "]^^. But Lowth obferves that
6. confirm the text.
7. 'ch'il. Ludov. Capellus and others 0*7^3, *' ftcut umbra" Mun-
fter mi^Vi'l) " in the Jhadow of death" An exprefBon, which occurs very
frequently. But fee Merrick.
p'^n'- I would read with Houb. and Syr. ]10nn, or rather poni " va-
nity and riches," which, by an Hendiadis, fignify vain riches. " Verily
man walketh in the JJiadow of death ; — verily he heapeth together vain
riches-, — and knoweth not, who fhall receive them." A beautiful ana-
phora in this and the preceding verfe.
8. 'ilK. 54 MSS. have mn>.
10. n'tyy. Kennicott's metre feeming preferable to Hare's, but ap-
pearing too fhort, I would read with 6. Ar. & ^Eth. ♦iD't^y, " for thou
hajl made me" or 'n&? after nnK> to the fame purport.
11. nn:inD.' 6. Vulg. & /Eth. read mi3."l0, ** a fortitudine." But
ene MS. reads niATlD, which may be derived from *i:i», timuit, and may
[ 58 3
Tignify pra timore, '* I am confumed through the fear of thy hand." See
Poole's Synopf. But Syr. reads thus, 1»T TTOn 'JOD"!. " Take away
from me thy i\voke— and from me the wound tf thy hands y joining the
two laft words of the text to the next verfe.
13. imT\. One MS., with all the verfiofts, reads nymi, which the
connexion requires.
14. Vtrn. ** Literally, " look off" or, <* turn from me." See Job vii.
19." Seeker. But, as a friend obferves, in Job x. 20. it is n'a''; and for
the next verb he refers to Amos v. 9.
PSALM XL,
THAT this pfalm is prophetical of Chriji, is evident from Heb. X.
5. ; and though fome parts may be typically applicable unto David, others
can only be underftood of the former.
V. I. If we follow the metre of the CoUat. in the firft part of this pfalm,
I fhould be inclined to read TI^K at the end of the firft line, andljfK after D'l
in the 2d. ** I waited patiently for Jehovah my God — and he inclined his
ear unto me, and heard my calling." or as this pfalm is chiefly prophe-
tical, might not the verbs in the three firft verfes be rendered in the future,
** I wait patiently for Jehovah my God — ^for he will i7icline his ear unto
me,, &c."
3. ]Wty TOO, " e vafa voragine." Lowth. *• from iht ^\t of defola*
iion." Durell. Might not the word have been blJ^CJ^t ** from the pit ef
the grave ?" which was literally true of Chrift, or •' from the pit of Saul?"
See 2 Sam. xx. i.
ntytt. SS MSS. with Houb. read mti^}*, more regularly.
4. The laft line aftbrds a beautiful paronomafia.
5- D*3ni. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & .^th. probably, as Seeker obferveSj
read D'bin, sanitates. See Pf. xxxi. 7. ^rD 'Dtri. Perhaps 'L35^1, " and
them who judge wrongfully" But a friend renders the text, * difcurfores men-
dacii i" fee alfo our old verf. and Durell} or, propofes 'rOL^I, ** et falfo
accufantes," 6. 1J''7K.
C 59 ]
6. ^ybii^ 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. omit this word, nor does it feem at
all necefTary. See gen. Differt. of the Collat. Sedt. 89.
TDnVsJ. 31 MSS. I'mN'^flJ. 21 "i'mntynOI; and 65 Ti-iy in pah.
Co that the words may be rendered thus, *' for thy wonders and thy con-
trivances no one can be compared unto thee ; fhould I declare and fpeak of
them, &c." But Seeker thinks that O may have been dropped after t"?}^,
" isjhen I declare, &c."
7. D'JTK- 6. Ar. & ^th. with Heb. x. 5. mi m, " Then a body
didft thou prepare me," and in vindication of this reading fee Kennicott,
Lowth, &c. Green and Edwards adhere to the prefent text, the former
fuppofing that the apoftle was obliged to quote the 6. as he found it. But that
the apoflles did not uniformly follow this verfion may perhaps appear from
Ephef. iv. X. and other places. They alfo following the fenfe of the text
from Gejerus and others, tranfpofe the words j " T^hou openedji my ears ;
immediately I faid, &c." But fee Seeker in Merrick's appendix. No. 3.
The metre feeming deficient may not 'h'^ be dropped from its fimilitude
to the preceding word, " Then a body didft thou prepare me, O my
God?" As fome one has obferved the apoftle Heb. x. 6. probably read
n'7Sin for n'7Kt!^.
8. Lowth obferves that the laft line of this verfe Ihould be joined to the
next. See Merr.
0. 'n^K. The apoftle reads D'H^K, contrary to d. See gen.. Dlft".
S^cl:. 26. 89.
10. piV. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. read "inp"r)f as in v. 11. ** T/jy righteouf-
nefs. " which the fenfe requires.
nnJ<» One MS. repeats this word, and the fenfe calls for it, " O Je-
hovah, thou knoweft this." The one being dropped from its famenefs to the
other.
11. "Whether the following diftritution of the metre is preferable to
Hare'sj or Kennicott's, is fubmitted to fuperior judgment ?
>^»7 ._ -^np-is
' But
[ 6o 3
But as a friend remarks, 2 MSS. omit bnpb; who alio obferves from Ken-
nic. that the following part of the pfalm belongs to the 70th.
11,. 'n:iy. 51 MSS. read ']n^:^y, which the grammatical conftrudlion
requires ; and thefe words were literally true of Chrift in his vicarious ca-
pacity, as he bore the fms of the whole world. See Matt. xxvi. 38.
14. r^^r]''. 2d. Hare probably right in reading D-nbK. See Pf. Ixx; where
as he obferves further the inverted order, and defedl, is to be corredled
by this, ♦* Run, or i>e pkafed, 0 "Jehovah, to deliver me — make hafle, O
God, to help me."
15. The parallel paiTages, Pf. xxxv. 4. Ixx. 3. give great reafon to
think that "Tn» and nniSO'? are here redundant, and the three places (hould
be tranflated alike. Ityil' 14 MSS., and 14 irilD'.
16. la^y*. The parallel place Pf. Ixx. 4. with Hare, &c. reads l^llty',
fee alfo MS. 268. 6. Vulg. Ar. 5c ^th. ISiT', which Lowth approves.
Houb. prefers yivi'', " erubefcaiit." But from comparing Pf. xxxv. 26.
cix. 29., perhaps itJ'nV may be the true reading, unlefs we might give
IDii" a fynonymous fenfe, " let them put on their (Lame for a reward.
3py by. " Hare after 6. tranflates ity?^//)/;, and adds 3 before ontfUi
but the phrafe feems akin to ours, on the footing of." Seeker.
17. IIDN'. 49 MSS. with all the verfions and the parallel place, Pf.
Ixx. 5. read "nDNn.
18. »i"TK. MSS. 27. have mn'.
ni^'n\ 'j.wrv one MS. " Although I be poor and needy, Jehovah will
think upon me." Syr. "lati'Tl, ** cogitarunt contra me."
PSALM XLI,
THIS pfalm is generally fuppofed to have been written by David,
when labouring under fome fore difeafe; and fome parts of it are pro-
phetical of the MefTiah, as appears from John xiii, 18.
V. 3. ^tTK'.
[ 61 ]
V. 2. nti'K. One ant. MS. reads nLTJ^ ; but fee Pf. i. i. where GhfTius,
&c. fuppofe {y'KH niTiV to be put by an Hypallage for n^'K l^'Uri, Bea-
titudines viri ; i.e. Vir Beatitudinum, five beatijjlmus. But this will not
account for the particular conftrudlion of nti'K here, and in other paffages,
where this Hypallage cannot take place, unlefs an ellipfis of one noun is
fuppofed, as well as of the pronoun "i:t\S% which feems wanting in this
verfe and elfewhere. But fee Seeker on Pf. ciii. 4. in Merr.
3. Iti'N'. Several MSS. ILTNI, in the imperat. as a friend fuggefts j but
2 ant. MSS. reading with all the Verf. nii'Nn, we may render it with
them " and he Jliall make him blejfed on the earth."
injnn. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with Houb. read inJHi, " and
nvill not deliver him into the will of his enemies." See verfe 4. One MSS.
reads Nbl> fee alfo Syr. Vulg. and Seeker.
4. flDfln. Syr. either reads with Houb. "]Sn more agreeably to the con-
text, or with n paragog. riDSn, " he maketh all his bed in his ficknefs."
5. O. Perhaps better with Muis, *' although I have finned againfl
thee." But a friend referring to Ifai. xxxvi. 19, renders it interrogatively
with Kennic, " for have I finned againfl thee ?
6. 'nn^. 47 MSS. read 'l\V.
7. mN"lV» Syr. reads 'mt^")'?, " \o £qq me " and fo our verfions.
8. in'. 6. Vulg. Ar. 6c iEth. with Hare join this word to the pre-
ceding verfe, which feems to be right, " when he goeth out, he telle Lh
it at once." Syr. omits it.
The pronoun being redundant in the 2d Hemiflich, may not 'V be
omitted according to 2 MSS. or be written for 'n'K, which might be omitted
from its being fynomymous to 'KJiy> or, as 4 MSS. 'KJIti'*, immediately
preceding, " all that hate me whifper againfl me, — mine eiiemies devife.
evil againil me?"
9. hvhl "in. " ^he pejlilence of Belial" may refer to 2 Sam. xxiv.
15. and David's enemies might retort this title upon him^ which he had.
before ftigmatized them with, 2 Sam. xxiii. 6. " A kind of proverbial
phrafe, as abi in malatn rem" Lowth. As a friend obferves. 6. & Vulg,
R probably.
[ 62 ]
probably read ♦! IIVS for 13 p•)^f^ Ka-rikm nar' ifm. Seeker foppofes they
read 'i iVi'', unlefs this is an error of the prefs for the fame word.
10. npy. One MS. with Ar. reads Upjr, agreeably with the Evan-
gelift, Joh. xiii. i8. " his heel." Hare wholly expunges it. Mudge
and others render it, treachery, " has jlieivn great treachery towards
me." Durell tranflates it, at lajl. But as Ar. and the Evangelifl;
read a word, which fignified, elevavit ; and bnyn will hardly bear this
fenfe, perhaps it might be written for Vain ; fee Ifai. Ixiii. 9.
13. 'JKl. A friend fuppofes ^Jt* to be idiomatic as in other places.
See I Sam. ii. 10, &c. Houb. fupplies ♦n'n, but it may perhaps be
written for NJ1» fed obfecrOy or, Jed nunc, ** But now thou upholdeft
me, &c." or, " iuf I befeech thee, that thou wilt uphold me, &c.*'
See Vatab. in Poole, 'ainn 7 MSS. See Prov. x. 9.
14. Thefe words, as Muis and others have obferved, are the addition
of the Colleftor of the Pfalms, as a finifli to the iirft book. But this divi-
fion of the Pfalms into^i;^ books is of later date than our Saviour, as Ken-
nicott juftly infers from Luke xx. 42. A<Ss i. 20. See gen. DifT.
Cod. 41.
PSALM XLIL
MSS. 38. confirm the opinion of Lowth and others, that this and
the following pfalm were originally one. ** Elegantiffimum eft Elegiae
HebraesB fpecimen hie pfalmus, et tres habet partes fimiles & aequales ;
quarum unaquaeque clauditur eadem periodo intercalari." Lowth. It Is
obfervable that the Alex. Verf. has for the title '^a-r^iM^ tS A«wJ. See alfo
the next pfalm.
V. 2. T\VT\, or as feveral MSS. :nnvn. Houb. reads with Syr. ,inyn,
«* defiderans •" and fo the noun requires, or rather T!\yx\, or .inVD*
o.
C 63 ]
3. c, Ar. & Mth. with one MS. omit bub, but a very ant. MS.
reading bx, the true reading may be 'm bn, " My foul thirfteth for
tlejlrottg and living God." See Ch. Or perhaps we fhould read "n> " for
the God of my life." See v. 9.
4. As a friend obferves, 2 MSS. read D")J2X1 for nCKl, as in the pa-
rallel pafTage, v. 11.
5. D"F1{<. Kennic. thinks the word might be Dnni<. 6. Vulg. Ar.
& iEth. with Muis, &c. read rTYlN ; the whole perhaps may be rendered
thus, " I fliall remember thefe things, and pour out my foul in me —
when I Jliall go into the glorious taberjiacle, at the houfe of God — with
the voice of praife and thankfgiving, amongft the multitude that keep the
feaft." See Pf. v. 7. which may induce one to conclude that thefe
pfalms were written by the fame author. And does not the word *]D1
accord befl with the time of David ? Houb. reads ^^'^^? I^Dl,
** tranfibo in tabernaculum tuum, progrediar^ &c." But Seeker would
render the verb with Hammond, " deducam" See him in Merr. who
obferves alio that '"7^ has this fenfe. Job xxx. 16. but it is remarkable
that one very ant. MS. reads O ♦tffli twice, fo that perhaps ♦! was
the original word.
6. Notwithftanding we have ♦nmntyn with the double n four times
in this and the following pfalm, and authorifed by many MSS., the ra-
dix of the verb, other pafTages, and one MS. in v. 7. make |^it probable
that 'nnrnyn is the true reading, the T being likewife omitted on the
authority of feveral MSS. ; though the grammarians fuppofe the 1 to be
peculiar to this verb. See Buxt. and Mafc, and it never appears with-
out it.
6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & iEth with Hare, &c. read nai before 'ann,
agreeably to the parallel palTages, v. 12, and Pf. xliii. 5,
'n^K VJ3- Houb. reads here and in the other places, 'nV^ 'ifl j " Sa-
lus eft vultus mei Deus meus." which is favored by the Vat. 6. Ar. & ^th.
but one MS. if not more, with Alex. Verf. Syr. Ludov. Cap. and
many others, reads, 'n^Nl '^3, conformably to the two parallel palTages.
R 2 mfw.
C 64 3
mviil'** 12 MSS. have nyiiT' j fee the parallel pafTages. Seeker ren-
ders 'JD " my per/on.'" See Exod. xxxiii. I4> ^S* "''^'■
7. D'jIS^im. One MS. reads, with Syr. Ch, and Hare, psnm, but
as this does not feem altogether fatisfadory, might we venture to read
with no very great alteration 'TmtD'im, " therefore will I remember thee
from the land of Jordan — and I will extol thee from the little mountain ?"
cr as Gejerus and many others, ** frc?n the mountain MiJJar ? where Da-
vid might have taken refuge from his fon Abfalom ; fee 2 Sam. xvii. 22,
One ant. MS., as Kennic. obferves, reads ^T^^ ^DliK ; which feems ne-
cefTary; unlefs r\^TV was the word, according to Alex. Verf. and two
J>atin MSS. which he mentions. See Merr.
8. "imyiT. " Cataracts," or, " ivater /pouts." As Vatablus, Harmer,
and others. Might it not poflibly be "llV, " deep calleth upon deep, or,
deep meeteth deep, at the voice of thy command ?" See the next verfe ;
and Jonah, ii. 3.
9. r\y^. Ar. Hare, and Green n^'tyK. " / will Jing," but then w6
fhould read with 2 MSS. iDjr. Kennic. reads with 5 MSS. Syr. Ch.
& Vulg. yy^, *' his fong," i. e. a Jong of (or concerning him, which
feems to agree better with the following word.
"n. Syr. with 9 MSS. 'n, as in v. 3. and if the reading there
propofed be not admitted, we fhould probably read alike in both
places.
10. '^nnDtJ^. One MS. reads ♦Jnmf, as in Pf. xliii. 2.
IVk. 5 MSS. have ^b^DN, as in Pf. xliii. 2, and they fliould be both
read uniformly. n'K 3 MSS. but 6. & Syr. ♦n^K, ** mine enemy,** See
Pf. xliii. 2.
11. mna. 4 MSS. miD, ♦* as a fword" See alfo Muis, &c.
Hare reads fo with a further addition. But Merrick renders the text,
** with Jlaughter to my bones my enemies reproach me." i. e. ** Their re-
proaches wound and even kill me." See his remark alfo from Venema.
PSALM
r 65 ]
PSALM XLIII.
6. Vulg. i^th. & Syr. with 4 MSS. afcribe this pfalm to David, and
37 MSS. make it a part of the former.
V. I. ^y^n nm> perhaps better.
2. ^Wt2. 70 MSS. read with Houb. 'tlVD-
One MS. 'I'lK, rather ^ya, with 6. Syr. & Ar. " of mine enemy.
3. Here feems to be a metathefis, " they Jlmll lead me to thy holy moun^-
tain, they /hall bring me to thy dwelling place, '^ See PL xxxv. 23. 6. and
Syr., read "inJ^^rD.
4. 'b>:i nnoty. If we fuppofe thefe words to be an Hendiadis with.
Muis and others, we fhould rather read bui nniOli', as in Ifai. xvi. 10.
But as one MS. reads Tir\D^, I fhould alfo rather read '7U^?, " then will.
I go unto the altar of God — / ivill rejoice in the God of my joy — and
upon the harp, 6cc." But fee Merr,
PSALM XLIV.
MUIS and Green fuppofe this pfalm to have been written in the Ba-
bylonifh captivity. Patrick, &c. afcribe it to Hezekiah, fee verfe 17 ^
bat do not verfes 18, i9,.fuit beil with the time of David ? See Cocceius.
V. 2. Dn'D'2. Hare and others reject this word, as redundant; buf
if we obferve the metre of the Collat. it fhould be kept ; and all the
verllons read it.
3. ■)!>. Houb. more properly reads 1T3. One MS. omits it.
S urb^Ts\
C 66 ]
Cn*7tyni. *' germ'mare fecijli illos." Pifcator ; In which fenfe he is
followed by Houb. &c. but as Ezek. ii. 3. may juftify the application
of D'li to the people of Ijrael, will not the antithefis be more natural in
this manner, ** Thou ' by thy hand haft given the nation poj'ejion, and
planted them in — thou haft afflidted the people (i. e. the Canaanites)^
4nd caft them out?" For ntyiin in this fenfe, fee 2 Chron. xx. ir.
5. my DmVk. Hare and others read, with 6. Vulg. Ar. & &\h.
mva 'H'tni, •* Thou art my king, and my God, commanding falvation
unto Ifrael.
mnty*. 13 MSS. have' nVlv^'S fing. with Syr. 6c Ar. "
6. mji. " Cornu petemiis." "Metaphora a cornutis beftiis ; vid.
Deut. xxxiii. 17. Muis, &c.
7. The change of perfons in this verfe is very obfervable, and it feems
neceflary either to read with Syr. in the plural ; " For ive will not trujl in
our bow — neither Jhall our f word fave us." Or to omit it with one MS.
11. id'?. Ch. Syr. & Ar. with 4 MSS. read \h. " And they, which
hate us, have fpoiled us'' See Ifai. xvii. 14. Durell reads xvdl,
*' fpoil us unto death." But this feems unneceflary.
12. Syr. and Ch. read bDKlsb, *' in cibum." which feems right.
13. Nbl, &c. " Et non auxijii pretia eorum; fc. licitando." Mun-
fler, &c. " And didjl not enhance their prices" niDOD 19 MSS.
17. 'J5D. 6. Vulg. Ch. 5c ^th. a facie, "/or the face of the enemy
and avenger." Which fenfe anfwers to bpo, in the former Hemiftich.
S'K 3 MSS.
18. Rather with Pifc. " neither have we dealt falfely againjl thy
covenant" See Gen. xvi. 12.
20. XyiT\' o* Syr. Vulg. Ar. & .^th. probably read D'jy, or ra-
ther »Jj;> " in the place of affiiSlion" But Cocceius and others jullify
the text from Ifai, xxxiv. 13, 6cc.
23. mmn, in Hoph. formed like ♦ fi j fee Mafc. p. 125. One very
ant. MS. with Ch. S^r. & Ar. nn^tD'? " ad ma£iationem." See verfe 12.
24. OTN. 29 MSS. read mn'.
mm.
C 67 ]
njrn. Syr. & Ar. read linim, " cafV us not off." Which the fenfe
requires, unlefs we read with 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. and 4 MSS. "jNI,
*' and caft us not off."
27. nnity. " 6, Vulg. Syr. Ch. have an imperat. mtV-" Seeker.
PSALM XLV.
G'iB'ti'. Probably mufical inftruments confiding oi Jix firings ; fee
Grotius, &c.
DTT. 56 MSS. niTT. A fong of loves % i. e. o^ mutual love;
but 6. Vulg. & iEth. read TTb. See alfo Ifai. v. i. This pfalm
principally refpeds the fpiritual marriage of Chrijl with his Church ; fee
Patrick, &c, j but in its firft fenfe may relate to Solomoit, See Pf. ii.
V, 2. cni. This word is ufed no where elfe, but its derivative is
found, a friend obferves. Lev. ii. 7. and is the name of the pan, in
which the meat-offering was dreffed, and may therefore metaphorically
fignify to digeft the thoughts in the mind ; " my heart is digejling a good
matter." i. e. fays he, preparing it for utterance. The fecond line might
perhaps be rendered, '* / will declare the operations of the king," Durell
renders the whole thus, " My heart meditates a good fubjeSl — " / imll
addrefs my compofition to the king" See Green alfo ; who tranfpofes the
fecond and third line, which feems better.
MSS. 14. have IDIN j and Ch. reads DVD, " as the pen "
4. I'V. Hare reads "JDT according to. all the verfions, " Thy Thigh."
The affix 2 being accidentally dropt from the famenefs of the letters.
*Oi:i. 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. ^ iEth. with our verfions make it the vo-
cative cafe ; and Durell renders it, " O thou jnighty in thy glory and thy
majejly." Le Clerc, " accingc gladium tuum ad femur qui forma et de-
tore excellis," Syr. reads *)2:i, ** Thy honour and thy glory prevaileth^
S 2 Houb.
C 68 ]
Houb. renders it imperatively, ** prajiantem fac." The metre of the
Collat. makes Hare's addition unnecefTary.
5. *]"»im. If we retain this word might it not be better rendered,
•' and profper in the way ?" See Deut. xxviii. 29. But Syr. Hare and
others reject it, as a faulty repetition of the preceding word. Houb.
reads with Syr. and 2 MSB. r\W\, " et refponfionem juftitiae. 6, and
2 MSS. probably, read pTi'l; which removes the neceflity of Hare's
tranipofition, and of Seeker's remark with refpedt to the copulat. i, for
which fee Vatablus on verfe 9. Poole's Synopf.
6. ^bDn. By reading -]ban, and yyn for 'inX, or as 52 MSS.
^2'N, as 6. Ar. & ^th. fupply "112:1 with Hare and others, the verfe
may be thus rendered, ** Thine arrows are fharp, O thou mighty one—'
The people fhall fall under thee — Thou JJialt reign in the heart of thine
enemies." Houb. fupplies ib'SS at the end of the firft line. " Sagittse
tuae acutae cadere facient populos, cadent in Cor. &c." Hare adds
]On at the end of the lad line, which he connects with the follow-
ing verfe, " In medio inimicorum vtgM Jlabilivit folium tuum Deus,
&c." Green fuppofes m") to be wanting. " Rule thou in the midlt
of thine enemies." Seeker refers to Houb. L'owth rejedts Hare's and
Houb.'s corrections -, but as 6. & Ar. read "na:i at the end of the
firft line, which appears defedive, perhaps IXIl' might be the original
word, and the fecond line may be read with Ar. in a parenthefis, or
tranfpofed, '* Thy fharp arrows /^^// ^-w/^fr — into the heart of the king's
enemies-^the people fhall fall under thee." See Pf. xxxvii. 15. Rivetus,
Seeker, &c. Merrick conjedtures that '^li^HI may have been dropped in
the iirft line, ** fharp are thine arrows, by which, Sec." As Glaffius thinks
it is in Prov. xiv. 7. Durell renders thus, " Thine arrows penetrate
into the people under thee j the kings enemies fail in heart." Referring to
Deut. vi. 7, 8, and i Sam. xvii. 32.
7. This and the following verfe can be only fpoken of the Mejiah,
and confirm the obfervation made by Hammond and others that the pro-
phets.
C 69 ]
phets, when fpeaking of perfons typical of the Mefiiah, arc; carried at
once by the Holy Spirit to treat of .the Mefliah himfelf.
nJi>'D. 6^ MSS. read mi^'a. See Pf. cxliii. 10.
8. D'nVx. Ch. with one MS. reads mns *' Je/iovah thy God,"
which feems to be rights but 2 MSS. omit 7nbK.
9. niV'Vp. 4 MSS. with all the verfions, Hare, and Houb. read
niV'ifplj fo that Seeker's argument with refpedt to the placing of the 1
in the fecond place, where three nouns are together, feems not altoge-
ther conclufive. See V. 5. and Pf. Ixix. 23.
♦bO'n. Mudge and others fay that the places where Hezekiah kept
his valuable curiofities are called bD'H, but the word in 2 Kings xx. 13.
Ifai. xxxix. 2. is 'Vd, and 21 MSS. with Houb. read ♦'jDH.
■jinDtt^ 'JO. Hare and others would place the firft word before ^3
making it a prepofition. Houb. would read ^jntyO 'bUH, " the veU'els of
thine anointing" Seeker is inclined to render with Ch. *' de Artfienia."
if Armenia furniflied ivo7y ; but fee Merrick's notes : who making '"jD'n
to fignify ivory boxes reprefenting /><7/^f^j in miniature, .offers this fenfe,
*' The Myrrh, the aloes, and the cafTia, of all thy garments, from the
palaces of Armejiian ivory, gladden thee." Lowth, adopting Houb, and
Hare's reading, renders, *' Myrrh, aloes, and czKiz, from all the garments,
from the ivory cabinets, gladden thee." May not the true reading be
*ini3B' p, *' as Myrrh, aloes, and caffia are all thy gatments — out of
the ivory vefels, out of thy treafures,". or as we fay in Englifli, ward-
robes? and the vejjels might contain ih.^ jewels, and other ornaments^
But a friend fufpeds that, it being difficult to. fay what 'JO means, the
whole : WaS'Originally writte"n tjinti^O piy \^ 'bon ;0, "they. have 'anointed
thee with oil from a vejj'el of ivory." There is MS. authority for "Jint^D,
and t^•, he obferves, may eafily have been dropt from. ptt'j^.pn, account of
the fimilarity of the preceeding \m. .iU/w\s.1o boofliabnr/ 3d
Trnnn. 58 MSS. have Tmi.'Q, more regularly.? ;I v"f h.T:
I X, In this'^nd the three following verfes, Edward&'s .nietre feems the
moft regular. . .iM -,-.?> .(-{j,, .
•..'-„.- -^f T 12. iKnn.
[ 7° ]
12. wn^l . The grammatical conftrudlon requires that we fl.ould read
with Houb. ni.SD'T; fee Prov. xxi. 26.
13. The fenie, as well as metie, may be fupplied as well by reading
with our verfions 'nn after nTOIJ^, as by any other method ; but fee
Houb. and if with 6. Yulg; Ar. & ^th. with Houb. we read ia the
pKir. m:2T the verb mufl: be fo likewife. Hare &c. omit 1 before n2 ac-
cording to 6. Syr. Vulg. and Ch. conneding it with the preceding words,
Durell reading n^ti?y^ VnS gives this fenfe. ** and the daughter of Tyre
Jia/I intreat thy favor with her gift, even the rich among the people."
14. n3'J£). " The king's daughter is all glorious in her countenance'*
Durell. Mudge, and Edwards render it, *• in the front ." Green makes
it the adjedive to njsbc', omitted or underftood, " her inner vejlure is
wrought with gold." But following the metre of the Collat. it may
agree with nimV, affording the fame fenfe. But Hare connefls this laft
word with what follows, " Induta veflibus Phrygionicis, &c." but
then Seeker would omit h in the following word, who renders the lirft
part of the verfe, ** All the glory of the kings daughter •" referring to
Prov. xiv. 13.
15. Hare's, Edwards's, Green's, and the metre of the Collat. all
differ in this and the preceding verfe, and as the lafl is manifeflly defec-
tive, perhaps ^'ran may have been dropped from its fimilitude to the
preceding word, *• fhe fhall be brought unto the king in raiment of
needle work. — The virgins behind her, her friends — fhall be brought unto
thee, 0 king."
16. rO'Nan. 14 MSS, have HiKl^n, which is the better reading,
17. "]»nnK. 23 MSS. more regularly ^D'OKj which Seeker renders
parents, referring to Heb. xi. 23. See Merr. But if this verfe refpeds
the MefTiah, as is indeed generally fuppofed, (fee Poole) thy fathers may
beunderflocd oi Abraham, Jfaac, &c. the progenitors oiChrifl, as well as of
Solomon; and by it may be fignified that the poflerity of the latter
ivas to reign in the land of Judah, but that of the former over the
whole earth. SeeMuis^ and Rev. v. 10,
18. m'DtK.
[ 71 ]
1 8. n"^*3tS*. 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. with Houb. read inOi'. Ch..
& Syr. TDiJ. whatever reading is adopted, I think we fliould with
Hare bring back p by to the beginning of the verfe, and omitting "ni,
which feems /lere to be fuperfluous, reduce it into two Hemiflich's ac-
cording to Edwards and the Collat. ** therefore fhall they remember
thy name throughout every generation. — The people fhall praife thee for
ever and ever." Though 56 MSS. read "nm, which may be an argument
for retaining it. 58 MSS. have mii & 70 D'jIV'?.
PSALM XLVI.
niDbv bV' " A fong for virgins." Perhaps as the mofl proper per-
fons to celebrate this great deliverance j fee Ifai. xxxvii. 22. in effec-
ting which an earthquake might accompany the thunder florm. See
Grotius, & Houb. on verfe 3, 6.
V. 2. K5»D3 is wanting in one MS. tlVI 30 MSS.
3. D'D'. Ch. & Vulg. with Hare and others, read D» ;. which the
context feems to require; but fee Seeker.
4. Tian». Houb. with 6. Syr. Ar. & ^th. inZDn'V
5. 6. read ♦.lbs "inj, but the true reading feems to be "inJ ♦Jlbfl, " the
fir earns of the river, Sec." i. e. Gihon and Siloah. Gej. &c.
Houb. reads with 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. IDti^O', fandlificavity«w/« ta*
lernaculum altiffimus."
6. "lp3 niiD*?. Hammond fuppofes that the pfalmift alludes to Exod.
xiv. 27. where is the fame expreflion.
7» iblpl. Tonitru eft yox Dei. Muis. See verfe i. Houb. reads
'j'?lp with 2 MSS. See Habbak. iii. 10, But Seeker refers to Pf. Ixviii.
34. for the text.
T % Syr.
C 72 ]
Syr. reads :iian% " et contremuit terra" And the otlier Verf. having
the paft tenfe, probably read with 1 converfive, which might be dropped
from the former word's ending with it. See our Verf.
9, 10. A friend renders the words thus, *' Come and behold the works
of Jehovah, he, who had made defolation upon the earth, maketh wars
to ceafe to the end of the earth." Or with 6. Ar. iEth. Syr. & Vulg.
renders the latter part of the 9th verfe, " What wonders he hath wrought
in the earth !" and for this fenfe of the word fee Jerem. v. 3 r.
*• He burneth the chariots in the fire." " Alludit ad morem ethni-
cum arma devidorum comburendi in honorem deorum, & in fignum
pacis." Lowth. And they might be confumed by the lightning. ^\D'>
6 MSS.
II. ISnn. Syr. perhaps, IDSn. " con-vertmini" One MS. probably
reads 1£)")n, which may be rendered, " be ajliamed," and then thefe words
may be a farcaftical retort upon Sennacherib, and his army, for their re-
proaches againft the living God.
PSALM XLVII.
SOME fuppofe this pfalm to be compofed on the introdudlion of
the ark to Mount Sion. Lyra and others on the vicflories oi JoJJiua over
the Canaanites ; in either cafe it may be confidered as typical of Chrift.
V. 2. D'DVn. i- c. Tribtis Ifrael. Pifcator. Our Verf. read with Ar.
DD'DD, " your hands"
7. D'nbN- 7 MSS. read more properly D-n'?^^. But 6. Vulg. Ar.
& ^th. with one MS. read IJ'H^nV, which agrees better with the fol-
lowing line, and the metre of the Collat. feems preferable to Hare's, or
Green's, in this verfe. But 2 MSS. omit Tiat 3d. & Syr. probably
reads rmni for the 2d, and omits the laft, ** Sing unto God with pralfe -,
fmg unto our king"
8. The
'^ [ 73 ]
8. The firll: line In this verfe in the Collat. appears to be redundant,
and the laft deficient, reading therefore D'H^Nb for D'H'JK, I would pre-
fix it, with Hare, to the laft line, *' for he is the king of all the
earth — fing praifc unto God with the underftanding." " Non bacchantium
more, fed cum re£ta intelligentia, & devota attentlone. Gejer. See
alfo I Cor. xiv. 14. Or perhaps we fhould read V^N at the end, as Syr.
feems to have done, " canite ei laudem." " bOt^a feems to be ufed
for a particular fort of fong." Lowth.
9. Should we not read '3 at the beginning of this verfe, *' For God
reigneth, &c. ?"
10. lay. Gejerus and others fupply ^K. Hare and others repeat the
word, ** cum populo."
♦JiSS. h. e. Principes five Magnates Terra;. Gejer. &c. Hare and
others read 13J:iD, with fome additions. Lowth is inclined to read ac-
cording to Syr. i^pli, " quoniam Dei funt territortattrtx." Perhaps we
might read ynK 1-10 D'H^Kn O, " For God, the Shield of the Land,
is highly exalted." i. e. The Land of Ifraeh
PSALM XLVIII.
MUIS refers this pfalm to Hezekiah's reign. 2 Kings xviii. 19.
Patrick to Jehofhaphat's. 2 Chron. xx. Mudge and others to Ahaz's;
fee Ifai. vii. and the long metre in the Collat. may be an argument in
favor of the recentnefs of the compofition, as it was not much in ufe in
David's time. Green, who adheres chiefly to Hare's metre, tranfpofes
the words in the firft and fecond verfes. Meibomius's metre differs
from both ; but whether it is admifUble, I cannot determine.
2. b'Jinai 27 MSS. See Pf. cii. 9.
C 74 ]
3. *\^i nfl*I The commentators differ widely about the fenfe of thefe
words; and 6. Ch. Syr. & JEth. read differently from the text, and
from each other. Ar. omits them entirely. But perhaps by a tranfpo-
lition and a fmall addition we might read V35, *' beautiful in its appear-
ance." Though a friend obferves the word of the text is ufed, Jo(h. xi. 2,
4. SriB'.ti'?. One ant. MS. reads ♦'j before it, which flrengthens the
conjedlure of Hare and others that we fliould read li*?, after it; fee Pf,
xlvi. 7. 12.
5. my. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^^th. " venerunt in umimy Though Green
from Schultens renders it, " they hajled away," in the firft fenfe this
word will afford a beautiful climax, Afyndeton, and Antithefis to the next
verfe, " For behold the kings were aflembled, they marched on together-^
*' They faw ; lo, they marvelled ; they were troubled, they hafted away."
6. p. Perhaps we fhould read ^n. See verfe 5. Houb. renders the
word, iitique. Is it not poffible, fays a friend that for inon p IK*! we
might read mam 11K"l» " they faw thee, and were troubled ?" But fee
Hare.
8. T\T\'2^ One MS. fupports the conjec^lural reading of Kennicott and
others m")D, " As the Eaji wind breaks the fhips of Tarfhifli." By
which that we are to underftand the Gades of the antients, fee Boch.
on I Kings x. 22. ** But, fays a friend, " thou breakeft the fhips of
Tarfbifh with an Eaft wind," does not fcem particularly applicable to
this paffage ; the Pfalmift is defcribing the paflion of fear by ftrong com-
parifons, by the fear of a woman in travail ; by the fear of mariners,
when their fhip is Shattered by a violent wind, I fhould therefore have
expeded, ** as of a woman in travail, as when thou breakefl, &c."
accordingly in MS. 309, we read WTQ. 3, it is not improbable that
the word omitted in the vacant fpace might be "IB^K, as the next line
begins with the fame word."
9. Pifcator and others refer the firflpart of this verfe to Ifaiah's predic-
tion, 2 Kings xix. 2O0
12. See 2 Kings xlx» 21.
13. There
C 75 3
13. There is a peculiar beauty in fuppofing with Gejerus and others,
that this and the following verfe are a farcaftical apoftrophe of the
Ifraelites to the enemy on their unexpe6ted defeat.
15. nVJ bV. Or as 42 MSS. maV- Thefe words, as Hare, &c.
have obferved, are neither neceffary to the fenfe, nor the metre; and
were probably added by fome one to fupply the fuppofed defe6t in the
former; though the Syr. has them; and 6. Vulg. Ar, & IFAh. read
tD^^'ifb inftead of them.
PSALM XLIX.
I F the laft words of the former pfalm fliould be joined, and confi-
dered as belonging to the title of this, according to Hare, &cc. they
fhould be placed after n^fiD^, as Pf. ix. But fee Houb.
v. 2. The fubjeit of this pfalm being the concern of all mankind is
addrefTed to them.
3. tSlti 'J2. i. e. pkbeii, ut e terra fadi. l^'Jf '21, filii viri, i. e. nobi-
les. Muis, &c. *' Houb. thinks DTK to exprefs the higher rank, and
W^Vi the lower rank. Repetitions of the fame fenfe In different words
abound in Scripture ; but this pafTage feems to require a different fenfe."
Seeker. Merr. Appendix, No. 5.
4. MSS. 2. read with all the Verf. DDSn. and 5 with them Dinn.
6. '^pV. Glaffius and others make this a participial noun, and fupply
12 with Ar. *' When the iniquity of thofe who fuppknt me furroundeth
me." But the Syr. & Ar. feem to have read nV» *' When the iniquity
of mine enemies furroundeth me." Houb. by a tranfpofition and diffe-
rent reading gives this fenfe, ** propterea quod cerumna me circumilet."
Perhaps the text might ftand thus, 32D' Opjf Oy% " ijohen affiiSlion en^
compajfeth my fteps." See Job. xxx. 16.
U 2- 7. Seeker's
[ 76 ]
y. Seeker's fenfe of this verfe feems the beft, " They that truft in
their weahh, and in the multitude of their riches, are mad." D'nDlin
1 6 MSS. and 5 n*in, which feems to be the true reading, though it
feldom appears with the v See' the MSS. in Pf. v. 8, &c.
8. n.V. Ch. reads iriNS his brother, more proper.
nV. 2c. 25 MSS. with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ch. & ^th. read K^ji, «' No
man can redeem his brother — nor give his ranfom unto God." Houb.
fupplies *]{^ at the beginning, " Verwitamen frater non redimat, homo
non dabit Deo pretium redemptionis." and 4 MSS. read 1^} for nN*.
Son-.e learned author in Merrick's appendix, No. 4. fuppofes that from
this verfe to verfe 14, are contained the maxims of unbelievers, who
begin here with denying the do6trine of a redemption by one to be
born of a woman ; which notion he thinks confirmed by 6.
9. D^SJ. Lowth reads with 6. Vulg. Ch. & Ar. Ijysi, more
agreeably to the context. The laft line of this V. feems dcfeftive in the
metre, which Hare fupplies by reading iVin. Durell with Houb. con-
neds it with the following verfe ; but is it not better to read "TJT) at
the end, *' For the redemption of his life is precious — and he muft ceafe
for ever and ever f" or as Lowth, " and it ceafeth for ever." See Seeker
alfo. But Green's tranfpofitlon of this and the following verfe feems to
be the mofl natural order, and avoids the neceflity of a parenthefis, or
of Hare's variation in the beginning of the next verfe.
10. nV. 21 MSS. with Syr. read K^V Lowth gives the fame
fenfe to ♦m as Green does, " fo that he fhould live for ever." Which
Hammond, &c. refer to Chrifl. But if this metathefis fhould not be
admitted, Gejerus's fenfe of this and the following verfe feems to be the
beft, " Though he fhould live unto the end — and not fee corruption—
yet he fhall fee, &c," Durell thus, " But he will ceafe for ever,
though he would live to eter?iity, and not fee corruption."
1 1 . Hare would omit riK"*' i but fee the Collat. and perhaps we fhould
read O HNnS ** He Jliall fee that the wife, &c."
[ 77 ]
V»DD. Hare and others read b^D'D2» Is not VOD!! ftlH better, *' they
peiifli together wit/i the ignorant and foohfli ?"
12. Daip Ludov. Capellus, with many others, reads according to
all the verfions Dllp, " fepukhra eorum. Bot if this be admitted
we mufl give the laft: words of the verfe fome fuch fenfe as Mudge
and Edwards put upon them ; or as a friend, " Their fepukhres fliall
be their houfes for an age ; the habitations from generation to genera-
tion of thofe, who called their lands after their names." Hare and
Green read Dnnp3, ** in animo eorum eji" Which Seeker alfo favors.
But one MS. reads imp, which will afford this knk, " tl.ey join their
houfes for ever." Which connedts very well with what follows, and
is countenanced by Ifai. v. 8.
DDiDtya. 58 MSS. with 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & ^th. read t3n\1'2^^ i
one by ; 54 nm, and one MS. reads with Syr. ISnpl, " and call."
13. There can be little doubt, that this verfe and verfe 21, were ori-
ginally the fame ; and though all the verfions, except Ch. read here with
Houb. and many others ]♦!% yet as in verfe 21. 3 MSS. read |»b', I am
inclined to concur with Hare and others in reading this word in both
places, as moft agreeable to the context. Does not the conftrudion re-
quire that we fhould read m.^rT2*7, or with one MS. monnn, " But
man, being in honor, abideth not — he is like to the beajls that perifh ?"
14. bOlD contraria denotat; hic Jiduciam folidam, ut Prov. iii. 26.
Gejer. And reading with Houb. and 2 MSS. CDn'3D for DH'Sn, the
words may bear this fenfe, *' This their way is their confidence — and their
pofterity run after their manner." " 6. either read Sti'DD, or underftood
bOD to mean a-xav^ay^ov." Seeker. But fee Houb.
1^. Houb. reads T)^b2b D")Niyi, ** Quafi oves ad inferos, deponentur,
mors depafcetur eos. Dominantur earum matutini paftores, et caro earum
ejl conjumenda s interitus illis pofl caulas." Similitudo duda ex ovibus.
Hare fuppofing debet, or oportet, to be wanting before mblV, and read-
ing IDb bllT, with others, puts this conftrudlion upon the words, " Sicut
pecora in inferno ponuntur, mors depafcet eos ; et figura eorum veterafcet,.
X fovea
C 78 3
fovea habltaculunv ils." But he omits yr\% 5cc. without any authority.
" Feed on them." Hammond and others think it fhould be, ** a^s the
Jhepherd towards them." nyn is fometlmes to feed upon. See Ifai.
xliv. 20. Seeker and Merr.
•' In the morning" may fignify when God arlfes to judgment; but ftill
that morning will be after death, ruling may mean judging." Seeker from
de Dieu, who obferves further, the laft part is moft literally tranflated thus,
in part by De Dieu, ** ^nd their Embaffador, or, their Rock, i.e. Chrifl,
^f^ia// confiime the grave from being an habitation for himfelf" Or by putting
1.!2V, "for them." i. e. Chrijiians. See Merr. The verfions of Mudge,
Edwards and Green are nearly the fame in fenfe, ** They are laid in the
grave like fheep — Death (hall feed on them ; and' the upright — fliall have
dominion over them in the morning. — Their beauty fhall confume away
— and the grave fliall be their dwelling." Green. Durell gives this
fenfe of the words. ** They are cafl: under ground like flieep, whofe
iliepherd is death — they go down with them, they go ftraight to the fe-
pulchre — and the grave their dwelling fliall confume their beauty."
Sturges making "nplb to fignify ** JJiall be no more," from the Ar.
word np:3, interiit propofes this conflrudlion of. the whole, ** They
lie in the grave like flieep — death fliall be their fliepherd, and have
dominion o er them — Their honor fliall be no more j their form
fliall moulder away — the fepulchre fliall be their habitation." See Merr.
Annot. and Append. No. 4. A friend thus, " Ut oves ponuntur in
orco ; — Mors iis pafcetur, et cum illis — ^jufti etiam defcendent ad tumu-
lum, — et forma eorum in confumptionem ; (fc. erit) — orcus habitaculum
eorum." Mr. Bradley renders the laft line, ** the grave is a habitation
for it." i.e. their beauty. But reading with Durell inp'? for *)plV, which
had occurred to me before I had confulted him, CJ:n Dj; for DHJ^'
CI, with 52 MSS. DTIVI, and with Hare, &c. \t±) bin? for 'b Vita,
and dividing the verfe into three lines, I would propofe this fenfe of the
words, " Like flieep they are laid in the grave, death fliall feed on
them — and they fliall go down ivith the poor to the fepulchre — and their
beauty
[ 79 ]
beauty fliall confume in the grave, their- habitation.'' In oppofition to their
habitation mentioned in verfe 12.
16. The words in the latter part of this verfe are probably tranpofed.
See Merrick's appendix. No. 4. " Verily God fliall deliver my foul —
nvhen he Jliall take me from the power of the grave."
19. Mira eft perfonarum confufio is the jufl: obfervation of Hare on
this and the following verfe; and as all the verfions, except Cb. read "h
inftead of "]*?, fo perhaps we flaould read rnvi for *]"tV1, and l»D'n for
I'D'D ; " Altho' in his life time his foul was blefled, — and he was praijed^
whilft // was well with him" Houb. renders thus, *' etcnim anim^e fuae
in vita fua indulget, G* laiidabit ei, cum benefeceris ei" A friend reads
the laft words in a parenthefis " (for, when thou art profperous, men
will praife thee) he JJiall go, &c."
20. Kllin. I would read Nll'1, with Houb. &c. and for 1KT with 6.
and one MS. n}<"l* ; " yet Jliall he come to the habitation of his fathers—
and Jliall never fee light." For this fenfe of in fee the Lexicons, and
Durell.
21. DIvV. 41 MSS. have tDTNI.
Kb"! 5 MSS. read bl, conformably to verfe 13 ; which fee.
PSALM L.
"SI totum hujufce Oda^ apparatum &; quafi fcenam contemplamur,
nihil facile poteft efle magnificcntius." Lowth. See him alfo on Ifai.
notes, p. 4. And it was probably compofed in the times of Hezekiah,
as Patrick conjeftures, when the fuperftitious obfervance of the ritual
part of the law was fuppofed to atone for the notorious violation of the
mcral part. Compare Mich. vi. 6--12. and Ifai. i. 10—15.
X 2 V. I,
C 80 ]
V. I. lZ)'n'?H bi(' One MS. omits thefe words; and Hare thinks
they are not a part of the pfahn-; but fee Jofli. \x. 22.
•{•"IX does not feeni heie to fgnify the vcorU, as Gejerus and others
fupyofe; but the land of yuda:^^ the inhabitants of which God fiim-
nicns to judgments See Patrick.
Wn^. 21 ^'^SS. read with Houb. "INII.::.
3. mrii'*:- ZS ^^^^^- Ji^ve ."nVDJ, more ufual. Thunder florms were
the ufual attendants of the divine prefence. See Exod. xix. KIT
4 MSS.
* ^. A molT: beautiful profopcpaia. " Et Mofes Iios tejies adverfus
deficientes a lege appellaverat. Deut. iv. 26." Muis. "jvaa, with
one MS. at firft, feems better, as a friend obferves, referring to i Kings
vm. 23.
5. n'Dn, ** my Saints." 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. read VTDn 1*7 and
inna, *' gather together unto Him his faints, &c." But 3 MSS. reading
"TDn favors the text j which is a moft ftriking irony, (hewing what
they ought to have been." See Deut. vii. 6.
9 MSS. 'mi3, and one bv.
6. iDflliy 36 MSS. with all the Verf.
7. All the nations being affembled before God's tribunal, the grand
Inqueft begins. *• ^1 " unto thee." See Pf. Ixxxl. 9." Seeker.
8. *• I will not reprove thee for thy facrifices, nor for thy burnt of-
ferings, which were continually before me." The force of the negative
and prepofition being continued, as in other places. In this refpedt they
were righteous overmuch. See Ifai. i. 11. •' Non fuper facrificia tua
arguam te, et Holocaufta tua coram me (funt) femper." Lowth from
Leufden. See Seeker alfo. One MS. reads IDlVlVl, more regularly.
9. IS, All the Verf. except Ch. with Hare and others read DHfl,
*• I will take no bullocks, &c."
l^nK^DDC. 35 MSS. more properly ']'mN'?300'l j which the gram-
matical conftrudion feems to require, the 1 being negative. See verfe 8.
10. ID'n.
[ 8i ]
10. in^n. Lowth fuppofcs that this form of the word Is peculiar to the
poetical parts of fcripture. See Ifai. Ivi, 9. Houb. calls it Barbarifmum -,
and from comparing the parallel paffages, and the verfions I am inclined to
think with him that the 1 has been tranfpofed, and that we fhould read
nvn. 6. Syr. Vulg. and Ar. read D'dVnt for ^^, " and the oxen J' One MS.
omits it.
11. Dnn. Houb. reads tD'JDtt'n with all the verfions; and one MS.
having both words feems to juftify the latter, to which ^"ly is joined every
where elfe, " t/ie fowls of heaven."
?m- One MS. at firft read Vtl* " ^t fpkndor." See our marg,
Verf. 6 Vulg. and ^Eth. render it, Ifai. Ixvi. 11. " plenitudo." But fee
Pf. Ixxx. 14. This Hemiftich appearing defeftive, may not "IXDV have
been loft before, or after, nav-, ** And the wild bead of the ^ddjlandeth
by me"? i. e. at his command.
12. n»K. 27 MSS. read nr)1K, more regularly. See v. 13.
14* A friend offers this verf. ** The giving of thanks is ^ facnfce to
God — and thy vows ^ peace offering to the moft High," But fee Jon. 2. 9.
15. ■Ja'^nN. One ant. MS. feems to have read with 6 Ar. and &t\\,
TibnKI, *• then will I d/?liver thee."
16. Muis, Lowth, and others, making this pfalm to confift of two
parts, refer the former ** to the well meaning, but ignorant and fuper-
llitious worfhipper ; and the latter to the wicked pretender to piety.!'
But is not the contraft equally ftriking by fuppofing the whole addreffed
to the fame perfons, i. e. the fewi/h people, as fcrupulous obfervers of the
ritual pzrt of the law, but notorious tranfgrelTors of the morale " See
verfe i. and Dr. Home, the prefent Bifliop of Norwich.
Two MSS have »pin, and 2 bV-
17. n;i"r, " my words." i. e. the fen commandments, the breach of three
of which is mentioned in the two next verfes.. "j'^jtrm 2 MSS more
regular.
18. "Ipbn.. Does notfiD'jn correfpond better with the preceding verb,.
" When thou faweft a thief, tho2i rimnedjl with him— and iventejl with
y the
i: 82 ]
•the adulterers ?' All the verfions render pm ** currehas," Perhaps we
ilioald read pim. See Ifai. xl. 31.
20. isyn. Gejerus and others fuppofe that this word alludes to the
mode oi ftting in judgment. See Pf. cxix. 23. Houb. renders it, femel
et iterum, but may it not be written for *ip{y ?
'DT, eras 37 MSS »i3n, is found no where elfe ; and Ch. reads »3n.
" Thou fp2ike{ifa//J:ood againll thy brothet — againfl the foil of thy mo-
ther thott haft given t/ie mouth." See 2 Sam. i. 16. Since this note was
written I find the laft reading approved by a friend. Mudge fuppofes,
that 6. rendering 'DT cxi.\'^a.\o:<y derived it from plJ, to throw donvn."
21. The heathen deities were a fandtion to the moft flagrant immora-
lities of their votaries. The latter part of this verfe is elliptical, which
may in fome meafure be fupplied by reading, according to Green's
verfion, "]DnyNT for nO'iVKI, " and lay thee open." But Lorinus ob-
ferves, " in /imbrofianoy five Gallkano pfalterio habemus, " et Jiatuam
contra faciem tuam feccata tua -," fic etiam habent Complutenfia, '^'
■Kaoair,<T<a x«t* !rf<roajrcv «ra ta; a/^afTiatf an." So that probably ^'JIV haS been
dropped through its fimilitude to TJ'V'?, which follows, ** and I will
fet in order thine iniquities before thine eyes." But a friend reading
the verb in Niph. without any addition renders the words thus, " I
will reprove thee, and be compared unto thee." i. e. that it may be feea
how unlike we are.
23. nmt 19 MSS. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. make it a fubftantive,
** T/i^ Sacrifice of praife, &c."
»JJ-Tiy. 9 MSS. with Houb. read »Jin3\ See alfo verfe 15.
"j^T Ctyi " et ponenti, feu compcjienti viam." Fife. &c. 6 ** Et illic
"jia." Rightly, fays Lowth. Hare, with others, reads Dm, " et iri'
tegruni via." But from comparing Pf. xxxvii. 14. I am inclined to
think that "ity'i, which is ftill nearer to the text, is the true reading,
" and to him that is upright in the way, will I fhew the falvation of
God." Hare and others dividing this verfe into three lines, are obliged to
add
C 83 ]
add two words In the firft. The Collat. divides it only into iico, which
makes the lafl: too long, unlefs we might read nt^••^ at the end of the
fir/1.
P S A L M LI.
THE fubjed matter of this pfalm agrees very well with the title of
It; but Mudge concludes from the two lafl verfes, that it was written
during the Babyloniili captivity.
3. nnD 14 MSS.
4. nnn " Valde" Houb. Blayney reads with 27 MSS. nn, giving
it the fame fenfe. But may not this word from tranfpofing the letters
be written for ni2> " Wafh me clean, &cc." See v. 9.
6. •)"nV. Glaflius, with Green, renders it emphatically, " againll
thee thy/elf." Taylor, feparafeiy. Durell, perfonally. " Perhaps David
meant, that he was truly forry, though he had nothing to fear but from
God." Seeker.
innn. As Mudge obferves from Grotlus in has here a juridical
meaning, *• fo that thou art righteous in thy fentence — and clear in
thy judgement." All the verfions, except Ch. read with the apoftle,
nStm, which the connexion requires.
7. piy2. 46 MSS. read with Houb. pvi ; and this is one Inftancc
amongft many others of the corruption of the text. Edwards would
render the words thus, " Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity — and
In fm did my mother niirfe me." But by rendering 'nb'Jin with Ch.
'* / was begotten" which feems to be the true fenfe of the word, the
difficulty is removed, ** Behold, I was begotten in wickednefs — and in
fin did my mother conceive me."
8. tDnOn, ** et in occuho." videl, in corde. Pifcator, &c. But this
word feems to be written for inDJ32. See Pf. x. 9. 6. Syr. Vulgt 5c Ar,
probably read nDDDI, " et occulta^ mniD:! 29 MSS.
¥2 9. This
J. Si 3
9. This verfe alludes to the modes of purification appointed by the
Levitical Law for the leprofy. See Lev. xiv.
10. D^Jl, ** ivh'c/i thou haft broken." noting hereby the greatnefs of
his grief and afliidion. Ainfworth.
11. 'D^iy. 42 MSS. read with all the verfions ♦DliVj " mine iniquities."
J 2. ]1D2 '* animam re£lam." i.e. non defle(5lentem, firmam ad fupe-
randas omnes tentationes, 6c difficultates. Gcnebrard.
14. T\im' " Let a/ree fpirit fupport me." i. e. Let me not be in-
flaved, as I have been, by my finful pafiions. 6. renders it hr^fuvucs.
1 5. A penitent fmner is the moft effcdual reformer of otkers.
D'yt'ifl, 18 MSS.
16. As the 2d line in this verfe feems defedtive ♦iV»tt"in may be
dropped at the end from its likenefs to the preceding word, '* O God
of my falvation preferve me."
pin. Syr. & Vulg- read \TsTW See our Verf.
17. ':iK. 13 MSS. mn*.
18. There were no particular facrifice? appointed by the Levitical
Law to atone for the crimes of ffiurder, and adultery, in order to bring
men to a true repentance of their fins, and to make them look forward
to a better covenant. See Grot, de facrificiis expiatoriis.
6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth for Nb '3 read DN O, and as one MS. reads
nblVI, perhaps T {bould be omitted before T\':r\^'\, *' For if thou de-
firedft facrifice, / ivould give it — but a burnt offering thou wilt not ac-
cept". But a friend refers for the Bib. Verf. of 1 in njriNI to i Kings i. 21.
yiDnn 26 MSS.
19. 'n:it. Houb. reads with 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. p^?. See our old
Verf. As the 2d Hemiftich feems too long, and one valuable MS. omits
latffi with Syr. perhaps we fhould read with this n31i nV, ** Thefacri"
Jice of God is a broken fpirit — a contrite heart, O God, &c." 6 MSS.
read NDl^, as elfewhere.
20. n:2'{D'n. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. probably read, as Hare obferves,
n» 3»D'n, or ratjier mn'. See MS. 259. and Pf. cx.xv. 4.
[ 85 ]
n^^ri*' c. Syr. Ar. & iEtb. with one MS., read ni3m, ** Do we/fy
O Je/wva/i, in thy loving kindnefs to Zion — an(;f build thou the walls of
Jerufalem."
Mudge infers from this and the following verfe, that this pfalm was
compofed during the Babylonifli captivity. Green thinks that they were
added by fome captive to accommodate it to his ufe. But David's
/ears might eafily fuggeft to him, that his crimes might prevent the
■building of the temple, which God had promifed fhould be done,
2 Sam. vii. 13. See Tirinus in Poole's S/nopf.
21. S'h'ys nbiy. Thefe words -being a kind of tautology, and the kit
word appearing to be redundant in the metre of the Collar, which feems
preferable either to Hare's, or Edwards's, perhaps we fhould read n'riVT,
•* Thiyi fha'lt thou be pleafed with the facrifices of righteoufnefs, and
a burnt offering — then fhall they offer young bullocks on thine altar."
Or as Houb. according to Syr. " Then ihall the young bullocks af-
cend thine altar."
.Viflnn 20 MSS.
PSALM LIL
V. 2. 'DnKh. 42 MSB., read ^anNHj which is a ftrong proof that
the title of this pfalm is the proper one agreeable to 6. Ch. Vulg. Ar.
& iEth.
Houb. tranfpofing the words according to Syr. and reading tdad for
'y\1'iT\t gives this conftrudion of them, " multa conaris adverfus inno-
centem ? Tota die pravitatem cogitat, &c." But as one ant. MS,
reads biC twice, might not the 2d line ftand thus originally,
C3rn '73 h)^ '7^* lorr
** Why boafteft thou thyfelf in mifchief, O mighty man ? The
goodnefs of God to me is daily." See v. 10. Though as a friend ob-
Z ferves.
C 86 ]
ferves, c. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & JEih. omitting V» "IDn* might have read
for it HKOn, " Why doft thou boafl: in wickednefs, O mighty in evi/f
— All the day thy tongue meditates iniquity."
4. " Thou contriveft mifchiefs with thy tongue, as with a {harp ra-
for, O thou dealer in deceit." Chandler in Merr. 6. with 4 MSS.
n^'iv. 7 MSS. m^ynn.
6. yba. Hare, &c. would read Vv*'?!. See Pf. xli. 9. But Syr.
probably reads here nVI or V")n, " amafti omnes qui loquuntur mi'
qiiitaiemy But fee 6. Vulg. & Jerem. li. 4. Hare and others, for the
fake of the metre in the 2d line, add n*1lT, or 'in, *' Thou haft loved
all thofe who fpeak wickednefs — and the tongue ivhich uttereth deceit."
See Jerem. ix. 8.
]1K>*?. Edwards reads with Ar. ]"iB>bl, " et linguam dolofam." See
Syr. alfo, & c.
7. VnKD. Syr. Ar. & Vulg. with Houb. &c. read *lVnNO, " ex
tabernaculo tuo" which may refer to the tongue^ or to Doeg. Patrick,
6cc. referring it to God, read iVriNO, " out of his tabernacle." See
Seeker and verfe 10.
8. All the verfions with Hare, &c. fupply liaN'l after "pTW* and the
laft line is defective, according to the metre of the Collat. But as a
friend obferves further, Syr. reads TIDK^'I for IKT'1 ; and that is authorifed
by one MS. and Job xxii. 19. where we have the very fame expreflion,
** 77/^ righteous fee it, and are glad" See Pf. Ixix. 23, &c.
9. ^1*11. 10 MSS.
Ty. All the verfions, except Ch. read TV*!, " and ftrengthened him-
felf /« his fubflance" See our Bib. Marg. and Prov. x. 3. But Lowth
prefers the common tranflation.
10. Doeg. in verfe 7, is compared to a tree plucked up by the roots,
the Pfalmift in contradiftinftion here compares himfelf to a green olive
tree in the houfe of God j alluding, fays Houb. to Aaron's rod laid
up in the ark ; but the houfe of God does not feem to refer to the
green olive tree, but to the pfalmift. See Pf. xcii. 14.
II. The"
C 87 3
II. The fenfe being imperfedt, the metre according to the Collat.
appearing defed;Ive j and one ant. MS. fupplying nONI *TDn after D^t^y,
it is not improbable this is the true reading. See Gen. xxiv. 49.
TTDn. 17 MSS. reading ^TDn, David might fpeak of /im/e/f, " I
will praife thee for ever, becaufe thou haft dealt mercifully and truly—'
and I will wait on thy name, for it is good before thy faint" i. e. In my
fight.
PSALM LIII.
THIS pfalm is probably only a corrupt copy of Pf. xlv. to which
I ftiall refer for the various readings ; obferving that in verfe 6, which
differs widely from Pf. xiv. 6. 52 MSS. read nW'in.
PSALM LIV.
V. I. FO R the title, fee Pf. iv.
2. 6. Vulg. Ar. iEth. & Ch. with many MSS. make it probable,
that the fubjedt refers to i Sam. xxiii. 19.
5. Dnt. 5 MSS. with Ch. and the parallel paflage, with Hare, &c.
^ad DHT, *' For the proud have rifen up againft me."
6. It jr. 19 MSS. with Syr. read *\X\V.
»DDD3. Seeker obferves from Erpenius, that 3 nominativo pleonaftice
praefigitur, and cites alfo Hof. xiii. 9. Houb. makes it to bear a fu-
perlative fenfe, " firmifjimum columen." See Pf. Iv. 19. xcix. 7. But
from confulting 6. Syr. Ar. ^th. & Vulg. it appears probable that
lOIDn is the true reading, " Behold, God is my Helper-^Jehovah is
the fupporter of my foul," mn» 13 MSS,
Z 2 7- ^l'^**
I S8 ]
- '^•'.'^•ftS^. '24 MSS.^re^d ytiP more regularly. Syr. '& Viilg. read
i'n the imperat. i'eSfl, which is more conformable to the following verb,
** Retmn evil to mine adverfaries, 6cc." See Houb.
47 MSS. read nmtt'b. See Pf. Hit. IT.
9. 'jVvn. 6. Syr. Vu^g. Ar. ^ 'iEth. with Hare, 6cc. read ♦:nVvn.
Houb. ♦jV'Vn. Either of wJHCh avoids the change t>f perfons i but the
former feems moil: eligible, " For thou hajl delivered, &c." Or, as
Seeker, " ivhen thou haft delivered."
PSALM LV.
M0LLERU5 and others refer for .the fubjed of this pfalm to
I Sam. xxiii. 1 — 12. Patrick and others to 2 Sam. xv. &c.
3. The Ar. according to Walton probably reads O before T^K, and
fome fuch word feems to be wanting, as Mudge and others think,
*' when I mourn in my complaint; and am vexed." Or as Green
with Ch. ** and cry aloud." Who thinks alfo that a word has been
dropped after inN*. See Ifai. xv. 3.
4. The firft line of this verfe is better connedled according to Green
with the former.
n'4< .2 MSS.
PlNll. The fenfe as well as the metre feems to require tD£3KJ!»
** and in their wrath they hate me."
5. Vn*. 3 MSS. read "jns which, as Green obfcrves, fhould be
rendered, •* is wounded^ See Pf. cix. 22.
6. mJf'7£5. Syr. by a fmall change and tranfpofition of letters reads
DID^V. " umbra mortis;" And Pf. xliv. 19. countenances this reading.
One very valuable printed copy reads with Vulg. Ar. & Ch. W2*.
Ratheni<13'. See MSS. 155,
7. Hare's
C 89 ]
7. Hare's tranfpofition here feems needleff . See the CoH^t. '* And I
faid, O that I had wings ! — As a Dove, I would fly away, and be at reft."
naiKI 6 MSS. and 41 nJIDtyNV
8. IIJ. 41 MSS. IMI; but 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. TTI3, " fugt'ensi"
and this feems to be the proper reading j and as Ch. reads d^^yb for
nbO, that feems to be the right word, as a friend remarks, •* I would
dwell in the wildernefs Jor ever."
9. Green's reading D'7fla*7, ** I would haften away to a JJielter," is
a very good one ; and one MSS. omits »b j unlefs with 6. & Syr. wc
confider the word as the partic. pih. " I haften to my deliverer, &c."
nVDa. 2 ant. MSS. with 6. Vulg. Ar. & Mth. read nyODl, " from
xYiQ Jlormy wind, and tetripejl" nVlD 32 MSS.
10 yb3. Hare and others conjefture we ft^ould read ^Q, ** Divide, O
'Jehovah, divide their tongues." making an Epizeuxis. But a friend re-
fers for the text to Job x. 8. The words allude, as Pifcator obferves,
to Gen. xi.
<iTK. 50 MSS. read mn*.
Hare's metre in the laft line of this verfe and the next feems moft
eligible.
11. nnilD'. Ch. Syr. & Ar. with 39 MSS. Hare and others read
]")N% 6. Vulg. Syr. & Ar. with Houb. read pK. " And, I wonder,
fays Seeker, Hare had not obferved that 6. leave out the T before p^f,
and not the firft nuip^, as he doth, but the 2d, and put 1 before miH,
whence the tranflation may be, '• Day and night mi/chief goeth about it
upon the walls thereof: and forrow is in the midjl of it and wickednefs :
deceit, &c." n'mOIH 27 MSS.
12. min. 17 MSS. with all the verfions read mn, fing.
13. Vh' 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read in both places, as Seeker ob-
ferves, "lb, or Nl*?, (fee Judges viii. 19.) " For if an enemy had re-
proached me, then I could have borne it — if, &c." The defed in the
metre of the Collat. in the laft line of this verfe induces me to think
A a that
[ 90 3
that >ja is .dropped after the verb, " then I w<.nU have hid tny fuce from
him." See Ilai. I, 6. . T{* one MS.
14. OIVS, '' fccundum d'tf^ofitionem meam. Muis. ij^-\.-jy,i. 6. *' quern
ego tanquam me ajl'mavi." See Hare. With which the Italian verfion
communicated by. a friend agrees exadlly, " Ch' io apprezavo quantq
ir.e rtefib," ivhom I ejleem equal to myfelf." " Homo met ordinis" Caft.
See Lowth alfo. *' One ivcll acquainted with myjleps" Kenoic. The
iirft is the nioft Hteral, and feems as eafy as any.
The lafl line feeming defedive may not nVJlD have been dropped at
the end of it, " And mine acquaintanceyri?w my youth f" It is generally
agreed that ^/^/V(7^/i^/ is here meant. 'yiVDI 22 MSS.
15. " 1^'C, E5=V^Tff, 6. Did they read DD and viTite vivanaxa'i fo they
tranflate the laft word." Seeker. Mr. Bradley mentions fome who read
Tjf ** Food." Perh.^ps a miftake for pr.
ty:i13, " cum cceiu." i. e. turba populi, Pifcator, 6cc. Or as our Bib.
Verf. " ill company. See alfo Mudge and Lowth. " ev o^tovo/a 6. Syr. &
Vulg." Seeker. Mr. Bradley obferves, fome propofe ^lifn^,
16. ma't:" 10 MSS. ma ♦tt'S & 2 with Mudge, &c. read mSD K^ty.
Hare and others :i»l^'». Dwell D»:i'». But as the metre in this line is
defective, VTsi from its fimilitude to the preceding word paay have
been omitted, and the words might ftand thus,
iD'by ma ^' vra
" /;; a moment death JJiall be upon them — They fliall go down alive
^to the grave." See Numb. xvi. 21, 31; to which the pfalmift proba-
bly alludes. See Gej.
VlNC^ D"n one MS. as in Numb. xvi. '31 j where we have the
local n.
Da"\pl. Hare and others with one MS. omit this word j but then
I would read with 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & i^^th. Dnni:ia2 for the metre's
fake. Syr. omits it.
17. The metre in the Collat. being too fliort in the laft line, may
not Nj have been omitted through its likenefs to the aSx of the
^ preceding
• C 91 ]
preceding verb, *' and Jehovah fhall fave me now f" See Pf. cxviii. 25.
6. Ar. & ^th. read ♦JJ?ati'% " Ihall bear me."
18. nDnN% One MS. reads nrj'HXV See verfe 5.
19. mpD. 6. Vulg. Ar. iEth. & Syr. read D'lnpa, which is more
agreeable to the context. Kennicott fupplies with Ch. yi after »^,
*' from evil approaching me."
'\''r\. Hare, with others, reads n'H, " quoniam contra multos/«/> me-
cum." Houb. renders D'ani, " permulti." Sec Pf. liv. 6. Dur^U,
" For they are at variance with me." See Pf. Ixxxix. 51. Perhaps
we fliould read p*l"trT, " Although many are with me." i. e. to dejlroy
mc. See Neh. ix. 19. Hare's metre feems preferable; unlefs with
2 MSS. we omit "h nnpD.
20. Dli? :W'^. Houb. reads with 30 MSS. im\ & iDTplp, " avcr-
tet cervicem eorum, neque enim illorum eft mutatio." Durell, Dlpl
B^l, " even he that hath exijled from eternity" Hare, &c. itt^V* ♦* J^e
that inhabiteth eternity." See a fimilar expreffion, Ifai. Ivii. 15. and 6.
& Ar. But Lowth thinks they read ntt"n. And as n'jD feems to have
no ufe or fignification here, perhaps it is written for D^D, '* and he
that inhabiteth eternity Jliall conjume them"
mQ'Vn. " Non liquet." Lowth j who gives this verfion of the words by
Schultens, " quibus nullc {untfuccejjiones melioris vitas, vel oeconomia?."
** yp^ is tranflated plurally in all the old verfions. Therefore Ihould
be, *' and fear not." Seeker.
21. The metre in this verfe feems defedive, and it is fufficiently
fupplied by Hare, who reads nOlVtr 'JTiNn, for VCiVtyn, and that is
much favoured by Ifai. xxxviii. 22. " Mifit fuas manus in homines pad"
fcos." Or perhaps pni may be dropped at the end, " he hath
broken his covenant with them." One MS. adds a word, which af-
fords no good fenfe. VOl'^tJ'Il 31 MSS. As the affixes in this and the
folloyviiig verfe are in the fing. the pfalmift prob.ably points ^i /ihitophelf
as Muis a»i others have obferved.
A a 2 '22 Va)
C 92 ]
22. vr^ c. Syr. Vulg. Ar. JEth. with Hare and others read VJS,
*• leves prae butyro vu/fas ejus." Which avoids a tautology. Houb. reads
plbn for ^pbjif ** mollius butyro os ejus." Lowth follows Symmachus
in reading ID'S, ** Their mouths are fofter than butter." which is not
fo agreeable to the other ling, affixes. Dureli obferves, that the word
in the text may be ufed plurally, " his fpeeches" Seeker alfo refers to
Pf. Ixii. 5. 6. render Ip'^n, " they were fcattered," from pbn Bivi'
dire, and probably fupplied nonX). pra ira, as a friend fuggefts.
"lib llpl. The fenfe, as well as the metre, according to the Collat.
feems defective; and Lorinus's addition of T\^T\ feems very probable,
** But his heart w^rfl'/Z^/^j war." See Ifai. xxxiii; 18.
23. *l»Va'n 4 MSS. and ♦ feems to have been dropped from the im-
perat. Hiph. in mofl: verbs.
■]in'. This word occurs nowhere elfe. Lc Clerc borrows its fignifica-
tion from IKS dejiderare. St. Peter, follows 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & iEth.
Dureli from Taylor renders it, " thefufply ofnecejfaries." Michaelis ren-
ders thus, ** frojice in Jehovam id quod dedit tibi." Houb. reads "]3nN,
" diligit te." But Ch. reads inntJ', " fpem tuam" which feems to be
the moft eligible, " Caft thy hope upon Jehovah." If we may differ
from the apoftle ; but fee Kennicott's Gen. Difl". §. 63.
24. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. juftify Hare in adding mn* at the end
of this verfe, to compleat the metre according to his divifion j which
appears to be the moft regular.
Dnmn 125 MSS.
PSALM LVI.
THE firft part of the title of this pfalm is very obfcure ; for which
ht Bochart and Houb. The fecond fets forth the occafion of it, and
it may be ftiled Michtam by way of eminence. See Pf. xvi. Or, as
Harmer thinks, becaufe written in gold. See Obf. Vol. ii. p. 180.
V. I* 6i
C 93 1
V, I. 0. as a friend obferves, with Vulg. Ar. & Mth, for dVs*
read DN'7. ** This pHilm feems corrupted in feveral places, and I can-
not reftore them." Seeker.
D'pim 56 MSS. & 45 iJiK.
2. As 9 MSS. read DmV, and one OVnbl, the true reading is alfo
probably 'Ji'ni'?"!, " he is daWy Jig/iting and troubling mc" See our old
Verf. A friend conjedures ♦J,!2nV.
3. One ant. MS. with all the Verf. except Ch» read 'Jlfli^t:'.
Dina. Hare and others have obferved that this word is no where elfe
ufed as an epithet to Jehovah. Seeker underftands it of God. Houb.
reads with 6. Vulg. Ar. Mi\\. DinQD; fee alfo Mudge, &c. Durell
renders it, " What time I may be afraid of the haughty." See Ifai.
xxiv. 4. But reading with Houb. DVl in the next verfe, I would
read DVJ3 here, " from day to day,' which may be connedled with what
precedes or follows. Or as a friend fuggefls Dv'? DVC
4. MSS. 2. read Nnpf^ for HtOn}^, " / laill call upon thee."
5. nn*T. Houb. reads milb. See Pf cxxx. 5. And fhould we not
read n'nVKH for the ifl D^-^'7^{2 ?
6. inyy nm. The verllons differ greatly in the fenfe of thefe words ;
and that of our own feems forced, " they wrejl my words." Houb.
reads "in, " they have confulted a matter againfl me." But there being
a great fimilitude in the letters, and from comparing the next verfe,
perhaps we fhould read TiVV* 0"n, " every day they encompaffed my
■ ways."
Dnnti^na. 28 MSS. have more regularly. DmnJ^n;!:. See 6. Vulg.
Ar. & Mih.
7. IJ'flV^ 32 MSS. have 1J5V'. See Tf. x. 8.
8. " Non liquet." Lowth. The firft line of this verfe affords but
little fenfe as it ilands at prefent, nor do any of the verllons affifl, except
Syr. which reads lb d'J'IS X^ 'J"\2N% " atque dixerunt non ejl ei fahator.'-'
And it is obfervable that 6. Vulg. & i^th. read ;'K alfo for pK > but
Hare's reading with a lefs variation feems more agreeable to the con-
B b text,.
C 94 ]
text, T2b bbs D:iK b'jf, " y^i^g^ thein for t/ieir iniquity." Our Verf.
read "]2Kn ** /?; ////ff^ anger-" but without authority. One MS. reads
TTirt. See Pf. Iv. 23.
9. 't;. 33 jMSS. read mi, more regularly i unlefs. with a very fmall
alteration we might read 'Hi, which feems more agreeable to the con-
text, " Thou hall numbered tny lamentations." See Mich. ii. 4.
11kS':2. All the verfions, except Ch. with Houb. &c. read ITOi'?,
" Thou fettefl: my tears before thee." See 2 Sam. xvi. 12. But Mr.
Bradley obferves, that it was the cuftom to ufe tear bottles at funerals,
and that there are feme in the britilli mufeum, found in fome antient
fepulchrrd urns belonging to the kings of Naples ; and that Dr. Solan-
der once told him, a fimilar cullom was ufed in the eafl: ; which throws
great light on this paflage.
One ant. MS. adds CTiVk, at the end of the verfe, " are they not
in thy book, 0 God-^" which the metre feems to call for, unlefs we
read with Ch. mn' at the beginning of the line.
10. Whether the metre of the Collat, or Hare's be obferved, . his
addition of nriK at the end of the verfe according to 6. & iEth. feems
proper, " for thou art my God.
♦2'N 9 MSS. with 27 Marg.
11. One line in this verfe, as Hare and others have obferved, is pro-,
bably fpurious -, but reading TimV, with Houb. for "in, as in verfe 5,
fhould not the lail line be retained rather than the firft, " I will praife
'Jehovah becaufe of his word — In God, bzQ. ?"
i^. "hy. Hare and others read "]'Vv i and inflead of imj, mj,
adding nUTt^- after cbil'K J which readings are ftrongly fupported by Syr.
" Tibi deus perfohani "cot a tnea ; et cum gratiarum aciione facrijcabo tibiJ*
See Pf. ]. 14.
14. NVn. Houb. renders it, etiam ; but as all the verfions tranflate it
et, frcm comparing ihe parallel parage, Pf. cxvi. 5. the true reading, as
Durcll obferves, probubly is riNl; unlefs it may be written for ni*?!!,
" For. thou haft delivered my foul from death, — thou hajl freed my feet
from
[ 95 ]
falling." See our Bib. VeiTion. And this verb might be omitted from
its likcnefs to that preceding. Ar. & JEth. fupply, " and mine eyes from
tears," conformably to Pf. cxvi. See Hare, &c. 8.
mi<3. Syr. & R\k\. with one MS. read nyiNl, " in the land of
the living." See alfo Pf. cxvi. 9. and Seeker j who had once conjedlured
that the true word in both places might be m"l5>{n, or mmN*^. Comp.
Pf. xvi. II. &c. But fee Job. xxxiii. 3c.
PSALM LVII.
nniyn. Perhaps we fliould read nV(i'n» to denote an inflrument
of nine firings ; as we read of three, fix, and ten flringed inftruments.
This pfalm was compofed on a fimilar occaiion with the former. See
Poole. And there is no more occafion to infer from verfe v. with Mudge
that Daniel was the author of it, than there is to conclude that Pf. xxii.
was written by him from verfe 22. See Pf. cviii. 2 — 6.
V. 2. min. ij MSS. with all the verfions read mn. fmg. which
the verb requires ; but for 'yiT, we fliould read ^ivri, or with Houb.
in the infin. "liyn; unlefs with Durell we render it, " until it caufe ca-
lamities to pafs aivayJ" i. e. The /Jiadow.
3. "ID-Ij or as 12 MSS. nai:i, ferficientem. Gejerus, Mudge, &c.
Hare, Houb. &c. read bo:i, retribuentem ; and as the metre is defedlive
inftead of reading D'H^Nb with Hare, perhaps we fhould add niVJ,
'* upon the God who recompenfeth good io me." See i Sam. xxiv. i8.
4. nbo. If we read with no great alteration D^D, inftead of this
word, which is improper here, and f)*in» for t]nn, with iQ^Xi/ accord-
ing to 4 MSS. the tranfpofition propofed by Plare and others to fupply
the defedl in the metre, will be unneceffary, " He fhall fend fion
Heaven, and fhall fave me — He Jliall put to Jliame all them, who de-
B b 2 vour
C 96 ]
vour me— God lliall fend forth his mercy and truth." It is obferva-
ble that Ch. reads here alfo oblvV for n^D. See Pf. Iv. 8.
5. nnSt'iS*. Green would read niDu, to agree with '{yDJ. Houb. fup-
plies "SNl, which has a great affinity to the preceding word, " et con-
Jirmavit animam meam." Seeker following 6. Syr. Ar. & ^Eth. fup-r
.pofes that yen has been dropped before this laft word, rather with a
friend V>»"', ** and he Jliall deliver tny ioxA, &c."
D'On*?. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & iEth. feem to have read Dl'jJ, " con-
turbatiis." Perhaps we fliould read D'iDmVl, or D'OnVn. See Ch. and
MSS.
CNl'?. 50 MS3. have CNl*?, which the grammatical conftrucSion
calls for; or as Houb. D'N'»nV, or D'llNb " in dry places." Who reads
alfo with one MS. mJn. " The fons of men are archers; their teeth
(are) /pears aud arrows." Ch. as Seeker obferves, either reads D'unV,
or takes DNlb to fignify fames.
6. by 2. c. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with 3 MSS. read VVV See
Pf. cviii. 6. and the words may be rendered thus, ** Lift up thy glory
O God, above the Heavens, and above all the earth."
7. fl3D. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read either with Houb. liJflD,
or with Hare, &:c. 153 ; and it is not improbable that 'nSv'7 followed
it, *< they have bowed down my foul to the diift." See Pf. xliv. 25.
Or the text may be confidered according to our Bib. Veriion in pyh.
" My foul is boived down to the duft." All the verfions have "ibSil,
" and are fallen." And if the above readings be admitted, the verfe
might be divided more regularly into four lines, ** they have prepared
a net for my feet. — they have bowed down my foul to the duft or, my
foul is, &€. — They have digged a pit before me, — and are fallen, &c."
8. See Pf. cviii. 2. &c. for this and the following verfes.
9. *' *inty is not elfewhere ufed adverbially, nor I believe with an el-
h'pfis of n. " I ivill aivaken the ?norning," is more grammatical, and
poetical." Seeker.
miOT 6 MSS.
10. ':ij*.
C 97 ]
io 'Jlt? 24 MSS. read niH*. See alfo Pf. 108.
DVjyn, i. e. inter Tribus IJraelis. Pifcator. And that this word is ufed
plurally for 'the Jewifh people fee Deut. xxxiii. 3, 19. &cc.
12. by. 2 MSS. read here alfo Vvi. See verfe 6.
PSALM LVIII.
FOR the title of this pfalm fee Pf. xvi. 57.
2. DS^C. Houb. reads &»nbK, " O jD//." as in verfe 12. Mudge
and others C'jK, *' 0 ye princes." Hare prefers DDN j and as Edwards
obferves from the filence of the verfions with refpedt to either of the
former fenfes, this feems to be right ; though Muis and others fuppofe
that they might read dViK, certe, which as they obferve is unneceffary j
and Seeker would omit this, or the preceding word. Perhaps, by a
metathefis we might read DnV j for which fee Gen. xxv. 23. Ifai.
li. 4. " Do ye verily fpeak righteoufnefs, O ye people f" which reading
our verfions countenance. But fee Ainfworth.
3. The conjedlure of Hare and others, that the verbs in this verfe have
changed their place, is very probable-
ibn. i^^th. reads DDlVl, which the fenfe as well as metre
feems to require, ** Yea, in your heart ye meditate iniquity. — Ton work
violence with your hands in the earth." Or, as one MS. and all the
verfions read llDbflS perhaps p'jViD' is better, ** your hands ivork vio-
lence, &c."
4. nm. 3 MSS. read nillj which is more grammatical. Green
renders the whole thus, " The wicked are Rrangers to pity — they turn
afide from compaffion, fpeaking lies."
5. nan moi^. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^th.. omit the laji of thefe
two words, •• Their poifon is according to the likenefs of a ferpent." See
C c our
C 98 ]
our Bib. Marg. But if wc confult Ch. the true reading feems to be
nanr, " Their poifon is like the poifon of a ferpent."
\'nQ, or as the word might be originally X\r\Q, is derived from nn3#
decepit, as ]1K,1 from n»SU> and probably alludes to the fedudion of
Eve by the ferpent. Gen. iii. 13. And that eminent predidion in
verfe 1 5, may have given rife to the fabulous ftory of Apollo's flaying the
ferpent Pithon. For other derivations of which fee Thef. Graec. Antiq.
Vol. VII. p. 31.
6. D^ntD. Hare and Green read D^Mna and fupply "jljiV, " -Do-
cem incantantis incantationesyd-^/fw/a." But as 37 MSS. read "iin, which
may be confidered as the infinit. for "inn, by reading alio naDPIO, the
words may be thus rendered, ** which will not hear the voice of
the charmers — charming ivith the greate/l Jkill." For the interpretation
of thefc words fee Bochart, and Merrick. Ar. renders DDnO thus,
" ffielius quam fapiens" i. e. as excelling him. Shuckford gives this
verfion of the whole, " As the deaf adder will ftop her ear, which will
not attend to the voice of the eloquent putthig together the fayings of the
ivi/c." See Conned. Vol. III. p. 302.
7. The firft part of this verfe alludes, as Hammond obfervcs, to the
poifon contained under the teeth of the adder.
8. " N. L. unlefs it be correded. See Hare and Houb." Lowth.
IDNC Buxtorf admits 1DD2* as more proper. See his Lexic.
y:h Hare, with c. Syr. & Ar. omits this word as redundant at the
end of the iirfl; line, and for l^D reads D'H*?}* in the next. Durell
prefers iDn. Houb. reads Dm. Amidft this variety, inftead of 103
iVn 1"n', I would propofe the following reading, adding 01 inftead of
^dl at the beginning of the line, &c. 133 VVn nm» Ol, " And when
he Jhooteth his arrows ogainjl theniy they fhall be cut down." But a
friend giving 1DN2' the fenfe of 6. & Syr. omitting yd") with
them, and for the fecond 123 reading according to c. liv, which
one ant. MS. favors, having a word with y inferted, gives this fenfe
of this and the foregoing verfe, «♦ God breaketh their teeth in their
mouth
I 99 1
" mouth. — Jehovah breaketh the jaw-bones of M^y? lions. — TheyPmUbf
" defpifed; they (hall run oT like waters. He Ihall (hoot his arrows
" until they Le cut off."
"TinT. 8 MSS. 49 with Syr. VVn. and 33 ib'^ISn'.
9. h'bl^'' Bochart, with many others, underftands by this word, " the
" fnaii:' 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. and i^tb. probably read iin, as in
Pf. Ixviii. 3. which bears no affinity to the word in the text : but as on:
MS. reads h'b'2\if. and another bh'DZ', and four have DDn> which agrees
better with the mafc. noun, inflead of Dttn ; reading alfo with Hare and
others •}D'7n' for -j^T, and with one ant. MS. VdJD, or 'jSJ t^D^D, fee
MS. 4. the words might bear this fenfe, " As an abortion is conjumed,
let them pafs aivay — As the u?itimely fruit of a woman let them not fee
the Sun." Such repetitions of the fame fentiment frequently occurring
in the Sacred Writings. But a friend, fuggefting that the fame fimilitudc
is repeated as in verfe 8, offers this reading, iD^n* CO rb'2.U "02, " As
a flood of waters they fliall pafs away." Sec Pf. Ixix. 15.
ic. Houb. reads thus, ]Tiyi:;^ "jnn lOD nn iDD, i^DH DH^nn'O n':»
tD'lD2. ** Antequam vepres conan in rhamnum creverunt, velut J'pi-na,
\t\\itcarduusX.\jixh'mQ abripientur." Lowth renders the words thus, *' An-
tequam ollas veftrsB fpinam fentient, tarn vivam, quam aridam, tempeftas eos
auferet." Seeker is inclined to follow Green's reading of r\T\ for 'n
" Sooner than the bramble can heat your pots — let (God's) wrath,
" like a ftormy wind, fweep him away." Durell, reading with
Mudge p*in ion. gives the words this fenfe, " The living one in
'* wrath, will take them as with a whirlwind." Hare would read 'C'ii
for»n, " Antequam ebuUire faciat lebetes rhamnus, ficut ignis, fie ira tua
*• abripiat eum." I would propofe the following reading, which is
countenanced by Vulg. and Ar. iDiyD' ^T^ni D"m!3D, " As alive he Jhall
" conjume them in wrath." alluding to Num. xvi. 30. A friend alfo fug-
gefting D"n, and referring to Num. xvi gives nearly the fame fenfe, ** Be-
" foreyout pots feel the thorns — i. e, the fire — fo in wrath Jie [ i. e. Je-
" hovah] fhall deflroy them as yet living."
c c 2 DD'nin'D
[■ lOO J
Cj'DIVD 20 MSS. and 25 1i")VDS with D. See Zech. vii. 14.
11. '' He n.all waOi, &c." " Alludit ad morem apud Hebrasos la-
vaiidi pedes defatigatorum ex itinere, quo hi refocillabantur. Vid.
I Tim. v. ic." Muis. But it is obfervable that 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. &
iEtb. render VDVS, manus ejus; fo that they probably read VT. See
Pr. Ixxiv. 3.
12. DIK coIleSlive ponitur. Pifcator. But one MS. omits it, <* and
he fliall fay, (i. e. the righteous mail) verily, &c."
D'DSti'. or as 5 MSS. D'DflW. Hare and Edwards retain this reading,
though confefledly unufual for the fake of the metre. 6. Vulg. & iEth.
read DtDDlty, *' Verily there is a reward for the righteous — Verily there
is a God ni^ho judgeth thofe that are in the earth." But this reading
kaving no proper antecedent, a friend propofes Dj; JOflJi', ** Verily there
is a God, who judgeth the people upon earth."
PSALM LIX.
FOR the firft part of the title fee Pf. Ivii. and notwithftanding it
exprefsly afcribes it to David, Mudge thinks it more applicable to the
times of Hezekiah ; which verfe 6 and 9, feem to countenance. Seeker
obferves that neither this pfalm, nor the following, fuit their title.
V. 3. ^bVIDD 8 MSS.
4. The metre in the fecond line of this verfe feems defedive. May not
then D'DV have been dropped before, or after D'fy> ** The mighty peo-
ple:'
5. ^ijr. Our verfions, v^^ith Houb. read 'iiy, which the conflrudion
feems to require, '• without my fault."
]15fTn' 54 MSS.
6. D'nVK. Kennicott and others, with one antient MS. read ♦n'7t< ;
and the' we have the word in the firft form no lefs than three times in
Pf. Ixxx.
C '01 ]
Pf. Ixxx, and once in Pf. Ixxxiv. 9. from comparing other ja'Tages, there
can be no doubt but 'hVk is the true reading-, unlefs we omit it for the
fake of the metre, as we very frequently have mxai' mn', (See Calaf.
Cone.) or the two laft words.
l^p£h 20 MSS. and 5 n:nn. But 6. Syr. and Ar. probably read 'VlS*
** to all them f/iaf work iniquity." See V. 3.
7. laiB". This word does not fuit well with the context. Might it
not be written fonLD1t:>'. " I'/iey run about \n the evening."?
n'7D3. Syr Vulg. and Ar. with Houb. read d'7DD, " as dogs"
8. From comparing the metre of the Collat. witli Syr. Ar. and Ch. it is
not improbable that we ihould read 'nO^? after »3, " for they fay who
doth hear ?" See alfo the margin of our Bib. Verf.
10. ItJf. I MS. with 6. Ch. & Vulg. reads my, ** my flrength." And
it is generally agreed that the firfl: line of this verfe fhould be corrected
by verfe i8. See Houb.
11. "inon. 33 MSS. with Ch. read non, which is countenanced by
verfe 18. and Pf. cxUv. 2. See alfo our Bib. Verf. Hare and others.
But Green prefers nora, " God in his mercy, &c." As a friend obferves,
2 MSS. read ♦:»xn*. And » is often put for the radical n- See Pf. Ix.
5, &c.
12. The fecond line according to the metre of the Collat. which ap-
pears to be mofl eligible, being too fhort, we fhould probably read
CnVK after ^Vnn, " fcatter them by thy power, 0 Go^— and put them
down, O Jehovah, our fliield." A Friend thus, " Jlay them not." i. e^
** in war with a fword, or any other warlike weapon, left the people
ftiould afcribe the deftrudion of their enemies to themfelves and not
to God." Houb. has a different reading in this and the next verfe.
♦ilK. 17 MSB. mn».
13. The conftrudion in the firft part of this verfe is obfcure. Ge-
jerus and others fuppofing a metathelis give the words this fenfe ** The
word of their lips is the fm of their mouths." Hare and others fupply
*lDt, ** remember the fm of their mouth, and the word, &:c." Houb. and
D d others
[ 102 ]
others according to Ch. 5c Ar. prefix the prepofition n to both the
nouns. See our Bib. Verf. But as one good MS. reads IDS, might
not the true reading be 132, *' The word of their lips is fm unto them ?"
See Lev. xxiii. 23.
14. 7^2 nsnn n'^D. As all the verfions have the pronoun, & Syr.
reads 'jan^, the true reading probably is according to Houb. 0*73
noni 0*73, " confiime them in thy wraths conjume them." See Exod.
xxxil. lo.
Syr. Vulg. & Ar. 'DSkH " and to the ends "
15. See V. 7.
16. "irVl, " If they be not fatisfied, then they laill grudge" which
takes ofF the neceflity of the tranfpolition propofed by Hare. See our
Bib. Marg.
17. The fenfe, if not the metre, feems to require "^K, or mn', at the
end of the firft line, " But I will fing of thy power, 0 Gody or Je-
hovah" iny 6 MSS.
18. non »n'7N. 2 valuable MSS. omit thefe words, as in the pa-
rallel paflage verfe lOj but there does not feem to be any occafion for
rejedling the whole verfe with Hare and others, as it may be oonfidered
as a Chorus. »ny 4 MSS.
PSALM LX.
^B^ty bV' Junius fuppofes it to denote inftruments of^x firings. Sec
Pf. 45. The title fets forth that various events gave occafion to this
pfalm. Delany afcribes it to David's vidory over the houfe of Saul. See-
ker obferves that Hare's change of verfes here, and in Pf. Ixxxv. is very
ingenious, and would make each pfalm more confiftent.
3. nnt^n. Houb. and Seeker, " aver/uses" which affords a beauti-
ful afyndeton, if the following prepofition will admit of it. One ant.
MS.
C 103 ]
MS. reads with 6 Vulg. Ar. and JEth. niVy^m. *' ^ui thou wilt reftore us."
See Lowth's notes on Ifai. p. 236.
4. nfll. 3 MSS. with Houb. read KS1» which is more regular. As 20
MSS. read Dtmn, the true reading is, as a friend obferves, yiKH ntyyiH-
" Earth." Rather /^«/. Seeker.
5. lin'piyn. The affix here feems to be the third perf. fing. agreeing
with Djr, " thou haft given // a deadly wine to drink." Or rather,
** the wine of trembling,'' From the verb bvi perhaps comes the word
to reel.
6. tDB^p. Reading with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with Houb. &c.
ntyp, and deriving DDUnn'? from Dli, fttgere, the words might bear
the fenfe put upon them by Lorinus, " Thou haft given to them that
fear thee a fignal — to fy from the bow." which affords an elegant paronc-
mafia.
7. WVI. 43. MSS. All the verfions, Houb. &c. read 'ijjn, '* and hear
thou me."
8. Ityipl. Should not this word be rendered, " in hisfanBuary" f
whence the divine oracles were Iffued forth. See Pf. cviii. 8. " The
following words muft be David's." Seeker. ** I will divide, &c-"
" This meaneth a full pofleffion after conqueft." Ainfw. See Green alfo
on Hab. iii. 6. DIDID 2 MS. See Pf. cviii.
9- 'tJ'N'l, &;c. Hare makes, The Jirength of my head, to fignify a
helmet, and renders 'ppPIID, ** hqfla mea." Seekers objefts to this, and
makes '{J^KI to iignify a perfon, ** and Ephraim is the preferver of my
perfon." See Pf. xxvii. i. and Pf. cxl. S. Might not the words bear
this fenfe, ** But Ephraim is my principal ftrength." ? See Gen.
xlviii. 19. Deut. xxxiii. 17.
^y>ptM2, or as 31 MSS. 'ppmo. As 6, Ar. ^th. Syr. & Vulg. read
'DbD, and the metre in this line feems deficient, perhaps the laft word
has been omitted, and we (hould read both, *' Judah is my lawgiver,
and my king." See Gen. xlix. 10.
D d 2 10. '^ynnrr.
I 104 3
♦yynnn. The true reading according to Syr. the parallel paflkge, Pf.
cviii. and Houb. is yyilDK, and one MS. has ♦WinnK. The feveral ex-
preffions in this verfe borrowed from the eaflern cuftoms denote the
greateft degree of fubjedlion. See Pf. cviii. and Merr.
11. *jbav. 49 MSS. with Houb. more regularly 'iVnV.
Ty. Hare reads 'Vy2, but one MS. has yy^, equally proper. Hsjre
corrects the following word in Pf. cviii. by this, but nva^ feems to be
the better reading ; one MS. at firfl having "11^23 ; unlefs we might read
n^i'l. See Pf. cviii. 11.
on:. One MS. has ♦jmi. But ♦ini' feems to be the true reading.
See 6. 6,;c.
12. MSS. 2. one of which is very antient, authorize Hare and others
in omitting the fecond DTiVk, " And wilt not thou go forth with our
armies ?" But Gejer. Lowth, &c. following 6. fupply nt^'K before the
firft verb, " Nonne tu Deus, jui repuliili nos, &c. ?" See Pf. cviii. I2.
PSALM LXI.
I T is generally agreed that this pfalm refers to 2 Sam. xvii. 22, 24.
V. 2. One MS. reads with Syr. nn'tt'pn^ " and attend, &c."
3. D1T. Ch. reads D'l, which feems right. See alfo Mudge and
Seeker. 6. Syr. Ar. & ^th. read 'JnODin, ** Exaltafli me." See
Houb. Verf.
4. One good MS. yn.
5. 73JD. One MS. reads Tjfl, as in Pf. xxxi. 21. which fee.
6. 'KT TiB'T. All the verfions read with Hare, &c. 'KT"? ne^JV
*• Thou giveft an inheritance to thofe who fear thy name."
7. m 103 vmjt'. One MS. reads with Meibomius and Hare Tniity,
both of them referring it to God. But one MS. at firil with 6, Ar.
[105]
JEth. and Houb. read 'DO for 103, " as the days of, &c."
nn 59 Mss.
B. dVf. One ant. MS. reads DblV*?.
|0. There can be little doubt, but that this word was originally '♦3,
for which fee Houb. Gen. Diflert. Sed. 25. Lowth, &c. " Mercy and
Truth froTfJ Jehovah {hall preferve him." But Meibomius and others
confider it as a mere expletive. Our Verf. with Ainfworth make it the
imperat. from n^D, parare.
nnVi*. 7 MSS. read imnVi*. See Prov. xx. 28.
PSALM LXII.
FOR the title fee Pf. xxxix. The fubjefl is fimllar to the former.
V. 2. The metre of the collat. feems preferable to Hare's j and
wc (hould read with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. iEth. and two' ant. MSS.
littQ 'D* " For from him is my Salvation. See v. 6. Our verfions fup-
ply nN2 alfo ; but I know not upon what authority.
3. n2"1. Houb. reads n'?D; but this being probably only a mujical
mark, the metre would be defedlive. One ant. MS. omits it; and ano-
ther reads 'ins*, " I iTiall not hereafter be moved." which aftbrds a good
fenfe. But perhaps it is written for "ry"?, which might be omitted both
here and vtriz 7. from its fimilitude to the following words, *' I (hall
never be moved." See Pf. xxx. 6.
4. Ch. fupplies TDn after {y»{if, •'* virum mtferlcordem." Perhaps
B^'1 has been rather omitted through the fimilitude of the word?, "againrt;
the poor man."
The next line in the Collat. feems dcfeiflive, and- the pronoun being
wanted, "iDN may have been dropped, ** All of you would kill him —
{who is) as a tottering wall, and a broken hedge" See 6. Vulg. &
E e Ar.
[ io6 J
Ar. Hout. according to S}r. would read inVlV the gerund, for Winn.
Though Muis and others give this word a palTive fenfe. See alfo our
verfions, and Lowth's notes on Ifai. p. 158. Seeker propofes this tranf-
lation, " Hqiv Icng 'wUl ye commit murder all of ycu, as a bowing "waU, a
tottering fence ." For thefe are always read)rto do mifchief."
r. irXi'!:. Perhaps inntTD, " Verily they confult his deJlru5lion —
to put him down they delight in lying, &c." Hare would read the affix
pronoun in the firft perfon, acording to c. Vulg. & -ffith. — Syr. reads
"innnV.
rfl2. 6. 2. ant. MSS. with Houb. &c. read Dn*£51, which the
-grammatical conftrudion requires ; for Hare's reading (nTl3 mendacem)
will not reft ore it. As Seeker obferves, 6 read 5i4.e( for ^EtiJe.. Probably
the Collat. of 6. MSS. will corredl this error.
6. ♦on. 4 MSS. read ri'DH, and one ant. MS. has D'H^K "JN, as in
verfe i. And it feems proper to read uniformly in both places.
7. For the reading at the end of this verfe fee verfe 3.
8. D'n*7N. Hare conjedlures very probably that we Ihould read mn»,
" In 'Jehovah" &c.
♦Dno. 8 MSS. with Houb. read 'Dnai, according to 6.. & Syr.
»ny 2 MSS.
9. Cy ny ^yi. Houb. reads according to 6. & Vulg. DVH fl^TV ^73.
" Trufl in him all ye congregation of the people" But one ant. MS. omit-
ting DV, it might be 'OV's\ '7Dn> " all ye people."
10.. bino nan T\^yhy " Si ponantur in bilance, ipfi leviores funt
vanitate fimul." Muis, &c. DH Dm'JV'?, ** Putting them in balances,
they are altogether vanity." Houb. ** Si homines ponerentur in una
lance, vanitas vero in altera, turn homines afcenderent, vanitas vero
defcenderet." Fife. &c. " Taking mbyV to fland for the fut. it may
be tranflated, " They will afcend together in the balance more than
vanity." Seeker. But perhaps for in» we fliould read I'jp', " Surely
men of low degree are vanity — Men of high degree are a lie ; when they
are
[ 107 ]
are put in the balances, they arc lighter than vanity,"' See Ch. Dan. v.
27. and our Bib. Verf. But fee Pf. xlix. 3.
11. MSS. 4. by a metathefis read l^nin, which may give this con-
/Irudion, " and by robbery hajlen not to wealth." See Prov. xxviii. 22.
Syr. & Ar. read DDlb> " your heart."
12. nriK. Perhaps i\\c Jirjl time may refer to David's vidory over
Goliath, and the fecond to his being placed on the throne of Ifrael ;
but it may denote frequency. See Job xl. 5.
♦nyosy. 10 MSS. read with Ar. UVDiy, *' 'we have heard." See alfo
gen. DifT. Cod. 255.
D'n*7N'7. Hare and others read D'nbf* lb, or ♦J^^J, for the fake of the
metre, and conftrudtion. But Syr. Ar. & R.\\\ feem to have read T\''T\»
« Quia poteftas Dei eft." See our Verf. nv 6 MSS.
13. ♦ili^. 28 MSS. read nin*. Hare's divifion of the metre feeems
better than that of the Collat. or Edwards.
PSALM LXIII.
MUDGE fuppofes that the author of this pfalm is at yerafalem i
and therefore infers that the title is wrong ; and Seeker has the fol-
lowing queries on verfe 12. " Was David called King, in Saul's time .? If
not, is not the title of this pfalm wrong ? But fee Muis, 6cc. in Poole.
V. 2. Hare divides this verfe into^^'u^' lines. The Collat. and others
into four in different methods. Perhaps it might be only three, " O God,
thou art my God ; I will feek thee early — my foul thirfleth for thee -,
my flefh longeth after thee — as a barren and dry land without water."
pKn. Hare, &c. read with Syr. and 2 MSS. pK3, " as a barren,
t^c" See Pf. cxliii. 6.
3- nmn. 76 MSS. with 6. Vulg. Ar. &; iEth. read ^nnn; and
the words may perhaps be rendered thus, ** So as / have Jeen thee in
£ e 2 the
[ io8 ]'
the fanduary — to behold thy power, and thy glory." Houb. reads
I'DOn, giving them this fenfe, " Thus have I waited for thee in Cades."
See Seeker alfc. Lowth renders p with Fenwick, '* Jleadi'y'*
^nv 4 MSS.
4. "IJinniy*. The i feems to have been inferted here improperly
through its fimilitude to 1 as in other places ; for though 3 MSS. omit
the laft, all the Verf- have the plur. verb.
5. p. " Senfu ufitato hie intelligi nequit." Hare. See above.
Perhaps the right reading is |n, " Behold, I will blefs thee, while I
live." Syr. & Vulg. with 2 MSS. y^t'lX " and in thy name"
6. Houb. reads -)"7bn' mjn TlDli'm " and with joyful lips it (hall
praife thee." But Syr. Ch. & Vulg. favor the text. 6. Ar. 6c iEth.
read "]^D', and the lips of rejoicing ftiall praife thy name"
7. C}>f. " ^umdocuJique, Caftell. ^oties, Houb." Lowth. But
Muis renders it, quum, referring to Numb, xxxvi. 4.
m"n2C\S3 19 MS?, See Pf. xc. 4.
9. Syr. reads ♦!% *' and thy right hand, &c." which the metre feems-
to call for. Unlets we read *2 O. See MSS.
10. HNIK^V. Syr. makes this the infinitive mood, perdere. Mudgc
and others render it, '* into a pit." 6. Vulg. & Mih, read here with
one MS. Ni::'b, '* in vanum" Ch. blN^^b, " But thofe who feek my
life to the grave — fliall go into the lower parts of the earth." An allu-
fion perhaps to the Lex Talionis.
INin* 12 MS".
1 1 . "im'-V. Hare reads Yiu*. Houb. n:i». Both rendering it accord-
ing to c. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & Mth. *' Tradentur." See Jerem. xviii.
21. Mr. Bradley propofes miUS " Jhall caiife it (lite) to be poured out •"
and refers to Blayney on Ezek. xxxv. 5. in his Jerem. and 13 MSS.
read imnu'. Durell prefers I'll;!'. " They Jhall ahiae in the power of
the fword-" But T\y}, which feems to be the true reading, may be
the fut. niph. from *),13, '* they Jhall Ufpilt hy the power of the fword."
See 2 Sam. xiv. 14.
[ 109 ]
tD^bW» 67 MSS. more regularly D'byilT. i. c Jackalls. Sec Mer-
rick from Shaw, &c,
12. " Shall fwear by him." If thefe words relate to God, they muft be
underftood in a limited fenfe. See Jercm. iv. 2. But Patrick, &c.
refer them to David. See Poole.
PSALM LXIV.
I T is generally fuppofed that this pfalm was compofed by David,
when under the perfecution of Saul. See Patrick, &c. But it is
equally applicable to Abfalom's confpiracy. See 2 Sam. xv.i — 13.
V. 2. n»K one MS.
3. ♦byifi. 14 MSS.
4. Abfalom infmuated 2 Sam. xv. 4. that David did not adminifter
juftice,
5. All the Verf. read with 17 MSS. irrnv, or with 3 iniT, ** Sud-
denly do they hit him." But fee Pf. ii. 12. DIKHB 27 MSS. See verfe 8.
There is a beautiful paronomafia between in"T and INT'. Syr. reads with
12 MSS. '[iK'y, *' and they are not feen." which Lowth and a friend
approve.
6. la*?. 2d. Houb. &c. read according to Syr. liV, **' Who fhall fee
us?"
7. " Non liquet." Lowth. For various emendations fee Poole. Houb.
reads nip 'WSn DlTiJn IDDfl XD^^V "Ityfln, *' Perfcrutantur improbitatem
fuam, perjcrutationem fuam confummant, fcrutantur interiora hominis, et cor
profundum." " 6. & Syr. read lOn." Seeker. Hare by a metathefis
reads lllp, " Sibi fcrutantur iniquitates, perficiunt fcrutinium explora-
tiffimum, intmofuo qui/que, corde et profundo." Mudge reading liJDtD ren-
ders thus, '* They difguife their iniquities, they hide them in great dif-
guife ; and the infide and heart of each one is deep." See alfo Edwards
F f and
C iio ]
and Green. But reading with Mudge, &c. and 46 MSS. liOD for
'):on, by a flight change iVSn* for ityflnS and omitting tiffin, which
feems redundant, might not the words bear this fenfe, " They delight
in wickednefs, they conceal themfehes iTon\(Si\koytvy — ** although any one
opproacheth, yet the heart is deep ?" i. e. Their a(flions are fo fecret as
not to be found out by human penetration, but God fearcheth them oiit,
as the next verfe intimates. See Jerem. xvii. 9, 10.
plOV 40 MSS.
8. DTV 17 MSS. D1V1, more ufual. " Hie talionis poena." Ge-
jerus.
DDOa- The true reading here feems to be CDDID. Part, in Hoph.
** They (hall be fuddenly wounded."
DiXniD 64 MSS. See verfe 8.
9. inb'tyDn. Hare, &c. read with 2 MSS. "iVtyD'l, which the con-
flrudion requires.
r\VCs, or as 4 MSS, HKlS 10 MSS. rerd ♦N'1, and one 'Kll, which
the grammatical conftrudion requires, unlefs we read with one MS.
Munfter, &c. TTiJn*.-
ID. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with 5 MSS. in'ti'^'Dl, ** and (hall under-
ftand his doings."
1 1 . ^'^1'^. This may be underftood of David In oppofition to Saul^
or Ahfalom. According to the divifion in the Collat. there is no occa-
fion for Hare's addition.
PSALM LXV.
I F this pfalm was compofed by David, as the title fets forth, it
refers probably, according to Edwards, to 2 Sam. xxi. i. That the
deliverance from a famine was probably the occafion of it fee Pa-
trick, &;c.
V. 2.
C 111 3
V. 2. n'Dn 46 MSS. which ftrongly fupports the prefent text ; other-
wife 1 fhould have expefted fome other verb. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c
^ih. read mKJ, " PrrJfe becometh thee, &c." Whicl-i feems the moft
pertinent fenfe. See Pf. xciii. 5^
The metre of the Collat. is completed by adding according to Vulg.
& Ar. dVjJ'TI'I at the end of the fccoiid line; which Meibcn.ius alfo
and Green fupply for the fake of their metre. See Hoab. and our old
Verf.
3. yJ2u. 24 MSS. read more regularly ytyw.
4. nilJ^ na"i, or as 72 MSS. with Ch. & Houb. hliiy, may by a
profopopoeia fignify, *' the accufations of iniquities." But all the verfions
feem to have read D'jlV> making it to fignify perfons, " the v.'ords cf
the loicked." Durell renders the text, " The portions of iniquities pre-
vail." See Neh. xii. 47. Perhaps we fliould read '"an, " T/iofe ivha
/peak iniquity prevail over us"
'JO. Houb. in conformity to the following affix reads "iJl, but
5 MSS, have IJO, and that D fometimes bears the fenfe of againjl, or
• overt fee Taylor's Concord. Durell renders the word in the text,,
*' The number of our tranfgreffions j"^ refering to Ifai. Ixv. ii.
DIQDD. As none of the Verf. except Ch. have the affix pronoun,
which is here redundant, perhaps we fliould read with n final mSDn.^
5. It feems neceffary to fupply "iJi^N after ntt'K, with all the verfions. See
Pf. xli. 2. ]Di!>», or as 12 MSS. pDty. It is better to read with
Meibomius and Hare \yih, or as one MSS. pDjy'j. " to dwell in thy
Courts." The change of perfons being forced, we might read with Syr»
yy^\ " he jliall be fatisfied, &cc."
ti^Mp 43 MSS. See Gen. xvi. 23. Thefe words feem to be in
appofition. See our Verf*
6. ^1)12 mK"nj. One valuable MS. reads with 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth»
K^13, " Terrible in righteoufnefs." See Pf. Ixvi. 3, 6. Durell, dividing
the word mNIIJ, reads rm NIlJ, joining the firft to the preceding
verfe, and rendering the laft, " Thou in righteoufnefs, or, in kindnefs
F f 2 anfwereit
C 112 3
ajifwcrefl: us with afign." But Houb. reads "jpii' mNllJX ** prodigiii
benejicentia tuaC
tD'pm CV. Hare omits the laft word. Durell, reading CD* pm On,
gives this fenfe, " and of the fea, the mojl difiant fea." Syr. read*
D'Oy% " and of the remote ;zrt/'/u;;j-." Houb. reads tD^O'i but the exad
reading feems according to Ar. to be D'S'I, " and of the remotefl:
feas." D'pim IS MSS.
7. TCn. 6. Syr. Vulg, & R\h. with Houb. read inaii ** in thy
power." which feems more agreeable to the context; or ■jPllDl. See
MS. 76.
8. Hare to fupply the metre in the firft line of this vcrfe borrows
D'pm from verle 6. Perhaps D'HI may have been dropped.
9. mVp. A friend fupplies \'nNn, and the word of the text is never
found alone. •»nn» 10 MSS.
Tnmx::. 24 MSS. more regularly "]»mmNO.
10. ni") . nn"i, which one MS. has, feems to be better, «* thou hajl
•watered it plentifully" And for nppjym we fliould probably read
npti*m. See Pf. civ. 13. & Gejerus.
D'O k'pj: D'nb}{ Jlbfl. Perhaps we fliould read D»a D'Nbs DU'jfl,
Thou haft enriched it w/M rivulets full of 'waters" See Syr. and Seeker;
who obferves that Houb. renders thus, '• Divide, O God, the multitude
of neater s" \. e. pour down rain from the refervoir of the clouds. See
Ch. Green alfo fuppofes it to be fpoken of the clouds. But are not
thefe mentioned in the following verfes ? Muis underftands it of a ri-
vulet, which waflied Jerufalem ; but this is too particular.
CjAI. Houb. &c. read njil, *' Her corn" For the different metre
fee Meibomius, Hare, Edwards and the Collat.
1 1 . nn. We fhould rather read with Syr. and a friend D'P, and DDna
" thou watereft her furrows ; thou loiverejl her ridges." See our Verf.
mn.1. 81 MSS. read nm"?."!, with Houb. See Harmer's Obf.
vol. II- 237.
'■■J/ 12. 7*7:1^01.
r "3 J
12. ■)''::iyfi*, ** and thy clouds " So called bccaufe God maketh thern
his chariot. See Pf. civ. 3.
13. nJ"i:inn, " are girded -wirhpy." See our Bib. Marg. A meta-
phorical expreflion probably borrowed from the Eaftern cuflom ^of tying
up their garments in dancing.
14. DHD. The verfions, a3 Durell obferves, feem to have read n3,
in regim. ** The lambs of the Jlocks are cloathed." But Meibomlus and
others read tDHn, " The flocks cloath the mountains" Which conjec-
ture is greatly ilrengthened by the following fentence, where we fhould
probably read *112, " cumfru?nenio." A friend reads with ore MS. and
6. P)N1 imo etiatn in the lafl line, which affords a very bold but beautiful
profopopoeia.
PSALM LXVI.
PATRICK makes David the author of this pfalm ; which opi-
nion the latter part favors much. Muis fuppofes it to be written upon
the return from the Babylonijh captivity.
2. ID'jy. From comparing Pf. Ixviii. 5, I am led to think that Ti'^t
is the true reading, *' Sing the glory of his praife." 2 MSS. omit it.
3. IBTID'. Rather with Houb. ItynS', *' Through the greatnefs of
thy ftrength thine enemies fliall be fubdued unto thee." See Pf. xviii.
45. Others adhere to the text. lina 9 MSS.
4. Hare and others probably right in omitting Ts'CX'' ^V, as one ant,
MS. omits the verb. But for the fake of the metre I would add with
Ch. and Syr. D*?!!?*?* '* and fing. of thy name for everJ' Or read
1"Tli"1 for inot'. See verfe 2. Syr. did not repeat the fame verb.
5. nV'by. Houb. reads inV^V; which is favored by Syr. " wonder-
ful in his doing." Or rather, " in his doings." All the verfions read-
ing the noun in the plur. Hare's addition feems needlefs.
G g 6. The
C "4 ]
6. The firfl part of this verfe refers to Exod. xiv. 22. and the other
to Jofh. iv. A friend reads liinvn, " he made us to fajs through, &c."
which is better.
7. Dbiy. This word affords a very good fenfc; but from confidering
the context, it feems probable that ISV is the right reading, ** He ruleth
his people in his might — his eyes behold tlie nations." i. e. the Canaanites,
whom Jehovah looked upon with contempt.
id"? ID'T. 46 MSS. read laiT, in Niph. with 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar,
& ^th. " The rebellious Jhall not be exalted in themfelves." Or as
Houb. in Kal, " Jlmll not exalt themfelves." But Syr. reads D'pIV'? for
ych, " in aternum."
8. D'J3J^. By this word we are probably to underfland the people of
Ifrael. See Pf. Ivii. 8. and Poole's Synopf.
9. IJk^'D:. 44 MSS. read in the plur. lyC'flJ ; and 54 likewifc ir'jAI.
And this verfe feems to refer to the paffage through the Red Sea, and
'Jordan,
10. This and the two following verfes feem to allude to the Egyp-
tian bondage. ^iinVD 3 MSS. See alfo Pf. xii. 6.
11. liDKnn. 4 MSS. IJDK'nn, more regularly.
12. ty^i^?. Lowth reads with Houb. from Ch. t^'l^jr. Perhaps rather
tyjllJ, *' Thou haft made the opprejfor to ride over our heads." i. e. Pha~
raoh. See Zech. ix. 8.
1J:^'NnV. 41 MSS. with 6. Vulg. Ar. & Mih. read lyti'K^V.
nnnb, " In terram irriguam." i. e. " Ifraeliticam melle & lacfte fluen-
tern." Muis, &c. Houb. &c. read according too. Vulg. Syr. Ch. & iEth.
nmn'?, " in locum refpirafionis." Ar. reads mi'?, '* and thou broughteft
us into reji." See Deut. xii. 9.
13. 6. Ch. & Syr. in'!*?.
14. li'S). The ufual fenfe of this word does not fuit the context.
Hare reads ini^D, as Ar. feems to have read, " which my lips have
pronounced." I had once conjeilured, that it might be 1*)1»5» ** which
my lips urged',"
15. m'7^.
C »5 ]
15. D)by'. 32 MSS. have ^\']b^y, more ufual. tD»n»J: 32 MSS. which
feems better. Or D'mo. See Biixt. and MSS. in Job xxi. 24.
D'Vk. Hare, &c. read with 6. Ar. 6c JEth. more properly D^b'KI,
*' with incenfe and Rams." " ^^\yp is not always ufed for incenfe j fee
Gen. xix. 28. Pf. cxlviii. 8." Seeker. All the verfions rendering in
the plur. npl muft be taken in a colleftive fenfe ; or we muft read
Dnpn.
17. Hare and others are probably right in reading »fll.
♦JWb nnn D01*n. Hare and Edwards read as in Pf. cxlix. li.
niDDim. Houb. &c. agreeable to Syr. i^n^bl VDI^aim. See 6. &
Vulg. alfo. Ar. probably reads IKQ 'DOOTTI, " and I have greatly exalted
my tongue." Perhaps nnn may be written for nK, *' and he fhall be
exalted with my tongue." Or ^^\^ HDOl"!!, *' and my tongue fhall exalt him."
1 8. Ar. reads pK ON", which feems to be right. mn» 14 MSS.
19. 6. Ar. 6c ^th. read »^ yttB', *'• heareth me:' Which the fenfe,
as well as- metre, feems to require.
20. From comparing the metre of Hare, and that of the Collat. it
ftrikes me that we fhould omit l-rDm, " BlefTed be God who — hath not
turned my prayer from me." Or perhaps inKD, " from him" See
Pf. cii. 18.
•PSALM LXVII.
ni':iil. S5 MSS. mj»:iin. *' Non dubito quin hie pfalmus fit pro-
pheticus de Chrijli incarnatione & Gentium vocatione." Muis.
2. Hare and others for the fake of the metre repeat 1Jjn»j in or-
der to divide the verfe into three lines ; but as that of the Collat.
confifting of two feems deficient, and the word miT does not appear
through the whole pfalm, it may have been dropped from the beginning
pf the lafllihe, there being fome affinity between that and the next word,
" May Jehovah make his face to fliine upon us!"
G g 2 nx'.
[ ii6 3
-\H*. One MS. reads ya^ more regularly.
3. A friend reads more properly with ope MS. & Syf, ^yyi, and
with Syr, invity' " /n's way," and, *' ^is falvation."
4. One MS. omits this verfe, and another the. 6th, and the repetition
in fo iTiort a fpace Teems unneceflary.
5. X"^^^- FroiTi comparing Pf. ix. g. I conjeflure that the true read-
ing is plVn, ** for thou flialt judge the people uprightly — and govern the
nations righteoujly :* Dlfltyn 9 MSS. Several MSS. in both places read
D'iDINV, but it appears in this form only in Hab. ii. 13.
6. See verfe 4.
7. Should we not read "liDnn^i, " The land hath yielded her increafe ;
and God, or, for God hath blejfed us?" And perhaps, as one ant. MS.
omits "jiDIl* in verfe 8, the laft line of this verfe, and the firft of the
next, according to the CoUat. fhould be reduced into one thus,
" For Jehovah t our God, fhall blefs us." But fee Hare. " Quod
bis hie Deus repetatur, et femel verf. feq. myfteriura 'Trinitatis indicat."
Muis.
8. inW. S7 MSS. with Houb. read more regularly mX-
PSALM LXVIII.
THE beft critics and commentators agree that this pfalm was com-
pofed on David's bringing back the ark to Zion. See Pf. xxiv. 3.
cxxxii. 8. But when we confider it in its myflical fenfe, its fublimity
is much encreafed. Mudge divides it into eight parts, but the Collat.
into nine; and the 12th verfe feems to begin a new fubjeft,
2. Cn^K. It would add to the grandeur of this facred poem. If
with Hare, inftead of this word, we read niiT» efpecially at the be-
ginning
I
C 117 ]
ginning of each 'edtion. See alfo Kennic. ifl and 2d Difi". But it muft
be obferved that the MSS. do not often favor this change,
6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. with 10 MSS. read WDn, " <z«^ let his
enemies be fcattered." vya 35 MSS. Thefe words are borrowed from
Num. X. 36.
3. Pl^J^. All the verfions with Houb, read I5"ri', *' i/iey Jliall be
driven." By which the change of perfons is avoided, and the defedl
of the affix removed. But 7 MSS. read fiTTin.
4. A moft beautiful climax, and antithefis to the foregoing verfe.
Tif'^yn 32 MSS. with Syr. Vulg. & Ar. " and let them, &c.
5. I'yb. 30 MSS. more regularly •2.2Tb.
nn"lJ^2- Seeker's conjedure that we fhould read milJ'Il ingenious and
probable.. See If. xix. 1.
lOty n'3. All the verfions, as Lowth and others have obferved, read
n', or rather mn', " Jehovah is his name." Houb. reads rr 'D, " for
his name is Jah." Hare, &c. read inot:', " be joyful in Jah." Or
rather, be " joyful in Jehovah." And this lafl fenfe feems the nion. eli-
gible. See Pf. Ixxxix. 9. and Seeker.
7. D^♦^^ " Deus dat habitare iinanimes domiim" *' Intelligit Pfaltes
earn domiim, in quam conveniebant Ifraelitte fua quifque cum faruilia, ut
Pafcha manducarentj & profedionem pararent. Enimvero totus Pfal-
mus eft in canenda ex .^gypto profedionc, 6c itione per deferta. DTlti'lDl,
in reSlitudinem, i. e. viam reSlam. Theod. & Sym." Houb. See Lowth
alfo. But a friend, referring this verfe to God's bringing back the chil-
dren of Ifrael to the land of Canaan, where they had dwelt, offers this
fenfe, ** God maketh to return his beloved to their home" Hare following
Le Clerc, renders thus, " qui habitare facit or bos in familia." referring
to Pf. cxiii. 9. See Rivetus and Green alfo. But perhaps we might
read TIT or HTIT with n final, one MS, having DTIT, " It is God,
who maketh thefolitary one to dwell at home." In allufion to the ex-
traordinary hiftory of Mofes, Exod. ii. i — 10. Which event feems to
accord better with the order of the narration.
H h ninnDn.
C liS ]
rmtl'iaa. >' 'Evi^E/?, 6. and fo ^•i-|Ji»3 is tranfla^cd thrice in Ecc'. for-
fitudine, Vulg. I fee no authority for f/W/^/, but R. David Kimchi's."
Seeker. But the fignihcation of this word, which appears no where elfe,
being doubtful, and the fentence manifeftly referring to the deHveranceof
the Ifraelites from Egyptian bondage, (of which the prefervation of
Mofes before mentioned was typical) it may be written by miftake, for
tomtypn, as Gejerus conjedures, referring to Job. xxxvi. 8. Or rather
as a friend mnuplli though perhaps for miDlSl. See Jerem. v. 5.
XXX. 8. Pf. cvii. 14.
nn»rnf. It is not eafy to guefs what word 6. Vulg. Ar. BL\h. & Syr.
read here, which they render in Sepukhris ; perhaps it might be TT\&}'i,
" Verily the rebellious fhall dwell in the Jliadow of death." May not
nblif have been the original word, " ihall dwell in the deep ?" alluding
to the deftrudlion of the Egyptians in the Red Sea. Or if the text be
preferved, it may refer to the Ifraelites perifhing in the wildernejs.
8. For adjufling the metre in this, and the following verfe, fee Hare
and others ; and compare that of the Collat. in Jud. v. 4. and this place
together with the different readings propofed by Kennicott, DilT. ifl. p.
502, &c. and authorized by MSS.
9. Houb. tranfpofes the words thus, " Terra tremuit, ille mons Sina
a conipetftu Dei; etiam coeli flillarunt a confpedlu Dei, &c."
10. D'nbK. By reading with Lowth and others Dn'bv> the gram-
matical difficulties are removed, " Thou fenteit a plentiful rain upon
them ; — thine inheritance, when it was weary, thou didji fiipport."
" Pluvia, ni fallor, mannce.'' Mede. A friend reads with one MS.
riK'jJ, and c. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ;^th. followed by Houb. 6cc. read
nnNI, *' Thine inheritance was weary, and thou didft confirm, oc fup-
port it."
11. ni lati" ID'n. Suppofing with Mede thefe words to refer
alfo to the prefervation of the Ifraelites in the wildernefs, I am difpofed
to read X21 3'Ll'in n*n, " thou madeji the living creature to dwell amongst
them — Thou provided in thy goodnefs for the poor." Alluding to the
fending
[ 119 ]
fending of the quails." See Ar. But 6. Vulg; Syr. Ar. 6c i^th. read
^r)Vn> which the verb in the text requires, and 4 MBS. fa/or, having
^n»♦^, " T/n'fie animah." By which Grotius underflands Angekrum
prcecipui, for which he refers to Ezekiel. See Hammond alfo. — Spencer
fuppofes them to allude to the Cherubim on the ark ; and Calafius remarks
thus, " h. e. Mirabilia in deferto populo tuo feclfti, " quia animalia
tua habitabant." Nimirum, quia inter caeteras figura hominis, leonis, "oituht',
& aquilce in quatuor exercitus tui cornibus coUucebat. Vid. Num. ii."
Thefaur. Graec. Ant. Tom. ix. 902. But Lowth makes thy congrega-
tion to fignify the fock of the fhepherd of Ifrael j and for this fenfe a
friend refers to Pf. Ixxiv. 19.
12. Here probably begins the third fedlion, and a new fubjedl, there-
fore perhaps inflead of 'J-rK tD'Th^i we ihould read 'JlK mnS with
one MS.
nnti'lJin. Some fuppofe thefe words to be a prophecy. Mudge refers
them to Exod. iii. 22. Durell to Jud. iv. Green to the conqueft of
the Canaanites j this feems mod agreeable to the context.
Green omits the fecond ]nT, with 4 MSS. Durell reads pIT nni.
Rather emphatically repeated. See Poole. " Jehovah, the Lord, gave the
word — the company of the women, who proclaimed the glad tidings, was
very great — (i. e. as Lowth and a friend think, proclaiming the follow-
ing fong pf triumph) the kings of the armies were difperfed, were dif-
ferfed — and flie that tarried at home divided the fpoil." See Merr.
14. Lowth gives up this and the following verfe as inexplicable.
Green underftands the firft part of this of the contemptible flate of the
Ifraelites in Egypt ; (See Gen. xlvi. 34.) and the pfalmift in the following
fimilitude beautifully fets forth their oppofite fituation by alluding to the
fplendor of the ■ wings of the dove, fo different to the filthinefs of
their former fituation. See Exod. v. 7 — 14. A friend fuppofes
D^nflty ^2 may be a proverbial expreffion, *' licet affli(5bi fueritis, et
quafi fuligine obtedti, candidi fietis ut columba, &c." Houb. reads
tDn"n D'flU^, *' fi quando intra Col/es fubfiftebatis, fc apparebatis ut, &c."
H h 2 But
[ 120 ]
But fee Patrick, Sec. Durell thus, *• Did not ye lie among the Jluep-
Jolds, O 3'e wings of a Dove, covered with filver, and with burnifhed
gold in her feathers ?'' *' An allegory referring to Reuben, Manajfeh, Dan,
and AJhei-. See Judg. v. 15—17." But this feems to break the con-
nedlion. See verfe 12.
i^' "^"dni xb^TS nn. The various interpretations of thefe words not
being very fatisfacftory, and Ch. reading Dl&Vi'l, might we venture to
read alfo y±r7\ DDn, " When the Almighty fcattered Kings— ^ your
Jakes, ye walked in the Jhadoto of death ?"' See Jofhua xii. and Pf. xxiii.4.
Houb. reads p2^i*D .iVtiTim, " and it became white as /now in Salmon.'*
Durell reads :b^D, on her account, i. e. Deborah's, " thou becameji
white, &c." i. e. grewejl pale with indignation. The pfalmifl, as a
friend obferves, probably alludes to the white garments which the women
might wear at the time they fung this fong of triumph. See verfe 12.
t6. This verfe begins the 5th fedlion, which is generally agreed to
refer to the afcenfion of the Ark into Mount Zion, an eminent type of
Chriji's afcenfion into Heaven; inftead then of ^t^^i in the firft line
might we read p'i', and for the third "in, "in3, *' The hill of Jehovah
is the hill of Zion, — an high hill as the hill of Baflian ?" Houb. reads
according to 6. &c. ;tyi in both places for \\i)i, " mons pinguis" Many
MSS. here and in verfe 17. D'ilJXI- But fee Lowth and Merr.
17. pty*, or as II MSS. 10ty». 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & iEth. probably
read liDtT', " fliall inhabit // for ever."
pivnn, which occurs no where elfe, is probably written as Seeker
obferves for pipnn. See Pf. cxiv. 4. Or, as one MS. piynn, which
a friend follows.
18. The metre of the Collat. being deficient in the fecond line it ap-
pears probable that ^\^ has been dropped before '£jSk, as they are found
together Dan. vii. 10. Reading therefore for n3"1, 'nD") as the conftruc-
tion requires, and with 18 MSS. nin» for »J-tk, together likewife with
'i'DD, inftead of 'J'D, the whole may be thus rendered, «' The chariots
of
• [ 121 ]
of God are twenty thouCund—T/mifanifs of thoufands of angels— Jeho-
vah is among them in the fandluary, as he was in Sinai." See Ainf. and
our Bib. Verf.
tKity. Syr. reads niKn'i'. Houb. from the Mt\i. reads D'Kity, *' Con-
cordes" A friend renders the text, with Buxtorf, &c. " iterationis."
i. e. •* Millia iterata & repetita." Perhaps then we fhould fupply DOKVj
after 'AVk, there being no fubilantive to the numeral adjedtives. Mr.
Bradley conjedlures it might be I'Jiy or D'Jti^, twofold. Lowth gives it
up. Seeker obferves that 6. render this word, and ]:nJ!^ Pf. cxxiii. 4.
the fame; and refers to Numb. x. 36. for a comparifon of thi? and the
two pri?ceding words, which ferves to ftrengthen Lowth's opinion, that
this verfe defcribes the procefTion of the ark attended by all the tribes of
Ifrael.
19. Thefe words in theiry&y? fenfe feem to be an apoftrophe to Jeho-
vah on the ark's being placed on Mount Zion, after being brought from
Kirjathjcarim, and may therefore be rendered thus, ** Thou hajl made
the captived captive to afcend up on high." Tho* they are ftillmore ftridtly
verified by the afcenfion of Chrifl into heaven. *' But »nti' T\'''2.W mud
fignify. Thou hafl made a great number of captives." Lowth, &c.
Cn'PN* rr. One MS. omits thefe words, and they feem to be re-
dundant, or the lirft is perhaps written for D3, " Thou haft received, or
given, gifts to men, yea even the enemies, to dwell amongst them"
See our Verf. Unlefs we read with Houb. D'hVn DV 1331^ kV, " but
the rebellious dwell not with God." Or render the words with Durell,
** that the Lord might have the habitation of the rebellious." For the
double fenfe of the verb fee Pocock. Grotius and others read np^n,
which feems to be right. See Ephef. iv. 8.
XO^^ II MS3.
20. Here begins the fixth fed. and 41 MSS. read mn' for ♦J-?K.
Days or gs 9. MSS. DIOVV Houb. renders it, " who beareth our bur-,
dens" Durell, ♦' 'u:ho burdeneth himfelf with us. Lowth obferves that
I i g. render
[ 122 ]
6. render It KarmhiK^eiy in the fenfe of carrying znd conducing. Might
not the word be Tioy', ** Bleffed be Jehovah daily — the God of our
lalvation y^/7// efablifli us? See Verf. lo.
21. IJ"? VnH, Perhaps lynbK, " Our God is the God of falvation."
" God is ours, the God." Seeker, But 13 MSS. omit bK, and one
jcads nviyioV, which reading will give this fenfe, " GodiB to m for Sal-
"cation."
" Andtmto Jelwvah the Lord belong the ijfues of death." " The ways
by which death goes out upon men to deftroy them." Hammond. Which
fenfe the following verfe ftrengthens. See Lowth alfo.
22. nya?. Perhaps 112^, '« He breaketh the pate of him, &c." See
Pf. xvii. 7. Houb. making "jpip a verb renders it with Ch. •* tvellet
comas."
** The hairy crown, &c." ** The commander of the enemies forces"
feems to be meant here, who cut his hair intofuch form, as would make
him look the moft terrible to the Ifraelites. See the learned Dr. Grey's
note on Deut. xxxii. 42." Green.
23. 'JTK. 19 MSS. read m.T.
\i}1^' As it is no where faid that Jehovah would bring his people
from Bajhan, may not this word be written for ^mO ? and as the fenfe
is imperfedl, if not the metre, in the laft line, may not n*E'^^ 2d, which
is omitted by 6 MSS. have been written for 'DV, or may not 'DV have
been dropped after DS " Jehovah faid, I will bring again my people
from Gofhen, and from the depths of the fea." (reading mblVDDI,
fee MSS.) Or " Jehovah faid, I will bring again from Gojhen, I will
bring again my people from the depths of the fea ?." In confequence of
which they had nothing to fear from any enemies, as the next verfe
intimates. But fee Poole.
" 6. mtrtt, which is better." Lowth.
24. ynnn. One MS. probably reads with Hare, &C. ymn, *' thou
Jlialt ^ajfi thy foot in the blood of thine enemies** 'yyVi being dropped
at
[ 123 J
at the end of the line. See Houb. Our old Verf. and Pf. IvHi. n.
Mr. Bradley reads ;'^nn.
D»1'KC. Diirell reads D"r^Ja, or D'^IKS. See Exod. xxv. 5. Lowth
tDlUD. Seeker fo, or D^^?n. Though, all to the fame fenfe, the laft
feems preferable, " The tongue of thy dogs J/ial/ be red with the fanie."
Houb. reads ppVn, *' latnbat ex eo."
25. Here begins the 7th fedion.
** They havefeen." i. e. " Men havefeeity or as 6, have beenfeen. Com-
pare Job xxxiii. 2 1 ." Seeker. Syr. with oneMS. oVoi, '' and my King,'*
26. Dmii 35 MSS.
27. 'HK. II MSS. read m.T.
npOC. ** The common acceptation of it, Ifraelitce, is fully juftified
by Pf. cxlviii. i. and this is the fong, which the Chorus, defcribed in
the preceding vcrfe, fings." Lowth. 3 MSS. read with Hare and Durell
TlpO, " the fountain of Ifrael." See Pf. xxxvi. 10. Houb. reads mpO:3,
** in congregatione Ifraelis." But Seeker mpO, which Jerem. xiv. 8.
greatly ftrengthens, " Blefs God in the congregations — Jehovah, the
hope of Ifrael."
28. Thefe four tribes, as Pifcator and others obferve, are put by a
Synecdoche for all of them, the two firft as nearejl to Jerufalem, and the
two laft as remotejl from it; and Benjamin is mentioned firil, as, though
the youngeft, the firjl king came from that tribe.
p'3:i. 31 MSS. read ]»0'Jn, which is evidently right ; and 31 DTI"!.
See our Verf. But 6. Syr. Vul, Ar. & iEth. feem to have read
HiDTini, or fome fuch word.
DnD:in. Houb. reads DDDy*?, *' next to them" which might refpeft
either their ftuation, or rank in the order of proceffion. A friend con-
jcftures from Syr. onmi " et principes eortim" Durell reads DDOn
«* their excellency:' Perhaps Dti'Kn, *' their head." See Gen. xlix. 8.
ntJf. 3d, 4 MSS. read HB'I. " and the princes" and \i MSS. \byi\,
which feems right.
I i 2 29 The
[ 124 ]
29- The fenfe, as well as the metre, being here deficient, Green would
fupply Ijraeli but from comparing Pf. cxlvii. 13. I am inclined to think
that ^VV, from its fimilitude to m>, has been omitted at the beginning
oftheverfe, " OZion, thy God hath ordained thy flrength. — Confirm,
0 God, that which thou haft wrought for us." But Lowth, &c. make
the firft verb alio an imperat. and read with all the verfions and 10 MSS.
D'nbN, command, O God, thy ftrength." "jTiy 7 MSS.
30. "ibDM^J, may be rendered, " Into thy temple at Jerufalem fhall
kings bring prefents unto thee." Acknowledging hereby thy fuperiority
according to the Eallern cuftom. See Matt. ii. ir. Houb. "propter
templum tmim.'' " The tabernacle is called byn, i Sam. iii. 3." Lowth.
31. n:p rrn. By this we are to underftand probably the CroQodile, or
Hippopotamus ; and as the firft line feems too fliort, might we not read
m.T before, " deflroy, 0 'Jehovah, the ivHd beajl of the reeds ?" See
Jubb, &c.
ty^V 'b:iyn. Hare, with others, reads '^b'JI, " the Lords of the peo-
ple." If we underftand the foregoing words, " the congregation of
the mighty ones," to be fpoken of OJiris and JJis, or Jp/s and Serapis,
for which fee Jubb and others, this reading gives a good fenfe. . See
1 Cor. viii. 5. Durell reads D' DV, " with the calves ; — the people of the
fea, who humble themfelves before fragments of fiher." Alluding to thofe
idols abovementioned of the Egyptians, which were overlaid, or plated
with that metal. But the text without any alteration may be rendered,
*' the congregation of the mighty ones, with the calves of the people." i. e.
The Cabiri or greater gods of the heathen, to wit. Apis and Serapis, &c.
with the ido calves of the Egyptians made to reprefent them. See
Jubb, in Merrick's Annot. who renders the whole thus, " Dif-
perde feram arundinis, coetum eorum qui funt fortes in vitulis gentium,
quife excitant cum fragmentis argenti." Underflanding by thefe laft words
the little loofe pieces of metal in the Sijlra, which make the noife. But
a friend, who approves of this fenfe, would tranflate Qn'nN> ** taurorum."
»^D3
C 125 3
HP'S ♦!f")2 Dflina. Hare reads tS^DiDina, '*/a/luofe hicedentium, cumfrag-
mentis argenti" " Frujia argenti per contemptum nomlnat ornamenta,
quae nobiles et aulici folent veftibus affigere. Sic Muis." See Green alfo.
Edwards reads ♦3"1i Dfl*lD, ** that they may not foul the fine filvev
Jlreams," Houb. iD'iJinO, " agitantes fefe" Might we prefume to read
♦llfJl for i'i'^1 and with the reading of Houb. give the words this fenfe,
** ivith the teraphm in JJirines of filver ?" As thefe were another fpecies
of Idol worftiip. See Gen. xxxi. 19. Ezek. xxii. 26. Ads xix. 24.
By " the people that delight in war" we are to underftand the Egyp-
tiansy as the former part of the verfe feems to relate wholly to them, and
the next fpeaks exprcfsly of them.
32. D'^JOtrrr. Some deriving this word, which occurs no where elle,
from the Coptic, render it, prafeSii. Hare, deriving it from the Ar.
Btfn, tranflates it, the rich, or, noble. Others read D'JOjyn, pingues.
i. e. figuratively, the rich. But might not the word be Dntyri) the pritices ?
tyi3, Ethiopia feems here to denote that country, which lay to the
South of Egypt. See Rivetus in Poole ; and Univ. Hift.
^'nn. Durell reads ti>nsn, " Jfiall extend." See alfo Pifc. " Sed cur-
rere faciet eft Hebraifmus pro promptu offeret munera." Vatab. &c.
The conftrudion being irregular, we fliould probably read with 6. nn* for
VT, ** her hands."
33. Hare's divifion of this verfe not feeming fo proper as that of the
Collat. but the laft line of the latter being defedive, we fhould perhaps
fupply CdViv'? with Ch. and with 8 MSS. read nin'b for»nK, Sing unto
God, O ye kingdoms of the earth— fing unto Jehovah for ever." One
ant. MS. with Houb. <i-rj{'7.
34. Dip 'aty 'OJ^n. Hare omits the fecond word as redundant.
Perhaps the true reading is ^1'^^2 D'OtJ'l, ** to him who rideth upon the
htzvtns from everlajlijig." See Hab. i. 12. lyrh 18 MSS. Would not
the laft' fentence be better rendered thus with Caft. &c. ** Lo, he doth
fend out a mighty yc^K/?^ with his voice ?*' i. e. The thunder. See Job
xxxvii. 5. ■ K k 35. bVC\^'>
C '26 ]
3_'. '7N*n5y' by. May not DV be the right reading *' 0 feop/e of
Ifrae],— his excellency and flrength, &c. ?" .ny 17 MSS. and 10 nyi»
36. From comparing the metre of Hare and the Collat. o. Ar. &
iEth. verfions, together with the additional reading of MSS. Houbw
and others, I conie(flure that the text flood thus,
&c. mn» . '
t3b)yb Tiia
*' God is terrible in his fanBuary — Je/wvaliy the God of Ifrael— he givcth
flrength and power unto his people — bleffed be Godj'er ever"
PSALM LXIX.
FOR the title fee Pf. xlv. and Ix. 7 MSS. read D^iJfi:', as Jn Pf.
xlv. Green divides it into 7 Sedtions; the Collat. into 5. Cocceius and
others fuppofe it to be written by David according to the title. Mudgc
attributes to Hezekiah.
2. tyD3. 6. Ar. & ^th. with Houb. read '{TflJ, " my Soul."
-?. Green and Edwards follow Hare's metre in this vcrfc. .That of
^ • fr.>;ii7i{J >. 3-itil T .
the Collat. feems too long. • ,„ .
3. 'JtiW 5 MSS. The metre of the Collat. feems moil regular in this
verfej but Hare's reading, approved by Lowth, &c. of 'DDJfO for
'n»DVa is confirmed by 15 MSS. *' mine enemies without reafon are
more numerous than my hairs."
5. *MK futuro jun<Sum illud mutat in prset. imperfeftum." Muis. " In
ipfo articulo. Schultens in Prov. viii. 22." ^ Lowth. Perhaps it is rather
written for »JK, " / will reftore that which I have never taken." Al-
luding to fome falfc charge of his enemies of being guilty of theft , from
which he exculpates himfelf by the following folemn appeal.
6. Edwards
[lay]
6. Edvrards and Green divide the metre In this verfe according to the
Oollat. This may refer to 2 Sam. xii.
7. This verfe confifts of two long lines according to the metre of the
Coliat. of four fliort ones according to Hare and Edwards, and of three
according to Green. ♦HK is omitted by 6. & Ar. and feems redundant,
" Let not them that wait for thee, O Jehovah of hofts, be athamed
for my fake.'*
ityn* ip MSS.
8. " Sunt in hoc pfalmo qua^ proprle & hiftorlce Chrijlo conveniunt."
Muis.
-9. HDSt This word in its formation refembles ♦'^t^^?. See Pf. i. i.
<* This was fulfilled in Chrift. Joh. vil. 5." Ainfw,
10. *• See Joh. ii. 17." Patrick.
11. nSlNI. Hare and others read HDINI. Houb. and Lowth H^OKl.
Either of which may be' fStfdered, " / humbled my foul with fafting."
See 6. Syr. Ar. & ^th. Our verfions retain the word in the text
with one of the others. Seeker renders the text thus, *• / bnvaikd fny-
Jelf with fajling?' Comp. Deut. xxi. 13. Durell, '* with the fafting
of my appetite." Ch. Syr. Vulg. & iEth. with 5 MSS. min'?, ** in
opprobrium mihi."
• 13. 'ntrv 15 MSS. more regular.
miU3l. Houb. reads with 6. 'Jliiiil, " et pfallebant de me" Seeker
mr:U 'If, *' and the fongs of the drunkards were upon me" But
12 MSS. read Di'Jlil, " and I was the Jong of the drunkards." See
Lam. iii. 63. and Harmer. Vol. II. p. 524, &c.
14. ♦n'?£3n 'JK% Houb. and Durell read with Syr, ♦n'^Vflrin. Per-
haps the true reading is V'^flriNI. See Pf. v. 2. and cix. 4,
2Tin 9 MSS.
15. One MS. reads ^KilSTD.
17, Mudge and Seeker 2103 to anfwer nns; or as ii MSS. nn3.
18. Vk 8 MSS. And T feems here redundant.
K k 2 . 19. n'?»a.
[ 128 ]
19* nb^.l. Houb. and Green read according to 6. Vulg. Ar. &
^th. TlbUTi, " and redeem it." But one very antient MS. reading
\V&>^ for \Vi2b% that on account of the metre feems preferable, " Draw
near unto my Soul, deliver it, — and redeem me becaufe of mine enemies."
20. Syr. reads i:i3, '* in thejight of all mine enemies". And the D might
be borrowed from the beginning of the following word..
21. i'Ki. The metre feems to require that we fliould read with Hare,
i:rK1, or fupply ty♦^?. See Ifai. lix. i6.
22. ti'N"). ** Proprie eft herb^ amarse genus in fegetibus nafcens.
Vid. Hof. X. 4. Mirabilis igitur eft hasc Prophetia, in qua 6c aceti
fit mentio, & herbs amarae illi adjundze, quae in Chrifto perfedje ad ina-
pleta eft." Bochart. > '
V't:n. " Vinegar, in the Eaft, was the refreftament of a Jlave, .of a
ivretchid prifoner, inftead of th^t pf a prince." Harnier. Vpl.,- J. .396.
23. DV^lb^^^bl. Perhaps more properly taiTtt^TtyVl. 22 MSS.- having
'cyd^}^h^' 6. feem to have read tyb^^^> which, Seeker obferves, makes
fenfe. With refpe(fl to i before the 2d of three, nouns fee Pf. xlv, 5.
The grammarians aflert that V is often. prefixed to nominat. cafes;. but
it rather feems to have been written through miftake for n, emphatically ;
" and their very feajls (h2M be a trap." Hare, Houb. &c. read Dn'Dlbli'l.
with Ch. *' and their facrifices, or^ peace-offerings.". See Randolph. alfo.
But a friend obferves that the Apoftle, Rom. xi. 9. feeiris to have .read
DD'^^JI^bV npiabl, typD^I, nflV. See I Sam. xxv. 31. The verbs', in'
this and the following verfes are in the fut. for the moft part, and
might be fo rendered. ■ ^ , ,- . . .
24. "iyDrf.*;Pne MS. and probably another "tyan more conformably
to the other verbs, .*' thouJJialt bow down" Houb. reads TyOTI.
25. list:; 25 MSS. '-c
26. Dn"l'D fignifies the houfes of the principal perfons.
ntt^». 49 MSS more regularly nj^V- See 6. and our Bib. Marg^
27. ntTK nriK. One very ant. MS. reads ")::'K HK. Houb. tranfpofing
the Words reads nnK "liTK*
C 129 ]
1"1DD' ybbn- Muis and many others agree In reading according to 6.
Vulg. Ar. & /llth. 1DD', or, "iS'DV. Should we not alfo read in the
finr. ibbn, " and i/ie ' have added to the grief of him ivhom thou hajl
wounded ?" See this fuliilled eminently in Chrift. Matth. xxvi. and xxvii.
Since this remariv was made I find it countenanced by a Ibtiety of au-
thors. Houb. '• of thy luounds." 6. Vulg. Ar. & /Eth. ♦b'jn, " of rny
ivounds." But lee Seeker.
28. py nin. Perhaps ]iyn ^n. But fee Gen. xxx. 26. As the im-
perat. isufed for the fut. in other places, fo it may be here, " Thou Ihak
give iniquity for their iniquity, neither, 6cc." *• Solet Deus peccata pu-
nire novis peccatis." Muis, &c.
INin' 4 MSB.
29. See Pi. Jxxxvii. 6. and Lowth's Notes on Ifai. p, 40.
30. 'Ji^l, " Although I am poor and forrowful — thy falvation, O
God, {hall exalt me."
31. For Dty nb"7nK Ihould we not read Dirn b^HK ?
32. "13 "mtyo. As there is a feeming tautology in thefe words, and a
nominative cafe is wanting to the verb, might we read 1D0 '")'!£', '* And my
fong (hall pleafe Jehovah better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs ?"
ppO. 36 MSS. read more regularly I'lpQi and 24 DHDDl. See Houb.
alfo. ^'DTll feems better. See Gen. iv. 7.
33. inoty*. Houb. reads with Syr. inojyi, " and rejoice." inoty'l
35 MSS. with 6. Ar. 6c iEth.; and eight have W)T\. But 6. Vulg.
Ar. & iEth. read lum, " feek ye."
34. VTDK. This was literally true of Chrift. See Joh. xviii. 24.
35. tifur\ 35 MSS. See 6.
36. The cities of fudah might have fuffered much In David's wars,
and in the Babyhnifli captivity ; but were entirely deftroyed under titus
Vefpafan together with Zion j and this and the following verfe feem to
look forward to that glorious ftate of the Jewilh people predicted by Ifai.
Ixv. 17,
L 1 37. n*?ny
[130 ]
37» nVni* feems to be the true reading j the verb plur. not being ufed
with nr. 'nniKi 4 MSS.
P S A L M LXX.
THIS pfahii is probably only an imitation of part of the 40th by
fome other hand; which may account for the variations. Sec Hare, 6cc.
V. 2. Houb. &CC. read Hi"! at the beginning, as in PiV xl. 14. And
there is a vacant fpace at the beginning of the Collat.
"3. ityn* 8 MSS, i:nD» 9.
4. See Pf. xl. 1 6. The metre in this and the two preceding verfes
is long in Pf. xl. conformably to the two following.
DnOWn feveral MSS. both here, and Pf. xl. 16.
nan ift. u MSS. read nNH ♦'7, as in Pf. xl.
5. 'aniK 5 MSS.
6. Ar. reads 'J{{, which feems better, ** / am, &c." Oiherwife perr
haps we fliould render i^ " Although I, &c." See Pf. Ixix. 30.
PSALM LXXI.
PATRICK and others fuppofe this pfalm written by David wTien
he fled from Abfalom ; and that he was the author of It m'ay perhaps be
Inferred from v. 5, 6, and 17.
V. 3. pjfO. 15 MSS. read nVD, and Houb. &c. agree, that we fhould
read the text here, as In Pf. xxxi. 3.
4. V'^im. Houb. &c. DDim. See alfo Buxtorfs Lexic.
6. ^^^y. Mudge follows Gejerus's interpretation, " Obftetrlcis Inflar
vinculis me raaternis exfolvifti." Ch. reads 'm* as In Pf. xxii. 10.
which
I
C 131 3
which Hare, &c. approve. 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. probably read ':il.i,
ProteBor meusy " Thou art my ProteSlor from my mother's womb."
But fee Pf. xxvii. 10. Unlefs S«E7rar« is written as Seeker conjedlures,
for iicffwarrii.
8. It feems neceflary to read with Syr. VdI in the laft Hemiftich
" and with thy honor, &c." See our Bib. Verf. Or with 6. Vulg. Ar.
& ^th. TtTNl, " and I ivill fing of thy honor, &c." They indeed
fupply more, See our old Verf.
9. One MS. reads m^Dl j and another ♦m3. ,
10. 'I'W. 45 MSS. have »n»K. And as Ch. fupplles yi after it, and
we have the fame expreflion Pf. xli. 6. I think this method of fupply-
ing the defed both of fenfe and metre, preferable to that of Hare and
others who read "n^2^in^ " For mine enemies fpeak evil of me."
nOIB'l 7 MSS. But one very valuable MS. reads 'Kitt-'l " and they
that hate my foul, &c." Which agrees better with the former Hemiftich.
See Pf. xxxviii. 19. Ixix. 4.
12. rwn. 67 MSS. read with Houb. ntyiH. See Pf. xxxviii. 23.
Ixx. 6.
13. 'by- 6 MSS. with all the verfions read 'by^ ** and they fliall
be confumed." But 3 MSS. with Hare and others read ^d^y^ as in Pf.
XXXV. 4. " and they fliall be aJJiamed." And then there will be ftill
greater reafon for omitting hdVsi, which feems redundant in the next
Hemiftich, with Syr. '0'O.'> 9 MSS.
14. Hare for the fake of the metre adds ♦:!{< after bw^. Green
•^V, which feems beft, " But I will always wait for thee."
15. mnSD. Houb. &c. read according to Ch. Dn£3D, " for I know-
not their number." Perhaps the word might be infllD, " for I know no
end of them." See our old verfion.
16. MSS. 7 read with o. Syr. Ch. Ar. & Mih. n"nn:a. And one
very valuable MS. reads ♦Jit* mn*, " I will go in the firength of Jehovah
my Lord:' " May it not mean into thefanSJuary ?" Seeker. See Gejer.
L 1 2 & Houb.
[ 132 J
& Houb. alfc. Durell reads K^x from K^:, and renders it, " I will cc"
kbrate, &c."
17. This verfe feems peculiarly applicable to Davi^f, See Pf. Ixxviii.
21.
18. -rnV. Seeker obferves that 6. & Vulg. feem to have read
nn b2b. Hare adds DKf ; but then I think we fl-iould alio read
"jD*?!, " to tin's generation — and thy power, &c." See our verfions. But
one MS. reads nm nnV, " Until I have fhewed thine arm to genera-
tion and generation — Thy power to every one that is to come." Such
repetitions being frequent. But according to the divifion of 6. Ar,
& ^.th. the fenfe may ftand thus, " Thy power and thy righteoufnefs,
O God, are very high. O God, who haft done great things, who is
like unto thee ?" Which Mudge follows, but Lowth does not approve.
J 9. " Perhaps the firft word of this verfe fhould be added to the
laft." Seeker. mVllA 36 MSS.
20. liD'Knn. Many MSS. with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & .^th. Hare, &c.
for 13 read »i at the end of this and the two following verbs, which
the context requires.
Hare rejedts the 2d niiTI as redundant, and adds it to the next verfe;
but it may imply iteration, as the former does.
21. 'nbnjl. 6. Vulg. Ar. & &xh. with Houb. &c. ^nV^:l, "Thou
fhalt increafe thy Greatnefs." Which feems more proper.
nDm, or as 13 MSS. mom. it is probable that mB?m Is the true
reading, " lahen thou fhalt comfort me again." See Houb. and verfe 20.
22. The metre of Hare, Edwards, Green and the Collat. differing,
I would follow that of the latter, and reading with Houb. rniN for
yxwa, the words may be -thus rendered, " I will alfo praife thy faith-
fulnefs, O God, upon the pfaltery ; I will fing unto thee upon the
harp, O thou holy one of Ifrael." Hare, &c. omit "^V. "ni'Da 10 MSS.
23. Preferring like wife the metre of the Collat. in this verfe, but
obferving that it is defedivc in the laft line, and comparing 2 Sam. iv. 9.
it
C 133 ]
it Is not Improbable that two words having been dropped, it might
originally have flood thus,
n-iv b^D nnsi -ity^ ♦t^'flii
** and my foul, which thou haft redeemed out of all it's trouble."
24. I"i5n O. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & Mih. read nflrri, ** and are brought
tojliame." And 2 MSS. omit O 2d.
PSALM LXXII.
THE title may as well be rendered, for Solomorit as of Solomon y and
being defedive perhaps nbflD, A prayer ^ may have been dropped. See
Pifcator and others. This pfalm was probably compofed by David, ac-
cording to Muis and others, on his having appointed Solomon to be his
fucceflbrj but though fome things in It may be applicable to this Son
of Davidt it is in general more ftridly verified In the Mefliah, who is
fo called xar iioxnv Matt. ix. 27, &c. See the title to Syr. Verf.
V. I. ^Vd*?. David not having finifhed his reign, this line may re-
fer to himfelf as the next does to Solomon.
2. ]n*' Probably for \'V\ *' That he may judge ihy y>^o^^c." See Syr.
and Gen. xxxi. 37. The kingdom of Ifrael being ftrldly fpeaking
a Theocracy, the people were the fubjefts of fehovah ; and their gover-
nors only his 'viceroys. The poor alfo were the more immediate care of
heaven. See Pf. ix. 9, 12.
3. As by the mountains, and hills are probably meant in a figurative
fenfe, in allufion to the natural fituatlon of the country, the fuperior ru-
lers at Jerufalem, and the inferior ones in the other cities of Judah,
(See Mich, vi.) and the laft line is defedive both in fenfe and metre,
Meibomius's reading ia£3ty», or rather MiDlfltyn, feems very probable,
" and \\iQ\\ti\th\\\s Jhall judge in righteoufnefs." Which might eafily
Mm be
[ 134 ]
dropped fro:n its likenefs to the following word ; unlcfs for npTifn, we
read with one MS. if not two npT>'7, fupplying vn, ** and the little hills
jl-allbe for righteoufn:fs" Houb. &c. read with Vulg. r\irvit " and the
hills righteoufnefs." But then fliould we not for the fake of the metre
bring Xnyh to the end of the verfe, " The mountains fliall bring peace —
and the hills righteoufnefs unto the people f" Seeker thinks that r'piX
might end this verfe, and np"lV3 begin the next. Syr. reads I^Ti,
" (^qtikatcm tudm,"
4. Is not bl wanting after ptrv, " and fhall crufli him that oppref-
feth the poor i" See the Collat. and Prov. xxii. 16. DiDC" 5 MSS.
5. y^^y. Houb. 5cc. read according to' 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. 7-|S%
** Et perenfiem habeat, cum fole et in afpedtu Luna;, generationcm genera-
tionum." But Seeker objeds to this conrtrttdVion, and obferves, the fenfe
of the text is good. One MS. reads with Hare in'?. See Ifai. li. 8.
6. Some nominative cafe being wanting to IT, UDti'a from it's fimili-
tude to lO.tJD may have been dropped, *' Judgment (hall come down like
rain, tec." See Amos v. 24. where is nearly the fame expreflion. Houb.
refers to Gideon's fleece, with Ainfworth ; but Pifcator, &c. make U
to {-ignify fNOWfj gruj's. See Amos vii. i.
s^'Hi. This word is found no where elfe, and we fliould read with
6. Vulg. Syr. Ch. &c JEth. D»3»nr, or as Durell n'SIT. si"ir, as he ob-
ferves, in Syr. fignifying to lunter. But as Cartel, under this radix, re-
fers to pnr, perhaps the word might be D'pllt, *' As the drops fprink-
ling the earth." Or D'Sni. See Ifai. xlv. 8. where is a fimilar paffage.
Meibomius reads 'fl by, " As the drops upon the lean earth." See Num.
xiii. 20. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & /Eth. with 11 MSS. D'n'l")D1.
7. pnV. All the verfions with 3 MSS. Lowth, &c. more pro-
perly pnv, " In his days fliall righteoufnefs flourifh." This verfe is only
literally true of Chrifl.
nm, " and yeace JJmll abounds Seeker, But 6 MSS. read mn.
8. This
C 135 ]
8. This fulfilled in Solomon, i Kings iv. 21., but more eminently
fo in Ch rift. See Poole and Zech. ix. 10.
9. CD"if. The fenfe of this word is doubtful. Grotius, &c. underftand
it of the wild Arabs, bordering upon the Red Sea, who by living upon
fifh were called Ictliyoplmgl. See Pf. Ixxiv. 14. Meibomius reads D'jiny,
" the violent" DHi is nearer to the text, if an alteration is requifite,
and anfwers better to the next fentence, " T^he adverfaries fliall bow be-
fore him— his enemies fliall lick the duft." " Sumpta figura ab ori-
entalibus, qui hodieque folcnt terram coram rege ofculari." Muis. Per-
haps alfo here may be an allufion to the curfe of the Jerpenf, Gen. iii. 14,
whom Chrifl has totally overcome.
10. ia»ty'. " 6. Vulg. Syr. Chald. perhaps 1N*n'." Seeker. Ar. feems
to have read IKIIS which may ftrengthen the former conjedure. See
this fulfilled i Kings x. i, and 22. and for the different countries here
mentioned fee Bochart, Gen. x.
11. This verfe may refpecSt the time mentioned. Revel, xi. 15.
12. Muis, &c. render Vlt^'O, clamantem. See alfo our verfions. What
the ant. verfions read is not certain ; perhaps tDli'VD, (i potente.
'Wy. 27 MSS. read more regularly "itlV ; *' and the poor ivhen he has
no helper." See Verf.
13. Din» 21 MSS.
15. TTI. Hare and others reading 'ns join it to the^ end of the
former verfe, where it connedts very well. One MS. reads M'l, and two
omit the word in the Text. Houb. renders »n'% *' et 'uivcnt -, deinde
et dahunt." i. e. the poor. Which Seeker obferves, avoids the impro-
priety of praying for Chrift. But if we read 10V1 for "nVn, the text
will be ftrongly confirmed ibyT' Heb. vii. 25. " And he Jhall live, and
to him {hall be given of the gold of Sheba He /Jiall intercede for his
people continually — every day fliall they blefs him."
■jnJDnn'.; More regularly imDIl*. See 6. Vulg. & Ar.
M m 2 16. pKl
[ 136 ]
i6. pKn "in nDC " 2TM?.y,ua, 6. Vulg. nfDDDn is tranflated by them
f>i^<xSSv«i, 1 Sam. xvi. 9." Seeker. So that they might read n£3D0. Mudge
derivins the word in the text from DDS, imminutum fuity renders the
words, *' The earth fliall be chequered with corn." See Gen. xxxvii. 3.
Meibomius, Houb. &c. read nt^D, ** There fhall be abundance of corn
in the earth." And as Seeker obferves m^ fignifies to abound. But as
4 MSS. read Itt'yT, which accords better with the following verb, a friend
obferving, that here is a metaphorical allufion to the increafe of the
Gofpel, renders the whole thus, '• There fhall be a grain of corn
in the earth ; its fruits flmll be JJiaken on the top of the mountains, as
Lebanon, and {hall flourifh out of the city (i. e. Jerufalcm) as the grafs
of the earth,"
j! 17. X^y or as 56 MSS. \\y>. Some derive this verb from ni3, habitare.
Others from \'\^, fobolefcere, Durell reads with 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth.
VbS " Jfiall remain.''' Capellus \\y. Perhaps the word might be ")3n.
♦' they Jhall fing of his name before the Sun."
V Houb. &c. fupply properly according to 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth.
V"lK ♦t325i' bD, ** all the tribes of the earthy' at the end of the third line;
the metre as well as fenfe requiring it. Meibomius reads, ** all the tribes
oflfrael.
init^K*. 121 MSS. have pint^N' i which the grammatical conftruc-
tion requires. ■ ""■ "■
18. Following Hare's metre in this verfe, I would read with 11 MSS.
7W)V> and omit D'H^K with Meibomius, agreeably to all the verSons,
except Ch.
19. Meibomius's divifion of this verfe feems the moft natural,
&c. Tinm
&c. vhm
** And bleffed be the name, of his Majefty for ever— and his Majefty
fliall fill the whole earth— Amen and Amen."
to. Nothing
C 137 ]
20. Nothing further can' be inferred from this verie than that this
pfalm was the la^ comporition of David, which may v*^ell be fuppofed,
as it was made in confequence of his appointing Solomon King. See
Mui', Hare, fee .
PSALM LXXIIL
*• SPIRITUS Afaphi hoc habet peculiare, ut de rebus ecclefiie trifli-
bus meditaretur, unde hie tertius Liber continet fere perpctuas queri-
monias." Genebrard. " I pafs over feveral things in this pfahn, as
in others, not becaufe they are eafy, but becaufe they are too difficult
for me." Seeker.
V. I. If we follow the metre of the Collat. the 2d line being de-
fe(flive, perhaps the two words, which begin the former, are dropped
from this, " Truly God is good to Ifrael. — Truly he is good to the pure
of heart." That fome word has been omitted may be inferred perhaps
from one ant. MS. repeating nn*?, for which Syr. reads nabv See our
verf.
2. 'V^J. 32 MSS. with all the verfions, except Ch. read VOJ. See
Pf. cii. 12. Or the text might be rendered, " But I had well nigh
Jlipped with my feet." See Ch.
n3S51'. All the verfions with 8 MSS. read lD£3ir» nit^N 34 MSS.
more regular, and 6 MSS. reading 'mti^K, and one 'Hii^K may ferve to
prove that the affix pronoun of the ift perfon fing. is funk when joined
with the plur. mafc. noun in regim. For this and many other inftancc^
feem to controvert that rule of Buxtorf, '* prieter morera eft, ut una
litera duo officia occupet." See Pf. ii. 12.
3. D^Vbinn. Perhaps D'bbini, *' For I was envious at the profane"
There is a defed: in the lad line of the verfe, perhaps o or "i is wanting.
- N n 4, Dmo*?,
I 133 J
4- SniisV, 5cc. The laft line of this verfe being defeftive in the me-
tre, Hare adds according to 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. DDDOl. Edwards
prefers Dna. Ch. reads Dl*?, " their heart is fat and ftrong." But
the reading of Houb. &c. from Meurlius of DH loV is fupported by
one ant. MS. in wliich "joS ends the tirfl: line, and confequently Qn
begins tlie next, " For there are no bands to them ; — perfe£J and firm is
their ftrength." And the.firft part may allude to their having no wounds
to be bound up i or may fignify, as a friend, referring to Ifai. Iviii. 6.
fuggefts, *' that they are quite free, and at eafe."
,f^D'71S*. Houb. DV^?, moreufual
->:S- IID'J'K* 58 MSS. more properly 1Q3»K. Ch. probably fupplies ji^TV
after ,,p"T|}» and fome word feems to be wanting. But fee Merrick's
Append. No 5.
6. *• Compafleth them about as a chain" Chains in the Eaft were
worn about the neck by way of ornament. See Cant. iv. 9. Prov. i. 9,
n»:^*. Pifcator and others D'CO, better. 2 MSS. «TiDV'.
r-7' 133'y. 64 MSS. read "ja»yy. But then we Ihould read 1N*>'\ See our
Bib. Verf. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. ;Eth. Houb. and Green read iSiljr, " Their
loickednefs proceedeth from fatnefs." And the lafl obferves, there is the
0me miftake Zech, v. 6. Houb. would alfo read D^Vd for iVnO. £ut
the text feems juftified by Pf. xvii. 10.
nV2tya "nny. Syr. reads nVDt:'u)J2 nnV, " operati funt pro cogitatione
cordis'* Houb. follows it with refped to the ^^erb, " they wrought
the defires of the heart." I prefer the reading of tlie noun, " they tranf-
grefled through the thoughts of the heart." A friend reads with one ant.
MS. iav>*.
8. ip'D*. Houb. reads 123T; which 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & yEth. favor.
Perhaps by a tranfpofition we lliould read lap', and whether we render
DY^i32 with Vatablus according to Syr. " agalnfl the mojl high •" with
Mudge and others, ** from on liigh ;" meaning the courts of juftice ; or
'* before , the mojl high i" for pt?jr would it not be better to read. IpJl?
*' They
[ 139 ]
" They rife up (I. ^:--iii\ judgment) and fpeak for the wicked — thev
fpeak faljly before the moji high ?" If DIIOD will bear this fenfe!
See Pf. Ivi. 3. " Certe quadrat cum fcquentibus, G. legatur DllOl." A
friend. '^r^y x)a< ^t^ ,0:6 .'^^'^^^ in rf"t^i'3"» 'af«*
9. •* Ncque fuperis neque j'n/eris maledicendo parcunt."' MtiJf. '"^
10. dSi lav 2♦:y^ *' Locus difficillimus." Hare. Mudge and others
read tDnb. See our old Verf. Lowth, &c. read with Houb. Dn*7 ' Tt:V'ntt'\
" Therefore they are filled with bread — and they drink waters out' of a full
cup." D12 being underftcod. See Buxt. p. 345. But 35 MSS. read ncf\
Some one fuppofes the word D*?!!, or rather DlVn, as 35 MSS. read, to be
the partic. pafT. from D*?n contudit, " Therefore his people return
flricken, or, fmitten." i. e. infultcd by the wicked above mentioned;
which agrees with the following claufe, " and waters 'of- a fliirn^up
are wrung out unto them." But fee Edwards's & Green's V'6rf, 6.
Vulg. Ar. &; ^th. read in the laft line, Wi^i — 'an, ** ct dies pkni in"
venientur in eis." 2 MSS. with Syr. read l}<\ftt>. '' '"^^f?
11. This verfe feems to contain the triumph of the wicked, as an im-
pious farcafm on the God of heaven.
12. DblV ♦I'JC'I perhaps may be rendered, " and ivhoprofpering ifi ihfiir
w/tf-^£'</«^ obtain riches." i:i»aTJ 6 MSS. iv.fim-mvM
13. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read n,t:iKT before -jt^, '"Then Ifaid,'\C'
rily in vain have I cleanfed my heart,— and wafhed my hands in inno-
ccncv." See Pf. xxvi. 6. ■ -■ ^ .,. . "• ' '■->■■ -^-i- ■■'' ,, •-•'• ^
'nnDim. is not this word~Wfifteff'fdr'tnn3im, inUopYi'.'^ mithaf'
tenedf" See our Verf. .i;'..,.-ji:\:
DnpnV, " withfiripes." Durell. For which he refers to Lev. xijf.
20. But the ufual fcnfe of the word feems to anfwer better to the former
Hemiftich. - :oq4ctE-' ^OBrir:'
15. Lowth gives up this verfe as inexplicable. Houbigant reads
"yni \T\, DmaD miyN> ** Si tamcn dlxero, faciam iit illi, ecce a gene-
ratione filiorum tuorum transfuga ero." And the two firft words are ac-
N n 2 cording
[ 140 ] ^
cording to Syr. But reading with him and others Dm03, TK alfo for
DN, and m.ll for 'mJO, together with nnn, the words might bear
this conftrudion, " Then I laid, I will be reckoned as they are, or, /
will do as they dc — Behold, thou haji dealt treacheroujly tvith the gene-
ration of thy children." i. e. In punifliing the righteous and rewarding
the wicked. Mudge, Sec. *' If I fay, I will fpeak as thus, &c." i. e.
as in the verfes preceding.
i6. " When I thought deeply in order to underfland this." A friend. The
laft line of this verfe appearing defective, and one very ant. MS. repeating
N'n, perhaps one of them was written for 7\''T\, which 6 Ar. & -(Eth.
favor.
17. 'Sy^i?^. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^th. read t^npo.
T\yi'». Syr. Vulg. & Ar. read ni'nNl, which might be rendered,
'♦ the*} u;.derfi6od 1 ihtiT end." See our Verf. " and attended to, 6cc."
Grien.
18. •]{<. Would it not be better to read 1»{^, as in the next verfe,
" H01V, &c. ?"
nipbnn. Houb. reads mpbnn, in the accuf. One MS. reads accord-
ing to Pf. XXXV. 6.
19. One MS. reads VT\:i, " in a moment." And neither 6. Vulg. Syr.
Ar. or iEth. read the comparative conjuncflion, and perhaps formn'jJs
we fliould read nunb, " they are utterly confumed in the fames,"
alluding to Numb. xvi. 32, & 35. See Pf. cvi. 18. Houb. by a dif-
ferent Metathefis reads mb2n> ** citius ipj'a vanitate." But, as a friend
obferves, bun is mafc. who thinks alfo that ]a may be redundant ac-
cording to one MS.
20. TVn. Montanus and others, making it the Gerund, render it,
" when thou arifejl." Durell renders it, *' th^xxfooli/h image." 6. Vulg.
Ar. & iEth. reading 'yyy'2, render it, •* in thy city." But with this
reading Montanus's verfion feems preferable. See our Bib. Verf.
Do'yir.
C ui 3
Caby, ** Thou fhalt defplfe their image." i. e. ♦« Thou fhalt treat them
with contempt, who feem great to themfelves and others." Gejer. But a
friend reading with one MS. myn, and n?nn for HDn, (fee Pf. Ixviii. 30.)
gives this fenfe of the words, " As the dream of one wKo awalceth, O
Lord, when thou awakeft, thou Jlialt fcatter their image." Seeker of-
fers this verfion of the text, " make their vain fliew contemptible." re-
ferring to Pf. xxxix. 7. for this fenfe of D^i". mn' 7 MSS.
" 21. l^intTK. Houb. reads piDK'n ; but perhaps the tri^er, .Reading is
lOiintJ'n, '* and my reins ivere pierced." -a.--
22. 'JKl, " Then was I, &c." Gejer. &c.
mann. One MS. reads with 6. Vulg. Ch . Ar. & ^th. naniD.
** as a beajl before thee." i. e. " ratione dejlitutus." Gejerus.
23. One MS. & Syr. omit this verfe. One ant. MS. read at firft "j^a*.
Perhaps then we fliould alfo read 'JDinK, " Thou haji holden me by thy
right hand." See Pf. xviii. ^S'
.24. mnD nriNV Hare and others read lUD^. Edwards "TinDV, " to
glory." Houb. ")-TinD, ** in thy glory." But 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^,th.
probably read TODn DXI, or "niD DM, " ^W receive me with glory"
For the prepofition DK before a noun, having n prefixed, fee Gen. i. 4.
25. From confulting the fcveral verfions, and confidering the fenfe
and metre, the firft line might ftand thus,
"joo D'Oti'n '"? 'D o
*' For whom have I in heaven before thee." And the laft word might
eafily be dropped from its likenefs to the next. Houb. reads 'jaiy%
*' quis aderit mihi, et collocabit me in coelo & tecum." But a friend
fuggefts \T\i after ♦D, which will fupply, as he obferves, all defefts, and
give an additional fpirit to the pafTage. The pfalmift in the preceding
verfe had faid, " Then, &c." Full of this idea he burfts fortLh,/" ,0
thatfome one would place me in heaven, and with thee ! I have no plea-
fure on earth." See Mai. i. 10.
O o 26. Ellipfis
. «5
C U2 ]
z6. " If my fiefl^, &c.'* 2 Gejerus. Ellipfis tS C3K. Syr. reads n'73"),
it, ccnjuniptum fit" But the true reading probably is Th'2 •D, " Al-
though my flefh, &:c." Hare's divifion of the metre is preferable, unlefa
,2 J. ^spiritual adulterers, and tornicators, i. e. Idolaters, were puniflied
with death under the Mofaical law, as guilty of high treafon againft
'Jehovah their King. See Muis.
aS. 'JlNa. 4. MSS. read nin'n, and 7 omit mns with 6. & iEth.
fo that /« yehovah feems to be right.
; ,Xh€ addition of Hare and others at the end of this verfe according
to A^VuIg. Ar. 5c ^th. feems proper, •* in the courts of the daughter
■HI 3d
P S A L M LXXIV.
THIS pfalm was probably compofed during the Babylonifli captivity.
See Mede, 6cc. If Afaph therefore was the author of it, as the title fets
fortli. It muft be a different perfon from the contemporary of David.
Muis thinks it might be prophetical. Or, as Seeker obferves, it may
relate, as others think, to the prefent ftate of the Jews. See verfe 9.
V. I. nniT. Syr. & Ar. read 'iJnmr, as in Pf. xliv- 24. Our old
version feems to have placed n5»j'7 "ght. See Pf. Ixxix. 5. and Seeker,
A friend obferves that HdV influences the 2d line.
2. *1DT. 25 MSS. read more properly "n3f.
Dnty nbK:i. A friend reads with Ch. & Syr. ^hii:^^, " Remember thy
congregation ; thou haft purchafed of old, and redeemed the tribe of thine
inheritance." See Ifal. Ixiii. 17. Jerem. x. 16.
'3. "I'DVC. 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. read "^n*, " Lift up thy hands
againft, Sec." Perhaps there is the fame error in the text, Pf. Iviii. i r.
The
C M3 ]
The hands fcem to be more proper here. Syr. reads ^»"riy, " Lift up
thy fervcints." Hare reads nbD for the two laft words of the firfl line,
" Leva veftigia tua, perde omnem iniinicum, &c." Houb. reads VdV,
« in omne malum inimice." " Lift up thy Jieps." i. e. fays Mudgc
come up and fee-, as it was fituated on the top of a hill. See alfo Edwards
and Green. Durell renders thus, " Lift up thy feet unto the total defo-
litions^-fupprefs the evil of the enemy in the fanftuary." making Vd the
imperat. of "JID. See Jerem. vi. ii. Out of thefe various readings this
fenfe is offered to confideration, " Lift up thy hands againfl the continual
defolations — againjl all the evil of the enemy in the fani^^uary." A friend
prefers "J'i'V, omits nVJwith one MS. & reads with 6. Syr. Ar. "Jt:'"7pn,
** Lift up thine eyes to the defolations, to all the mifchief of the enemy
in thy fanSiuary" y^ one MS. Seeker thinks Hare may be right in
omitting nV3 mi^Jl'DV.
4. DDDIK. All the verfions with 19 MS. read Dmmf^.
mnK, or as 30 MSS. DimK, may be written by miftake for iniDlN.
** They have made their ftandards thy Jiandards." i. e. They had ere<Sted
their llandards, by way of vidory, in the mofl: holy place j where
Jehovah ufed to manifefl himfelf by a vifible appearance. See Poole,
and Matt xxiv. 15.
5. V"fV, &;c. Lovvth and others follow Hare, who reads IJ/li', and
nnVI for nyi, and by tranfpofmg thefe two words give this fenfe of
this, and the following verfe, «' And now, as one that lifteth up the axes
in the thick woods, they have cut off A\ the carved work thereof together ;
they have caft it down with axes and hammers." Houb. reads "jyT,
" they appeared, &c." which Green approves; and likewife "]»mn3 OKI
for rrninfl ny^ in the following verfe. Durell reads i<»aa IVIV, " A
man has been feen by thee, lifting up axes, &c." A friend, confidering VTV
as an imperfonal, and reading *]*nr)D nsi, renders thus, " The appearance
was, as one who lifts on high axes againft thick trees ; and they broke
down thy gates, &c." But perhaps we (hould read U'^l'lj *' and they have
O o 2 broken
[ 144 ]
broken doiim^ as he wlio lifteth up, &c." from W") frangere. Sec
Jerem. xi. 16.
6. nyv 42 MSS. nnj;i. See above. niDbSl 71 MSS. and 2 mS^Dn.
7. One MS. for ti*Nn reads •p^^3, which agrees better with the prefent
verb ; but all the verfions read Ip'Vl.l, '* They have burnt, &c." Perhaps
we rt:iould read Ityipsn fN-
8. iDlli'. Seeker thinks we fliould read "f^m, " Let us burn up, &c."
in conformity to the preceding verb, which 6. at prefent render
Kara^awwiatis as Seckcr and a learned friend obferve, for KarctKMirufA.ev. Which
the collation of c. MSS. will probably reftify. By the hou/es of God
Fri^eaux, underftands the Frofeuchce. See Merr.
9. IJ'mnK. 23 MSS. ^ymm^? more ufual. «' Our Signs." i. c. The
manifeftations of the Divine prefence in the temple, as tokens of God's
favor. See v. 4.
If the metre of the Collat. fhould be preferred, the 2d line being
defeflive, we fhould probably read 131 at the end, ** There is no more
a prophet amongjl us."
nD"I3'. ** This cannot furely relate to the times when Jeremiah and
Ezekiel were prophets, or when Daniel was preferved j for Jeremiah and
Daniel particularly knew how long." Seeker. 6. Vul. Ar. and Mth,
read liy, •' Neither is there with us one who knoweth any more."
But perhaps thefe two words are written for niD")J^, ** Neither is there
with us one who knos^&th. prudence." See Prov. i. 4.
1 1 . Hare and Green infert K*?, " Why draweft thou not thy hand
out?" And the former omits hVd. Houb. reads rb^, and following this
reading, and adding mn* after in», which the metre of the Collat, calls
for, the words will afford this fenfe, ** Why withdraweft thou thy
hand, O Jehovah — and hideji thy right hand in the midft of thy Bo-
fom ?" But then Seeker thinks we fhould read mp2 j though D fome-
times fignifies in. See Taylor's Concord. For this fenfe of I'K^f) fee
Gen. xxxviii. 29. •
I
C 145 3
Ipin. 27 MSS. read with Houb. Ip'n, its ufual form.
12. mVItt" ^yS). 41 MSS. read more regularly Vvifl, and 7 MSS.
with all the verfions DVW in the fing. " JVorking fahation in the
midft of the Imid" i.e. in the midft of the land oflfrad. Patrick and
others. But I rather think, in the midft of the land of Egypt. Sec
Deut. xi. 3. and the following verfe.
13. nillfl. Ch. 6c Syr. read mifl, which feems to be the right word,
and one MS. mm3. "Itm 7 MSS. -I'mc^r?'^"
tD'yjn, *' Ihe dragons." Probably Pharaoh's captains. See Exod. xv. 4.
who might be fo called from having dragons in their ftandards, as Gc-
jerus conjectures. But Merrick from Bochart fuppofes them to be ivhaies,
;Called fii/rvw, from this word. ■. i
14. W\ir\. Ar. tyM*l> " the head of Leviathan." i. e, Pharabfrl Sec
Ezek. xxix. 3.
D"J»V. See Pf. Ixxii. 9.
15. By a mctalepfis the Fountain and River are put for the rock out
of which they flowed. See Exod. xvii. and Grot.
^n*K mini. As Jordan is here probably meant, we might read witW
one MS. irinJ, " the mighty river." Or p»Kn nna. Sec Mich. vi. 2.
16. See Gen. i. 3, i6. 6. Ar. & Ch. probably read TVXXD, " Lu-
nam." Patrick, &c. make "JIKD to bear the fame fignification ; but fomc
one feems properly to have obferved, ** lucem prsmittit folii quia lux
prior Jo/e exftitit."
18. ** Remember this, O Jehovah, that the enemy hath reproached,
and the fooliih people have defpifed thy name." Deficit hie O. Pifc.
See our verfion.
13T. 13 MSS. more regularly mX 2*K 2 MSS.
19, Houb, for inin reads ^nn, according to 6. Syr. Ar. & iEth.
«* confitentem tibi." Rather, as a friend, « of him who giveth thanks un-
to thee" Seeker in juftication of the text refers to Cant. ii. 14. See
Mcrr. alfo,
P p By
C 146 ]
By the wild beajl Nebuchadnezzar may be underftood. See Pf. Ixxx.
13. But if we read with Seeker and others according to 6. Vulg. Ar.
& iEth. nvn^, " to the ivild beajls," it may mean the Chaldeans.
rrn. Hare would omit this word, as not according with the context.
Mr. Bradley, from its occuring twice, and being rendered multitude, que-
ries whether it might not be Vn ? If any alteration was neceflary I fliould
prefer DNl, *' and forget not thy poor, &c." But as 6. Syr. Ar. &
^th. read with one MS. DVn, ** the lives of thy poor;" this as Muis,
&c. have obferved, anfwers -m animam turturis-, and Job xxxiii. 20.
flrongly fupports the text. 7 MSS. alfo read ri'm.
20. nna"?. Houb. reads according to 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth.
nnn^'?, " Look unto thy covenant." which is probably right.
If we retain the text in the latter part of this verfe, the Ar. .Vcrf.
feems as good as any, *' for the jnean 07ies of the earth have filled the
habitations with violence." But Houb. &c. with Syr. tranfpofmg the
words, and reading DOm "jB^nD, give this fenfe, ** For the habitations
of the earth are full of darknefs and violence. Mr. Bradley propofes, 00113
nniNil, ** The land is filled with darknefs, and its habitations ivith vio-
lence."
21. Hare thinking the metre, as well as the fenfe, imperfeft in the
firft line of this verfe reads I^D at the end of it, '* Let not the op-
prefled r&tmn from thee afhamed." yw> 35 MSS.
22. -)3r. 24 MSS. read niDr. For bl^ <:d I would read bUtt.
23. 7nm5f 38 MSS. Sec V. 4. &c.
rb'W. 53 MSS. rhy, " afcendeth continually." i. e. never ceafeth.
PSALM LXXV.
nntyri' Perhaps for nVtiT), denoting a nine ftringed inftrumcnt.
See Pf. Ivii. This pfalra was probably compofed, as Patrick conjec-
tures.
C 147 ]
tures, on the deftruflion of Sennacherib's arm}'. Compare v. 5, 6,
with 2 Chron. xxxii,
V. 2. l"li!D "lOty mnpT. Houb. Sec. following 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. &
iEth. read "|J"lSD lOti'l N"lp21, " and nve will call upon tlry name, ise ivill
declare, &c." But by reading 11131, which is a ftill lefs alteration, we
have this fenfe, *' and thy wonderous works declare the glory of thy
name." See Pf. Ixxix. 9. A friend propofes mp *3.
3. Thefe may be the words of Hezekiah. Or of David, as Daubuz,
&c." Or of Jehovah, as Grotius, &c. As the firft line is defedive.
Hare reads "h DnviJ3> '* When I receive the congregations unto ?ne.'" Ed-
wards adds »J{<, or OJK> from the beginning of the next line. But from
the iimilitude of the words, 'Jfl*? may have been dropped, " When I re-
ceive the congregation before me — I 5cc." See Jerem. xxx. 20.
" Taking the congregation is akin to taking ///£" kingdom, D^n.v.'ilT
Seeker. D1£3{:>K 16 MSS.
4. DUai. Houb. reads D'iOJ, " The earth and all the inhabitants
thereof >zr^ ejlabli/lied." 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^th. read mOi, " The
land is dijfolved, &c." which feems to be right ; though 40 MSS. have
D'AIOi, which muft agree with n'niy», or as 17 MSS. n'lC^r. Thefe
words, as Muis and others obferve, may defcribe the ruinous ftate of the
Jewifli polity. See Ifai. xxiv. where \"1Nn might be rendered, " the
land. i. e. of fudcea. See Poole.
5. This and the following verfes might be a part of the anfwer fent
by Hezekiah to Sennacherib. See 2 Chron. xxxii. 20.
"ibinn 15 MSS. and one at firfl "ibbnn, perhaps better ibVinn. Our
old Verf. reads D3i1|?, ** your horn" which feems right, though there
is no authority for it.
6. We muft either repeat Vk, with 6. Vulg. 6c ^th. or read "nnm,
with Syr. & Ar. ; the force of the negative being carried on.
7* liyttai KVIOJO ^ O. If this reading is retained, there is no men-
tion of the north, as Hare obferves i nor is this ditliculty fufficiently
P p 2 cleared
[ U8 J
cleared up by him, or Edwards. Houb. reads n"iyDa CD\Si'"iD, " non
funf egrejfiones, five, tffugia ab Occident e, nee a deferto montlum." Seeker
thinks this reading from Syr. unnatural, but obferves that all the Verf.
join Dnn with nn^D, and tranflate it mountains. But might we read
'Sy2'''yr\ for Csnn, and nnvas 1JN»Via nVh, as an anfwer to the preecding
infult, " Did he not bring us out of the defert — and did he not lift us up
out of the wildernefs ?" See Deut. xxxii. lo, ii.
8. DStr. 51 MSS. read IDfllty ; and as the metre of the Collat. whieh
feems preferable, is defeftive. Kin fhould probably follow, as in Pf. 1.
6, " For God is judge himfelf."
9. Reading with Durell \'0» for IVD', and with him and one MS.
IDty'l for ^nt^'^ I would divide the metre thus,
&c, O
&c. V'1
&c. inty'i
*• For there is a cup in the hand of Jehovah — and the wine is turbid, a
full mixture — and he will pour out of it ; furely the dregs thereof he
will prcfs out — <iniallthc wicked of the earth fliall drink." For the
pfalmift feems to allude to the cuflrom of the Jews, who gave wine
mingled with Myrrh to thofe who were condemned to die; for which
fee Mede on Matt, xxvii. 34. &c. " Mixtum, fay -others, vel aliis vi-
norum generibus, qualia fortius incbriant : vel hcrbis veneniferis." See
Grot. &c. on Rev. xiv. 10, which probably alludes to this paflage. But
a friend conjedlures that 6. might read ^DO K*?!* axfors j though, as
Seeker obferves, the fame phrafe occurs Ifai. Ixv. 1 1 . where we fhould
read ^DO, not ^DDD. If we read with Lowth according to 6. Syr. Vulg.
Ar. & ^th. nt b^ nrO» *' he poureth it out of one vejel into another-"
the prefent order is preferable. See his notes on Ifai. p. 14. A friend
alfo refers for this reading to Horn. Hi. n. 527.
lo. t:»k.
[ 149 3
10. TAK. Hate, Houb. &c. following 6. Ar. & JEth. read b^^a, and
the former for the fake of fenfe and metre fupplies n»l (rather mn'l)
after It, ** But / wt'// rejoice in Jehovah for ever." But may not ytyD have
been accidentally dropt, " But I will declare his name for ever ?"
tD'jiyV 52 MSS.
11. VTJlK. Mudge fuppofes this to be fpoken by the prince, or fome
one in his perfon ; and by ^^"^"^ Hezekiah may be underftood. See verfe i.
The antithefis requires that we fhould read according to 6, Vulg. Syr.
Ar. & iEth. with Hare, &c. niODTIDI.
PSALM LXXVI.
FOR the title fee Pf. iv. i. The fiabjedl is generally fuppofed to
be the fame with that of the former ; or perhaps niay be only a con-
tinuation of it. See Lowth's notes on Ifai. p. no. mi'-1i2 67 MSS.
V. 3. IDID 45. MSS.
4. ♦Se^'l. The common acceptat/on of this word not being very fuitable
to the context, it is perhaps written by miftake for nflt^X. See Pf cxxvii.
5. But Pifc. &c. by an hypallage render it, " arcus Jcintillarum" i. e.
feint illantes.
nOn^DI. Syr. reads nttnbon, which is certainly preferable ; and the
miftake might arife from the former word's ending in n, ** There breakell
thou the quiver, the bow, — the fhield, and the fword, in the battle."
3 MS. omit the % and then the words may be in conftrudion, " the
fword of battle" Or « the battle fivord." As we fay the battle ax.
See Jerem, li. 20.
5. Hare and others making the contraft to lye between Mount Zion
and the mountains, in order to fupply the defedl in metre and fenfe,
read ^VJf nn after nnN, " Thou, 0 Mount Zion, art more glorious and
Q^q magni-
C 150 ]
magnificent than the mountains of prey." 6. Vulg, Ar. & JEth. for
pjTO Tead either iDIp, or as Houb. TTJ, " from the everlajling moun-
tains." But Seeker obferves that 6. do not tranflate the laft word fo in
the other two places, but a>a<re<ii Job xxiv. 5. and thinks that fome
tranfcriber may have changed it into aumiuv. Mudge renders the text,
" Thou fhoneft forth glorious from the mountains of prey." Durell,
*f. Thou art become glorious, yea mighty at the mountains of prey."
But making nniJ a verb, the words may be rendered thus, " the mighty
one Cometh glorious from the mountains of prey." i. e. God returnctk
in triumph to Jerufalem from the ilaughter of the enemy, who were
encamped about it, and ready to devour it like fo many ravenous beads.
See 2 Kings xviii. 17. A friend reads Kill for *11N*3, as in verfe 8.
6. Hare's metre in this verfe is preferable to that of the Collat.
ibVint:'}^. Houb. ibVntyn. Rather I'jV'intrn. Hare, &c. read with
6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. Vd before nOK, " All the flout hearted
are fpoiled, &c." 6. Vulg. Ch. & Ar. read tDH'T^, *' in manibus
fuis." But fee our Bib. Verf. Muis, &c. and 2 Kings xix. 35.
7. DID! nD"n D"n3. Hare, &c. read the verb in the plur. .321
13"T">:, with all the verfions ; and 8 MSS. have nD"). Houb. reads with
6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & /Eth. D'DID 'nDI. But the text may be rendered,
** both the rider, and the horfe." See Taylor's Concord, for this fenfe
of 1, Or perhaps we fliould read '2yr\- Mr. Bradley would read the
verb and the nouns in the plur. •* the riders and the horfes hawe-f(^nt
8. Some word feems to be wanting in the firft line of this verfe ac-
cording to the Collat. Ch. fupplies D'n^X Kin, " tu ipfe Deus," Houb,
reads niNJ, " Thou art terrible, thou art glorious." But perhaps ^^2'7
has been omitted, ** Thou art to be feared, thou only." See 2 Kings
xix. 15. and Green's Verf.
"]flK tKS. Probably *^5KD» ** and who may ftand before thee in thine
anger." Houb. reads ?yo, *^ fra fortitudine hx^ Xmx" "DDV* 5 -MSS.
9. " In-
C 151 ]
■. g» f* Introducitor Deus av^^amimBZi, tanquam rex in alto folio fedens &
fententiam promulgans." Gej. Perhaps this may refer to 2 Kings
xix. 35.
10. One MS. reads «jy, ** all tht affliSied of the land A? V
1 1. "piru Lowth reads after Houb. *]nn» ** For thou Jliali break, or
JubiuBt the wrath of maji." And 2 MSS. have *]in.
nnKJy- As this word does not accord well with the context, per-
Jiaps wc {hould read XOT^t " the wrath of princes {halt thou reftrain."
See verfe 13. and 2 Kings xix- 28. 47 MSS. read m^nn. Mudge fup-
pofes that 6. read ifiHTS, which he follows, *< What remaineth of fu-
ries Jhall attend thy fejlivals" i. e. pay homage. Rather yyr\r\, io^ricre,,
12. ai^JDb is fcarcely confiftent with any grammatical rules, we fliould
Aerefore probably read KIIJV. See verfe 13. ''"'^^'*
12* ^Vy* ** ThQ knCe of rejrai'm'ng feems beft." Seeker. See our
old verfion.
PSALM LXXVII.
p O R the title fee Pf, xxxix. " Eft Ode medii charaderis ; & in
rario & insquali genere ab humili & fubmiflb exordio per juflifTimam
rcrum feriem afcendens ad fummum gradum fublimitatis." Lowth Prsl.
Perhaps this pfalm was compofed by Hezekiah during his iicknefs.
V. 2. npyifKl. All the verfions, except Ch. with one MS. omit the y
See Pf. cxlii. i .
3' :m» 18 MSS. read nin^.
n». Green reacjs with Ch. ♦i'V, " Mine eye trickled down.** Which
reading is ftrengthened by one MS. having ♦i'y ♦DB^IT n». See alfo
Lam. iii. 49. and Seeker. Houb. reads 'flai IT, ** His hand /mote me"
Durell this, or ';?:i3 to the fame purport ; either of which Syr. favors.
Q^q 2 Or
[ 152 ]
Or he would render nn:o, with Taylor, " his hand exhau/leth me.**
Ar. probably reads Tinna, / extended my hands in the night." Unlefs
the prefent verb will bear this fenfe,- for which fee Lowth from
Symm. tec.
Dnjn. One MS. of note reads with 6. Vulg. & iEth. Omn'j, €on-
folari. See Jerem. xxxi. 15. Ch. reads OninnV. See Gen. xxxvii.
35. One of which feems proper. - :
" 4. n'DriNV 3 MSS. read na'tHNI, which is more regular. See Pf. ly.
3. Perhaps we {hould read nOinNI, in Niph. Sec Buxt.
5. " T^hou holdeji the watches of mine eyes" i. e. *• kcepeft the eyc-
Kds from dropping down." See Muls.
m'TDDtt^ 19 MSS. This word occurs no where clfc.
6. The metre as well as fenfe requires that we (hould join m^ttt*
with 6. Ar. i^th. Hare and others, to the end of this verfe, .** I
have confidered the days of old — I have remembered the years that are paft."
See the Collat.
7. 'nyii. Lowth, &c. read according to 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & JEth.
'num. See alfo verfe 13. Hare makes it only a mufical mark; but his
reafon for rejefting it does not feem fufficient j though, as Seeker ob-
ferves, his guefs is ingenious.
B'Sn'l. Houb. ficc. read with 6. Vulg. Syr. & Ari KfflnKV ** jiad
in the night I meditated with my heart— I communed, and fearched my
fpirit." See our old Verf.
8. nit'. Syr, & Ar. probably read OPiif*, " Will Jehovah caft me
off for ever ?"
♦iTN. 19 MSS. mrv.
>)'D'. We fhould either read P\D' in Kal, or with 62 MSS. «)»0V- '
9. *1DK. We (hould read with Syr. Ar. & Houb. nDK, " Doth his
Word fail for ever ?" 6. & Vulg. omit this and the preceding word.
Many MSS. nm nn*?.
10. One
[ 153 3
10. One MS. reads ^bn, but on account of the metre perhaps D'n'jN
may be the true reading, and the lafl letters might be dropped from their
likenefs to thole which follow.
, II. 'mVn. Hare and others read 'mVni, ** Then I faid in my forrou;
this is the change of the right hand of the moft High." For which
fenfe of DlJt!' fee alfo 6. Vulg. & Lovvth. Prceleift. Others for mitt> read
'njyil, from HZ'H, referring to Jerem. x. 19. Mich, vii, 9. " And I faid
this is my infirmity, or my afflidlion," (i.e. the iifHi6lion appointed for
me) — ** and I ivill bear the right hand of the mofl high." But a friend
renders the text thus, ** Then I faid this mine infirmity is a change of
the right hand of the Almighty." ** i. e. is a proof that his protection,
exprefled by his right hdnd, is withdrawn from me." Durell, ** for
there are changes in the right hand, &c." •• Our tranflation cannot be
right, whatever is." Seeker. Might we read 'iK TiVD'H, Then I faid,
#** Can 1 change the right hand of the Moft High ?" Or, ^JK Tl'jVn,
** I will celebrate the years, &c. ?" See V. 6.
IDKI. 6 MSS more regularly nOINV
V 12. nOfK. Several MSS read -)3?K ; and 20 m3fK, which feems moft
proper.
♦3 rr 'hhvH" Houb. reads mn* T'^'jya, " I will remember thy works
O Jehovah — I will remember, &c." more agreeable to the context.
ytibQ all the Verf. with 15 MSS. See Pf Ixxviii. 12.
13. nVyS. All the Verf. with 16 MSS. read y^ySi, " of all thy
ivorks,"
14. t:flp2. *' Perhaps, in holinefs. Holy. Syr. Ch." Seeker. Might
it then be trnpn, '* Thy way, O God, is holy ?"
D'n'JKD. Hare and others read with 6. Vulg. Syr. Arab, and ^th.
"U'nbtO, which feems better, '• What God is great as our God V But
fee Seeker.
15. All the Verf. with 6 MSS. read nttflV ; and 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. &
^th. D'Nbs. "p)/ 8 MSS.
R r • 16. jnntn.
IL
I 154 ]
v'v.t6, yrwi.. HoiA. reads with all the vcrfions ivntl, " with tJiine
arm." See our Bib. Verf.
17. A piofl beautiful Profopopceia ; and an Afyndeton. Unlefs we
read with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. iEth. and a .friend ■j'7»n'%
niarrri. 44 MSS. more regularly niOVID.
i8. This thunder Aorm probably happened foon aft^f the Egyptians
j^c^p parched into the Red Sea. Sec Exod. xiv. 24. «•«
^ 19. "jaVAa. Houb. reads with one MS. b:)hXi, *' The voice of thy
thunder is Hie that of a wheel." which comparifon gives us the moll per-
fc<Sl idea of its rumbling found.
^,.;j2q,. Hare and others for the fake of the metre properly read XW7V at
the «nd of the firft line. " Tiiy way is in the fca, 0 Jehovah,"
T^'nt:*. 67 MSS. read iVjtyi, " ^nd thy path" Buxtorf himWf
admits this reading.
" And thy footfteps, 6ec." Rather, *• but thy footfteps, &c.** The fe^«
being returned to its former courfe. See Muis.
.21, God is often defcribed as a Jhepherd." One MS. reads pinKI,
and as 6. always render it 'Aaf^r, perhaps this is the true reading ; though
it no where appears in this form. *• The lenfes in this pfalm fecm not
tranflated confjflently, and it feems to end abruptly, as, if imperfwft."
Seeker.
PSALM LXXVIIL
V,.i. IF David was not the author of this pfalm, the exordium to it
in the two firil verfes could, not well be fpoken by any other perfon i .un-
lefs we fuppofe with Kennic. that tljey are not to be confidered as a pjM't
of it, but are a portion of the prophecies of Ifaiah. See gen. Difl*.
Seft. 84. 8. ^ut with the greateft deference to his authority, . David
is exprefsly ftiled a prophett Ads ii. 30. and the fate -of the Chriftian
Church
( 155 3
church was typified in that of the Jewi/h (o exadly, that the Mefliah
was predided under the title of Davit/. See Jerem. xxx. 9.
One MS. reads 1J»fi*n, which is more agreeable to the cbotext.
Ch. Syr. & Ar. with 7 MSS. D3Um, '' your ears r '^^^ '° ^*^^ ^*'*^
2. The feveral tranfadions of the Mt/Z^/V^/ covenant hereafter recited
might be well called parables and dark Jpeeches, or as Ar. my/leries,
conCdered as types or figures of the Chriftian ; and viewed in this light
afford ample matter of contemplation, ferving riot only as a fchool-maf-
ter to bring us unto Chrift, but to keep m% ftedfaft in faith andobediencfc
to David our King. ^.,...... ... ......... i..
nnflK 4 MSS. But the paragogic n feems herep'rop^f for "thd fake
of the metre, and for the fame reafon it might be omitted in nV'Hl*
with one MS.
00. One MS. reads 'O^D, ** from the antient days" See Ifai. xxili.
^. XKKvii. 26* ^cCjpji-ww. V(,i:»i j-w,
3. -JiTllNl. 42 MSS. more regularly irmnKI. ^Ji Pi bsniDJai amad
4. nn33. Hare reads with Syr. DTTOJ, " we will not hide them."
See our verfions. Houb, with 6. Vulg. & ^Eth. 'nnSJ, " they were
not hidden from, &c." But the verfion of a friend removes any neceflity
of a various reading, ** What we have heard, &c. we will not conceal
from, &c." -^^'^?^*^
VDN'jflJI. 40 MSS. more regularly vniK^Sai. -inTyi. One MS. ^W\
probably right. See A'«ffe %().,
5. See Dcut. iv. 9. ~
6. 6. Vulg. & JEth. feem to have read Ity^ before nbv, " the chil-
dren, whom they fliould beget." And if we fbpply this word, and read
iD'iSl, the metre of the two laft lines, which feems deficient, might
be improved thus, " That the generation to come might know them
"^and that the children, wltcm they fhould beget — fhould arife and de-
clare them to their children." Gejerus would likewife repeat ^jro*?,
but, as a friend obfervcs, it influences the fecond claufe*
^•yjyrri R r 2 MSS.
n 156 J
,MSS. 37 have laip'i and nb', or IT^V is more proper.
7. The metre of the lafl: line being deficient, may not TV*? have
been dropped, '• but keep his commandmentsys^r ever f"
8. rrn^l SS MSS. Ch. reads \»3D, which feems necefTary, unlcfs
with the other Verf. we fiipply "ItTK.
9. Y^M. Perhaps redundant. See Hare, &c, " The children of
Ephraim, '■iv/10 tlireiv with the bowt turned back in the day of battle."
And this may refer to their not driving out the Canaanites contrary to
the exprefs command of God. See Jofh. xvl. 10. and Grot, on Jud. i. 29.
Houb. reads the two participles as verbs with Ar. One MS. reads
'D1"n, with 6, Syr. 6c Vulg. See Seeker, and Jerem. iv. 29. But if we
retain both the participles, it may be proper for the fake of the metre
to make DJi'P the beginning of the lail line.
11. Their fear probably was the firfl caufe of their not driving out
the Canaanites, founded on their forgetfulnefs of God's former exertions
in their favor j and the Ephraimkes might behave the moft daftardly in
it. " VmK'7fliT 52 MSS."
12. Nbfi. All the verfions read D^N^S, or niK'jfl.
13. It feems neceflary to read I'Jf'l.
mtt'. 6. Vulg. & Ar. mt^n.
15. Dni', or as 43 MSS. DHIlf. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & Mih. read
1V;fn, " the Rock." And it is always fpoken of as one. See verfe 2.
pB?'V Houb. &c. read with all the Vcrf. DpK^'1, " and he gave
them to drink."
niOnnD. The conftrudtion requires that we fliould read with Hare
according to 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & JEih. Dinn3, *' as out of the great
deep" Or as one Ant. MS. nOinDD. Though all the verfions have
likewife the prcpofition D, or a.
j6. nvtv 26 MSS. more regularly N»yin; and we fhould read alfo
nnvv
17. Kicnb 17 MSS.
18. •jlKttf'7 Jl
[ ^Sl ]
18. hWih 12 MSS.
19. "jnDK. c. Syr. Ar. & ^th. read I^DNI, " and faid"
-jiny'? 22 MSS.
20. Hare's metre (eems more fultable to the reft of the pfahn.
21. One ant. MS. reads f|Ni for fjN* Cii.
23. V:f*V See Pf. xci. 11.
24. nDD'l. More regularly n*D,*2»1. See elfewhere. blDNb 11 MSS.
25. iD'TiaK. All the verfions render it, ** the bread of angels T But
as Gejerus and Durell obferve, the word never bears this fenfe, he
therefore tranflates it, *• the food of oxen" But fuppofing that they did
eat oxen at fame time in the Wlldernefs, thefe words refer to the miracu-
lous trarifadion recorded Exod. xvi. 11 — 16. and from comparing John
vi. 33. I am inclined to think that this word is written by miftakc for
D'n'?N, " Every one did eat the bread of God." Or for niH' nOK, ** of
the mighty fehovah.
26. We fliould render j;d» with 6. " He took away, or removed, the
eaft wind in the Heavens — and brought in &c." One MS. reads {<if», as
a friend obferves. 7 MSS. have itlVl. See verfe 4.
27. That thefe were quails fee Bochart, Harmer, &c. See verfe 24.
28. imriD. 3 MSS. having in'3n» we (hould read with Syr. Vulg.
Ar. & iEth. Dn»:n», " of their camps." Or with 6. in the fing.
'* of their camp." 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. read alfo iVfi'l. Ch. b'iyii
Perhaps DVfl'V See our Verf.
Vn'>33tys'7. The conftrudion requires that we fhould read with 6.
Vulg. Syr. Ar. & i^th. in the plur. Dn'miStyo'?.
29. ay. 32 MSS. with Houb. read N'l', more. grammatically.
30. T\U " They did not depart from their luft." . Vatablus. See Lowth
alfo. Mudge, &c. follow Aben Ezra, deriving it from Nif, " They did not
naufeate their wilhed-for food." But as one valuable MS. reads iV in-
ftead of vh, perhaps we might alfo read ntj " . They dealt proudly luith
him through their luft — while, &c."
S s 31. ♦« There-
[ is8 ]
3t. ** Ti*^r^/or^ the wrath, 6cc." See Num. xi. 33.
" Slew them omidji their fatneffes,. or, indulgences." JVIudgf. M^hich
Lowth approves. .wn'T 2 MSS. But the true reading feems to be
Dinn'1, " et interfecit eos." See iEth. Verf. Syr. & Vulg. read.fome
other word.
32. vnN'7£3J3. 44 MSS. vmx'^aJl, •• nou crediderunt in mirabilibus
ejus" Poole, and Seeker.
34. 6. Ar. & ii^th. read Vk Vi^» " and fought early unfa God." See
Job viii. 5. Hare and others read with Syr. & Vulg. v'7Nj " and
fought him early.
ZS' ts'^Ki:! 12 MSS.
38. py. We fhould read with Hare according to 6. Vulg. Ar. i^th.
& Ch. OJIJTj and for XVTW^, probably with Lowth according to Ch.
Vulg. Ar, & ^th. Dmn n»nty», or DD^niy*; with which readings the
metre of the Collat. feems preferable to that of Hare, or Edwards.
39. msrn. 6 MSS.
40. "jmiVV^ 2 MSS. which feems better; but Syr. reads the copula-
tive V See our Verf.
• 41. "nnn. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & JEih. read mon, " and provoked the
Holy one of Ifrael." See verfe 56. A friend propofes ivn*, and jyipl3,
** et errarunt ah fanBo Ifraelis." Perhaps the true reading might be
'bT\T\, *' and mocked the Holy, 6cc." See i Kings xviii. 27.
42. »ja. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read TO, " from the hand oi ^t.
enemy." i. e. Pharaoh, as the next verfe fliews. See Pf. cvii. 2.
.43. vmniK 19 MSS.
44. ** Their rivers" *' NilUs in multas foflas & rivos diduftus dl."
Muis. 1isn»1 3 MSS.
45. nny, ** The Dog Fly" Booh. &c. nnv 36 MSS. See MSS. in
Exod.
46. See Exod. x. 13.
47. inrr.
C 159 ]
47. Ann*. Houb. reads nilT. But 2 MSS. read yTtTV, and we ufe
the word to kill of trees, zs well as oi animals. All the Verf. read Qn'32-1.
See Gant.' ii. 13-
bojni being found no where clfe, it's fignificatlon is uncertain, o.
Vulg. & Ch. " with froji:' Syr. & Ar. *' with ice." Others, *' with
great hailjlonei." But might not this word be written for hiyr\ p&tl ?
See Jofh. x. 1 1. That Sycamore trees were of great ule among the Egyp-
tians fee Harmer's Obf. vol. 2. 387.
49. Durell making nnbjyo to be in appofition renders thus, '* the
mijjions of evil minifiers " viz. the fierce anger, 6tc. But one MS. at
firfl reading DO{<'7J2, perhaps the right reading might be DOXbon
n*7tf D, " he fent evil minijlers." Referring either to what preceded, or
fignifying htvthy pejiiletices, as a friend fuggefts. See Jerem. xxix. 17.
50. dVD'. 6. Vulg. Ar. & i!Eth. probably read VyS, *' he made."
See our verfions. But Walton renders Syr. " aperuit." Vatablus, &c.
render the text, viam complanavit, *' he levelled the way to his anger'*
All the verfions read DDVm.
5.1. D*J1K. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with Houb. &c. read Di")K, *' the
firft fruits of their Jlrength." Ar. reads Dn'31, '* the firft fruits of their
children" See Exod. xii. 29.
52. The firft line of this verfe being defective, perhaps we (hould
read niH' at the end, *• But Jehovah made, &;c."
53. D.Tl'K 49 MSS.
54. *' This fnountain." I. e. Zion; which the pfalmift might point'to
with his finger. See Gejer. .,...., _
" bin:! in Arabibus fign. montem." Hammond. See Seeker alfo.
SS' Db'fl'1. " Et cadere fecit eas." i. e. gentes. Hare. And this
fenfe of the word feeming equally pertinent, perhaps for n'jni we
ihould read DbnJ, ** and he made them fall in the lot of their inheritance"
For it has been by fome learned men conjedured, that the land of
Canaan was originally the allotment of Heber and his defcendants, and
-1/ S s 2 that
C 160 ]
that the Canaanites had obtained it by force and violence; for which
realbn amongft others they were expelled from it, and the Hebrews
reinftated. See Gen. xi. 1.5. xiii. 15. i Chron. i. 24 — 27. and Bry-
ant's Obf. But fee Pf. cv. 11, 12, 44. and Pf. cxi. 7.
$•]. n'O") Dtt'pD, " like a deceitful bow." This comparlfon does not
feem to convey a fuitable idea either here, or Hof. vii. 16. Might we
then venture to read in both places Dii'KD, " like a deceitful laoman ?"
Backfliding Ifrael being often reprefented under the charader of an adul^
trefs. See Ezek. xvi. 32. And the laft line of the next verfe ftrongly
countenances this reading, ** cmd they made him jealous with their images."
See Exod. xx. 5.
60. tbtf. 6 MSS. read rb\D, in which form it is mofl frequently
found i 17 nVty, & 9 iVa^.
D1K3. ** Infignis fAavSfwm'aj divinsE commendatio." Gej,
61. irv- 6 MSS. Wo. Vulg. Ar. & Mih. read DtlV, V their Jlrength."
But as the ark was the fymbol of God's prefence, the text is juftified
by Pf. cxxxii. 7.
63. ibbin, " loere not praifed." i. e. In jnai-riage. See Pifcator and
others. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth.. with one MS. at firrt: read l'7'7in, which
they rendered, '• were not lamented'" from VlH dolere. Syr. omits the
negative, '* exagitata funt." Lowth adheres to our old Verf. of. this
and the following verfe. Might we read I'jan, *' were notfpared?" See
Deut. xxxii. 33.
rnbinm. 26 MSS. Vmbinn, more regular.
64. vn^D^NI. 28 MSS. vmit:VNV This verfe is fuppofed to refer
to 1 Sam. iv. II.
65. *• Ni fallor ex iis imaginibus, quae ad Deum transferuotur, illae po-
tiffimum, quae in fenfu proprio acceptae ab ejus natura alieniffimje ejufque
Majeftate indigniffimae videntur, tamen in metaphora aut comparatione
longe maximam habent fublimitatem. vid. Jerem. xxv. 30." Lowth»
rp"i
I
C t6i ]
Xpn 2 MSS. ; but the 1 here may not be converfive, and may be
rendered " So," or, " f/ien." See our Verf. ]Vr:i, *' tanqmm dormiens:''
6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^Eth. perhaps ^tt'VD. But fee Buxtorf, &c. mn*
13 MSS.
66. See i Sam. v. 6. The metre feems to require VTlVa. 6. Vulg.
Ch. Ar. & yEth. read -nn^a. Syr. mnND.
69. D»D"1 lODf iicut excelfa, " ^j- the high places" i. e. After the man-
ner of the heathen temples. See Spencer de Leg. Heb. Hare and others
read with Syr. & /Eth. DVIOn, " on high" Durell D^-) tsd^, to the
fame fenfe. " Sicut caelos cxcelfos." Gej. 6. Vulg. Ch» he Mxh.
probably read D*22N"1, " Sicut unicornium." But from the next
fentence it is not improbable that we fhould read D'lrr, ** and he built
his fanftuary like the mountains." Or if we read with Durell according
to 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. iEth. and 6 MSS. pK2, inflead^'of pK3, per-
haps nniOl might be better, '* and he built his fanduary on Moriah —
and eftabliflied it in the land for ever/' *♦ The mention of the temple be-
fore David, a remarkable anticipation." Seeker.
70. riKbaoa. 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & ^th. with 68 MSS. read mKbDOD.
71. ** mby probably fignifies cattle, which have brought forth their
young. See i Sam. vi. 7, 10." Seeker, tojr. Lowth reads with 6. Vulg.
Ar. & Mth. -niV, ** Jacob his fervant."
72. DHD. Houb. and others with 19 MSS. read with all the verfions
Dna, *' in the integrity of his heart." Or rather with 8 tSIDl. See
Prov. X. 9.
nwnnnv 6. Syr. Ar. & i^th. read DiUnin, in the fing.
PSALM LXXIX.
I T is generally fuppofed that this pfalm was compofcd by Jere-
miah on the taking of Jerufalem by Nebuchadnezzar, See Muis, &c.
T t V. 2.
[ 162 ]
V. 2. nbi:. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & JEth. read n^Vn3, in the plur.
One MS. perhaps reads '?3K3'7. See Ezek. xlvii. 12.
ID'nV. Houb. reads pxn irn*? with Syr» but all the other verfions
have the plur. nvnS See Pf. 1. 10.
3. nip 48 MSB. " and there was no grave." But all the Verf. fa-
vor the text.
5. Our old Verf. feems preferable; and for fiO ny perhaps we fhould
read HDV, as in Pf. Ixxiv. i.
6. y\S:^ 40 MSS.
7. b^a. All the verfions with 12 MSS. Houb. &c. read "j'jstif.
See Jerem. x. 25. which, by omitting with one MS. the two follow-
ing verbs, will be exadly parallel to this. See Seeker.
8. njiy. All the verfions with 6y MSS. read mW> *^ the iniquities
of our forefathers." mDin 15 MSS.
9. ^I2t:^ IIID- By reading *]Ta3 a tautology is avoided, " Help us,
O God of our falvation, for the fake of thy glory — and deliver, &c."
IJ'riNDn. 2 MSS. more regularly lyniKOn.
10. D'lin. ** 6. and Vulg. DnA2." Seeker. Add alfo Ar. &
iEth.
D'':Q. 66 MSS. read D»'i:a, in which form it appears in more than
400 places ; and this is one inconteftible proof of the corruption of the
text. As this line in the Collat. feems defedtive, may not mn' have
been dropped at the beginning of it from its likenefs to yiv, " O Je^
hovah, let the vengeance, &c." Or, as a friend reads, VTin, " notam fac
ultionem, &c." which avoids the grammatical irregularity j on which
account Seeker confiders r\'Q[i'^, as the preterperf. ufed imperatively,
'* revenge the blood."
II. TDN. 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & iEth. read D'TDi*, " let the groaning
^ the pr if oners come before thee."
V^IJD. 35 MSS. read blliD ; and though it appears nowhere in this
form, feveral MSS. read fo in Deut. xxxii. 3.
nnion.
C 163 ]
nmon. Wc fhould probably read here, and Pf. cii. 21. nmjsn, as
in Pf. cxvi. 15. " According to the greatnefs of thine arm, prefervc
thou the fans of death" i. e. Thofe appointed to die.
-12. 'JIK. 49 MSS. read mn*.
13. Two MSS. omitting dSivV, this verfe might be divided into
two lines conformably to feveral verfes going before, (See CoUat.) " So
we thy people, and fheep of thy pafture, will give thee thanks — We
will declare thy praife to all generations."
PSALM LXXX.
Vk. 14 MSS. read by, as in Pf. xlv.
nny. *' Puto hanc efle vocem mulicam hodie ignotam." Muis. Per-
haps we fhould read mbv, afcendere, to denote that the pfalm was to
be fung in an high key. See Pf. vi. i.
Patrick refers the fubjedt of this pfalm to Hezekiah's reign. Merrick
fuppofes from verfe the 3d, *' that it might have been written at a
time, when fome enemy was advancing towards Ephraim, Benjamin, and
Manajfes, or was diredting his march to yerufalem thro' their territories."
Others bring it down to the Babylonifh captivity, and Jeremiah might
perhaps be the author of it. See Pf. Ixxix.
V. 2. nn. 14 MSS. 7\VT\ more regular.
The 2d line of this verfe being defedive I would fupply )}J2^ with
Hare and others, but place it at the end i ** O thou fhepherd of Ifrael
hearken — thou, that leddejl Jofeph like a flock, hear — thou, that didji
dwell between the Cherubim, fliine forth." XT\i. Syr. reads, as a friend
obferves, yn^], " et rege." 11 MSS. have :im3, and no lefs than 45.
D»113n. 6^ MSS. read tSUIIDn and as 6. have xefoi-^'M here and elfe-
where, this is probably the true reading, though fo often found with-
out the % Patrick's difficulty with refpedt to the appearance of the
T t 2 Schechinah
[ i64 J
Shechinah at the time of the BabyloniHi captivity is remcved by this
tranflation; for which fee Pifcator. One MS. reads yȣ)in.
3. The objedlion to this verfe referring to the captivity is likewife ob-
viated by Tirinus's reafon, to which Patrick himfelf accedes, ** Tres
tike Tribus caftrametabantur in deferto ad Areas plagam Orientalem, /. e.
ad Sandlum Sandtorum, Numb. ii. 18, 24. Cui infiftens hie Propheta
ro^at, ficut ohm, O Deus, fingulari favore in deferto femper prefens
fuifti tribus illis tribubus, ita nunc quoque te iifdem (6c cum illis toti Ifraeli)
fingulari ope prasfcntem oftende."
^:tb. 9 MSS. read ♦jn'j, *' For the children of Ephraim, &c," See
V. I. p'ilV The true reading is ]»a'in, or according to Syr. & Vulg.
with one very ant. MS. ^♦0»J3. See Pf. Ixviii. 28.
mmy. This word feems to convey the idea of God's having been
ajleep during the Babylonifh captivity. See Ifai. li. 9. Our marginal
tranflation of the lafl line of this verfe is more literal, and more em-
ohatical.
1.
nnyity'? 70 MSS. See Pf. iii. 3.
4. lil't^n. Mudge and others, following Ch. Syr. and Ar. render it,
" Rejlore us." As Muis obferves, this being an intercalary verfe, we
Ihould read this and V. 8. conformably to V. 20. '* Reflore us, O Je-
hovah, God of hofts." Two MSS. read here XWl'i tSM^K. Rather
»n'7t* in this and the other places. Sec Pf. lix. 6.
5. ** How long ivilt thou fmoke againfl, &c. ?" See our margin.
Vcrf.
^Dy. Lowth reads with 6. Syr. Vulg. & Mxh. Trny. '* of thy Jet'
vant" But the following verfe favors the text j unlefs we read yiiy
with Ar. and one MS. •* of thy fervants"
6. "lO'pirm 14 MS. See Pf. lix. 11. K^'bl^ mVOin, " In lachry-
marum terna menfura." ** Significat tres clades bello acceptas." Houb.
But as 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read ty»'j{y3, perhaps we fhould read
myDTH, ** and thou giveft them tears to drink in a great meafure." i. e.
A tierce.
C ^es ]
yi tierce. See Muis. Ch. renders the text, as a friend obferves, adver-
bially, as among the Latins, terque quaterqiie.
7. irj'?. We fliould read with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & Rx\\. Houb. and
one ant. MS. at firft li^, " and our enemies laugh us to fcorn." Seeker
thinks it may be pleonaflic. But the metre feems to require fome word.
8. One valuable MS. with 6. reflores mn» before D^^'7^f, " ReRore
us, O 'Jehovah, God of hofls." See verfe 4.
9. nvonv 18 MSS. read H'VtOm. Otherwife n may by a coalition
ferve for the radical and the affix. See Pf. ii. 12. lix. 11. Jerem. ii. 21.
10. n'Ji3, &c. God is here reprefented under the charaifler of a huf-
bandman preparing the land for the reception of his favorite vine. See
Ifal. V. I. and if we read with one MS. rw^\i) for n'^nty, the whole
might be rendered. " Thou preparedft for it, (or as Houb. " thou
didjl ckanfe a place for it") that it might take root — it took root, and filled
the land." Dupell would render it, " thou didft remove every obftacle
before it." '{y^rs 5 MSS. emphatically, " the land.'' ■
11. Houb. and Lowth following 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read nOO
for 1DD, " Her fhadow fowr^^ the mountains ; and her boughs (covered)
the cedars of God." Seeker renders the latter part, " ajtd the goodly
cedars ivith the houghs thereof." Hare and others for nV ■» read nblfJD with
Syr. See our Verf.
12. Compare Deut. xi. 24. with this verfe, which refers to the reigns
of David and Solomon.
13. nny. 13 MSS. more regularly nnV.
14. nJJDD*l3». This word appears no where elfe ; and for the different
fenfes put upon it fee Boch. Aben Ezra reads nJD'JT, conculcavit ea?n,
which is ftrongly countenanced by Ifai. xxviii. 3. Perhaps we {hould
render niVT, " breaketh it down."
T 'J3. Bochart fuppofes that the fufpenfion of the jr in this word de-
notes the 70 years of the Babylonijli captivity ; but 50 MSS. have the
word regularly "l^'D ; and as the boar out of the wood nii^t fignify
U u Senna^
[ '66 ]
Stennacherih, the heajl of the field might mean Nebuchadnezzar. See
Pf. Ixxiv, 19.
15. npST 22 MSS.
16. MSS. If read nJ31, which Seeker following Bochart, ren-
ders, ** and the plant." But as this word occurs no where elfe, and
the critics are greatly divided about the fenfe of it, Houbigant's con-
flru6tion agreeable to 6. Vulg. & Ar. adopted by a friend, feems moft
eligible, " et fuff'alci earn ;" and for p he alfo reads p with 3 MSS.
*' propterea en'm." Unlefs we omit this laft line with Hare and others.
See Seeker alfo on verfe 18. Durell propofes this fenfe, •' And the foun-
dation, which thy right hand hath fettled — and the building that, &c."
giving p the fenfe of n2. Mr. Bradley offers 2.I for p, " the branch."
But for p "^yi, might we read \\'hy, " and protecft that, which thy right
hand hath planted — 0 viofi high, (which) thou haft made, &c. ?" Or
rn "7X1, attd defpife not that which thou haft made, &c. ?"
nVJ3i< 60 MSS. as in verfe 18.
17. nsntt^ 50 MSS.
nmD3. 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & &xh. with 3 MSS. Hare, &;c. read
nmDDI, " ^wJ cut down."
niN'. This verb wanting a nominative cafe. Seeker refers back for
it to verfe 13. But may not "j'l'K through it's fimilitude to the former
word, have been dropped from the end of the verfe, " Let thine enc'
mies pcrifti, &c. ?"
18. " The man of thy right hand" and, '* the Son of Man." Gejerus,
6cc. fuppofe thefe titles to belong to the Mejiah, referring to Pf. .ex. i.
Patrick refers them to Hezekiah. Mudge and others to Jofiah. Muis,
&c. to the people of Ifrael. But from comparing 2 Chron. xxxvi. 22,
23. Ifai. xliv. 26 — 28. xlv. 1 — ir, and Jerem. xxv. 12, 13. with this
verfe, might not Jeremiah, or whofoever was the author of this pfalm,
mean Cyrus by thefe titles, who was propheGed of as the reftorer of
Ifrael by name above a hundred years before his birth ? For I have
little
1
C 167 ]
little doubt but that wc ftiould render »il in Ifai. xlv. 1 1 . " my fan," in-
ftead oi my fans, as denoting Cyrus, agreeable to the fubfequent part of the
context, and ♦nptnn in verfe i . anfwers exadly to DVOK here.
19. The metre of the firft line of this verfe appearing defedive, per-
haps we fhould read "ivV, or dViv'? at the end, ** and let us not be
turned away from thee /or ever."
PSALM LXXXI.
FOR the title fee Pf. viii. i. and Ainfworth. " Perfedla Ods mixtae,
fc. fuavis & fublimis, fpecies." Lowth, and the fame learned author
fuppofes it to be written for the celebration of the Jubilee. Some for the
new moon. Others for the full moon. De Dieu, &c. for any Jlated
time, deriving HDD from DDD, numeravit. See Prov. vii. 20. But if
Shuckford's reading D^Dn for HDOl in verfe 4. be admitted, it fixes
it to the feajl of tabernacles, (as Hammond and others determine) " on
the day of our feaft of tabernacles." See Connedt. Vol. III. Pref. p. 20.
And then ought we not to read m^DHI, " Blow the trumpet in the new
moon, and on the day, &c. ?"
3. MSS. 20. read ^^r\. See Pf. cxllx. 3. mi'Dl 2 MSS. with Syr.
4. Syr. reads with 48 MSS. I3»:in, in the plur. *• This may be meant
of all feafts, or in fpecial." Ainfw.
5. bNlty'V. Hare and others read bKIti^' bi>h, *' For this is a ftatute
of the God of Ifrael."
pin 12 MSS. All the Verf. (except Ch.) with 15 MSS. tJSSyOl.
6. t]Din'n. Certainly f)DVl, although no MSS. notice it.
Vy- Ainfworth more properly with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^th. bVD.
yOt^K »nVT. Hare and others read with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & JEth.
yati^ VT i and as one MS. reads DQ^ H, I apprehend the true reading
was nS^y 'K, " He ordained it for a teftimony in Jofeph — when he went
U u 2 out
[ i68 1
oni from the Land of Egypt — iv/iere he heard a language he did not know"
i. e. when he was fold into Egypt. " Alii hoc intelligunt de Lingua
Domini." Genebrard, Patrick, &c.
7. ^^^, ''from the brick tray." Mudge. " from the labourer's bajket"
which was probably employed in carrying of Bricks. Green. The word
fignifies, fays a friend, a great veJJ'el in which the earth was mixed for
making the bricks. See Buxt. alfo.
8. DV"! "IDD!!. Caftalioj Lowth, 6cc. would refer thefe words to the
giving the law at Mount Sinai. Muis and others to fome preceding
event. See Exod. ix. 23. xiv. 24, 25. Houb. reads ID^II* " I heard
thee in fecret, and alfo — I proved, &c." But Seeker thinks his objedion
to the text abfurd.
9. As a friend obferves one MS. fupplies H'lnK'l with Syr. & Ar.
" Hear, O my people, and 1 ivill fpeak; I will alfo teftify againft, &c."
10. " There lliould not have been in thee, &c." See Durell.
mnn^n. One valuable MS. reads nnntrn. See Pf. xlii. 6.
11. nmn. Preter. in Hoph. •* Thy mouth was opejied wide, and I
filled it." This refers, as Durell rightly obferves, to the fnanna, and
quails in the Wildernefs. Though 2 MSS. read 2'n")n. Houb. renders
it, '♦ dilatavi"
13. ** It is a judgment of God to fufFer people to walk in their own
ways." Ainfworth.
14. ^)Xy:}'<. Syr. & Ar. "jHTky'l, " ^nd Ifrael" See our Bib. Verf.
15. DH'n'K 48 MSS.
16. y^T\y. Rather iJ^nD*. See Pf. xviii. 45. A friend obferves that
Syr. derives pnV from TS\V, fubvertere ', it therefore may be rendered,
«* and their deJiruSlion fhall be for ever." which flrengthens the remark
at the end of verfe 17.
17- inVOK'1. Hare and others "inbONI more properly; but the true
reading feems to be dVdNI, ** and I would have fed them." See 6. Vulg.
Ar. & JEth.
[ ^eg J
'y\)it:- Houb. 6cc. P|*iVa. and inllead of ^Vna^N, the conArudicm re-
quires that we fliould read with 6. Vulg. Ar. vEth. and one MS,
DV'ltyj^* " ^«^' tvifh the honey roOTi^ JJiould I have Jatisjied them.'' Houb.
conjedtures very probably, as a friend remarks, that verfc 17. fhould pre-
cede verfe 16.
PSALM LXXXIL
THIS pfalm was probably compofed, as Patrick conjectures, by
Afaph, the Seer, in the corrupt times of Hezeh'ah.
V, 1. ba mvn, ** in the congregation of God" " 'u^.fiia; fc
Numb. X. 29. Luc. iii. 19." Grot. &c. But all the verfions read in
the plur. D'bK, or D'H^K ', and as Hare with Houb. propofes reading "jK
twice, the original pofition of the words might be,
&c. bN
♦* Goi/ftandeth in the congregation of the judges — G(?i/ judge th among
the judges." See Ifai. i. 23, 24. and verfe 6. A friend omits b^ with
one good MS. tOlSty' 7 MSS.
2. God by a profopopceia addrelTes himfelf to the judges of Ifrael.
See Pifc.
4. Ch. Ar, Alex. Verf. and our own read the affix, or DflK,
after lVl»n, " fave them from the hand of the wicked." Or as one
MS. has p'nKI Dir)'1> perhaps DHt^T niay be dropped before TD. Seeker
divides with Houb. ** Deliver the poor; and fave the needy. Sec."
7. DHB^n inK31, " Sicut unus e multis" i. e. " Plebeiist O prmcipes i
de quibus ante dixerat, occidetis." Gataker, &c. Hare, Lowth,
&c. read 'O^W^n, " and ye fhall fall like one of the poor." Others
propofe DnDn> ^ being ufed for D, " and fall like one of the com-
X X mon
[ 170 ]
mon tratffgreJJ'ors.'* See Jerem. vi. 28. But perhaps lor iriKDl we fhould
read nnt^SV ** and ye fl^ all fall, 0 ye princes, like any other man" See
Pf. cix. 8.
8. '?Plin, ** For thou pojjefejl all the nations." And one MS. omits the
1 'in Vsn, with which the verb does not appear elfe where.
PSALM LXXXIII.
IT is generally agreed that this pfalm refers to the confpiracy men-
tioned 2 Chron. xx.
V. 2. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. i^th. read, as a friend obfervcs, '3 for bK
ill, " O God, -who is like unto thee ?" One ant. MS. omits the three
following words, " 0 God, hold not thy peace, &c." OlpK^n 10 MSS;
•?« 4th. Hare reads 'Vs*, "and be not ftill, 0 my God." A friend
thinks it redundant.
3. " Antithefis eft inter Dei filentium, & hoftium ftrepentera tumul-
tum." Gejer.
I'l'K 37 MSS.
4. T^SV. 4 MSS. read "jJlflV. All the Verf. (except Ch.^ feem to
have read ^n'Dn. See Pf. Ixxix. 2. The Ifraelites are called God's
peculiar treajurey Exod. xix. 5. See Patrick, &c.
6. nn* 2*7. Syr. reads Dn*?!* '* corde fuofimul." Ch. prefixes ^33,
*' with the whole heart." Ar. reads ybv^ ^THK l*?!, *' for they con-
fulted together with one heart, and were, &c." See Seeker, and our
Bib. Marg. Houb. reads ybv^ *in' n'72, *' confilium ceperunt unanimi
corde, et adverfum te," One MS. reads '^\'hv^•
7. *• The tabernacles, &c." alluding to their dwelling in tents. This
and the following verfe are connected by Houb. with what precedes.
8. '3»V 25 MSS. For thefe feveral nations fee Boch. and Poole.
9. vr\u
C ^n ]
9. jmt. As Seeker obferves, 6. Vulg. Syr. Ch. probably read "Wil,
" and were for an help to the children of lot." The Moabites calling
in the aid of the Ajfyrians.
11. 1N"I. 2 MSS. read nn, as in Jofli. xvii. 11.
12. "iDinj IJDD'ty. Houb. Sec. read with 6. Vulg. Ar. 6c -^.th. D'lT,
" Mfl/^^ their princes, &c." Hare ISinJI laD'tl', " make them and their,
&CC." Perhaps rather DD'Ji', ** fnake them and their, 6lc" See Ch. &
Seeker.
MSS. 7 more regularly lO'lHi, as 1 2 13»D»D3, and ^7 l'^IJ'3- Sec
Judg. vii. 25. where the various reading is remarkable.
13. mx:. Alex. V. & Vulg. read tyipa. 6. Vulg. Ar. and ^.th.
ni?0. Syr. yy. Perhaps it fliould be, as the metre of the Collat. ap-
pears defedive, yy mXJ, " let us take into our pofleffion the beautiful
c//y-ofGod." But fee Seeker
14. ^:by2t *• Like chaff." See Pifeator and others with Ifai. xvii.
13. A friend, " like eddying dujl."
15. This and the following verfe feem moft properly pointed in our
Bib. Verf. but Hammond conneds them both with the preceding.
** The mountains." i. e. " Arbores and herbas in montibusj quas
quandoque fulmine tadae incenduntur." Muis, &c. '* Vel montes
fulphureos -, quales iEtna, Vcfuvius, &c." Genebrard, &c.
18. Hare's metre, and that of the Collat. being deficient, following
the latter I would read DblV*? at the end of the laft line, " They fliall
be afliamed and difniayed for ever — and they fhall be confounded and
fiQxi{h eternally. tJ'in* 8 MSS.
19. The metre of the Collat. feems preferable to Edwards's. Houb.
reads by a tranfpofition, which one MS. favors, "linb HDNT "]Oty mn%
" and they fhall know that thy name is Jehovah — and that thou alone
art, &c." Hare would omit mn* ^Dty, but I would only omit "JOty upon
the authority 6f 3 MSS. and they fliall know that thou, 0 Jehovah—
art alone the moji High, &c."
P S A L M
C 172 ]
P S A L M LXXXIV.
n'n.in. If wc might read Cmn, " concerning ihe Gittites," (Sec
Pf. viii.) — this piiihn might refer to i Sam. xxi. 10 ; for the opinion of
Mollerus that David compofed it on his flight from Saul, as he did Pf.
xlii. and Ixiii. is not altogether improbable ; though fome afcribe it to
the time of Abjaloni. Others to that of the Babylonijli captivity. Patrick
to Hezekialis reign.
V. 2. Compare Pf. Ixiii. i.
3. bK I ft. 2 MSS. read bisl, and 3 omit bt* 2'd. So that the true
reading may be 'PI hvh.
4. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & iEth. read yh^ after D'l, and from compar-
ing it with the words terminating the former Ime both in Hare and the
Collat. the omillion may be accounted for, " Even the Sparrow hath
found an houfe for hhufelf." Sparrows and Swallows in this climate alfo
frequent public buildings. But Bochart according to 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar.
jEth. & Ch. underflands TiTT of the Dove, or Turtle. See Merrick alfo ;
and Bochart obviates the difficulty with refpe(ft to their making their nefls
upon the altars, by fuppofing thefe to be put figuratively for the whole
edifice. But a friend reads with one MS. "7^ for DK, " near thy altars"
mKlif. One MS. omits this word, which according to the Col-
lation may be redundant, " thy altars, 0 Jehovah, my King and my
God."
5. I fliould be inclined to read D'^£J'}< here, as it muftbe plur. if there
was any authority.
niy. Houb. reads with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & iEthi IV*?, " they
will praife thee for ever."
6. Lowth
C 173 ]
6. Lowth gives up this and the two following verfes. Houb. reads
iDil, nnty» VVD, NDnn pDVa TQV"? nn^^n l*? 'jDD, " Cujus in cordefiduda eft ;
ut tranfeat per valkm pyrorwn, defonte bibat, et de eis pifcinis quas implevh
pluvia." Durell renders this verfe, " Bleffed is the man whofe ftrength
is in thee, in whofe heart are praifes." Madge and others, the latter
part of it, " that travels the roads to thy temple with full bent of heart."
But reading nVw inflead of 'b tlV, and *)nibDD with Syr. might not tlie
words bear this interpretation, " Bleffed are they who rejoice in thee, in
whofe heart are thy praifes, or thy ways?" See Pf. Ixviii. 5. and xli. 2.
7. Durell reading with others, and 9 MS3. nDlH for NDnn, and de-
riving mia from mo, to change, gives this conftrudion, " Paffmg
through the vale of weeping, they will make it a fource even of blefjings -,
it will put on a new face, or it will be cloathed with a change." A friend
fuggefting Dn'j n^, or tziny for '^ W, and likewife reading imVOD
in verfe 6. gives this fenfe of the words, " Bleffed are the men, whofe
firength is in thee, in whofe heart are thy ways, paffing through the vale
of mifery they drink from a fountain, the rain fills even the pools." Mr.
Bradley, following the Syr. Verf. which reads ]Wt2, propofes this con-
ftruftion, " They who go throiigh the valley of weeping fhall make
it a habitation — even the pool (of weeping) (hall drop down rain." Sup-
pofing that nS^inhas by accident been omitted in the lafl: line; He would
likewife read mba in the former verfe. But reading inna?» with 3 MSS.
for imn^t^S the following fenfe is fubmitted to confideration, ** Paffing
through the valley of Baca, they Jliall drink of the fountain — the rain alfo
fhall fill the pools." Alluding perhaps, as Caftalio obferves, to tht foun-
tain in the Wildernefs ; and with refpeft to the pools he further remarks,
" ut plurimae in calidis &'iiticulofis illis regionibus indub'iQ ci/lerme erant;
ita vero non abfimile eff, nonnullas in defertis locis viatoribus reficiendis
conftitutas fuiffe, quas hie in valle, &c. a Deo implendas dicit." nny
7 MSS. and one Dnmj/. The valley of Baca is fuppofed by fome to have
been a part of the valley of Rephaim, 2 Sam. v. 22, 23. See Poole.
Mann, as Mr. Bradley obferves, makes it a village on the edge of Galilee.
Y y 8. « Robur
C 174 ]
8. *• Robur eundo quafi crefclt." Gejerus. See Merr, alfo.
HNT. 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. " The God of Gods JJialJ be Jeen in
Zion." Perhaps 1KT, " Jkey Jhall fee, &c."
9. In this laft part of the pfalm David particularly requefts of God
that this pleafure may be vouchfafed to him.
CnVN. We fliould read with Kennicott »nbK. See Pf. lix. 6.
10. liJ:ia. Rather 'ii^o, " my defender," to anfwer to "jn'K^D, which
fcems to fix the pfalm to David, who was the anointed of the Lord be-
fore he fled to Gath. See i Sam. xvi. 13.
11. All the Verf. read TnK DV, which the antithefis calls for.
VJyi. Hare, &c. read with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & iEth. D'Vtin for the
fake of the fenfe and metre.
12. Comparing the metre of the Collat. with Hare's, omitting the
2d. niiT, I would divide the two firft lines thus,
&c. »3
&c. B'nbK
," For Jehovah is a fun and a ihield — God will give grace and glory."
But as Hare, &c. have obferved, the verfions differ widely in the firft
part of this verfe. Ch. reads D") mtt? mums exceljus for ti^OtJ^; which
Hare fufpedts may be written for VtyiDtyDV, in the Chald. fenfe of the
word, ** For Jehovah is a fhield to his fervants." Houb. would read.
IDti* (rather ^t^W) " a prote^or znd (hield." which cofrefponds better;
but is not Jt>atr written for "ity, (fee Pf. cxv. 10, 11.) " For Jehovah is
a help and fhield?" -Seeker remarks thus, " Perhaps 6. firfl wrote «^of
KM Bo)ifcia. And when the former was changed into «"'^"f> the other was
eafily changed into a?.)ifle<a, as that often accompanies the other." It is ob-
fervable alfo that 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read nHK, diligit ; which is not
in the text. DOVin'? 19 MSS.
13. nuu 25 MSS. with 6. See Pf. i. i.
PSALM
C "^1^ ]
PSALM LXXXV.
IT Is generally agreed, that the fubjedl of this pfalm is the return of
the Jews from the Babylonifh captivity; in celebrating which the pfulmift
is carried by a prophetic impulfe to foretel a much greater deliverance
by the coming of Chrijl. See Mollerus, Lowth, See. See Hare alfo
and Seeker in Pf. Ix. i. and compare Pf. cxxvi. with this.
V. 2. " The former part of this pfalm doth not feem to agree well
with the latter, unlefs prjeterperfcdts be taken for imperatives." Seeker.
3. \\)f. 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & JEth, read 'Jiy, ** i/ie iniquities of thy
people." And the metre feems to require that we fhould read '7D be-
fore it, as in the following line.
DDKlSn. All the verfions read CDINOn, " all their Jm." which feems
right.
5. liOy. 2 MSS. read more properly "iJIDyo. See i Sam. i. 27.
Pf. Ixxxix. 34.
6. TityDD 22 MSS. and a great number nm "yrh.
7. niBTI 6. Vulg. Syr. & ^th. read nitr. Syr. reads lynm, " et vivifica
nos." But Gejer. conliders the firfl verb as an adverb, " Wilt thou
not again, 6cc. ?" See our Bib. Verf. A reftoration from captivity is
a kind of refurredion from the dead.
8. 'J'Nnn 16 MSS. See Pf. lix. 11. Ixxx. 9.
9. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. probably read "h^ before ^KH, '* I will
hear what the God Jehovah will fay unto me." Or perhaps the laft word
^^was written by miftake for the former, " I will hear what Jehovah will
fay unto me." A friend reads 'l with 6. Vulg. & Ar. for »3, making
this the anfwer given by God from the oracle, ** By me Jehovah fayeth
peace, &c."
' Y y 2 n'JDS'?,
: c 176 ]
hSdd'?, " to folly." I. Q. Idolatry, the caufe of their captivity, which
they were never guilty of afterwards.
10. TQD. Houb. with Syr. mnD, " his glory "
ir. •* Jufta, elegans and fplendida profopopoeia, fide reftitutione po-
puli Juda;i a captivitate Babylonica interpreteinur, quod fi ad divinlorem
illuni fenfum referamus qui fub ea imagine non obfcure adumbratur, fu-
pra modum grandis atque excelfa, pleniffima myfterii & fublimitatis."
Lowth's Prd.
12. fjptt'J. One MS. reads vp'\i!r^, and perhaps the whole might be ren-
dered thus, " Truth fhall flourilli in the earth — when righteoufnefs Jhall
look down from Heaven."
13. In the myftical fenfe of the words they may refer to the plenti-
ful eftufion of the Holy Ghoft on the day of Pentecoft, and the blef-
fings confequent thereon. See Ainfw.
14. pTi. Syr. reads pnVl, " And the righteous." Perhaps the true
reading is p'Ta, " The righteous, i. e. the Mejjiah, {hall walk before him."
See Bib. Maxim. Tom. vi. Ctl"l. Our oldeft verfion reads 1{y»"j,
" and he Jliall direSl, &c." which feems to be right. See Prov. iii. 6.
Or as Lowth, &c. " Righteoufnefs fhall go before him — and fhall
diredl, or fet, his footfteps in the way." i. e. ** His own holinefs
fhall guide him." Seeker. •
PSALM LXXXVI.
I T is generally agreed that David according to the title wrote this
pfalmj and Hezekiah might, as Grotius thinks, apply it to his own
cafe. See Pf. xvii. i.
V. I. A beautiful paronomafia.
2. Ot< TDn '3. Syr. reads nHK, " For thou art gracious." which
feems more proper. Ar. probably "lIDn^i " for thy mercy's fake. Or
perhaps
[ 177 ]
perhaps we rtiould read "I'DH, " for I om de/iitufc," Such refetitions of
the fame fenfe being frequent.
r\r\^ (''. Vulg. Ar. & &ih. omit this word, and it feems redundant;
and as the metre in the firft line of the 4th verfe feems deficient both in
Hare and the Collat. thefe three verfes might be divided thus, " Pre*
fervc my foul, for I am dejlitufe — fave thy fervant, O my God, who
trufteth in thee — Be merciful unto me, Jehovah, for I cry unto thee —
Rejoice the foul of thy fervant daily — for unto, &c." Unlefs we read
with 2 MSS. HDK O, " for thou art my God." j/'j^in 2 MSS. See
verfe 16.
3. 'HK 57 MSS. read mn^.
4. If the former diviiion of the metre be not admitted, we fhould per-
haps read D'H^N at the end of the firft line, '" Rejoice the foul of thy
fervant, O God."
5. 'jiK. 41 MSS. nin». T^^mI3 9 MSS.
6. Vipl. 16 MSS. b^\>by and one MS. reads with Hare 'Jlinn, which
are more ufual.
8. The defedt in the metre of the Collat. compared with Deut. iii.
24. will probably lead us to the right reading as follows,
*' Among the Gods there is none like unto thee, O yMo-utfA— neither is
there any that can do according to thy works."
♦i-TK. 22 MSS. mn*.
9. Edwards's metre feems beft, ** All nations whom thou haft made
fhall come and worfhip before thee— 0 Jehovah, and fhall glorify thy
name."
♦iTK. 28 MSS. nin».
10. D'n'^N HDK. From confidering the metre, and comparing 2 Kings
xix. 15. Ifai. xxxvii. 16. and Ch. it is probable that D^H'JKn NIH
nnK, is the true reading, ** Thou thy/elf art God alone." One ant.
MS. fupplies b^n, ** Thou art the God of Gods alone." T\mV^ 20 MSS.
Z z II. The
C 178 ]
ir. The metre may perhaps be better divided thus,
&c. 'jmn
&c. -jVnN'
Sec. on'?
in*. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^th. with Muls, &c. deriving this verb
from rnn render it, " My heart J/ia/I rejoice in fearing thy name."
y2^ DK 23 MSS. and the two firft letters might be eafily dropped from
their hkenefs to thofe preceding.
12. *nK. 35 MSS. mn*. and one MS. omits DNlbK, which, as Hare
obferves, feems redundant, " I will praife thee, Jehovah, with my
whole heart." Perhaps rather IDtJ^H niDKV
13. This and the following verfe may refer to i Sam. xix.
15. ':^^f. 34 MSS. mrr.
1 6. -|n^ 10 MSS.
nj/'tyim. One valuable MS. reading ♦iV'li'ini, it ftrikes mc that for
pV we fhould read Vv, or |NdV, " and fave me for thy truth's Jake" See
Pf. cxvi. 16. " Thejonofthy truth," i. e. Chrijl. Houb.
17. »Niir 6 MSS, 'w^•2,'> 7 MSS.
PSALM LXXXVII,
THIS pfalm, as Muis obferves, is full of obfcurity. Patrick and
others think that it was compofed on the birth or coronation of Hezekiah.
Munfter and others refer it to Chriji. But perhaps it was written on
Solomon's birth day, on which in honor to him iht. foundation Jlone of the
temple migiit be laid.
V. I. imiD'. Houb. reading nmDS makes the firfl line apart of
the title with Ch. *• A fong of the foundations in the holy mountains."
See Hammond alfo, &c. Durell reads ID "IIDS A defire (a mark ovfign)
JJiaJ^
I
[ 179 J
Jhall be Jet up in the holy mountains." Melbomius and others think
that the firft line has been by accident dropped. Might it be obtl'ITn
mn» n*::, " The houje of Jehovah is at Jerufalem — its foundations, &c. ?"
See 2 Chroniii. i. Green reading with Houb. fupplies ^^rz^/ifw. Lovvth
agrees with Hare that this Pf. is imperfe(ft both at the beginning and end^
3. "IITD nnnDJ. Hare for the fake of the conftrudlion reads rmmit:;
which c. Vulg. Syr. Ar. and ^th. favor. Durell would read 111 Dm
nnDJ, " A glorious and perfeB fubjeSl is in thee, Sec." But may not the
text admit of this interpretation, " The glorious things in thee are above
defcription, O city of God ?" Or as 17 MSS. have -ima, " above the
power of a fpeaker V Kennicott thus, as a friend obferves, ''glorious
things doth he fpeak of thee." As the laffc' line according to the Collat,
feems defective, perhaps for n"7D we fhould read DbJi'Tl*, " Jerufalem
the city of God."
.4. nt. " Hie i nempe unus aliquis ex jam commemoratis gcntibus."
Pifc. " Hie; five horum quifque." Michaelis. Some refer this to
Chrift, but he was not born at Jerujalem, and as this word is not here
ufed contemptuoufly, as Hammond and others think, perhaps we (hould
read ntn, interrogatively, " I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon
to my acquaintance — behold Philiftia and Tyre — with Ethiopia, " was
this man born there f" i. e. Were any of thofe nations honoured with
the birth of this great Prince ? which may remove Seeker's difficulty
with refpeft to one birth place being underfcood, on which account he
thinks it may be right to tranflate, " Behold, O Philiflia, 5cc." ♦vnv'j
32 MSS. and 10 "ibt*. " Deus hie loquitur." Grot.
5. ryiy\y. 7 MSS. read n»J:iD% which inclines me to think that injJID'
is the right word ; and following Durell's fenfe of the two firft words,
I would render the whole thus, " But of Zion it fhall be faid, the
many even the man^ fhall be born in her and the mod High himfelf
Jlmll eflablijli him:' i. e. Solomon, See i Chron. xxii. lo. " Vir &
Fir." i. e. «* cmnis generis vir, vel diverfiffimarum Gentium homines."
Z z 2 Geier.
C 180 ]
Gejer. &c. In this and the preceding verfe I have varied In the dlvifion
of the metre from Hare and the Collat. iV 8 MSS.
6. That thefe w^ords relate to the cuftom of regiftcring the people can-
not be doubted. See Gejerus and others. *' Jehovah will have this re-
corded in regiftering the people, that he was born there." i. e. the
Mejjiah. Zion being put for 'Jiidea by a Synecdoche." Durell. And
the prefervation of CIn-iJi's Genealogy feems to have been the efpecial
care of Providence j but as it was the immediate concern of every tribe
to preferve its own genealogy, and Solomon was of the tribe of Judah,
perhaps for mn' we fhould read rniH*, " Judah fhall record it in the
regifter of the people, &c." See verfe 4. One ant. MS. omits mn».
D',!2^ is here to be underftood of the I/rae/ifes. See Pf. Ixvi. 8.
*n£)D» 3 MSS. nnon 39, and 7 ibv i all which feem better readings.
7. Hare, fuppofing with great probability this verfe to be defedtive,
adds ]V'!t at the end of it, and for ♦J'yn reads Dn'J'Va, " all their foun-
tains (of praife) are in thee, O Zion." Durell deriving it with Houb.
from *iy, and reading D'bbnin, renders thus, '* All that dwell in thee
will fing iioith the dancers" Which he admits to hefpecial; the verb not
being ufed. 6. Vulg. Ar. & Mih. read \\)}'Q, Habitatio. A friend ob-
ferves, that Kennicott reads D' biriD, " Thus fhall the princes be as the
fandofthefea." But reading with Durell D'b'jni, or rather D^bblPin, for
D'bVnD, (See MSS.) and 'jya, inftead of »J»yo, from HJV, cecinit, the words
may have this fenfe, " And the fingers ivith the pipers — Jliall all^f^g"
in thee O Zion" i. e. fhall celebrate the nativity of this eminent per-
fon. Which is corroborated by the communications of Mr. Bradley,
who amongfl other readings propofes this.
PSALM LXXXVIII.
THIS pfalm was fet for the fute, and was to be fung interchangeably j
and was compofed by the author, if Heman, either in banifhment, or pri-
fon. See Pifc. Muis, &c, with verfe lo. V. 2,
C 181 ]
V. 2. TVIk-"' 2 MSS. having the firft ♦ upon a nfure, ft ffrengthens-
Hare's and others conjedlure, that we fhould read 'Djnti', as in Pf. xxx. 3.
See alfo- verfe 14. He alio reads tjr^V, but the better reading is with
one MS. CV2, " O Jehovah, my God, I cry in the di. — I call aloud in
the night before thee." Syr. with Houb. reads nVbl, tranfpofing the
words. See our verfions.
5. Perhaps, " As a man ofnojlrength."
6. 'u'Sn D'riwl. Hare fuppofes the iirft word to he interpolated, ren-
dering the lall, " I am Jeparaicd among the Hain." Durell tranflates it,
** they feek me among the deadj" or rather reads 'fli'Dn, " / am fought
for among the dead." Seeker once propofcd 'Ji'S^, and from the defedl
of the metre in the Collat. we might fupply nin after it, " my foul is
among the dead." A friend fuggefts this fenfe of the text, " feparated
as the dead," (i. e. from fociety) the perfon here mentioned being fup-
poied to be in a ftate of leprofy ; referring to 2 Kings xv» 5. See Ham-
mond and Lowth ; and 3 MSS. read QTiIiS. But then fhould we not
for the fake of the metre fupply 'J}^ at the end of the line ? 7 »n3V^.
*' And they are cut off with, or hy thy hand." So the Bib. Marg. and
Seeker.
7. nvnnn. If we might read nvnnnn, as in Pf. Ixiii. 10. it would
ftlll add to the beauty of the Afyndeton.
mVvon. 32 MSS. read m'j'J^On, more ufual. Houb. &c. with 6.
Vulg. Ar. & ^th. mabvni, " Thou hafl: hid me in the pit, in the
loiveji places— in darknefs, and in the JJiadow of death." As Seeker ob-
ferves, 6. Vulg. Ar. & i^th. read »:in^ here, and verfe 9. " They
have, &CC."
8. n'OJ^. Seeker carrying on the force of 'bv, reads with 6. Vulg.
Syr. & ^th. D'V, ** and thou hajl brought upon me all thy waves."
But 6. Syr. Vulg. & ^th. fupplied this alfo. See Pf. xlii. 8. Houb.
reads 'JiJV, *' and all thy waves ha'ue affii6led me" But the true, reading
feems to be 'DOV — "roav See our verfions,
A a a 9. >j;tD.
9. ♦J'TX:. 19 MSS. more regular '>"TV?:.
mnVTl. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. Sc JEth, with 15 MSS niVin fing.
nV3. Hare and Green read IkVd, " //'O' J^'^^ »'<" «/*•" ^'^ ^^^ ^^'^^'
Houb. and 24 MSS. read KI^D part. />^//. and perhaps »3K fnould be
fupplied before or after it; (See Jerem. xxxvi. 5.) as the n-:etre of the
Collar, fcems to require another word, " 1 am JJ.ut up." Perhaps Jere-
miah was the author of this pfalm.
10. A beautiful Paronomafia between ♦i'V & ♦J>*.
11. nVs. All the Verf. except Ch. in the plur. See verfe 13.
TnV. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & M\h. with Houb. read "]nvi, and one
valuable MS. read fo at firil, the 1 being probably dropped, as the pre-
ceding word ends with it.
** CNDT fignifies perfons, and is the name of a nation. Jofh. xii. 4.
It alfo fignifies in general the dead, and is fynonymous to D»nO. Vi-
tringa derives it from T\tr\, languldus fuit ; and it may be indefinitely
ufed of all dead perfons. larfoi, o. Vulg. ridiculous." Seeker.
12. "iniVlJN. 9 MSS. with 6. Vulg. Syr, Ar. & iEth. read "jnilDKV
Sec our Verf.
13. All the Verf, except Syr. read i;?ivn, and with them 7 MSS.
15. The conftrudion feems to require Tnom, " and h'tdejl thy face
from me ?"
16. yi:n. 6. Vulg, Ar, & i^th. read D'W'n, " I have been afflidled,
and in labors from my youth." Syr. yin, or as Houb. Vilil, partic. ben.
in Niph. ** and wearied." But from comparing Pf. Ixxiii, 14. Ifai. liii. 4.
Vliil feems to be the beil reading, ♦* I have been afflided, and f mitt en,
&c."
IVia. Hare reads ir.ore properly with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th.
nyjD, " from my youth."
nJ1£3{{, " / am dijlradied" The fenfe put upon this word, which ap-
pears no where elfe, by the Lexicographers feems arbitrary, and as one
ant.
C i83 3
ant. MS. probably, and another at firft, read nilDi^, and 41 MSS. "i^S'K
for y^a, this is perhaps the fenfe of the words, *' Feri/y I have borne
thy terrors." See Pf. xxxvii. 3. Unlefs we might read n^mj^, " I have
):cca tLffii&cd and f/nUten from my youth — I have borne thy terrors until
now." See Numb. xiv. 19. If we confider it as a verb, we muft read
with a friend, according to 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. n31flK% One
MS. omits it.
17. ♦iinna:;. 4 MSS. read »JinaV, evidently right.
18. " They have furrounded me." i. e. " Ira et terrores tut." Muis.
" Non liquet" Lowth. Hare for Itt'nO reading D'DtrnD, renders
the latter part, " my acquaintance are darknefs" i. e. I am converfant
only with darknefs. Houb. 6cc. read ^B'nn, adding 'iDD at the end,
** thou hajl kept back my relations from me" See Syr. Seeker con-
jedures that 6. read ityo, or nniTO. But making *^e^nD the part. Pih.
with Lorinus and others, the words, according to the metre of the
Collat. will bear this conftrudion, ** Thou haft put away a lover far
from me — and hinderejl a friend from knowing me." The greateft calamity
to a perfon in diftrefs. See Pf. cii. 4.
nniK 5 MSS,
PSALM LXXXIX.
PATRICK and others fuppofe this pfalm to be written in the
time of the Babylonifh captivity, and Dr. Bagot, the prefent learned
Bifliop of St. Afaph, thinks that Jeremiah might be the author of it.
Kennicott afcribes it to Ifaiah. See c. vii, i.
V. 2. non. Houb. &c. read according to c. Ar, & ^th. ^HDn,
" thy mercies, O Jehovah,"
D'7iy. 17 MSS. oVty'?, better. Many MSS. nm ITtV.
A a a 2 3. ♦mOR.
i: '84 3
3. 'n"i::{<. All the verfions, except Ch. read nnas*, ** For thou ha}
/aid." which is approved by Hare, Lowth, &c. Houb. and Seeker
tranfpofe (his word to the beginning of the following verfe.
iDn. Hare reads HDn, " ifiy mercy." But llDn, " thy jmrcy"
agrees beter with the following noun. See Edwards's Verf.
pn. Houb. reads with 49 MSS. ;on in Hiph. ** Ihoujhal, eJlabliJJi."
era. Kennicott reads DriD, *' For thou haft: faid. Thy mercy fhall
be built up for ever. — as the Heavens, thy truth (hall be eft:abli(hed
like them."
4. See 2 Sam. iii. 9. vii. 12.
5. m*?. 38 MSS. read yrh, and notwithftanding the great variety in
the reading of thefe two words, "ml "m"? is probably right.
6. The latter part of this verfe not according with the former, Houb.
reads *7np, " even the congregation of faints thy faithfulnefs." Durell
tranfpofes the words, " the faints alfo thy faithfulnefs in the congrega-
tion." Both of thein fupplying the verb from the foregoing fentence with
Gejerus. But perhaps for CD'Hiy we fhould read Dr^V, *' Knd the people
fhall praife thy wonders, O Jehovah, — thy faithfulnefs alfo in the congre-
gation of the faints." See Pf. xl. 9, 10. As a friend obferves all the
Verf. except Ch. read nv with 2 MSS. which feems belter, as this verfe
is not connedted with the former. Ca^np 37 MSS.
"^vha. One MS. reads with all the verfions Tn'^D. See Pf. Ixxxviii.
II, &c.
7. pnti'n. All the verfions read CD^prtJ^n, in the plur. ; and one MS.
reads D'JDi!?!, ** in the Heavens." which Syr. favors. "]"nV' 12 MSS.
D'biS. Rather O'nVN, according to 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. '* among the
fons 0/ God." See Job. xxxviii. 7. The force of 'D is carried on. See
our Bib. Verf.
9. n:!"!. AH the verfions read m, or as Houb. nm> and the metre, as
well as fenfe, (eems to require, that it fhould be joined to the next line,
** God is to be feared in the council of the idint^-— being great and
terrible above a,ll that are round about him." 10. H'
C i85 ]
10. n* I'Dn. The late learned Dr. Wheeler, &c. make n* only a
Rabbhiical Abbreviation for mn». Houb. inferts riDK between thefe
two words, ** thou art flrong. O Jehovah." But from comparing verfe
15 and 25. and as Syr. omits Tf, perhaps ^IDn is the right reading,
** O Jehovah, God of Hofts, who is like unto thee — thy loving kindnefs
and thy falthfulnefs are round about thee." See Seeker. Unlefs "]3Dn,
** thy Jlrength" fhould be preferred.
11. 'jVnD, ** As a mighty warrior" See Kennicott's ift DifT.
p. 108. Before I had feen this fenfe of the word, I had conjedtured
that we fhould read "jS'ni, *' Thou haft broken Rahab in pieces by thy
Jirength. — with the arm of thy ftrength, &c." See the Collat. for a verfe
not in the text.
12. DfnD'. As 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & Mih. do not read the 'affix,
which is redundant, perhaps we fhould read rTTDS or with n paragogic.
13. Tabor and Hermon denote the Eaji and Weji, Pifcator, &c.
The metre of the Collat. feems moft regular.
14. The fenfe feems to require nt3V» which Is very much like OV, as
it was written before the invention of the final letters, or fome fuch word,
in the firfl Hemiftich, " Thine arm is covered with ftrength." — Houb.
renders the laft, " roboras manum tuam, exaltas dexteram tuam." And
33 MSS. read nyn.
15. ]1DD, ** T^ he foundation o^ thy throne." Muis, &c. which feems
the better fenfe. See our Bib. Marg. Pf. xcvii. 2. and Prov. xvi. 12.
16. nvnn. Seeker obferves, •* that Syr. might read inVI'in, not
ny"»"jn, which Houb. propofes, but is not extant. PofTibly for 'Vtv
fhould be read IVH* with an ellipfis of ne^t^. Compare Jofh. vi. 7. The
perfons, who join and adt in the folemn proceffion feem defcribed." But
Syr, probably reads inmn, '* thy praifes," Hare with others fuppofe
it to be only a mujical term crept in from the margin j but as Kennicott
has proved that fome word is necefTary on account of the metre, perhaps
we fhould read in^lin, ** BlcfTed are the people that know thy law-^
B b b O Jehovah
C >86 ]
0 Jehovah, they (hall walk, 5cc." Or perhaps ^nyitiTl " Blcficd are the
people, who have known, (i. e. experienced) thy fahation." 44. MSS.
♦yiV more regular, which favors the text.
17. Six MSS. adding n*7D at the end of the laft line, which feems de-
ficient, perhaps mn* may have been dropped.
18. MSS. 1 1 "lOfiy. A friend propofes the affix li, which agrees better
with the following.
19. The fenfe, as well as the metre, being incomplete in the firft He-
miftich, perhaps MT\ has been omitted through its likenefs to the pre-
ceding word, and to that, which ends the line in the former verfe,
" Therefore unto Jehovah our fhleld we fmg — and, &c." But Seeker,
with a friend, fuppofes b to be redundant. Though Mudge and others
refer thefe words to David, they feem, as Lyranus obferves, to refpefb
the time of the judges ; and David's appointment, as Jehovah's viceroy,
follows in tlie next divifion of the pfalm.
20. *]'7'Dnb, '* to thy holy one" i. e. to Samuel ; to whom David had
probably been manifefted in a vifion. See Pifcator, &c. with i Sam. xvi.
1 — i^. Others refer it to David. But Houb. Kennic, 6cc. read with
all the verfions, and 66 MSS. in'Dn"?, " to thy holy ones" i. e. thy pro-
phets. See Muis alio.
"l2Nm is not neceffary to the fenfe, and according to the metre of the
Collat. is redundant.
"Ijy. Perhaps rather nt3, the preterperfe<ft tenfe is often ufed for the
fut. when a thing is certainly to be done, " I have fet the crown upon
one that is mighty." i. e. David. See verfe 40. Thefe words in
their firft fenfe may refer to David j but Calovius, &c. underftand them
Jclely of Chrift.
21. ^'^1^. One MS. reads tyip, with 6. Ar. & lEjih. ** with the
holy oil." See i Sam. xvi. 13.
22. The conArudtion is here very fingular. Might we render thus,
*« For my hand fhall eftablifh his people F" Or, " That my hand may
be firm with him V See Tig. Verf. 23. N't^'.
[ i87 J
23.. K»{y». c. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^Eth, as Muis conjedures, read n't^' ;
which Houb. adopts j (See alfo our Bib. Verf.) or borrowed the Itnfe, as
a friend thinks, from the Ar. Niyj, crcvit. Ch. derives the verb from
i<ti>J» decepit. But Kennicott more properly from Ntyj, /a///, " The
cnetny J^iall. not exalt /liw/e/J' zgaind him." ,
MSS. 4 read Kt^', and 3 n»K. " The/on of 'violence" i. e. Saul.
24. ♦DDDT 16 MSS. *].1K 16 MSS. See Jofh. xxiv. 5.
26. rmniin, /« /-^^ rivers." i. e. The Euphrates and Jordan. Pifcator.
The Euphrates and Tir^rw. Green. The Euphrates and Nile. Durell.
But the true reading feems to be with one MS. "iHJn, ^' and his right
hand /« ///^ river." i.e. The Euphrates. See Pf. Ixxx. 12.
28. "nD2. ^r/zc ^fry? born was intitled to the highefl dignities. Our
Verf. read mDl, " My Jirjl born." But without authority, though it
feems proper.
29. This, the preceding, and following verfe were eminently verified
in Chrijly the fon of David. See Ainfworth, &c. ^,
32. 'Dpn. 10 MSS. with 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & iEth. read Tllpn. Syr.
entirely omits this verfe.
33. 'mpSI, '* Then will I, &c." See our Bib. Verf.
34. Perhaps better with Pifc. See. " nor will I lye againft my faith-
fulneli."
35. One^MS. with 6. Vulg. & iEth. reads <Ki{"|S:i. But Deut. xxiii. 23.
favors the text.
36. See verfe 4. Syr. reads "jNl, " and I will not lye unto David."
See Heb. vii. 21.
38. Dbiy. 8 MSS. have d'jIvV. See verfe 37.
** The faithful witnefs." i. e. ^he rainbow, Gejerus, &c. See Gen.
ix. 9. " D ex prjEced. eft repetendum, ut Pf. Iviii. 9." Id. " Luna."
Pifc. &c.
39. ITliynn. Syr. 6c Ar. read nilVDm, ^' and art wroth with thine
anointed." But fee Pf. xlv. 5. Here is a beautiful climax, beginning
the 4th portion of the pfalm. 40. DHl
C 188 ]
40. nm nnnW. Houb. reads nnnn nnt*:; and 31 MSS. have
41. Vnm:i. 12 MSS. more regularly vn'»'ll.%
42. inDK^. The grammatical conflrudlion requires that we ihould
read with all the verfions, i6 MSS. Kennicott, &c. imoty.
nmy- 13 MSS.
43. vi'K 41 MSS.
44. A friend obferves that 6. Vulg. Syr. & Ar. probably read ^ty,
<« the help oihh fword." And that ntn IIX is not ufed. The fimili-
tude between the two words might eafily occafion the miftake. Ch.
reads linn mriK, " Thou haft alfo turned his fword backward." Which
Seeker approves. See Lam. ii. 3.
WDpn. 20 MSS. with Houb. ino'pn.
45. "JintOD. There being no word in the firft Hemiftich to anfwer
to his thtone in the 2d. Durell reads TlDyD, '* Thou haft made his crown
to ceafe." But as Hare's and the metre of the Collat. is defedive, per-
haps from the fimilitude of the words miDV has been dropped from
the end of the line, " Thou haft made his crown to ceafe frojn its
brightnefs."
46. Vl5l'7V' Kennicott infers from this expreffion, that this portion of
of the pfalm refers to Ahaz, who died at thirty-fix years of age. But
Alex. Vcrf. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. underftood by it the common term of
life, in which cafe it may be applicable to Hezekiah. See Ifai. xxxviii.
10. and the following portion of the pfalm feems to be adapted to his
fituation, though another learned author thinks it has refpedl to the Mcf-
fiah. Vulg. 6. tS Spova, wrong, as a friend obferves.
47. For the metre's fake the text fhould ftand as it does, but the
verfion might be beter thus, '• O Jehovah, how long wilt thou hide
thyfelf ? Shall thy jealoufy burn like fire for ever ?" See Seeker, and
Pf. Ixxiv. I. Ixxix. 5.
48. ♦JM.
C 189 ]
48. ♦J^*. Houb. and Kennicott read 'j*!}^, as in verfe 51. But as the
MSS. do not afford the different reading of mnS I am apt to think
that nJN*, or as a friend with one MS. Hi, is the right word here, and
that 'JN fliould be added at the end of the line, conformably to one MS.
and Pf. xxxix. 5. " Remember, / pray t/iee, how frail / am." See
Seeker, and Merrick. mDt 12 MSS.
49. Dbas Syr. Ar. & JEth. read toVD'1, " and Jhall he deliver, Sec. ?"
See Pf. xvi. 10.
50. ^na. 44 MSS. mns and 3 MSS. fupply nt^'N with 6. Syr. Ar.
& T^th. " w/ii'ch thou haft fworn."
51. -113?. 20 MSS. and 37 nin* for 'ilK.
yi^y. Hare and others read with Syr. and 19 MSS. "]liy, " T/iyfcr-
vant". which is more fuitable to the context, and n.ay be underftood of
Hezekiah. See V. 46.
can h'2. Here is probably an omiffion, or a corruption. Le Clerc
feems to have read ^33, *' from all the mighty people.'' Hare and othecs
read blp, " the voice of many people." Houb. reads tD'^Vn in, ** all
the contention of the people.'* which Mr. Bradley adopts j tho' he like wife
offers D'3p, " all the curfes &c." Durell reads 'in in regim. " all the
reproaches of the people." Seeker offers nil for D'ni, or flO^D for the
two words, " I bear in my bofom all the reproach of the people." Or,
** I bear in my bofom the Jhame of the people." which is countenanced
by Ezek. xxxvi. 6. See Ifai. xxxvii.
52. Iflin. Syr. reads 'Jlfiin, *' Wherewith thine enemies have re
preached me, O Jehovah, &c." See 2 Kings xviii. 19 — 25. If this read-
ing be admitted. Green's omiffion of the 2d "ifi'in "WVi is unneceffary.
ITOpy* femitasy five aBiones. Hamm. &c. Tl'N 34 MSS.
53. The addition of the collector of the pfalms. Muis, Kennl-
cot-t, &c.
Ccc PSALM
[ 190 ]
P S A L M XC.
HAMMOND and others fuppofe this pfalm to ^ave been com-
pofed by Mofes according to the title, when the children of Ifrael pe-
rifhed in the wildernefs ; but he was probably not the author of it.
See Mudge and Kennic. Gen. Difl'. 80. 3. Perhaps compofed by
'Jeremiah in the time of the captivity, a man of God fignifying a pro-
phet in general. See verfe 10. Here the 4th book begins.
V. I. ;u*w. As Hare, &c. obferve, 6. Vulg. Ar. & &xh.. read nVO,
*' a refuge to us." and 2 M3S. probably read the fame.
2. bbinm, " in the 3d perfon paffive ; as the verfions." Seeker.
D^1J?*:i. Ch. Syr. & Vulg. with 20 MSS. Hare, &c. read DblVD,
and 58 MSS. with Ch, Syr. Vulg. and Green 1y^ for ly, and ^b^y
feems to be redundant, (See MS, 40.) *' from ever lajlwg to everlajling."
3. Hare, &c. bring ^K the lafl: word of the former verfe forward to
the beginning of this, giving it the fenfe of the negative particle accord-
ing to 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. and neither the fenfe nor metre require it
there; and one MS. omits it, '• Do «o/ bring man to deftrudion — but
fay, 6cc." Though Hare's verfion, which is this, " convertis hominem
uique ad contritionem, et dicis, rcvertimini flii hominum," does not
correfpond with his notes. If '7^? be confidered as belonging to the for-
mer verfe, (See Pf. xciii. 2.) then perhaps we fliould read na;', *' man
Jliall return to dellruftion, — when thou fayelT:, return ye, &c." Here
is an allufion to Gen. iii. 19. Hare, &;c. Houb. reads P]"i:i'r) for l\vr\,
** Do not grind man, &c."
4. bv^DrikV. Notwithflanding all the verfions retain this word, neither
the fenfe, nor the metre of the Collat. require it, and it is omitted by
Meibomiu?, " For a thoufand years in thy fight are as a day — when it
is
C 191 ]
is paffed, and a watch in the night." Hence it is obiervable that night
•watches were in ufe in the time of the pfahiiifi:. See Harmer's Obf.
Vol.1. 210. A friend obferves that one MS. onnits IIP O i perhaps
then for VlDDK, we might read inss as St. Peter ieems to have done,
dividing thus, *' For a thoufand years in thy fight are — as one day, and
as a watch in the night." But 18 MSS. read "nnj;*, which may be a
reafon for retaining it. A thoufand years feem to allude to the longe-
vity of the Antediluvians.
5. DnO"ir, &c. Hare and others following Le Clerc give this fenfe
to the words, " Thou waterefl, i. e. thou refrejlieji, them with fleep,
and they are — in the morning as the grafs which fpringeth up." Houb.
verfion is, " The courfe of their life is a fleep, they are, &c." Cafl. feems
to read CDDnf, " Thou fcatiereji thewy they are a dream." See our
old Verf. Seeker offers this tranflation, <' Thou overllowefl them : they
are as morning deep; as the grafs, that groweth up." Durell omits this
word entirely, " They are as fleep in the morning, like the grafs which
changeth." But reading by a metathefis DmDi, and omitting the firft
line of the next vcrfe which feems redundant, the whole might be thus
rendered, " Thou cuttejl them off z% a dream, they are — in the morning
like grafs which fpringeth up — in the evening it is cut down, and
withereth." A friend omitting the ift npni and ^W, and reading nJH
for r\W, giving t]bn alfo the fenfe oi pullukre, for which he refers to
Job xiv. 7. propofes this conjedlural emendation with great diffidence,
•• Thou overflowefi: them; behold they Piall be as grnfs — in the morning
it flouriflieth, aiid groweth up — in the evening it is cut down, and
withereth."
7. O. Hare removes it to the beginning of the next verfe. Green
reads p inftcad of it, " fo are we confumed, &c."
8. nt^•. Notwithflanding 39 MSS. read riDu' the true reading is nni!'
according to Houb. and one MS.
1J'n:iy. 63 MSS. irmJi;^. more proper.
[ 192 ]
IJdV. 17 MS3. read lJ«i:Vv, and 34 flill more proper l^ai'^y, «' cur
fecret Jins." c. Vulg. Ar. & iEih. rv^ading IJD'JIV, entirely miftook the
fenfe.
9- U'Vo. As Syr. reads I'jD for iJ'b^, 6. Vulg. Syr. & ^th. B^'iDy, or
:i"jj< for n:in, & Ar. both ; and 1 9 MSS. KAHj from comparing Job vii. 6.
the following reading is fubmitted to confideration :ii{< 103 IJ'JK^ ibj?,
** Our years are fwift as the weaver's fliuttle." Or as two printed
copies of note read here ^:h'2, " All our years are as the fpider's web."
A friend divides the words according to 6. " For all our days are
pafled away, we are confumed in thy wrath, our years are as a tale."
" Confumimus dies noftros ut vaporem ^ftuantcm. Schultens, in Prov.
XXV. 4." Lowth.
10. Dnn. Syr. & Ar. with one valuable MS. omit this word, altoge-
ther fuperfluous.
Dnmi. Lowth with Houb. DDam, " Yet is their multitude labour
and forrow." Rather Dfimi, this word fcarcely ever appearing in the fern.
See 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ch. Perhaps VH has been omitted at the end of this
line, which the grammatical conftrudion feems to call for, if not the
metre. See Ar.
;r'n t.1. Hare reads yvu, " For they foon pafs away." But I do not
find \y ufed adverbially. Edwards reads ID. " For they are foon cut off"
Houb. & Lowth after Symmac. D3, " For we are foon cut off" But
a friend fuggefts ^» PiD, " n^mfuccijio fit." alluding to grafs in verfe 5,
nSVJ"), " etfatifcimus." Houb. But 69 MSS. read nDIVJl, which favors
thecom mon acceptation, ♦' and wefy away." Kennic. and others infer
from this verfe, that this pfalm was compofed about the time of David.
See verfe i.
1 1. Mudge follows c, 6c Vulg. in the divifion and reading of this and
the next verfe.
VW. All the verfions with 1 1 MSS. read VI'' ; and 22 MSS. ny.
insnOV Syr. 6c Ar. read DNTl, which Durell follows, *' Who
knoweth the power of thine anger— cw^' the terribUneJ's of thy wrath ?"
Ar.
[ 193 ]
Ar. reads '7;^ "7:3 V for yiv, " 'who can prevail agavijl the power, &c. ?"
Lowth follows Houb. " Quis novit vim irae tuae j et, proiit terribilis
es, furorem tuum." A friend thus, ** nam ficut tul timor eft, ita ira tua
eft." i. e. " timentes te non experientur iram tuam." " As the reve-
rence due to thee, fuch is the puniftiment to be expected for difobedicncc.
Peters." Seeker. Perhaps we fhould read DK NT *J31, " who knoweth
the power of thine anger, or who feareth thy wrath ?"
12. p. Hare and others omit this word here, and infert it in the
preceding fentence. Muis, Lowth, &c. render it, " Teach us to num-
ber our days aright^ See Numb, xxvii. 7. Houb. reading milDD, ren-
ders thus, " Utmaxime breves funt dies noftri, ita, &c." Mudge read-
ing iyo» for 1J»0% with 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^Eth. gives this fenfe, " So
give us to know thy right arm," But our verfions with that of Geneva
feem as eafy as any ; and perhaps we fl:iould read with them TODn 13lV
for nODn y:^, the n in the noun ferving as the formative of the gen-
der, and the local affix. '* And we JJiall acquire an heart of wildom."
Seeker with Pifc»
13. 'no "W' Houb. ** ad extremum." See our old Verf. Durell
renders it, " Return, O Jehovah, before my death." And quotes Noldius
for this fenfe of "W; but this change of the perfon cannot well be ad-
mitted. Perhaps we fhould read "jnON Vy, " Return, O Jehovah, for
thy truth's fake"
This and the following verfe are as applicable to the Ifraelites in the
Babylonifh captivity, as in the Wildernefs. See Mudge.
15. Ipai i.e. " f^r/>', after the dark night of afflidions." Ainfw. " citd*'
Mar. &c. Perhaps the word might be rendered thus, " in feeking thy
mercy." i. e. when we feek thy mercy,
16. "I'byS. The preceding verb requires that we fhould read with Houb.
and 90 MSS. ^byfJ, ** Let thy work be fhewn unto thy fervants."— 5)7^
thy glory unto their children." By delivering the former from captivity,
and by exhibiting thy glorious prefence in the temple to the latter,
D d d "jmma
[ 194 J
'nmm. 6. Vulg. Ar. & i^lth. make this a verb, " ^/ dinge:' Syr.
6c Ch. confider it as a noun, which is niofi: fuitable to the context.
17. Dyj» or as 41 MSS. DV1J- and ^j read fo Pf. xxvii. 4^ though.
it appears no where in this form. 6. Vulg. Ar. 6c y^th. Jplendor, fo that
they probably read niNJ. Green follows Syr. " And let the gracioufnefs
of Jehovah, &c." ** Pevhi^s, pleafmg look." Seeker. But as the metre
of the CoUat. is too long in the firft line, and the laft is confelTedly a
fpurious repetition, by a tranfpofition and omiflion perhaps the text
might originally fland thus,
'• And may Jehovah our God be ivith us — and eftablilli the work of
our hands upon us." U«lefs we read with Durell after Syr, VT, of his
hands.
PSALM XCI.
"IN hoc pfalmo aliquod ^uriMTepy intus latet, ct de Meflia interpre-
tantur Juda-i." Lowth, who with Muis fuppofes David to be the au-
thor of it. See Prsl. 26. Peters afcribes it to Mojes. Durell fuppofes
it to contain a dialogue between God and So/omon. But it is ditticult to
fpeak decidedly on this point, as each of thefe three perfons was typical
of Chrin-.
I. Meibomius and Hare think that a verfe or two are loft at the be-
ginning. Lowth fuppofes the pfalmill: to fpeak of hi/?ije//"m the 3d per-
fon in the two firft verfes ; but as 36 MSS. read nti^V, perhaps we fhould
read pibnN for pi'^ns " Divelling in the fecret place of the Moft High —
/ will abide under the fliadow of the Almighty — 1 will fay unto -Jeho-
vah, &c." The pfalmift feems to allude to the cherubim covering the
ark. See verfe 4,
2. •^2^?.
[ 195 ]
2. -|SK. c. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read lOKS " he JJiall fay ." Hare and
others in the Imper. "fay-" But i8 MSS. read nrjix, and Munfler
and others render it in the firft perfon fut. / will fay, or as Seeker Jhall
fayt which avoids the change of perfons. See verle i.
3. min "illD. 6. Sjr, Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with lo MSS, read nmai ;
and 12 MSS. with 6. & Syr. mn. Houb. renders thus, " ex diSla per-
nicie."^ Our verfions tranllate ni~r, the fefliience -, and the Italian, as a
friend obierves, la pejle. But as mention is made of tViQ pejiilence in verfe
6, and the firft line of the Collar, feems deficient, might we for "1113
read nmDD, and fupplying "jD'bim divide the verfe thus, " For he Ihall
deliver thee from the fnare of the hunter — and bring thee out of the dreary
wildernefs?" Which readings, if admitted, might allude to the delive-
rance of Mofes from the incurfions of the Arabs, and his coming to
Mount Nebo. See Deut. xxxiv. i.
4. imiNl. All the verfions in Deut. xxxii. 11. read IDTIIN and 6.
Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c N.\h. read here ininiXa> " under his feathers:' " IJt
Gallina Fullosr Muis. The wings of the cherubim covering the mercy
feat were emblematical of the divine afFed:ion to the Ifraelites. See
Matt, xxiii. 37.
5. The danger of walking through a wildernefs by night mufl be
very obvious ; and as the bow and arroiv were much ufed in the Eaft,
particularly amongft the Arabs, not only for the fake of hunting and
deftroying wild hearts, but for defence from their enemies, it was equally
dangerous to travel by day. Syr. with 6 MSS. \^\^^. See our Verf.
This and the following verfe affbrd a remarkable inilance of an ellipfis
of the pron. ity^. •, f
6. As the number of perfons, who died in the wildernefs from
20 years old and upwards, were one year with another near 15,000, they
were probably carried off by [ome pejlilential diHordcr, from which IVLofes
• was preferved in a wonderful manner. See Deut. xxxiv. 7. ^To this
circumftance therefore the pfalmifl may allude in this and the two fol-
lowing
C 196 ]
lowing verfes. Patrick and others refer them to 2 Sam. xxiv. 8 MSS.
read nDpOl, and 6 bQMin. As Grotius and others obferve 6. Vulg. &
Ar. read "72?% " ef Dcemonio meridiano."
7. Ch. & Ar. read ^^mi, " A thoufand (hall fall at thy kft fide."
TVn. All the verfions read ybii^, " hut to thee it fhall not come
nigh.
8. David's fin was the occafion of the peflilence, 2 Sam. xxiv. But
here the people are the tranfgreffors.
DdVc'I. Houb. reads with 25 MSS. nJDlbtt-'l.
9. Durell thus, " Surely thou, O Lord, art my refuge j O Moft High
thou haft fixed thine habitation j viz. in Sion." Cloppenburgius and others
fupply n"l!DN, '* For thou liajl /aid, Jehovah is my hope." Hare and
others read JTIOJ* for riDK, " Becaufe thou haft faid, Jehovah is my
refuge, — and haft made, &c." But Merrick approved by Lowth, reads
"]DnD, ** For, as to thee, the Lord is t/iy hope : — Thou haft made the
Moft High thy habitation." Others reading with one MS. HDRD thus,
" Becaufe thou haft made Jehovah a refuge, the moft high thy habitation."
10. See Deut. xxxiv. 7.
1 1 . mi*'. Notwithftanding this word is fo frequently written without
n, this feems to be the true reading. Tii:::!:''? one MS.
12. This and the preceding verfe may be likewife applicable to Mofes,
&c. in an inferior degree, but were eminently fulfilled in Chrift.
p):in 46 MSS. more regular. & Syr. & Ar. read Dn'iDD, ** in their
hands." " Elfe, fays Seeker, one might guefs D»fl33, or Dn*£)J3 from
Exod. xix. 4. Deut. xxxii. 1 1.
13. Bochart and others fuppofe thefe to be the names of different kinds
o^ferpents -, and two of them certainly are. But fee Merrick. There
feems to be an allufion to the predidlion concerning the Mefliah, Gen.
iii. 15. *' Et Pfalmiftas verba de Diabolo intelligenda eflefirmatum eft,
qucm Chriftus vicit, & quafi pedibus conculcavit." Spencer de Leg.
Tom L 426. and Bifhop Sherlock's Serra.
C 197 ]
ynnn 5 mss, and 12 Diann.
14. Thefe words, " becaufe he hath known my name" feem to allude to
Exod. iii. 14. " Deus ipfe loquens, & promiffioncs iftas proponens, in-
troducitur." Pifc.
15. Thefe words had their full completion in therefurredion and af-
cenfion of Chrift.
16. Mofes, the mediator of the old covenant, lived to the fulled ex-
tent of life in the mofl: perfed: health, and faw the promifed land ; but
ye/us, the mediator of the New Covenant, is entered into the Heaven of
Heavens, and is fat down for ever at the Right Hand of God.
PSALM XCII.
nitfriji for a " day of rejl" may fignify nothing more than a deliverance
from the attempts of his enemies ] for which David probably compofed
this pfalm. See Muls, &c.
V. 3. ni'^'ba. 6. Vulg. & ^th. read nWl; and one good MS. reads
4. pun probably denotes fome mufical inftrument -, what it is not eafy
to afcertain. See Pf. ix. 17. miOl 10 MSS.
5. 7VSI Syr. & Ar. with 18 MSS. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with
one MS. '{i^yom. See our old Verf.
6. TniLyno. 19 MSS. •j'mit^'na, and 2 MSS. ftill more regular
nmntrn?:). ''■"^'' ' '
"TND. Hare reads HD, more emphatical, " How deep are thy thoughts !"
8. nisi. Ch. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. read imS ♦a, which maybe rendered,
" That the wicked dofpring as the grafs — and all the workers of iniquity
do flourifli — to le dejiroyed ioi ever." Durell, " in the flour ijfiing, &c.—
For all, &c." 'bvID lo MSS.
E e e Dl-ia.
[ 198 3
9* Dl"!'^. Perhaps CDIID, ** But thou, O Jehovah, Jhak be exalted
for ever." See Ar. DblV*? 76 MS.
10. Hare and others, with 6. rejed the firfl: line, as repugnant to
the metre, but according to that of the Collat. it may be confidered
as a beautiful Epizeuxis. '"^Via 10 MSS. All the Verf. with 2 MSS.
read nifln'l, " and 2S\. the workers, &c."
'Vvifl 10 MSS.
11. D»K13. 52 MSS. DN1D. See Pf. xxii. 22.
'nVl Hare reads 'mbn, which 49 MSS. ftrengthen, and he and
other* with Syr. & Ch. make it the 2d. perfon in Kal, ** thou hajl
anointed me with green oil." Montanus and others, ** / am anointed."
Pifcator, &c. read ♦m'?!^, " When lam grown old." But then fome other
verb muft be underftood. Houb. reads piTD ♦D''?!, " Mine old age Is as
a fiourijl.lng Olive Tree J' See 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. But ^02; is never
I believe, ufed in this fenfe, and the firft feems the mofl eafy, " Thou
haft anointed me with green oil." It being of this colour, when it is
firfl preffed. But See Harmer's Obf. Vol. II. 206.
12. Hare and others for the fake of the metre, as well as fenfe, read
with additions and variations ; but as the metre of the Collation is too
long in the firft line, perhaps nit^a may be omitted, " And mine eye
fhall behold them that rife up againft me — mine ear Jhall hear of the evil
doers." i.e. of their deftrudlion. Our verfions fupply 'mNn, or IDIKD,
here and elfewhere. Ch. generally nOpi. But Pifcator, &c. on Pf. xxii.
18. obferve thus, " xy\X^ cum 3 non fignificat fimplicem intuitum, fed
conjundum vel cum voluptate, vel cum contemptu."
13. ^'>'yi. David might be called the righteous man in a limited fenfe;
but this title is truly charadteriftic of Chrijl, the Son of David.
7\^\ 6. Ch. Vulg. Ar. 6c iEth. with 25 MSS. read KAiy% which
other paflages corroborate.
14. innO». One MS. reads inifl'. See verfe 13. and Prov. xi. 28.
Lowth remarks, ♦* that he never could meet with any fatisfadion as to
the
[ 199 ]
the connexion between trees planted, and the Houfe of God."' But
with fubmiffion to this great authority may not the righteous be faid
(o be planted in i]\^ houfe of God, as being fhehered and covered by the
protedlion of the Almighty, and fed and nourifhed by Divine Grace ?
See Seeker alfo, and Merrick. Or perhaps as D'VlDSy has no antecedent
we fhould read yhMT)^, " His plants, (i. e. his fons) fhall flourifh in the
houfe of Jehovah, in. &c." Ch. fupplied V.T VJia. See Pf. cxxviii. 3.
Ifai. Ixv. 22, 23.
15. Thefe words may more efpecially refer to the laji age of the
Church, when the wild and the true Olive tree Ihall both grow toge-
ther. See Rom. xi. 23, 24. Lorinus. Tom. II. and Dr. Home, the
prefent Bifliop of Norwich, ..^,/ ,
16. nnVy. 69 MSS. with Houb. nn'71J^. Edwards's verfion fe^ms
moft proper, '* To fhew that Jehovah, my Rock, is upright, and that
there is no iniquity in him."
Our word evil is probably derived from blV, or ViN.
PSALM XCIII.
K I M C H I and others affirm, that this and the fix following pfalms
relate to the Mefpah; however this may be, the pfalmift: here recognizes
'Jehovah as the Creator and Governor of the world. Hare would omit
the 2d. tyn*?. All the verCons and Houb. read "irKJim j but without any
change the text may be rendered, '* Jehovah reigneth, clothed with
majefty — Jehovah, clothed with ftrength, hath girded himfelf." i, e.
Tanquam Miles, fays Lorinus, to compofe and controul the jarring ele-
ments at the creation of the world. See Green alfo.
" It cannot be moved." This is fpoken according to the appearance of
things. See Jofh. x. 13.
V\)f 39 MSS.
V, 2, WDi
[ 200 ]
V. 2. mx:. Perhaps we iLould read pKO, " Thy throne is eftabliflied
in Jlrength" Hare fupplies the defedt of metre in the 2d. line by read-
ing mn» at the beginning. Ch. reads D'H^K at the end. See Pf. xc. 2.
3. IKE^'. Hare reads iNt^J, which reftores a moft beautiful anaphora,
preferved in Vulg. ** Elevaverunt flumina, Domine — Elevaverunt flumina
vocem fuam — FJevaverunt flumina flu(flus fuos."
D'D"f. Houb, reads tDnOT, which feems moft regular ; but fee Bux-
torf, &c. Patrick and others fuppofe thefe words to refer to the fury of
the enemies of the Jewifli people. Mudge to feme violent inundation.
But may they not be confidered as a profopopoeia, exprefling the re-
fiftance of the waters to the Divine Fiatj which confined thera within
certain bounds ? See Pf. civ. 5 — 9. and Lorinus.
4. mV-' or rather as 35 MSS. m*71pO. Houb. reading mVlp, con-
nefts '• the founds of many waters," with the preceding words. But
by reading DnnNI, the conftrudtion feems more clear, " Jehovah on
high is mightier — than the voices of many waters — and the mighty waves
of the fea." See Pf. Ixxxix. 9.
5. '^TTW' 40 MSS. more regularly ^nnv, " Teftimonia tua funt
valde firma." i. e. " Prascepta tua, quibus mare coercuifti." Mariana.
See verfe 3. Syr. reads with 10 MSS. "JDoVl, " and Holinefs, &c."
PSALM XCIV.
M U I S fuppofes this pfalm to be written in the time of the Babylonijli
captivity. Patrick and others afcribe it to David, and it favors much of
•his pious ftrains.
V. I. " God of vengeance, Jehovah — God of vengeance, fhine forth."
Seeker. One ant. MS. reads DDpJ with Ar. in both places.
2. NC'in. Ch. & Syr. read Kt^JDH in Hithp. which feems to be
right.
[ 20t ]
" DBti'- 50 MSS. more regularly OQ}\i^' Hence perhaps the word
fujetes.
• ij. "iSttV ah the r -r^'on^ read l"nn"F^i, which the metre, as well as
conneiflion, feems to require. As Muis and others have obferved, the
force cf Tib Ty, is to be continued to the end of the 7th verfe. Tho'
Seeker renders without any addition, " They utter, they fpeak hard
things : all/ 6cc."
^ys. 7 MSS. ♦'7n£).
5. The laftline of this verfe being defedive in the metre, perhaps we
fhould read D'nbN, at- the end, " and affli(fl thine inheritance, O GoJ."
The beginning of the next word being nearly the fame might caufe the
omiffion.
7. One MS, reads with Hare mn* for n*.
8. lyi is irregular j and we fhould probably read 'iJ'nn. See Dan.
X. II. Or IJinn, which might be rendered interrogatively, " Do ye, &c. ?"
• 9. VDin. Rather, " He t/iat Jxed the ear." Durell. ♦* It feems as
if the n, which begins this and the loth verfes, fhould be demonftrative
not interrogative. And we may tranflate with Houb. '* If he hath
f$rmed the eye-" and afterwards, 10, 11, The Lord that teacheth men
knowledge, knoweth, &c." Seeker. But 12 MSS. read with 6. VDUn,
21 with 6. -|VV, and 15 with 6. nDVn in the following verfe, which fee.
10. Mudge and others unite the laft line of this verfe with the be-
ginning of the next ; but this deftroys the beauty of the interrogatives.
Houb. adds miT at the end. See Ch. Green reads ^'l* vh, " cannot he
take notice I" Hare and Lowth read according to our Bib. Verf. J/T n"?,
" Jhall not he know f" which feems beft.
11. Some one from comparing i Cor. iii. 20. has very probably con-
cluded that the text was originally D3n for D"TX, '* the thoughts of the
wife." If the metre of the Collat. be preferred, though defedivc,
might not bDH be fupplied before Vnn, " That they, even all, are va-
nity ?" There being a great affinity in the words.
F f f la. One
X *02 ]
12. One MS. reading in' for n», ihc true reading is probably niH*.
See Pf. i. I. xli. 2.
13. 'D»D> *' /« ///^ i^j of idverfity." See our old Verf. Green, &c.
ni3'. Although the Lexicographers make nnti' a mafc. noun ; as it
is no where elfe found with a verb, as it has the fem. formation, and one
MS. at firfT: read n*1Dn, this feems to be right.
14. mry» 14 Mss.
15. piy. 2 MSS. read pnV, " For to t/ie righteous he fliall render
judgment." See Houbigant's Verf. Perhaps alfo 1)f is written for '?y.
See verfe 2. But Hare, &c. refer to Ifai. xlii. 3.
" And all they that are true of heart JJrnU follow him." I. e. God.
Houb. which feeins better.
16. '^ Againft the evil doers." One yaluable MS. reading ^3 for-tay
induces me to think that by is the true reading in this and the former
Hemiftich.
'biyia 10 MSS.
19. 'flyncr. Gejerus thinks that this word has the fame fignification
with O'tjyiD, and D'SVD Pf. cxix. 113. *' cogitationes perplexas." inftar
ramorum arboris. And 23 MSS. read ♦5V*lD. But I had once conjedured,
that it might be vv-ritten for mytr, " In the multitude of the horrors
within me." See Pf. cxxxix. 23. and Hof. vi. 10. m"l2 9 MSS.
20. MSS. 1 1, with 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & Mxh. read mi, {See Pf. Ivii. 2.)
and 16 read with 6. & Mih. y^V-
pn 'by, ." For a Jlatute." Pifcator, &c. " Againjl the flatute,"
Gejerus, &c. " According to the Tale" .Alluding to Pharaoh's tafking
the children of Ifrael. Mudge, &c. Perhaps we fliould read *]pn, or
rather Ipin, (See MSS.) " Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowfhip
with thee — which frameth miichief againjl thy Jlatute V i. e. Shall
Saul and his ajfociates by thy permiffion fct afide by my death thy ^.v-
prejs appointment of me to the throne of Ifrael? See i Sam. xxiii. 9.
Or in any other way, counteraft the Divine Decree ?
nin II MSS. -)VV 17 MSS. See 6.
2 1 . This
C 203 ]
21. This verfc is very applicable to David's fituation, i Sam. xxiii.
24. But it is ftill more truly verified in Jefus Chrift, the righteous. See
A(Sts iii. 13 — 15.
23. This was completed in the deftruftion of Saul and his bloody
houfe. But, it had a fuller accomplifhment in the total excifion of the
Jewifh nation. 6. Ar. & iEth. with 10 MSB. omit DnVJ^i* 2d.
PSALM XCV.
SOME afcribe this pfalm to Mofes ; but it is generally fuppofed,
according to 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. that David was the author of it.
Delany refers it to 2 Sam. x. Meibomius gives an Hebrew title to it,
fixing the occafion of it to his bringing the ark to Mount Zionj though
whence he had this title is not eafy to guefs j but as this pfalm ends
abruptly, and the following one was probably penned by David, on that
account they might originally be one at firft, according to 2 MSS. For the
myftical fenfe of it fee Heb. iii. Houb. obferves that one chorus fings
from verfe i, to the middle of verfe 7, thence to verfe 9 another cho-
rus, and that from thence to the end, Jehovah fpeaks.
nyno. 6 MSS. vnj, as in verfe 2. but 5 MSS. read there with n,
which might be added for the metre.
V. 2. ni"nOD. 65 MSS. have mTSDi and it might be originally
thus written to diftinguifh it from m^N furculus.
3. The beauty of this and many other paffages is lofl: for want of ren-
dering the original word yehovah, inftead of Lord. See Pf. i. 2.
4. "ItyK might be rendered with 6. Vulg. Ar. ^Eth. & Ch. ** quoniamt"
For in his hand, &c.'* Or omitted with one MS. and our Verf.
Dnn moyim. Ar. & Syr. *' And the tops of the mountains." See
our marg. Verf. '* Theodoretus fie, " Ipfius funt etiam montium
" • cacumina,"
[ 204 J
cacumlna," licet Daemones rtolidis hominibus millies perfuaferlnt, ut
in illis. fibi templa erigerent." Spenc. The fame word is rendered alfo
" Strength," Numb, xxiii. 22. But that and the parallel paflage feetn
to have undergone fome alteration.
5. *)1j>S " Quemadmodum figulus opus format ac fingit." Lorlnus.
See Ifai. xlv. 9.
6. nDllJ. c. Vulg. Ar. & vEth. read nSnJj but, as Muis has ob-
ferved, the fenfe of weeping does not fuit the context. Meibomius to
preferve the climax tranfpofes the firft and lafl verb, '* let us kneel, and
bow down — let us frojbrate our/elves before Jehovah our Maker." But
perhaps the Syr. Verf. of the laft verb is better, '• O come let us prof-
trate ourfelves, and bow down, and — let us blefs the prefence of, or
in the prefence of, Jehovah, our Maker." See Pf. cxv. xviii. 6. Syr,
Vulg. Ar. and iEth. with 11 MSB. have riDiail. See our old Verf.
irtny, 8 MSS. and 13 lijj^iy.
7. The metre of the CoUat. in the firft line being defedive, we may
divide it with Hare. Or rather read with Vulg. and 4 MSS. mn» Kin,
** For Jehovah himfelf is our God." See i Kings, xviii. 39. The fub-
limity of which paffage is in a manner loft by not rendering mns ** Jt"
hovah." See V. 3.
ID'yiO. Hammond renders this word, ** the people of his dominion.'*
But the Metathefis, which he himfelf notices, is fupported by one MS.
Ch. & Syr. " And we are the people of his hand, and the Jlieep of his
pajiure." See Pf. Ixxix. 13. c. 3.
The laft line of this verfe, as Genebrardus and others have remarked,
belongs to the next ; and as God is introduced fpeaking here, we fliould
probably read with Mudge, &c. 'Vlpl for ibpX (Or as 37 MSS. and
a others at firft, iblpl) ** Oh that you may hear my voice this day,—
that you may not harden your hearts, &c." And this fpeech might
be delivered from the Divine Oracle on the very day, in which they
celebrated the bringing of the ark to Mount Zion. See Hammond, &c.
8. ^y^'Q'^,
[ 205 3
8. nin52D. 9 MSS. read niniisn, but the true reading feeins to be
niHDlD J and 3 MSS. CDVn, " Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, in
the day of temptation, &c." See Exod. xvii. 7. Heb. iii. 8.
9. Edwards's divifion of the metre in this and the following verfe
fee'ms preferable to Hare's, or that of the Collat. " When your fathers
tempted me — they proved me, they alfo faw my works." Or, as a
friend, referring for this fenfe of D.1 to Ruth i. 12. " although they
faw, &c."
10. Adding with Hare according to 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & /Eth. \X\T\T\
after m-ri. I would likewife read with 6 MSS. nawi for IJisn, " Forty
years was I grieved with that generation— and faid, a people erring in
their hearts are they — and they have not known my ways." •
Dn 31*7. One ant. MS. probably reads D!!!*? i but the true reading
might be Dn"?!. 'yn DV- 10 MSS. read 'VIH, 2 ant. MSS. nvn,
but 6. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^th. whom the apoftle follows, lyn TV, " they
always err." And one MS. having nv for DV, as fome one has alfo ob-
ferved, ftrengthens this reading.
11. The conftrudion feems to require "jJfK'?, ** To ivhom, Scc^" See
Numbi xiv. 23. pNin^ 34 MSS. - Htfl
P S-t t M XCVI.
MSS. 2. make this a continuation of the former pfalm. ..„•-..,,
V. I. " -Anew fong." It maybe fo cdled in allufion to the *S'j;/g-
of Mo/es recited, Exod. xv. The recovery of the ari from, the Philif-
tines being an adl of Divine Power and Goodnefs nearly fimilar to. the
miraculous prefervation of the Ifraelites in their paHage through tKe Red
V0O , .....
, ^V?ing junt^ ^^.:^h(^4;;•^,^^,^^^^^qJ^ ^ejerus. ' ' A >)
beautif'ul Anaphora.
G g g 3. mnj.
[ 206 ]
3. nins. 21 MSS. read n^^D HK, a$ in 1 Chron, xvi, 24,^3114 the
metre feems to call for it,
4. b'jinDV 24 MSS. .
N'T)i.:i3 MSS. «"ni1, as in Chron. See Hare alfo.
5. D♦b♦^f. A beautiful paronomafia between this word and D»n'7K»
" For all the Gods of the nations are Idols, or rather nothings." See
1 Cor. viii. 14. •' But Jehovah made the Heavens" i. e. The Sun,
Moon, and Stars, which the Gentiles worshipped.
6. The metre feems to require vn before Tin both here, and in
1 Chron. xvi. 27. " Glory and honour are before him." And the firfl
word might be dropped through its likenefs to the latter, ny 23 MSS.
7. D'aj'. . If this be the true reading, it cannot well be underftood
o^ foreign nations, but mufl mean the Jeivijli people. See Pf. Ivii. 8.
«' Nemo enim nefcit, fays Muis, populum Ifraeliticum per familias dif-
tindum ad fefta 6c folennitates folltum olim pergere, ut conftat ex Luc.
ii. 44-" But one MS. of confiderable authority reads 'OV* " Afcribe
unto Jehovah, O ye families of my people" See i Chron. xxviii. 2.
Here is a beautiful Anaphora.
?W1 27 MSS.
8. -iNin 5 MSS.
9. See Pf. xxix. 2. and xlii. 6. for the firft part of this verfe.
«* All the earth" Rather, " All the land" i. e, of Ifrael, as the next
verfe intimates. See verfe i.
6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. read minn, " in aula fanfta."
VJflVa 28 MSS. See i Chron. xvi. 30.
10. In this and the following verfes, *' ipfa Poefis tr^umphare gaudio,
laetitia infolefcere, & prope bacchari videtur." Lowth's Praeledl.
** Say among the nations" The Jewifh people were to be a kingdom
of priejls to proclaim the true Jehovah. See Exod. xix. 6. ' And the in-
creafe and enlargement of David's kingdom after the bringing of the ark
to Jerufalem was very effedual to this purpofe, which in the fpirit of
prophecy
[ ii07 ]
prophecy he might not only look forward to, but to the ftlll further ex-
tent of the fpiritual dominion of Chrifl his Son, which was prefigured
and typified in his own.
pDD. o. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & JEth. read p2S " /le hath eJlabUJlied."
Houb. pn, " he hath iveighed." The power of God in the creation of
the world is an argument of his righteous government of it, a confidera-
tion which nearly concerns the whole human race.
11. "inVqI. 20 MSS. iKlboi. But fee Pf. xxiv. r.
12. t'i'7V' 9 MSS. and as 2 MSS. omit IK, perhaps we (hould read
UiTl, " and all the trees, &c." But Muis, &c. refer the word TK to
the times of Chrifl. See Pf. Ixix. 5.
13. If Hare's metre and that of the CoUat. be followed both here,
Pf. xcviii. 9. and i Chron. xlVi. 33. it will be neceHary to fupply t<2
♦D in the two laft places, but as Syr. omits the repetition of thefe two
words here with 33 MSS. as none of the verfxons or MSS. repeat
them in Pf. xcviii. or in i Chron. and the two firft words of this verfe
are neceflarily conneded with the former, as Durell and others have ob-
ferved, the metre might be divided thus, " and all the trees of the wood
fhall rejoice before Jehovah: — for he cometh to judge ihe earth."
pKn. 14 MSS. read with i Chron. pKH DK-
The world feems to be contradiftinguifhed to the people i I. e. the
people of IJrael; to whom by the recovery of the ark from the Phi-
liftines David prefaged the Divine Protedlion according to the promife
made unto the Fathers. See Mich. viii. 20.
7 MSS. mm^i and 5 DlSa>».
PSALM XCVII.
THAT this is a pfalm of David is generally allowed ; and as Mol-
lerus obferves, " innuit efle E^wxiov poft vidorias infignes de vicinis gen-
tibus—
[208]
tibus — fed quia regno fuo adumbrari fcibat regnum Chrijli; idcirco ani-
mum & orationem ad illud regnum celebrandum convertit."
V. I. «' The earth may fignity the Continent in oppoGtion to the many
IJles. Poole. But a friend infers from Ifai. xx. 6, that D»N does not
always fignify ** Infu'c^." Perhaps we fliould read Dn.l, " Many nations
fliall rejoice." i. e. The Heathens, in contradiftindtion to the earth, or the
/and, by which may be underftood the Jewifli people.
■ '7'un feems to be the right reading. See Pf. xxxviii. 5. Prov. xxii. 24.
2. ]1D0, " The foundation of his Throne." See Marg. Verf. and
Pf. Ixxxix. I ^.
3. A violent thunder Abrm probably was raifed to difcomfit the enemy.
4. One MS. reads '7»l^n, but the true reading feems to be ^r\T\. A
beautiful profopopocia. *
5. One ant. MS. omits ♦i3'72 2d. with all the Verf. *' At the prefence
of "Jehovah, the Lord, &c."
6. •' The Heavens" i. e. The thunders, the lightenings, and the
florms. Gejerus. See Jud. v. 4, 5.
7. "nm^ 8 MSS. and 9 **7mir more regular. There is a mofl beauti-
ful paronomafia in the 2d line, which might be rendered, *' boafling
themjehes in nothings."" Or as one MS, with Syr. " and boajling thm-
fehes, &c." See Pf. xcvi. 5. xlii. 6. . V:
" Worjliip him, all ye Gods.'" This is a farcaftical apoftrophe to the
feveral Deities of the heathen, as they had Gods many, under whofe
banners and protedtion ihey fought. But thefe words received a further
and ftill more perfeft completion in Jehovah manifejied in the fe/Ji, to
whom the Devil and his angels were obliged to fubmit; and the apoftle is
fuppofed by fome to refer to them Heb. i. 6. See Ainfworth, who ob-
ferves with cthei s that the words quoted by the apoftle are found only in 6.
Deut. xxxii. 43. All the verfions, except Ch. render here, *' onvies
angeli ejus,"' reading VDnVd "73 for cn^N Vd, which one MS. omits.
Ch. reads D'Sy "73, " all ye people."
9. TKa
[ 209 J
9. IJ^ID. One MS. omits itj but perhaps it is written for iba, " the
King over all the earth,--thou art exalted, &c." But if we omit that
with the following verb, which 3 MSS. have not, the verfe will ftand
thus, *' For thou, O Jehovah, art the moft high—over all the earth, over
all Gods."
10. The context feems to require that we ftiould read 'Nilty 17\'^ for
"iKJiy 'iriK, (and 2 MSS. have 'Kit:') *' Jehovah loveth them that hate evil
—he prefervetlij &.c." Unlefs we read with Hare and others according
to 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. ri' nOB', or rather mnv, '* "Jehovah preferveth."
11. [JnyV V1T, " Light w7ow« for the righteous." 6. Vulg. Ar. &
^th. read mt, " Light is rifen for the righteous." which is more agreea-
ble to the common idea of light, and Houb. 6cc. adopt it. But Muis
vindicates the text from Pf. cxxvi. 5. and Seeker from A rift. Foet. Sed.
21. See Merr. 42 MSS. alfo read Vllt. One valuable MS. reads with
Syr. Ar. & ^th. D'pnv*?, which the context and metre feem to require;
and the Ifraelites might be fo called as the worftiippers of the true God.
See the next verfe. But Mariana, &c. refer this to the coming of Chnji.
12. 'iDt'7> " and give thanks at the memorial of his holinefs." i. e.
hftre the ark. See MoUerus. Pf. xxx. 5.
PSALM XCVIII.
6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & i^th. afcribe this pfalm to David; and it is ge-
nerally fuppofed to be written by him on fome occafion fimilar to that
of the two former. See Patrick, &c.
V. I . Hare's metre in this verfe feems mofl; regular, tranfpofmg the words
therefore with Green, and reading ij'? for l*?, and yn? for vnn, I would
render thus, " For his Right Hand hzxh. done wonderful things — his Holy
Arm hath faved us." Or following the metre of the Collat. and reading
H h h Nin
[ 210 ]
Nin after r\^y, and •UV'tT'in for lb Tiy'Z"\rt, thus, " For /le hath done
marvellous things — his Right Hand and his Holy Arm /lai/i/aved us."
But Tirinus, 6cc. adhering to the text refer it to Chrift's refurredion.
See Schultens alfo in Merr. and Seeker, who refers for the firfl part to
Ifai. xlii. lo. A friend thinks that the two laft words either refer to
Chrifl:, or fhould be omitted, the text ftanding thus, " For his Right
Hand, and Holy Arm hath done wonderful things"
2. Hare to compleat the metre of the firfl line reads invity> DH; but
the fenfe feems to require that we fupply D'avV at the end, *' Jehovah
hath made known his falvation io the people — he hath declared his righte-
oufnefs in the fight of the nations." See Joel. ii. 17. This word might
be dropped from its afiinity to that which follows.
3. To complete Hare's metre, which feems moft regular, we muft
fupply with him and others, according to 6. Ar. & J¥j\h. apy*? in the firfl
line, and it is not improbable that mn' has been dropped in the lafl,
" He hath remembered his mercy to Jacob — and his truth to the houfe
of Ifrael — all the ends of the earth have feen — the Salvation of Jehovah,
our God." *« The lafl part is in the fame words with Ifai. Hi. 10."
Seeker. And 15 MSS. with Syr. read here '\^'^\ as in Ifai.
4. All the earth feems to fignify here the land of Ifrael. See Pf.
xcvi. I.
5. IIJDn, or as 9 MSS. Ili'Sn. The repetition of this word is certainly
needlefs, and one ant. MS. has probably reflored the true reading mJOl
ban, " Sing unto Jehovah with the viol— with the harp^ and the voice
of melody."
7. ♦nti'VI 14 MSS. HNl'jai 15 MSS. But fee Pf. xxiv. i.
8. " Let the floods clap their hands." A mofl beautiful profopopceia,
and fhews how antient a token this was of joy.
9. For the various readings, 6cc. See Pf. xcvi. 12.
PSALM
J
C 211 ]
PSA L M XCIX.
6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. alcribe this pfalm to David ; and it was per-
haps penned by him after the tranllation of the ar/-: to Jerufalem, the pa-
lace of Je/iova/i ; and the feveral kingdoms of the world are called upon
to recognize his fupreme dominion.
V. I. iTiT. " contremifcant. in LXX, quos fequntur Vulg. 6c Ar.
ipiiia-^ucav. An vcro irafccHtur populi, quia Jehova regnat ? contremere
decet eos, non irafci ; et tandem idem verbum in Pf. iv. 4^ eodem modo
LXX reddiderunt; ubi Syrus, qui hie deferit LXX fequitur eoru.m inter-
pretationem. An ergo of>/^'./i<«i aliquid Ijgnificat prater irafcor ? NuUibi
quod fciam." A friend. See Pf. iv. 5.
D»m"lD. Hare reads with 8 MSS. D'ailDH. See i Sam. iv. 4. and
Pf. Ixxx. I.
{sun, " Let the earth nod." For, as Lorinus obferves, the Latin
word mito is derived from iti and our Englilla word, to nod, comes pro-
bably from the kindred verb, "rii, nod.
2. As the metre in the firft line feems to be defedivc, may not ^bo
be dropped at the end of it, " Jehovah is the great King in Zion ?" See
Pf. xlvii. 3.
3. From comparing the feveral methods of Hare, Houb. &c. for re-
conciling the fenfe, and metre, in this and the following verfe, I would
jead the laft line of this verfe as in verfe 9, for tVl (or as 10 MSS. T1V1>)
would propofe |VS with 3 MSS. tranfpofe iriN £33tyO, as In Pf.. xxxvii.
28. and change QHty'D for "^Klti^ZSj " Let them praife thy great and
terrible name — For 'Jehovah our God is Holy — Becaufe being a King,
that loveth judgment — Thou hall eflablifhed jz^/V^ in Ifrael — and thou hafl
executed righteoufnefs in Jacob." But fee Seeker, &c.
5. tt'inp.
[ 212 ]
5- *• And worfliip at hisfootjlool." i. e. the ark. " Quod alis Cherubim
mutuo expanfis ac fe contingentibus, tanquam Sedili vel Throno vide-
batur infidere Dominus, pedibus Area? operculo, tanquam fcabello^ im-
pofitis," Gejerus. See Lowth alfo.
tDnnV. 72 MSS. See Pf. xlii. 6.
irnp. 2 MSS. (one of them very antient) read \i}>n^ >2, which
Hrengthens the former reading in verfe 3, and reftores the mod beauti-
ful part of this fublime Ode, i. e. the Chorus.
6. " Among his priejls." h. e. •' maximi fuerunt inter facerdotes. 2
baud raro fuperlativi vim habet." Muis. See Houb. alfo. " Mofes Sacer-
dos fuit." Muis. See Seeker alfo, Merr. Append. No. 6. Or ** his
princes y' as the word pD admits of either fignification. See Grotius,
&c. And may not our word King come from it ? ♦Nllpl 5 MSS. and
9 D'Nmp.
7. If Hare's metre fliould be adhered to, inftead of fupplying with
him and Green mn», to complete it, I fliould prefer D'H^K before
or after Dri'^N*, which from the great fimilitude of the words might be
eafily dropped, and 4 MSS. read x\\t former inftead of the latter % but
that of the CoUat. feems preferable to this, or Edwards's.
•notr. 3 MSS. read notri, which might be rendered with Ar. ** that
they might keep his Jiatutes, &c." meaning the moral and ceremonial
law.
VmV. 30 MSS. vrmy» and 5 pim, more regular.
8. MSS. 30. read Ktyii, and 18 JDpliij both which are more regular i
and we fliould either render the laft word with Gejer. ** Although thou
didfl take vengeance for their iniquities." Or deriving it with Houb.
from T\'\>'^, tranflate it, " and thou didjl pardon them for, &:c."
9. See Pf. xlii. 6.
P S A L M
II
[ 213 3
PSALM C.
THIS pfalm, alcribed to David by Vulg. & Ar. feems to be an ex-
hortation to the people of the land of Ifrael to acknowledge the true Je^
hovaht their guardian and protedor ; and might be compofed for one, or
all of thofe three feftivals, whereon thQ males were obliged to appear be-
fore the Lord. See Exod. xxriii. 14, 6cc. Some afcribe it to Mofes.
V. I. Rather, " all the land," i. e. of Ifrael. See verfe 4.
2. " Before his frefence," i. e. the tabernacle; where Jehovah mani-
fefted himfelf in a particular manner. 1X13 4 MSB,
3. D^nVx. 10 MSS. read D'nVKn> as In i Kings xviii. 39, " Know
ye that Jehovah he is the God."
{{Vv A correfpondent of the prefent Bifhop of Norwich renders the
word interrogatively, ** and are not we his people, &c. ?" But Houb.
Lowth, &c. read ibl, which Ch. & 1 1 MSS. authorize, ** and we are
his — the people, &c." The Ifraelites were by an efpecial covenant the
chofen of God. See Gen. xii. 2. Pf. cxxxv. 4.
4. Muis juftly obferves, that thefe words can only refpedl the Ifraelites^
who were encouraged to go up to Jerufalem to worfhip Jehovah by an
exprefs promife of the Divine Protedion. See Exod. xxxiv. 24. 1K11
4 MSS.
rmyn. 33 MSS. more regularly VD^n^fn. Syr. & Ar. read vnnym.
See our Verf. '
*ars1. Syr. & Ar. with our verfions ID'im, " and blefs his name."
The T being probaibly dropped, as the preceding word ended with it.
5. This pfalm is more regularly divided by Edwards and Green into
four verfes, each of which, as I apprehend, confifled originally of three
lines, for the fake therefore of the conflruition, fenfe, and metre, I
I i i would
C 214 ]
would read IV '*TV, and with one MS. Tin, or rather nnb% for n*T, di-
viding the verfe thus, " For Jehovah is always gracious — his mercy is
for ever and ever — and his truth endureth to generation and generation."
39 Mss- nm for mi.
PSALM CI.
A PSALM of David containing feven diftichs of the long meafure
according to Lowth and the Collat. and penned probably, as Pifcator and
others have obferved, upon his deliverance by the death of Saul.
V. I. ** I will fing of mercy Zfid. judgment." " In /paring David,
and puni/hing Saul." See Muis.
2. I would render D'SD, with a friend, *' in the way of the perfeB."
DirQ 5 MSS. See Prov. x. 9.
3. " ^ thing of Belial." 1. e. an Idol, Mudge, &c. which the wor-
fhippers of falfe gods were ufed to fet up in fome confpicuous place.
Green tranfpofing the words reads ^V^l "111 D'£3D na^V, ** I will not
fet before mine eyes the man who turneth afide (from thy law) I hate im-
piety." But reading with 38 MSS. D'tDt^ for D*v3D (which occurs no
where clfe, and as Houb. obferves D'Dtl' denotes perfons. Pf. xl. 8.
Hof. V. 2.) and with Syr. r\'li}^V for niyy (for which 6. Vulg. & Mih.
read D't^lV) the laft part may be explanatory of the former, ** I will
not fet an Idol before mine eyes — that which maketh, or caufeth revolters
r hate, it fhall not cleave to me." See Deut. vii. 26. Hof. v. 2.
Ezek. xiv. 5. The prefent learned Bifliop of Salilbury reads with Ch. IplT.
4. y^^^ ** 1 will not own a wicked perfon." Green. See Pf. i. 6.
5. 'J^'lba. 46 MSS. read 'ja^Vo ; but the true reading feems to be
either V^^D according to Houb. in Hiph. or \\ih'Q in Piel.
bSIK. 6. Vulg. Syr. An &c ^Eth. " comedam." And this fenfe removes
the neceflity of fupplying the word TS'^'dl, (for which fee Glaffius, &c.)
«« He
[ i2i5 3
«' He that hath a high look, and a proud heart, / will not eat with him."
See Grotius upon i Cor. v. ii. and Gen. xliii. 34.
sm. Houb. reads in"); but parallel places juftify the text. Though
one valuable MS. reads Dm, as a friend obferves. See Prov. xxi. 4.
This verfe feems to point at Ahitophel.
6. ^bn. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with 44 MSB. ^'\r\, part. Ben,
For the next words fee verfe 2.
7. TWV' 6. & ^th. with 5 MSS. r\mv» and 9 MSS. with 6. Ar.
& iEth. nnn for na-r.
8. ** /i^ the mornings I will cut off." Muis, Mudge, &c. Or, " every
morning" Pifc. Green, 6cc. Which refers to the time of fitting in
judgment. See Grot. & Jerem. xxi. 12.
PSALM CIL
MUIS fuppofes this pfalm to be written by Daniel near the end of
the Babylonifh captivity. Hammond and others afcribe it to Nehemiah
upon the return of Ezra to Jerufalem. But Ezra himfelf might perhaps
be the author of it. See Ezr. vii.
V. I. TiSty* 9 MSS.
3. Edwards's metre agreeing with that of the Collat, feems prefera-
ble to Hare's ; but 'bK in line 2d is omitted by one MS. of note, and
is neither requifite to the fenfe nor metre, " Hide not thy face from
me — in the day of my trouble incline thine ear — in the day, &c."
4. \^V1. 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & JEth. with Houb. &c. and 23 MSS.
read ^tt^yo, *' Js Jmoke^'
" As a firebrand." i. e. black and dry. See Job xxx. 30.
5. ** It (hould be tranflated, as the Hebrew flands. My heart Ls
fmitten like grafs, and withered— ^^c^z/y?", &c." Seeker. "JDND 6 MSS.
6. ntys"?
[- 2l6 ]
6. *^^':ht ** Carm mea." *• Synecdoche pro Ca/^." GlalTiu?, &c. Per-,
haps it is written by miftake for mv'?' See Lam. iv. 8. Mudge and
Seeker join the two firft words of this verfe to the end. of the former.
7. riNpV. Bochart deriving this word from Nip, vomuii, underftands
it of the Pelican. Others fuppofc it to be the Bittern. See Merr. Per-
haps it was a fpecies of bird fo called from the particular found of
it's voice, as the Cuckow is in the Greek, Latin, French, and Englifh :
For that the Hebrew language is very ideal may be juftly inferred from
Gen. ii. 19, 20. And the mv (whence perhaps Cofvus may be derived)
fecms to be fo called from its living in the defert. — Although Bochart
derives DID from the fime word, fignifying a cup, and underftands it of
the Onocrotalus, or. Bittern ; yet Fagius and others derive it from the
verb nDD, occulfavit ; which anfwers very well to the nature of the
NyBicorax, or Night-oivl. See Poole, and Merr.
n^nn 2 MSS.
8. The metre of the CoUat. being defeftive in the fecond line, and Hare
fupplying it from the next, whereby tliat becomes fo likewife, may not
P]^3VD, have been omitted, through its likenefs to the former word,
'• I have watched, and am as the bird — which peepeth alone on the ho,ufe-
top ? i. e. the Night-owl, or fome fuch bird. See Ifai. x. 14. xxxviji, 14,
Boch. 6cc,
9. ^ya 47 MSS.
"iVStyj '3, " Swear by me." i. e. " Formulam jurandi ex mea mi-
feria petunt. Sic Jer. xxix. 22. &c." Gejerus, &c. But 6. Vulg«
Ar. & iEth. render 'a, contra me, '* are fworn together rt^^/>^ z^t-." See
our Verf. Houb. reads ICNn:, " have done evil ngainfl me"
10. O feems unnecefl'ary, and one MS. omits it.
II." For thou hajl lifted me up, and cajlme down" i, e. thou haft thrown
me down with the greateft violence, as perfons lift up their arn^s to dalh
any thing to pieces. See Junius.
12. 'ItOi. One MS. with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. and K\\i. Houb. &c.
VD3. See Pf. Ixxiii. 2. Seeker thinks the text equally good. But as the
metre
[ 217 3
metre of the CoIIat. appears defedive, and one ant. MS. reads 'JNl
twice, perhaps the laft of thofe words has been dropped from it's great
fimih'tude to the former, " My days decline like the departing fhadow."
See Pf. cxliv. 4.
13. "insn. Houb. &c. read after Ab. Ezra "]KD31, with 5 MSS. " ai2d
f/^7 Mro«^ unto all generations." But Pf. cxxxv. 13. mayjuftifythe text.
Which feeming here defedtive, may not n»n' have been dropped before
Th (rather yrh with many MSS.) through its Cmilitude to mn' in
the former line, " and thy remembrance y7^^// be, &cc, ?"
14. " For i/ie Jet time is come." i. e. The end of \\\q feventy years
captivity. See Pifc. and Jerem. xxix. 10. Syr. & Ar. read Dmm-
See our Verf.
15. The 2d line being defeiflive in the metre may not ^Dj; have been
dropped after niSV, " and thy people pity her duft ?" Or, '' hold dear,"
from the Ar. fenfe of ]n, as a friend.
16. IK'in, " Then fhall the nations, &c." Which anfwers to O in
the following verfe. See Muis and Green.
TTOD. Houb. reads with one valuable MS. miD, which anfwers bet-
ter to the reading in the former line, " and all the kings of the earth
his glory." Unlefs we read with a friend according to 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar.
& Mih. "]aty, " Then fhall the nations fear thy name, O Jehovah."
17. MSS. 4. p'if DK, which affifts the metre.
Hare, &c. read mnD, and add DbiyiTl at the end of the line for
the fake of the metre and (cnk, " and his glory (hall be feen /« Je-
rufalem." But 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^th. reading nK"lil, perhaps it may
be better to add D'n'jN, ** and God Jliall appear in his glory." See Lev.
xvi. 2. Seeker propofes, ** we jliall fee his glory."
18. 6. Ch. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. render "lynvn in the plur. which
feems neceffary, as there is no antecedent to the following plur. Pronoun.
Houb. deriving it from WT frangere, tranflates it, " the prayei of the
affliSled." But perhaps it might be D'Tnyn* " of thofe imho were wait-
ing." i, e. for the manifcftation of the Divine Favor, from ^^y^, evigilare.
K k k 19. NinJ-
C 2lS ]
19. K"113. Perhaps Kini, " and the people •which is to come fhall praifc
Jehovah." Not n* as in the text, but mn\ See Pf. Ixxxix. 19. nnb
80 MSS.
20. Perhaps mn» fhould be omitted. See Hare, and the Collat.
21. TDK. 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & T^th. read DH'DN, and the metre
feems to require it, *' to hear the groanjng of the prifoners." See Pf.
Ixxix. 1 1.
nman. Probably nmrjn. See Pf. Ixxlx-. 11. cxvi. 15.
23. niDVtSlSI feems to mean the kingdoms 5/' Ifrael and Judah. But 2
very ant. MSS. read in the fing. DDboai, or rather n^b-'Sai, " and the
kingdom" Which had been totally diflblved during the Babylonifti cap-
tivity. Muis observes that this verfe feems to refpe(5l the time when
the kingdoms of this world fhall become the kingdoms of our Lord, and
of his Chrifl. See Rev. xi. 15. Iliy'? 12 MSS.
24. The text, as Lowth obferves, is probably much corrupted in this
and the following verfe, but reading with Ch. Syr. Houb. and 46 MSS.
'HD (or rather 'mD) for inD, and with Hare, &c. 'jnvn for 'j'jVD, the
words may bear this conilrudiion, " he hath brought down my Jlrength
in the journey, he hath fliortened my days. — I faid, O my God, do not
leave me dejlitute in the midft of my days — Thy years, &,c." See Pf.
cxli. 8.
25. n*:N. 5 MSS. naw. Edwards reads l^tDN'l, " But I faid"
26. 6. Vulg. hx. & ^th. read mn* after D'JS*?} which is autho-
rized by Heb. i. 10. From which compared with this paflage, the Di-
vinity oi Jefus, as i\\c MeJJiah, is fufficiently proved. Hare reads 7\T)^ in-
flead of the laft word. But Seeker juflifies it from Noldius.
27. MSS. 8 navn. In 6. £M|f'; aurkc. But fee Rand.
28. The firfl line of this verfe appears to be defedlive, and Ch. reads
DnN"in Tkl'K, " But thou art He that created them." Tig. Ver. fupplies
D^IV"?, " But thou art the (zmt for ' ever." 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th.
feem to have read n'TJ, " But thou art the fame." See Heb. i. 10.
29. IJlDt:'*.
[ 219 i
29. 1i13tiy». 57 MSS. "iJDti^'j and the fenfe feems to require that we
fhould fupply nifnNl with Syr. & Ch. or D-^'IKl with Houb. " The
children of thy fervants fliall dwell m the lafui, or, in their land."
PSALM Cill.
MSS. 6. want the title of this pfalm, which Delany and others accord-
ing to the text, and verfions, afcribe to David ; but, as Grotius obferves,
the fuffix O for T, in the 3, 4, and 5 verfes, favors ftrongly of Chal-
daifm; and it might be written by a perfon, who had laboured under
fonie dreadful difeafe in the captivity ; what that was is not eafily afcer-
tained. Delany fuppofes it to be the fmall pox. Perhaps iho. kprofy.
V. 3. n'^Dn. 48 MSS. with 6, & Ar. read nVlDH, in Ben. Seethe
next \tTk.
OJiy. As 6. Ch. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^th. have the plur^ \ve Should
read with 24 MSS. O'JIV, or omilj/ with Hare, " all thine /w/^k/'/w."
Kfl"in. 64 MSS. with 6. & Ar. Nfiinn. " Sicknefs being confidered
as a vifitation from God, and a punifhment of fin; the forgivenefs of
fin is equivalent to the removal of a difeafe." Lowth's Notes on Ifai,
p. 169.
5. iny. For this word fee Pf. xxxii. 9. — " Shalt renew thy youth
like the Eagle." One MS. of note reads Lyrnnm, and another ti^nnn
but the true reading probably is Jinnm> " and thou flialt , &c.!' 6. .Vulg.
Ar. & i^th. give the verb a paffive fignification, but the grammatical
conftrudion will not admit of this. " Whether the notion of the Eagle's
renewing his youth be well founded or not, I need not enquire; it is
enough for a poet, whether profane or facred, to have the authority of
popular opinion to fupport an image introduced for illuftration or orna-
ment." Lowth's Notes on Ifat. p. 193. But fee Boch. &c. in Poole.
6. The
[ 220 ]
6. The pfalmift now proceeds to recount the mercies vouchfafed to
the Ifraelitijh people.
7. " His ways to Mofes" i. e. The ways of his Ptovidence, or per-
haps the pajage through the Red Sea, and the jonrneyings through the
Wildernefs. See Exod. xiv. and Deut. i. 3, 19.
8. This verfe refers to Numb. xiv. 18.
9. The firft line being defedlive in the metre. Hare adds at the end
r\\ or as it fhould be written nin>, " Jehovah.-vi'AX not always be chiding."
Edwards's, and Green's, verfions fupply Uoy, ** He will not always be
chiding with us." Perhaps m or m may have been dropped from
its fimilitude to the preceding verb, '* He will not always y^r^/^ contend."
See Judges xi. 25. Jer. 1. 34.
Mofl of the critics with Ch. & Syr. fupply 15{^ after liSD', or rather
as 4 MSS. *1C3% but the %'erb ftands alone in feveral places. Might this
word be written for 1D% " and he will not be bitter for ever ? See Exod.
xxiii. 21. Colof. iii. 19.
10. irnilVD. 46 MSS. more regularly iJ'mJIVD.
11. n^iD- 36 MSS. read mii3 j whence it may be conjecflured that
the true reading is "iHl^Dj according to Ch. Syr. and Ifai. Iv. 9. Or it
muft be rendered according to our marginal Verf.
11.1. Lowth, 6cc, propofe nn:i, by which the parallelifm is more
ftriking. See Ifai. Iv. 9. But as Seeker obfcrves the verfions and Pf.
cxvii. 2. ftrongly fupport the text. One MS. reads with Ch. & Syr.
14. *T)Dr. Alex. Verf. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read ID?. Syr. reads IDM,
** and remembereth" Which feems to be right. " De Deo hoc ufurpa-
tur per Anthropopathiam." Gejer.
15. Our Bib. Verf. feems befl;, and moft literal.
17. ** Unto childrens children." *• This refers to Exod. xx. 6."
Warburton.
J 8. The
C 221 ]
1 8. The metre feeming defedlive, may not the word VHTryi have been
dropped at the end of the firfl: line, •' To them that keep his covenant,
end his tefiimoniesV See Pf. xxv. lo.
now"? 6 MSS. HDir'^l 6 MSS. and 52 Vnpfl, all better readings.
19. One old MS. reads in^boi, which feems better.
so. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with 2 MSS. read bo after mns " Blefs
Jehovah, ^//ye his angels." We have a mofl beautiful Anaphora in the
beginning of this and the two following verfes, with an Homoioteleuton
in 7 lines.
mni 39 MSS. no i, and 8 ♦a^i^.
Vtyihy &c. Hare and others fuppofe this line to be an interpolation,
though 6. Ch. Ar. & iEth. have it i and 15 MSS. read yiDtyb.
21. The angels are the armies of the great King, Jehovah, Sec
I Kings xxii. 19.
'tJ'iy 8 MSS.
22. This and the following pfalm end with the fame words with.
which they began.
maipo 62 MSS.
PSALM CIV-
6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with others afcribe this pfalm to David i
and Lowth fuppofes the images of it to be borrowed from the tabernackt
adding, ** Hoc Hymno, feu Idyllio, nihil extat, nihil cogitari poteft
perfedius."
1. ** ^hou art cloathed, &c" alluding to the robes of kings, Pifcator.
To the garments of the priejis. Lowth. — Ch. and 5 MSS. omit mn* 2d.
2. ntoy. 2 1 MSS. nt31V> ** Who coverejl thyfelf ivith light. " allud-
ing to the glory in the tabernacle. Lowth. " Luce ilia primo die creata^
Gen. i. 3." Fife. ** Lumine, fc. illo inacceffo, de quo i Tim, vi. 16."
Theod, &c,
L 1 1 3. ODi,
C 222 ]
3. D*D3» " In the ivaters." i. e. The waters above the firmament, as
Pifcator, &c. But Seeker propofes alio, with one MS. DV^B^n, " in the
Heavem." Houb. reads with 6. Ch. Vulg. Ar. & /Eth. D")psn,
'* Who covereji thy chambers in the waters." See Seeker alfo.
*' Who maketh the clouds his chariot.'* " Defjgnat imaginem Divins Majef-
tatis, quum una cum Arcafe moveret nubi circumfufce infidens, & fupernc
per aerem veda. Vid. i. Paral. xxviii. 18." Lowth. *' ^i nubibus
invehitur." Muis. Tlie Vulg. reads the affix of the 2d perfon.
4. " ntyiV 6. 6cc. with 12 MSS. Thefe words are exprefsly applied
to the angels. Heb. i. 7. who might aflume the form oi winds and fire at
the time of the creation. See Mede. Difc. 6. and Hammond. Whence
they were perhaps ftiled D*fl"ltl'. See Buxt. But Muis and others un-
derfland it, " who maketh the ivifids his mejfengers. Sec." See Poole on
Heb. i. 7. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ch. & ^th. with 37 MSS. read Dm*?; but
Ar. and the Apollle by a Metathefis t^K cDn*?, and one MS. has ITK Omb-
5. Though there is no MS. authority for it, we fhould read iDV, as
Seeker obferves, according to 6. Ch. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. and the other
participles. ^•. •
n'J13t3 by, " upon her bafes." See our marg. Verf. and this anfwers
to 'pVw, I Sam. ii. 8. denoting the fixed flate of the earth according to
the Ptolemaic fyftem.
D'jiy. 6 MSS. Dbiyb.
6. This verfe feems to defcribe the chaotic ftate of the earth. Gen. i. 2.
See Muis, &c.
ID'DD. The grammatical conftruftion requires that we {hould read
with Houb. nn'D3. Unlefs with a friend we render thus, " As for
the abyfs, thou coveredfl it as with a garment." DinH being, of the
com. gend.
7. The waters by a beautiful profopopocia are fuppofed to be put into
a panic at the voice of Jehovah. See Pf. Ixxvii. 16.
S. iVv*, &c. Patrick, &c. refer thefe words to the appearance of the
mountains and vallies in confequence of the waters retiring. See our
marginal
[ 223 ]
marginal Verf. Hammond and others underfland them of the wa-
ters i and fays Mudge, *« a noble image is loft in our tranflation for
want of knowing that he is defcribing the motion of the waters in
mountains and vallies, when at God's command they fled off' from the
furface of the earth into the ports afligned them." So then we might
render with Syr. " They afcend up the mountains, they go down
into the vallies — unto the place, &c."
9. *7U.^. Syr. & Ar. read abu.1, " their bounds." See our old Verf.
This law of creation, as Muis obferves, was over-ruled by the deluge.
One MS. reads with 6. & Vulg. ^y\ for Vl 2d. \XiW< 50 MSS.
10. D'bnJi. Would it not be better to render this word, " into the
brooks?" which fenfe it often bears. Ch. and one MS. read DnnJ3»
*• into the rivers — which run, &c."
!\ ir. irrn. SeePf. 1. lo.
) 1")2ty'. Houb. reads, with one MS. perhaps, Ts'^^i!'', inebriabunt, i.e.
reftinguent, " quench their thirft." Seeker with Syr. lyotys " fatisfy"
But Ainfworth obferves our Englifh phrafe, to break the fajl^ juftifies
the text, ju *ji(joni .
-; 12-. D»K£5V. As MuIs obferves, 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. probably read
£3'K3'D, " from the midft oj the rocks" Syr. reads fome other word
fignifying " Mountains." But the true reading fecms to be D*5iy,
*' from among the branches." See Dan. iv. 9, 18. Or CfiVD. See
Ifai. xvii. 6. Should we not for uniformity fake read ^^'2^\ as 6. Vulg.
Ch. Ar. & iEth. ? See Ezek. xxxi. 13. The murmuring brooks, the
great number of beafts and cattle, with the melodious birds afford a
moil pidtur&fque fcene of rural delight.
13. The change of perfons from the 2d to the 3d, and from the 3d
to the 2d, is very obfervable in this pfalm. See Houb. 6rc.
yVV^' Durell making it a participle with D prefixed renders it " by thy
means". But. one MS. at firft read Vti'VD, " by the fruit of his u^orks."
See Gen. i. 11.
14. N'lfinV.
C 224 3
14. N»:i{"l?l'7. The Tame conftru<ftion. Job v. 11. Pifcator. " tSPl'?
feems to fignify corn here." Lowth.
minvb 25 MSS. See Numb; :iv.'24. .
1^. We muft either fupply "itt'K with a friend, or read with Ar.
HDW latificans*
]DE'D D'Jp "j'rianb Capellus and others read n^nVnb, and Hare like-
wife ^132', " and 0/7 to make his face to fliine." But reading with Syt.
& Ch. Vifl> I would render the words, ** He maketh his face Vb fliine
with oily
16. mn* 'Ify. Houb. objedHng to this expreflion reads with 6. Vulg.
Ar. & ^th. 'I'Wt " The trees of the field," And thefe tveo' words oc-
cur frequently together ; but as the metre feems defedlive, and Aquila
and Theod. have t5 c^eJ/s Kyf/s, by reading ynB>»l, for IVnty* the words
might be thus rendered, " And Jehovah hath filled xhQ txtt%. ef the field
— who hath planted the cedars of Lebanon." Alluding perhaps to the
time of the creation, which is generally fuppofed to have been in au-
timn, when the trees were covered with fruit. See Calmet's Dift. and
Univ. Hift. Vol. I. Seeker thinks that, YisU, 6. fhould be ««?«, (the
Collat. of 6. MSS. may clear this up.) and propofes this verfion,: '* The
trees of the Lord are fully fatisfied, or, fupplied." A friend thus, ** The
trees of the field are faturated"
"ij. DHflV or as 3 MSS. DmUV, may be taken generically for any
fort of birds. See Pf. cii. 8.
D'tyj")!. Hare reads D'ti^mi, " as for the ftork it's dwelling is in the
fir tree." Seeker by a metathefis, ** The fir trees are the houfe of the
fiork." But our Bib. Verf. feems equally good. See Merr.
18. The two animals mentioned in this verfe take their names from
climbing the rocks, and from hiding in them ; and the former is fup-
pofed to be the Rupicapra, or Wild Goat, and the latter by Bochart
and many others to be the 'AfXTo/«/j, or Mountain Moufe of the Grecians.
Our verfions underftand by it the Rabbity which is well known to
burrow
[ 225 ]
burrow in the rocks -, and Hyde makes the Aljarhuo of Bcchart to fig-
nify the Arabian Hare. See Merr.
19. " He appointeth ^^ Moon {or feafons." The greatefi: part of the
Jewifh feafts, as the New Moon, the PaJJ'over, the. Fentecojl, &c. were go-
verned by the Moon. See Mede, and Spencer.
" The Sun knoweth, Ike." as if endued with underllanding.
fee. caiD. As all the verfions render the verb in the plur. I am in-
duced to think that we fhould read rut^'/DlD. See verfe 1 1. and Pf. 1. 10.
Or as 10 MSS. read ^lOin, we mufl then read D'H, with a friend, or
render with him, omnh bejiia ejus,
21. DUSItr 15 MSS.
bNC " and feek their vc\z2X from God.'" Hammond thinks that by
this expreffion we are to underltand that extraordinary difpenfation of
Providence in providing for the Lion by the affiflance of the Jackall. I
had once conjedured that we fhould read bflNJD, " in darknefs." But
fee Pf. cxlvii. 9.
22. mtn. This verb being irregular, we Ihould probably real mO-
See Jud. ix. 33. Or rather nit O, " When the Sun rifeth, th'y withdraw^
&c." For this fenfe of ]1flDX' fee Muis, and Seeker.
DDJiya. 18 MSS. with all the verfions read OmJWt:, " in their
dens." By which wife deljgnation of Providence man can purfue his daily
labors in fafety, as the next verfe intimates.
23. One MS. reads Dli^n, which aflifts the metres and 18 irniav"?.
See verfe 14.
24. The pfalmifl: can no longer contain himfelf.
^yjp, " with thy creatures." 6. Ar. Ch. Syr. & iEth. with Houb.
and 51 MSS. read "jj'jp, " with thy creature."
25. n? is probably written for p, " Behold the great and wide fea."
See Gejerus.
WITS here may be underftood oi jijli in contradiftindlion to Whales,
and other fea monfters mentioned in the next fentence, ** wherein are
jijli innumerable." See Gen. i. 21.
M m m nvn
[ 226 J
nvn. No MS. reading in»n flrengthens the obfervation Pf. Ixxix. 2.
26. The firft line of this verfe {hould probably be read in a parenthefis,
if it is not an interpolation ; and the grammatical conflrudion requires
that we fliould read ppVn. — That wonderful piece of mechanifm, a fliipy
whereby man becomes the Lord of the fea, feems originally conftrudted
under the Divine direction. See Gen. vi. 14.
27. D^D, " AH thefe wait upon thee." i. e. All the living creatares
mentioned from the beginning of the pfdm. " Natura; impulfu, abfque
ulla Dei cognitione." Muis, &c.
28. 21D. Syr. omits this word, and the fenfe being equally good
without it, " Thou openeft thy hand, they are filed," the text affords
a moft Yemarkable Homoioteluton, no lefs thanyZv lines ending with the
plur. verb, and the Nun paragogic. There is likewife a beautiful Afyn-
dcton in this and the following verfe. As Seeker obferves that in our
verfions ihould be omitted.
29. S]Dri. 45 MSS, have S]Dir) ; but the true reading feems to be
?!D»Sn.. See Jofli. ii. i S.
." To their duft." See Gen. i. 24, 25. But one ant. MS. omits the
affix, as in Job xxxiv. 1 5.
30. This alludes to Gen. i. 2. as the continual fucceffion of things is a
kind of creation. See Patrick, &c.
31. " And they f moke" Gejerus, Patrick, &c. refer this to Exod.
xix. 18. But may it not have refpe<fl alfo to Volcanic mountains in gene-
ral ; which will probably be inftrumental in the hand of Providence to
the general conflagration of the world ? See 2 Pet. iii. 10. and Pf. cxliv. 5.
34. nV*. Hare juftly fufpefling the text faulty propofes reading aiVD',
or fupplying mn' at the end of the line, *• my meditation Jliall delight
itjelf in him", or " Let Jehoimh make my meditation acceptable to
himfelf." But perhaps we fliould read 1"iyN\ " / ivill direSl my medi-
tation to him." See Pf. 1. 21. which will afford a beautiful alliteration
of four lines.
35. Seeker
C 227 3
35. Seeker confiders thefe words as a predidion, " Sinners Oiall be
confumed, 6cc." See Syr. alfo.
n» "ibVn. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. prefix thefe words to the beginning
of the next pfahii.
P S A L M CV.
IT is evident from i Cliron. xvi. 8, &c. that David was the author
of this pfahn, though it has no title ; and as Lowth obferves, it con-
tains the hiftory of the Ifraelites from Abraham to the Exod ; or their
eftablifliment in the land of Canaan. See verfe 44. The 6th verfe is
connected with this and the four following.
2. Considering the fliortnefs of the metre in the firft line, together
with Pf. xcvi. I, 2. for the ift l'?, perhaps we fliould read nin'b, " Sing
unto yeJwvah, fing pfalms unto him." But one ant. MS. in i Chron.
xvi. 8. reads '\t2^.
VDNbDJ. Houb. with 56 MSS. vmKV33, and 40 MSS, read fo in v. 5.
3. One MS. reads with a confiderable addition in the beginning of this
verfe, but it does not improve the ki\(e.
4. irvi. 6. Syr. Vulg. & ^th. with Houb. &c. render it, " and
•be ye Jlrengthened" — feek his face, &c." But 11 MSS. read ItlJ/l.
5. VnSO. 30 MSS. have VDfilD, which is more ufual.
" and the judgments of his mouth." i. e. The punifliments denounced
upon Pharaoh. See Exod. vi. 6.
6. See verfe 42. and Gen. xxvi. 24. But Hare would read 7/rjt'/ for
Abraham, as in i Chron. xvi. 13. though Syr. & Ar. with two valuable
MSS. read Abraham there.
♦Jl» " Te Jons of Jacob." From whom the twelve tribes of Ifrael
took their names. One very ant. MS. reads ITPQ. See Seeker alfo.
7. Nin is emphatieal, '* Jehovah himfeljh our God." See Mudge, 6cc.
8. -I3r.
[ 228 ]
8. nDT. Hare refers to Pf. cxi. 5. for this reading, in oppofitlon- to
I Chron. xvi. 15 ; and Seeker thinks it beft ; but as the preceding verbs
are in the plur. and 2 MSS. with an ant. one at firft, have T13T, this
reading fcems preferable, " remember ye ^
9. priw'b. 10 MSS. have pnV'V, in which form it is ufually written j
and as this line feems defedtive in the metre, may not ylt^♦J have been
dropped, which our old verfion fupplies, but on what authority I kno\<^
not, " and the oath he fumre unto Ifaac ?" which may probably refer
to Gen. xxvi. 3.
11. " Saying unto thee.'" i.e. to '-Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob." Muis.
Perhaps agreeably to the following Affix, DDb for "|b, ** unto you."
" The lot of your inheritance." As the defcendants of HeSer, whom
the Canaanites had unjuftly difpoflefled. See Pf. Ixxviii. 55. Lorinus,
and Bryant's Obf. But fee verfe 12, 44. Pf. cxi. 6. and cxxxvi. 21.
12. Dnvn:i. The parallel place with Ch. Syr. and 23 MSS. read
DDDVnn, *' when ye were few in number." But the following verfes
favor the text. See Hare.
OySD. " ^'^ paucitas, vel ut JT. plane pauci" Lud. de Dieu.
" Viri numero pauci." Vat. who ioins it to the foregoing words. " The
beft rendering of this phrafe is, ivhen they were fcarce, or almoji a nu?}i"
ber of perfons. OVOD cannot fignify more or lefs than two, i. e. Abra-
ham and Sarah his wife." Hammond.
Dn:i. If the remark in verfe 11, be well founded, this word might
be more properly rendered, " Sojourners in it." See verfe 23. But it
may be thought that this word, and- v. 44, militate againft the fuppofition
of the Ifraelites having ^ prior right to the land of Canaan. See Pf. cxi. 7.
13. See Gen. xii. 20, 26, 28, 6cc.
14. " Kings for their fakes." i. e. Pharaoh and Abimelech. We
fhould read with 3 MSS. HD'I, or rather n'DVV
15. The Patriarchs were confidered as Priejis and Prophets hy celebra^
ting the name of Jehovah among the nations, and foretelling the Redeemer
of
C 229 ]
of Ifrael. Sec Gen. xx. 7. xxii. 8. xlix. 10. The remaining part of this
pfalm is omitted in i Chron. which Green attributes to the negligence
of tranfcribers.
16. The following part of this pfalm affords the mofl: flriking in-
flances of Divine Providence. Famines and peftilences are the Minijlers
of God's vengeance. See 2 Sam. xxiv. 13.
•73. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with 7 MSS. bsi, " and he brake
exery ftaffof bread." So that no one had any thing to fupport him.
See Muis and Green.
17. " He fent, &c." Compare Gen. xlv. 5, 7, 8. One MS. by a
tranfpofition reads f]DV tyw, which reflores the proper order of the words,
** He fent before them the Man Jofeph, ficc." See Gen. xliii. 3, &c.
18. W£3J HKl Vnn. Muis, Hare, &c. read according to 6. & Syr.
"jnill, " His Soul (i. e. his perfon) came into, or was laid in irons."
But as one MS. reads with Ch. WD33, and we might underfland this
word of the living, as well as of the dead body, perliaps we fhould read
m likewife, " the iron entered into his body." i. e. pierced into his
flefh.
19. " Until the time of his prediflion had come to pafs — and the word
of Jehovah had cleared him. See Gen. xli. 14." Green. ** Kin, de
didis et promiffis ufurpatum, fignificat evenire." Muis. " ni"T et mON
{\yCiX fynonymUi & idem pro more, bis dicitur." Hare.
20. Vtrn. 17 MSS. with 6. Vulg. & iEth, bt^l^.
21. "jti^DI. 16 MSS. with all the Verf. 'jt^^lDI.
22. nOt^V. or as 20 MSS. niDN*?.— 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^Eth. with Hare
and Lowth, read *1D'V» ** that he might injiru£l his princes after his
will." "Which agrees better with thefollowing words.—" 'xis «awToV, i::?£3J3.
6." Seeker. And fo one MS. and another at iirfl:. The lad line feem-
ing defedtive, might we add iniDDnn, " and maketh his Senators wife
by his •voijdom ?" Ch. reads VJptDI, " and, or for, he was wi/er than his
elders." See Seeker.
N n n 23. Our
C ^30 ]
23. Our Bible Veiiion of the laft Flemiftich is inert literal.
24. See Exod. i. 7, 10.
in-t:vy»"l- 41 MSS. in^'yvn more regular.
25. *lfln, *' He turned:' i. e. " Tanturn per accidens vel permiflive."
Tin'nus, &c. Ch. Syr. Ar. & JEih. render it paffively, " Their heart
was turned." See Lev. xiii. 3. and our old Verf.
Syr. 6c Vulg. with one MS. at firrt, read "^DJnnbl, ** and to deal
ftibtilly, &c" - A friend, referring to Exod. i. 10. conjeiftiues that we
fliould read D^nnn"?. But fee Gen. xxxvii, 18.
HMtih. 5 MSS.
26. pHkS*. Syr. Ch. 6c Ar. with 6 MSS. read pHN'l, " atid Aaron
whom he had chofen •with him:' i. e. with Mofes, as his coadjutor. See
Exod. iv. 16. One MS. reads ^nriKI, and 6. always reiider ir, KoLih-.- ,
but for the text fee Kennic. Gen. Dill. SedV. 58.
27. Xy^,- 6. Syr. Vulg. 6c &.\\\. with Hare, &rc. read DLi', " he
•wrought:' Ar. Dt^*^, *' and he ivrought by them, 6cc." Unlefs for
nn D2 we read, as Seeker fuggefts, Dn'ii:!, as in Pf. Ixxviii. 43. " And
he wrought his figns in Egypt:' Or, with a friend, omit nil.
D*UflJ:T 30 MSS. D'DDTJV 'See other places.
28. Y\12 nVi, " and they rebelled not:' i. e. Mofcs and Aaron, a^
Muis and others. And a friend obferves that the margin of the Italian
verfion fupports this fenfe. Or the elements, as Junius, Lowth, &(j.
But .6. Syr. Ar. 6c i^th. omit the negative, " but they did reb^L" i. e.
the Egyptians; or taking the words in an interrogative fenfe, as Fuller,
S>cc. think, gave them an affirmative, '♦ but did they not rebel T' i. e.
they did rebel. See 2 Kings v, 26. " DOm nx \sn N^T would -be too
bold a conjedture, though Pf. xxxv. 6. hath -yz'n DDIT ',T." Seeker.
.Hare, 6cc. would read nat^, " but they ivere not obedient u?ito his word:'
See our old Verf. alfo. ** Et non immutata funt verba ejus." Houb.
-,, . vnai. Syr. Hare, 6cc. v/ith 38 MSS. re^d linT, in the, fmg.
"jitt'nn 41 MSS.
29. r)0»%
[ 23 L ]
29. Dtt'V We fliould either read nma^l, in pih. or D'S'I, in Hiph.
30. " Frogs." The Nik, which the Egyptians \vorfl:ipped as a principal
Deity, as being the caufe of fruitfulnefs to ihe Land of Egypt, was mi-
raculoufly made the inflrument of the greateft nuifance. See Vols, de
Idolol. Lib. ii. c. 74.
31. my. 6. Bochart, &c. " The Dog-Fly" See Pf. Ixxviii. 45.
t30D. G. Syi-, Vulg. Ar. & Mih. D'J31. *' and Lice, &c." , See
Exod'. viiii 17.
32. " Fire of Flames." Rather tranlpofing the words, "Flames of
Fire." See Pf. xxix. 7. and Exod. iii. 2. where we ihould read with
Sam. nin'ji.
35. Hare reads "jD before Hfl, with Vulg. Ar. & iEth. " and de-
voured all the fruit of their ground." Or perhaps as Syr. and one ant.
MS. omit b^m we might read, inftead of it, "73 riNl, " and all the
fruit, &c." '
36. Di'lNl. Ch. & Syr. with 21 MSS. IDHV^:!, " And he fmote
all the firft-born in Egypt." See Pf. Ixxviii. 51.
, ** The frji fruits of their frength." " 6. Vulg. Hiewn^ primitias la-
boris vel partus eorum. This I think is the right tranflation : The firfl-
born that were (lain on this occafion, were thofe that opened the womb ;
the firfl-born of the mother, not of the father." Lowth. But fee
Muis, &c. ■ .
• 37* DN'^VV There being no antecedent, perhaps we H^iould read
IDy N'VTI, " And he brought forth his people, &c." See v. 4-. and
Green's Verf. This corjedure is further confirmed by the fame remark
of a friend. See Exod. 12. 35.
38. The conllrudtion feems to require that we (liould read ^ni2:^' with
Ch.
39. The fenfe, if not the metre, requires that vv^c read QOV at the end
of the firfl: line of this verfe, " lie fpread a cloud for a covering by
flay'* See Exod. xiii. 21. and Green's Verf. And if ?vluis's Obferva-
tion
C 232 ]
tion in fpeaking of the cloud be juft, " qua alias iEgyptus caret," this
phenomenon mufl: appear ftill more ftrilcing.
40. bKty. All the verfions with Houb. &c. read iVki:'. The metre
feems to require that we fliould read with Syr. & Ar. Dn*7 after l*7ty,
(or as 28 MSS. y'^Z't but the true reading according to Sam, Exod. xvl.
13. feems to be 'iVti?.) which might be omitted from it's great Simi-
litude to the following word, " They ajked and the quail came unto
them." Some underftand hereby the loaijl ; but Wifd. xix. 12. deter-
mines in favor of the quail. See Merrick alfo.
41. "iHj. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with Hare, kcc. read nnnJ,
which the conftruflion requires j unlefs we read with Ch. and our Bib.
Verf. ^nJD, " they ran in the dry places like a river." See Pf. Ixxviii.
x6. Or by a metathefis "]'7m, for obn? " and a river ran in the dry
places."
42. DN 2d. fhould be rendered ivith, or we (hould read Vk with 6. Vulg.
Ar. & iEth. " for he remembered his holy promife — with, or, to Abra-
ham his fervant." See Mudge, Seeker, &c.
43. NVVl. 32 MSS. K'VVT more regularly. See Calafio's Concord.
This evidently alludes to Exod. xv.
44. This refers to Jofli. iv. 19 — 24.
D'aiNb II MSS.
45. Vpin 5 MSS. and 13 more regularly VDl'lim, ** and obferve /«>
laws." Which were holy, jufl, and good, in contradiflindtioa to the
impious and impure rites of the Heathen worfhip.
n» "ibbn probably only an addition of the Copyifts, or borrowed
from the next pfalm.
PSALM CVI.
WINDER fuppofes this pfalm to be written In the time of the Judges,
Patrick and Green afcribe it to David, from comparing the firil and two
lafl
I
C 233 ]
lafl: verfes with i Chron. xvL 34 — 36. Mollerus and others bring it
down to the Babylonifh captivity, or to the reign of Antiochus j and the
judicious Bilhop Lowth obfervcs, " Hie pfalmus ab Exodo ad pofteriora
Ifraelitarum tempora profequitur." But if we bring this and fome others
down fo low as to the time of Antiochus, it mufl be fuppofed with Pri-
deaux that the canon of fcripture was not finally fettled till the time of
Simon the juft. See the pref.
V. 2. y'Ott". Syr. & Ar. read V'Sti'n, ** or can JJiew forth. Sec."
10 MSB. read milJl- See Ar. & verfe 8.
3. nait:' 8 MSS. more regular. And a friend with Syr. VOfltyD,
*' that keep his judgments."
ntry. All the verfions read ♦triVI, and one MS. at firfl: 'tyijr, which
the grammatical conftru<5lion requires, ** and that do righteoufnefs at all
times."
4. ''yipQ, 'ilD?' Green fuppofes this and the following verfe to be
added by a captive at Babylon; but as all the verfions, except Ch. read
the verbs in the plural, as 2 MSS. have W3t, and one "linpsi, Houb.
feems right in reading the plural affixes, ** Remember us, O Jehovah,
with the favor — of thy people; and 'uijit us with thy falvation." Sec
Hare alfo. Durell's verfion of "[liy, " loith thee," is not requifite ; for
as Gejerus obferves, it is the genitive cafe of the recipient objedl, " of
thy people," i. e. of the people, whom thou favoreft.
5. The Gerunds, as Lorinus obferves, are equally applicable to the
plural as the fingular.
yM. Hare, &c. feem to prefer *Tblt?:i, " thy redeemed." Whicli
reading favors the date of Mollerus, &c. See Pf. cvii. 2.
6. ijVtt'nn. Syr. & Ar. with 33 MSS. read UVI^nm, " ^W we have
done wickedly."
7. Hare's metre appearing defedive, and that of the Collat. being too
long, perhaps iXDn is dropped before Dni'Olj '* Our fathers finned in
Egypt — they underflood not thy wonders— they remembered not the mul-
titude, &c." mn 32 MSS.
O o o D'n
[ 234 ]
D':i CD* by. The text, as Durell obferves, is embarrafled by incon-
fiftent prepoEtlons, he therefore reads according to 6. & Ar. with Muis,
&:c. d^by, " but rebelled as they marched by the Red Sea." Houb.
reads D'H^V, " but they provoked God at the Red Sea." Green re-
ferring to Pf. Ixxviii. 17. prefers ivby, the Mo/l High. But one MS. of
great authority oinits D'^, which removes all the difficulties, " but
rebelled at the Red Sea." See verfe 22.
8. " For his name's fake," i. e. the name of Jehovah, by which he
was diftinguifiicd as the God of the Hehreivs. See Exod. iii. 18.
9. MSS. 40 m^innn, and Houb. reads "insnD, which all the Verf:
fupport, and 10 MSS. have inon.
ic. One very ant. MS., and another at firfr, read n'N.
12. in':y». c. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^Eth. with 3 MSS. read 1TK"1, " and
fang his praife." Which the metre, as well as connedlion, calls for.
See our old Verf.
13. K*7. 7 MSS. with Syr. & Vulg. Ar. read N*?!, " and mould not wait
for his counfel."
15. XW^. Hare conjectures that 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. and ^th. read X\'ir\.
See Pf. cxlv. 16. But Seeker remarks that 6. never tranflate pj>%
n^w^w/. Durell thinks it was pil, or n'll, " abundance." " Omnes
in Polyglottis, prater Chaldceum, exhibent pK'^f, faturitatem ; quod an-
teferimus, nifi mavis |VD, cihum." Houb. See Lowth, who alfo ob-
ferves that N'nf is ufed Numb. xi. 20. " but fent loathing into their
foul, or, appetite." See Green, and Pf. Ixxviii. 30.
16. iNJpn, " Then they provoked Mofes, &c." See Caflel. Lexic.
\i;^Hi. 6. Syr. Ar. & JEth. with 4 MSS. pnNbl, *' and Aaron^"
which the connedion requires. But one MS. reads pnnfcjV. See Pf.
cv. 26.
17. Perhaps Dathan and Ahiram are mentioned only as being guilty
of the greater crime in invading the priejily office, which belonged to
the tribe of Levi. But fee Poole.
19. nnna.
C 235 ]
19. mm. 13 MSS. read n-nni, which all the verfions juftify, and
in the Pentateuch Sam. always fupplies the l. Ofiris 6c IfiSy which were
the Sun and Moon, the chief Deities of the Egyptians, were fymboli-
• cally reprefented by the Bull and Cow. See ant. Univ. Hiftory, Vol. I.
Voffius, and Pf. Ixviii. 30.
20. All the Verf. with 20 MSS. read V^IK.
21. 22. " Great things, ivonderful things, terrible thing?." A beau-
tiful climax. 6. with 10 MSS. ntl'IV. Ch. fupplies "ili't^.
23. \*"liDl, " in the breach." A metaphorical allufion to a perfon's op-
pofing the irruption of the enemy through a breach which they had
<made. See Junius, &c. But Ch. reads V'^Dl, " perfevered in praying
before him." Which accords very well with Deut. ix. 26. See alfo
verfe 30.
ri'nii'na Alex. Verf. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & Mi\\. read tsn'ntyno, which
the fenfe requires, " Therefore he had determined to deflroy them — had
not Mofes his chofen — flood before him in the breach — to turn away
his v/v^\hfrom deflroying them." See Deut. ix. 14.
24. 1DKJ2'1, " T^hen they refufed, &c." A flill further provocation.
■ See verfe 16.
K"?. 6. Syr. fie Rih. with 16 MSS. Kbi, " and believed not his
word."
25. Syr. 6c Ar. read nVi with 15 MSS. See our Verf.
26. The metre of the firft line feeming defedlive, probably r)^? may
have been omitted, the parallel place Ezek. xx. 23. having it, " There-
fore he lifted up his hand unto them." i. e. he /ware unto them. See
Numb. xiv. 2 1. Patrick, &;c.
DDIK. 26 MSS. CDDK.
27. Vsnbv Seeker referring to Ezek. xx. 23. reads j'^finVl, ** To
Jcatter their feed alfo among the nations — and to difperfe them through
the lands." But a friend from Kennic, refers to Ezek. xlv. i. &c. for
the text.
2?. inDX^i
[ 236 J
2S. nJSV'l, ** For they joined themfehes (i. e. in marriage) unto Baal
Peor." Violating the folemn corjenant between them and Jehovah.
See Jerem. iii. i. &c. But for a different fenfe of the word fee Mudge.
Peor and Priapus were probably the fame deity. See Seldeni Syntag. i.
The latter being compounded of nK HD, whence he was fuppofed to
prefide over ^^rrt't'^j; and being called the former from the impure rites
with which he was vyorniipped. See Tirinus on Numb, xxvi i.
*' And eat the facrifices of the dead." i.e. of dead idols, Spencer, &c.
of deified heroes, Hammond, &c. In both cafes that beautiful farcafm
Wifd, xiii. 17 — 19 holds good.
29. ID'yDn. All the verfions with 4 MSB. read imD'yD'1, " and they
provoked liim with their wicked deeds — and the plague brake in upon
them." i. e. like a mighty warrior invaded their camp, and made great
havock amongfl: them. See Numb. xxv. 9. Unlefs we may here fup-
pofe the affix 1 comprifed under the termination of the verb, as the
two » alfo often coalefce. See Pf. ii. 12. and Pf. cxii. ic.
30. '7b3^ 2 MSS. read HliiT\\ " made himfelf a Judge" in ^nmihing
Zimri and Cojbi. See Vatablus, and Lowth. Or as Hammond, &c. ac-
cording to 6. Vulg. & Ar. ** made an atonement." See Numb. xxv. 13.
-fl^yi one MS.
31. This has continued upon record for more than 3000 years al-
ready. Perhaps rather, " And it fi:all be counted. See."
"im "Wi^ more than 40 MSS.
32. liD'a'pn. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & .^th. " They angred him alfo at
the waters of Meribah." See verfe 29. The order of the hirtory is
here difturbed, as this tranfadion comes properly after verfe 15.
33. NDn'1. This word, which occurs only Lev. v. 4. and Prov. xii.
18. fignifies merely to fpeak, which does not convey a fenfe ftrong
enough, the generality of critics therefore fuppofe an ellipfis. See
Poole's Synops. and our Verf. But perhaps it is written by miflake
for KDnn, " ond he finned with his lips." See Exod. xvii. 4. " et cunclatus
ef." Houb, 34. This
C 237 3
34. This verfe relates to different periods of the Jewifti Hiftory. Sec
JoHi, xvii. 13. Jud. i. 28. &c.
IB'K, ficiit, ''As Jehovah had faid unto them." Munfter. See Tay-
lor's Concord, and Jcrem. xxxiii. 22.
35. Patrick refers this to Jud. ii. 11. iii. 5 — 8.
36. CDnOVy, ** their idols." Probably fo called from the curious lakr
fpent in framing them. See Ifai. xliv. 9 — 19. and Ainfworth.
37. Tomalinus fpeaking of human facrifices fays thus, " hanc immani-
tatem a Judceis antiquitus migrafle a pluribus facrje fcripturs locis pa-
tet. Hinc Rex Propheta de iis conqueritur, ittimolaverunt filios fiios, &
Jilias fuas Damoniis." Thef. antiq. Grac. Vol. XII. 878. But the diredl
contrary inference is to be made from the pfalmift's words. See Lev.
xviii. 21.
DHty'?, Dasmoniis, " to Devils." Spencer derives this word from
rn^t (iger, becaufe they live in Jields, The prefent Biffiop of Norwich
derives it with Parkhurft from KIB', or 7X1^, fudit, fufores, i. e. the
Heavens, or great agents of nature. But the generality of critics derive
it from "n^, devajiavit, " the defrayers ," and the Demon here referred
to might be "j'jD, Molech, i.e. the king; by whom is meant the Sun.
See Gale's Court of the Gent. And there is a remarkable paflage Revel,
ix. II. to this purpofe, '* And they had a king over them, which is the
angel of the bottomlefs pit, whofe name in the Hebrew tongue is Abad-
doHt but in the Greek tongue he hath his name Apollyon." i. e. a deftroyer.
And thefe words, as Spencer and others have remarked, have probably
an allufion to the early worfhip of the Sun under the figure of the Ser-
pent. That there was a Sun Saturn fee Vofs. de Idolol. lib. II. c. 5.
and the word "IIDD, fatur, hid, from whence Saturn comes-, is as applica-
ble to the Sun, as to the Star, Saturn ; whofe receiles to the oppofitc
tropics of Cancer, and Capricorn, as Godwin obferves, may be termed
iiipcf.iifio], djfparitionsy or lojfes ; and thofe rites made ufe of by the Egyp-
tians in honor of OJIris, by the Grecians in honor of Ad n.'s, and adopted
P p p by
C 238 ]
by the Jews in the worfhip oi Tammuz, Ezek. vili. 15. all refer to this
event, according to Selden Synt. II. c. 2. Befides the ftory of Saturn's
devouring his own children is not more applicable to the planet Saturn,
than the Sun, which by its intenfe heat deftroys thofe very things its
(denial warmth gave birth to. Children therefore might be offered to
this parent of heat and Jire, the nouriflier and dellroyer of every thing,
as the choiceft facrifices. See Mich. vi. 7.
38. D'SDia. Perhaps DQin, «• with their blood," i. e. The blood of
their fons and their daughters.
40. The greatefh love often ends in the greatefl hatred, efpecially be-
tween hujband and mfe ; and fuch Jehovah and the people of Ifrael are
reprefented to be. See Jerem. iii. 20.
41, 42. Thefe may probably relate to the feveral captivities mentioned
in the Book of Judges.
Dn'NilC' 7 MSS. and -i^^ Dn^l'K.
43. mn. One MS. (if not two) reads Da"), which is more gram-
matical.
DHifya. Perhaps written by miftake for Dn'lVVl, *' But they rebelled
againfl him with their idols." See verfes 36, 38.
•|D0*1 or as 4 MSS. isisn. One MS. of good authority reads 1DD»1,
** and they were dijfohed." Another '\\>ty^, which is countenanced by
Lev. xxvi. 39. But another 1*lDD»% and from comparing Jud. ii. 14.
Ifai. 1. I. and confidering the defedl of the metre perhaps this is the belt
reading, ** and they were fold for their iniquity."
44. 6. Ar. & E.ih. with one MS. of note read mn» NTI, " and
Jehovah regarded their affliftion." The obftinate wickednefs of the
Ifraelites could not overcome the Divine Clemency. See Hare, &c.
45. "lIDn 10 MSS.
Dni'l. 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & ^th. derive this verb from Dfli, poeni-
tuit, ** arid he repented." Syr. probably from nni, ducere, and he go-
verned, 01 guided them ," Perhaps it may be the Hiph. from TWi, qwef-
ceret
I
C 239 3
cere, " and he gave them rejl according to the multitude of his mercies."
See 2 Chron. xv. 15.
non. Syr. Vulg. & Houb. with 53 MSS. read VlDh. See verfe 7.
This and the following verfe probably refer to 2 Sam. vii. 10, 11. For,
as Muis obferves on the following verfe, they had not that mercy fliewn
them in the time of the Judges.
46. DDIii. 35 MSS. have DHJ?.
CD'am"?. Perhaps rather Cam'? in pyh. " to be pitied." See Prov.
xxvIH. 13. and our Bib. Verf.
47. D'i:in, " from among the heathen, or nations," i. e. the Baby-
lonians. See Jerem. xxix. 14.
nnntyn"?. 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. with 10 MSS, HinK^n'?'! ; Syr. alfo
reads "jn'jnil for ^nbriDl, " a7id to triumph in, or, with thine inheri-
tance." See verfe 6.
48. If this be confidered as part of the pfalm, or be only an addition
©f the colledior, as a conclufion to the fourth Book, (See Pf. xli. 13,)
Edwards's metre feems the moft regular, " Blefled be Jehovah the God
of Ifrael — from everlafting to everlafting — and let all the people fay.
Amen." Seeker refers to i Chron. xvi. 36, 37. where he obferves the
lafl words (hould be rendered in the fut.
PSALM CVII.
THIS Is the beginning of the Jifth Book of the pfalms, which dl-
vlfion, though probably of later date. Is fuppofed by Calmet and others
to be very antient, and even from the time of the firft authors that col-
le<Sed them into a body. But fee Pf. xli. 14. Patrick, &c. make Da-
vid the author of this pfalm. Hammond fuppofes it to have been com-
pofed prefently after the BabykniJJi captivity, but flill as having refpedt to
the redemption from Egypt. It confifts, as Lowth and others have ob-
ferved
C ^40 ]
ferved, oi five parts, four of which end with an intercalary verfe. Sec
Lowth's Prieledl. and the Collat. of MS. &c. But if the firft verfe may
be confidered as a chorus, then the chorus will begin every fedlion. See
Exod. XV. I, 21.
V. I. "nn- 37 MSS. read iTin. See Pf. cv. i. and Houb.
2. As one valuable MS. reads KJ "nSJi* and the laft word might eafily
be dropped from its great fimilitude to the beginning of the following,
we might render IB'K with the Tig. Verf. " Let the redeemed of Je-
hovah fay now, that He hath redeemed them, &c." Which avoids the
repetition of the pronoun.
3. This verfe compared with Ifai. xliii. 5, 6. may be fuppofed to fa-
vor the opinion that this pfalm was written after the Babylonifh capti-
vity. See verfe i. But if it is to be underftood of the deliverance from
Egypt, which may be inferred from the following verfes, it may refer
only to the different parts of the land into which they were difperfed
in confequence of their great increafe. See Exod. i. 7. Houb. refers
to the fituation of their enemies, " Ammonite ab ortu, Philiftsei ab
cccafu. Syri ab aquilone, Idumaei ab aujlro."
CSV Hare and others read *»3'D1, which the fenfe feems to require.
See Pf. Ixxxix. ]3. For iht Mediterranean could not well denote the
Sautli.
4. This verfe probably refers to the peregrinations in the wildernefs.
See Jerem. ii. 6.
"ITT is connecfled by Ch. with the preceding word, " in a folitary
way.'' See our Bib. Verf. " In a folitary, 6cc. in the defert : they
found not the way to a city of habitation. See verfe 7. Thus 6. Vulg.
Syr. tranflate." Seeker.
5. See Exod. xvi. andxvii.
6. One MS. here, and more in the following verfes read Dn'nipVi^::!,
which the conftrudlion calls for. See verfe 28. and our Verf.
7. " T(J a city of habitation." i. e. Jerufalem. Or the fing. may be
put for the plur. See verfe 4. and Deut. vi. 10.*
8. " Let
*• Let them acknowledge to the Lord his Mercy.'* Seeker.
9. nppiy. 63 MSS. npplty. See Ifai. xxix. 8.
10. The fecond fedion according to Mudge and others begins here;
and the particulars of it may relate to the Egyptian bondage.
♦Its''. 17 MSS. have ♦itrv.
♦TD^f, &c. " being bound in afflidion and iron." " Per Hendyadin
vertas, vindti mifero, aut affligente, ferro." Gejerus. And we may
render it, " being bound in galling chains." See Durell.
11. There is a moft beautiful paronomafia between llon and ni^N, and
nxy and l2fNJ, which no other language can imitate.
12. All the Verf. with 30 MSS. read iny,', and they feem alfo to have
fupplled XK'T'i, which the metre may require. See Pf. xxx. 13.
13. IpVPV 13 MSS. read ipy^'i, which is moft ufual. See verfe 6.
16. As Lorinus has obferved from Aiguanus, the city of Goflien might
have brazen gates and iron bars. But fee Ifai. xlv, 2.
17. D^blK, &c. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. make this word a verb of
the 3d perfon fing. with the affix pronoun, reading probably either DNtTJ,
or ^^1p, fufcepit eos. Houb, reads D'VfK, *' T^hey wajled away becaufe
of their tranfgreflions." But 60 MSS. reading D'VlJ* fix the fenfe of the
word, " Fools, Sec. Green reads with one MS. D'yC'S, and Hare ^y^'Si.
an'niivoi. ■ 52 MSS. Dn'mjwoi.
18. See Numb. xi. 31.
19. See verfes 6 and 13.
20. " It was neither herb, nor mollifying plaifter that reftored them
to health j but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things." Wifd.
xvi. 12.
ISVO'I. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. with Houb. read DObO'l, the D
being dropped, as the next word begins with it ; and one MS, at firfl
read defedively 0*70'%
Cjrnrrnjyc. 24 MSS. read Dnn'nt:^^, but the true reading feems to
be DD'na'DO. See Ar. 6c Syr. ^
♦ Q^q q 23. This
C 242 ]
22' This is a moft lubllme defcription of a florm at feaj and whether
it may relate to Jonah i. or to an earher period is left to the judgment
of the learned. »jyiy 3 MSS. with all the Verf.
25. Plare and others fuppofe that ^DV»^, and tDp- in verfe 29, have
changed places. But Seeker inftances Exod. ix. 16. Neh. vi. 7. to prove
that ^♦oy^ fignifies, " /le raifed up."
As yhy. is irregular, and the metre of the Collat. defedtive, we fhould
probably read with Syr. D'H 'h'X, " For he commanded, and made a
tempeftuous wind to arife — and it lifted up the waves of the fea." See
verfe 29. But Seeker would read with 6. T\'h'X both here, and verfe 29.
referring to nblVO in verfe 24. and niVD there.
26. " They go up to the Heavens." i. e. " vel navigantes ; vel fludlus
illi." Muis, 6cc. But the following Hemiftich favors the firft fenfe,
where perhaps for nvni we (hould read rnvil, *^ for fear."' What can
equal the lliortnefs and fublimity of this defcription ?
27. Nothing can be more defcriptive than this comparifonj but the
latter part of this verfe is better rendered according to our marginal ver-
fion, •' and all their wifdom isfwalloioedup." Sec Kai. xixi 3. and Segker.
Syr. probably reads Vnnnn, " is "oanijlied."
28. Dn*mpV.201. 44 MSS. Dn'miJl^fJSOl, as in three places before.
29. Dps or as 6. Ar. ^th. & Vulg. with 2 MSS. Dp»i, is. proba-
bly written by miilake, as Seeker obferves, for DK^S as it is found
in verfes 33, 35. But fee verfe 25.
DH'b.^. For the reafons afligned in verfe 25, I would read here alfo
with Hare, &c. D'H ''jJl, " and the waves of thefea are ftill."
30. ^inO. This word occuring no where elfe, it is probably written
by miftake for p^a, which one MS. at firfl read, " and he bringeth
them to their defired Jlation."
32. " In the k.zx of the elders" It was cuftomary for the elders to
ft in their public affemblies. See John viii. 2. ,
33. This and the following verfe allude probably, as Lorinus obferves,
to the deflrucftion of Sodom and Gomorrah.
C 243 ]
♦K5/)3V 50 MSS. with Houb. 'KV1»1. See Ifai, xli. i8» and 61 MSS,
read fo in verfe 35. ■
34. See Gen. xix. 24.
35. This may refer to Exod. xvii. But we have the fame expreffions.
Ifai. xli. 18, and nearly the fame Pf. cxiv. 8. " Elfe, fays Seeker,
tD'DnKb would feem better." See verfe 33.
36. ntrvi, more regularly n'Ji'VT i and perhaps for liJlD* we fhould read
pilDS " And there he made the hungry to dwell — and prepared a city
for habitation." The Ifraelites were miraculoufly fupported forty years
in the wildernefs, and were afterwards put in poffeffion of Jeriifalemj
and the other cities of the Canaanites. See verfe 7. But if a repetition
of the fame fubjeift fhould be thought improper, this fedion may refer
to the reinftating of the Jews after the Bahylonijh captivity.
37. WT^' Syr. & Ar. read iV^N'l, " and they did eat the fruits of
the increafe." Or as one MS. reads nanNH, " of the fruits of the land."
The land of Canaan was fruitful beyond meafure. See Lev. xxix. 19.
38. See Deut. vii. 14.
39. IDya'V Houb. reads iVyO'l before this word according to Ch.
and the fenfe and metre feems to require it, " When they tranfgrejfedj
then were they diminijlied, and brought low." The laft word being eafily
dropped through its likenefs to the former. See Seeker. This may re-
fer to the time of the Judges.
40. The words of this verfe are found in Job. xii. 21, 24; whence
with great probability they are fuppofed to have been borrowed. See
Pifc. &c.
DVn'V Perhaps tZiV JTl'l, " He poured cut contempt upon princes—
and he made the people to wander in the wildernefs, where there is no way."
The firfl fentence referring to the overthrow of Pharaoh ; the latter to the
peregrination of the Ifraelites in the wildernefs j to which Warburton
fuppofes the author of the Book of Job to allude.— 6. as Seeker obferves,
read K*?! j and 2 MSS. read fo in Job xii, 24.
41. »ilVD.
C 244 J
4r« ♦Jiyo* .48 MSS. with Hoi«b. read »:V3. See Exod.iii. 1.7. .,&c.
Ott"!. iEth. fupplies 1^7 after the verb. See our verfioasi and Mudge.
But I would read innstro for mnSJ^D, " But he exalteth the poor from
afflidlion-^zn^ maketh his family hke a flock." See Green's Vcrf. alfo.
42. See Exod^ X?. 14.
43. ")ttlS"1. Syr. & Ar. tranfpofmg the i probably read "ilDiy*,
** Whofo is wife 'will obferve thefe things." See Seeker alfo.
I^iisn'l. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & FLih, with Hare, &c. pian'l, " and
he Jhetll underjiandi &c."
P S A L M CVIII.
THIS pfalm is probably compiled from Pf. Ivii. and Ix. See Gro-
tius, &c.
V. 2, 3. From comparing Hare's metre with that of the Collat. in
Pf. Ivii. and this and obferving that 1 1 MSS. with Syr. VuJg. & Ar.
repeat miV* the lafl: line of the 3d verfe being defedhive in the Collat. I
would read this word for P)H with a friend, as in Pf. Ivii. and fupplying
^i*? pOJ alfo with Hare, &c. divide the whole thus, *' O God, my
heart is ready, my heart is ready — I will ling and give praife — Awake,
my glory, awake lute — and harp : I will awake early." But fee Hare,
Green, &c. One MS. at firfl: read m3Dl for 'TDS f]K. See our Bib.
Verf.
4. *' This and the following verfe feem to prove that the meafures of
the vcrfes did not depend on the things exprefled only, but on the fyUa~
ties alfo." Lowth's Prel. DilT. on Ifai. p. 47. See alfo p. 25, 26.
D'OINbl 13 MSS.
S' bya. Syr. Hare, &c. with 2 MSS. read TV as in Pf. Ivii. 11.
** For thy mercy is unto the Heavens."
6. See Pf. Ivii. 6. 7. ryv^t^fr^-
C 245 ]
7. nj^'tyin. Houb. reads ♦JJ/'tyin with Syr. & Ar. to corrcTpond with
the following verb 'J^J/I, which all the verfions with 80 MSS. read in-
Aead of IJJVTj but DV'jyin anfwers better to the preceding words, " Let
thy. Right Hund/ave them, and hear thou me." Who was probably im-
ploring the Divine Affiftance in the funfluary,
8. Ityip.l, Rather, ** in his holy place." i. e. ///«■ SanSluary ; " uhi
edebantur oracula divinaque refponfa." Lorinus. And David having re-
ceived a favorable anfwer, perhaps by Urim and Hhummim, delivers him-
felf in a drain expreflive of the fullell: confidence of vidory over his
enemies. " I will divide Sichem, &c." See Pf. Ix, 8.
6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^Eth. with 2 MSS. here, and one in Pf. Ix. read
np'^nNI, " and I ivill divide, &c." DIDID 7 MSS.
9. 'h 2d. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & K\\\. with 30 MSS, read 'bl, as in
Pf. Ix. ** And Rph'aim is the Jirength of my head. Sec. See Pf. Ix. 9.
10. Hare fupplies »n', " Moab JJia/I be my waili pot." Wafhing the
feet was a necelTary cuflom in the Eafl: ; and denoted the mofi: abject
fervltude. See John xiii, 14. and Harmer's Obf. Vol. II.
" Over Edom, &c." The throwing of the fliae was a token of taking
pofleiTion of a thing. See Gejerus and Ruth. iv. 7.
"hV' Durell making this word the 2d. perfon fing. imper. renders
the words, *' Go up, O Philiftia, triumph." Suppofing them to be ironi-
cally fpoken. But 4 MSS, read bv* as in the pre'ceding line. See Pf.
Ix. 10.
11. 'J*?!'. 47 MSS. have 'j'^nV, but from comparing Pf. Ix. ir. it
feems that this is an error of the prefs fof 'iVlV, though not noticed
as fuch. See Houb.
-lVn2 -I'y. Hare reads -nV,*J n^n ; and 1 1 MSS. have the lad v^'Ord ;
but perhaps we fliould read Tyb, as one MS. has it in Pf. Ix. " into the
flrong city." By which fome underfiand the cities of MefopotanHa,
Others thofe oi Idumcea. ' 5otne ' take ■ it for ferufalem. Mudge, &c.
fuppofe it to be Petro. Hammond, &c. will have to be Rabbah.
R r r But
[ 246 ]
But the prefent Bilhop of Norwich more probably makes it to be Bgz-
rah, and perhaps we fliould read HTal, for TiiSJ. See Ifai. Ixiii. i.
'jnj. See Pf. Ix. II.
12. Lowth and others follow 6. Vulg. 6c iEth. Verf. " Wilt not
thou, O God, who hadjl caft us oft" — and didjl not go forth with our
armies?" See Pf. Ix. 12.
DM'tK 2d. Syr. Ch. Hare, ccc. with 4 MSS. omit it j and the fenfe,
r.nd metre do not require it.
IJ'nikSn^a 42 MSS. as in Pf. h".
14. *• For he fliall tread down our enemies."
P S A L M CIX.
THAT David was the author of this pfalm is clear from Ads i. 16,
20. and the objcdion to the imprecatory parts of it may be obviated by
confidering them as prophetical, and all of them, except the firft fentence
in the 6th verfe run in the fut. tenfe and fhould be rendered in that
manner. See Calovius, Randolph, &c. But Sykes, Kennicott, and
others, fuppofe them to have been uttered by David's enemies^ and not
himjelf. See Kennicott's 2d Diflert. p. 581. But fee Merrick alfo.
'nbnn. Ch. and Hammond confider this word as in appofition, " O
God, my praife, be not thou filent." And 3 MSS. if not 4, read D'h'^N.
But 3 MSS. having 'r)'!?'3r) j the words may be rendered, " O my God,
be not lilent unto my prayer." Suppofing, with a friend, an ellipfis of
b^. See verfe 4.
V. 2. The metre of the Collat. being too long, and one MS. of great
authority reading D'yt^l for V^'^, perhaps T\tT^ 'SI ihould be omitted,
" For the wicked have opened the mouth againft me — they have, &c."
A friend fuppofes an ellipfis of 1 before XWoh, but I fufpedl that flK has
been dropped from its fimilitude to the preceding word. This was the
cafe of David, but much more fo of Chrift. See Matt. xii. 24.
3. The
[ 247 ]
3. The metre of the lafl: line in this verfe appearing defedive, may
not 'I'K, or fome fuch word, have been dropped, " and mine enemies
fight againfl: me without a caufe ?" A friend renders the firft line, ** Arid
thoje who /peak hatred, &c."
4. rh^T) 'iNI. The grammatical conftrudlion, as well as the metre in
the Collat. is here evidently defedive. Houb. to fupply the former reads
VnDDXI, ** hnX I am Jhpplanted, or overthrown." Durell reads bbi3r)N1.
A friend with one MS. ♦jiVbd, conformably to Pf. Ixix. 14. But as 6»
Syr. Vulg. Ch. Ar-. & JEth. read 'JKI ; & Syr. and Ifidorus fupplied
DTVn, the text might originally Hand thus, tDIVll bVCDS* 'JK% " Not-
withftanding / prayed for than."
5. Should we not read labtT'l for iS'li"! ? See Syr. our Verf. and
Gen. xliv. 4. &c.
6. Whether we confider this and the following verfes as the words
of David, or the words of his enemies (See verfe i.) it is probable that
we fhould read with one valuable MS. ^pf)m, with the "» converfive ia
Hoph. " A wicked perfon Jliall be fet over him," (i. e. to judge him)
—and an adverfary fliall fland at his right hand." i. e. to accufe him ac-
cording to the cuftom of the Jews. See Gejerus. Perhaps tDfiiiy has
been dropped from the end of the firft line through its fimilitude to the
following word, " A wicked yW^^, &;c." Tioy* 5 MSS.
8. imps. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^Eth. with 3 MSS. and Hare
in^pfll. See alfo Ads i. 20. whence it is inferred that thefe words were
prophetical of fudas See verfe ] . Hammond obferves that fudas and
and Ahitophel died in the fame manner.
10. VIJV Vulg. & ^th. read yiJ, and the copulative 1 feems unne-
ceflary. As a friend obferves one MS. fupplies DnV. See our verfions.
And this reading ftrengthens the text in the following Hemiftich.
liymi. Houb. &c. read with 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. ytr\y!y or IB^IA'1,
*' et ejjciantur de habit ationihus fuis" Who alfo read another word for the
laft, perhaps DmiDti^OD. Syr. omits this verfe.
C ns ]
11. " typi». lypv. 6. Syr. perhaps dp'." Seeker. —ini» 8 MSS.
12. "]tr.t5. 40 MSS. IB'IO more regular. ' "-^ "' • •- -
13. One MS. probably reads with 6. Vulg. Ar. & yEth. ^nR, '" In
c//<? generation."
Dt:::'. o. Vulg. Ar. &£ /Eth. with 16 MSS. l»;2?, " /ifs name"
which the context require?.
14. rnns* 26 MSS. vmns*. See Exod. XX. 5.
15. DID*. Lorinus and others read i"iDt, " and ///x memory fhall be
cut off from the earth." which the following verfe favors, unlefs we
render T.iJ with a friend, " they were againjl Jehovah." i. e. the "fa-
ther and mother. Sec Jud. xx. 34.
16. niwy. One MS. omits it, and neither fenfe nor metre require
it, *' Becaufe he remembered not mercy."
?]nnn 6 MSS.
18. Houb. and Green tranfpofe the two lafl lines of this x-erfe, and
thofe of the next, " As he cloathed himfelf with curfing as with his gar-
ment— it Jliall be unto h'mi as the garment, Z^c.-^and for a girdle, zSc. —
and it fliall come into his bowels, £cc."
\^^. Green renders this word marrow; but It may allude only to the
cuftom of anointing the body with oil, which may be faid to penetrate
the bones. See Muis. NUT 3 MSS.
19. Girdles were necefTary in the Eaft, where they wore long gar-
ments.
20. " This Jliall be the reward." See verfe i.
♦ro:r. Rather with 4 MSS. 'roiir, " of mine adverfary.'" i. e. Doeg,
or Ahitophel, See verfe 8. 4 MSS. alfo D'"anm. But a friend renders
thus, " This is the doing of mine adverfaries." i. e. The imprecations
above mentioned. Perhaps we rtiould, read with one very ant. MS.
T\^ for DKr, " This is the doing of thofe who lute Jehovah,— iKni of
*^thofe who fpeak, &c!.'''
21. 'ns* 7\m, '' Deal li-ith me." " The verb is thus ufed 2 Kings
xxi. 6. &c." Durell. See alio Gen. xxxlv. 31. Lowth pre.^ers Houbigant's
reading
I
[ 249 J
reading ♦bK nVti'> ** Have refpe5i unto me." If any alteration Is requi-
fite, ♦JV'Jl''in is commonly conneded with the following verb, " fave me
for thv name's fake." See Pf. vii. i, A friend obferves that Alsx. Verf.
& Ar. read 'DK TDn TWVy " Shew kmdnefs unto me."
Inftead of llto O, I once thought that we fliould read nTlD, " ac^
cording to the multitude, of thy mercy deliver me." See Ch. Ar. and
Pf. li. I. &c.
23. init33D. 6. with 7 MSS. imDjn, •* in its departing." Thefe two
Gerunds are often confounded.
'niyJJ. Syr. Vulg. Hare and one MS. read 'rrnVJil* " and am driven
away as the locuft." Alluding perhaps to Exod. x. 19. See alfo Nah.
iii. 17.
24. I'jtJ'D, " My Knees totter." Mudgc. Or, fmite one againjl ano-
ther. See Dan. v. 6.
tyriD. Houb. renders thus, " et caro mea unguento defraudata eft."
Similar to which is that ' of Mudge and others, " and my flefli hath
cheated or deceived me of its fatnefs." i. e. hath lofl its fatnefs. Seeker
conjedbures that 6. who are followed by Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read X\yiJ
for lynD. Perhaps we fhould read {i^'inD, " and my flefh is like a potfliera
without oil." See Pf. xxii. 15. It was the cuftom in the Eail to keep
their oil in earthen veffels. See 2 Kings iv. 5. It feems alfo to have
been an aggravation of Job's afflidlions, that inftead of having oil to af-
fwage the pain of his wounds, he had nothing but a potJJierd to fcrape
himfelf withal. But fee our Bib. Verf. which Seeker thinks juftifiable.
25. See Matt, xxvii. 39. The conftrudlion of the verbs in the laft
Hemiftich being irregular,. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. feem to have
read pj;»j'i ^Jisn " they faw me, and/haked, &c."
27. nnj*. 6. Vulg. Ar. & Mih. with Houb. and 2 MSS. read HDNI,
** and that thou, Jehovah, 6cc."
28. it^^yi lap. 6. Vulg. & ^th. with Hare, Sec. read '^y ^t3p,
" ^hey that rife up againft me, Jliall be ofnamed" See Pf. xviii. 40.
And one MS. reads W\1\ Houb. fupplies U after the lirft verb.
S s s 30. D'31«
C 250 ]
30. D'l*1. Perhaps, " among the mighty ones'' As oppofed to the
poor man in the next verfe.
31. 'tDDiyO, or as 8 MSS. ♦Dfllli'D. 6. Vulg. Ar. & i£th. with Hare
confidering itjlatu abjohto, render it, ♦* to fave his foul from Judges"
Houb. 6cc. kippofing it to he Jiatu regim. read y^WTb " to fave him
from, thofe that judge his foul." Syr. probably reads DDiySO, " to fave
his foul from, or in Judgment." Which feems equally pertinent. Sec
Ifai. liii. 8. •; -'
lM2r 6 MSS.
"iK^fiJ. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with 4 MSS. ♦ti^fli, *' tny foul" And
by the/joor man in the former Hemiftich he probably. means himfelf.
P S A L M ex.
THAT David was the author of this pfalm is probable not only
from the title, but from Matt. xxii. 43. and the whole tenor of it feems
to prove that it relates folely to the Meffiah. See Rivetus, Patrick, &c.'
V. I. *• Jehovah faid unto my Lord, fit thou on my right Hand."
The right hand being the moft honorable place j and the pfalmift feems
to allude to the inveftiture of the MeJJiah in his mediatorial kingdom,
(See I Pet. iii. 22.) which was to continue till he had made his foes his
footjlool', or as St. Paul exprefles it, '* till be had put all enemies under
his feet." Which expreffions are borrowed from the Eaftern cuftom of
conquerors putting their feet upon the necks of their enemies. See
Gejerus, &c. and Jofh. x. 24. From Our Saviour's reafoning with the
Jews, Mark xii. 35. on this verfe, the dodrine of the Trinity is clearly
deducible from it.
xsr\r\ 51 MSS.
2. nOO, " The rod of thy power" feems to allude to the rod of
Mofes, by which he fubdued Pharaoh and his hoft. And the kingdom
of Chrtfi commenced in Z/ip/x. See Ads ii. Hare's
C 251 ]
Hare's metre In this vcrfe feeming irregular, and that of the Collat.
defeftive, the latter might be fupplied by reading ♦ns* at the end of the
line, " Rule thou in the midft of thine enemies, O my Lor(f."
3. It is generally fuppofcd that this verfe, which ftands thus, ^Dlb'
•jD nb nnti^o DPI,!: t:np mm ^Vn Dvn nn: yy:^* is corrupt, or defec-
tive, or both. Mede fuppofes an ellipfis of DV, or IN'n', " Thy people
(fliall be) a people of free-prefents, or, JJiall bring the free-will offer-
ino-s." Hare, Edwards, Green, and Seeker follow the firft reading,
but vary fomething in their tranflation ; the two former fupplying »n' be-
fore DVl for the fake of the metre. Houb. reads with 6. Syr. Vulg.
Ar. & ^th. and 66 MSS. I'mV, H^nn with Symmachus, &c. and
36 MSS. for mna, 'nm: for naiJ, omitting bD l'? with 6. Vulg. Ar.
& i^th. ** Tecum lil/eraliter, vel magnifice egi in die roboris tui, in mon-
te meo fanSio, ex utero ante Luciferum genui te." And by the moiintainr^
or mountairit he underftands Sinai, and HoreL But Seeker obferves that
his verfion requires ^Vl[> "IHl, and propofes in his beautiful fanSliiary.
Hare, Edwards, and Green alfo read n">n3, underflanding by it the hills
of Zion and Moriah. Kennicott, &c. read '^rn'?' i and Randolph omits
"jD *]V. Hare, Edwards, and Green read VdD, placing it before DHIOi
** in montibus fanSiis, iit ros ex ulero." Lowth fuppofing an ellipfis of
b\2, gives this fenfe of the words, " P/vp j-ore, qui ex utero aurorje pro-
dit, ros tibi erit prolis tua?." For which he cites Pf. iv. 8. Ifai. x. ic;
Job. XXXV. 2. ** Which Seeker obferves are good authorities for this
ellipfis, with a in this fenfe. Only in them the word is expreffed before it
is fupplied, and here the contrary." Mr. Bradley does not think that a
can bear the fignification of more than-y but Pifcator, in juftification of this
fenfe renders "jND in Job, " major eft quam Dei, vt\ prce jujlitia eft Dei."
and refers to Heb. xii. 24. for a fimilar expreffion, where Grotius, &c.
read -na^a to. But fee xi. 4. Durell reading "j'^lV, and I*?* (defective
for I'Vv) for "^t and obferving that D prefixed to "inty fignifies before, ren-
ders the whole thus, ** With thee fhall be free-will oflTerings in the day
of
C 252 ]
of tliy power, in the glorious fanSiuary, I haise brought thee forth out of
the womb before the morning brought on the dew." Mr. Bradley ^tvi"
Acting TsT\l principality (See Ar. &c 6.) T\\t}12, from youth, (See Ecclef.
xi. 10.) and making "PD the impcrat. from bVJ, and "l^ the imperat. from
*lbs divides and renders thus, *' With thee (fliall be) the principality in
tJie day of thy power — In my holy fandtuary from the womb — From
youth go cnft off thy childhood^ — *' Perhaps a prophecy, he adds, of the
miraculous early knowledge of the Meffiah . See Luke ii. 42." Amongrt:
this variety of readings, obierving that 170 MSS. read mnj, that one
omits "jb, and another reads '7£3D, the following reading, and divifion
of the words is fubmitted to confideration,
"iVn tDvn \S'i' miTj yy/
(Or-intS>. See Seeker) : imV "jDO int^n Dmo trip ^^'ym
" Thy people fiaU bring free-will offerings in the day of thy power —
to the holy mountains, thine off-fpring fhall be as the dew out of the
womb of the morning." See Job xxxviii. 28. and Ifai. Ixvi. 20. Which
laft paffage may give feme countenance to the additional reading in the
firft fentence, which received its firft completion Adts ii. 41 — 47. And
the latter is daily fulfilling by the increafe of the children of God,
who are compared to the numberlefs drops of deiv, as the Ifraelites were
to the dujl Numb, xxiii. 10. See Gejer. &c. Mr. Bradley indeed ob-
ferves that mb» never fignifies off-fpring. — But we have nVl Gen. xi.
30. for which Sam. reads tV, probably right, as in 2 Sam. vi. 23. in
this fenfej and the feminine feems to be a natural derivative from the
verb. " Juventus tua, i. e. juvenes tui. (ad regem Mefliam pertinentes)
Abftradum pro concreto." Calov. Hare, Lowth, &c. But Seeker thinks
it cannot be interpreted the young men of thy army; and he obferves
alfo that children are called the children of God, not of Chriji.
4. *' Jehovah fwore, 6ec.," This, as Lorinus obferves, from Auguflin
and others refers to Gen. xxii. 16. See alfo Heb. vi. 13 — 20.
\TVO here fignifies a priejl, as is evident from Heb. v. 6—10. But fee
Pf. xcix. 7. 'mm.
[ 253 ]
'JT^m. 2 MSS. read with Hare, Sec. n*in ; and Kennicott fuppofes
the 'inlerted with defign. See i. Dill*. ii8. One MS. alio of good
authority reads ^VdT for oVdi, Gen. xiv. 18. " after the order of Mel-
chifedec." Becaufe both f>n'e/i and /:i/2g. Gejerus, &c. But fee Seeker
in Merr. Append. No. 6. who thinks ♦ may be paragogic.
5. Here is an apoftrophe, as Gejerus obferves, diredled to Je/iova/i, and
as the metre is defedive, and one ant. MS. reads nin* before »J"TN*, the
conftrudion feems eafy and regular, *' 0 Je/iova/i, the Lord upon thy
right hand — fhall wound kings in the day of his wrath." Or as one ant.
MS. "jSN*, " in the day of thy 'wrath." " Reges Cgniiicat reges 6c Gerar,
& JEgypti." Houb. The MelTiah is frequently defcribed in Scripture as
z triumphant prince. See Gen. iii. 15. Jerem. xxiii. 15. Revel, i. 5.
Seeker and Merrick.
6. Houb. reads DWy with Jerom for nVIA, '* poem's val/ii>us." " lis
nempe, in quibus redivivi mortales erunt denique, ut judicentur." And
D't^'NT with one MS. 6. Vulg. JEth. & Ch. — Durell reading D'm with
all the Verf. gives this fenfe to the words, " He will judge among (i. e.
rule over) the nations, after being fatisfied with dead bodies, and having
wounded many a chief upon the earth." Edwards after Mudge conh-
dering mi as an adverb, renders thus, •* he will crufli the heads of his
enemies in great numbers againfl the earth." Green following Le Clerc
fupplies thus, " He fhall fill the field of battle with dead bodies — he
fhall fmite the Head oi many countries." ** Perhaps, Jliall viake a full
number of dead bodies.'* Seeker; who may be confiiltcd for other
fenfes of nil. But being inclined to think that this verfe alludes to
the deftrudtion of Pharaoh and his hofl in the Red Sea, fupplying
mN*:i with Hare, &:c. which might be eafily dropped from its likenefs
to r)Vi:i» and reading nm for ni"), the words might bear this fenfe " He
fhall judge the nations — he fliall fill tin valleys with dead bodies — he iliall
fmite in funder the head or the prince^ over the land of Rahab." See
Pf. Ixxiv. 11^. lx>:xvii. 4. Ifai. li. 9. Grot, on Job xxvi. \z. and
T t t Newton
C 254 ]
Newton on propliecy Vol. IIL p. 206. And by the valleys may be nn-
derrrood the channels of the Red Sea. See Pi", xviii. 16.
7. One M5. reads with Syr. Tti'^n, *' his head." See our old Verf.
As the Mejjiah was to appear in the two-fold charadler of priejl and
king, (See verfe 2, 4.. nnd Zech. vi. 13.) by virtue of this double office he
was to Jiijjcr as well as to conquer^ and his fufferings were to pave the
way to Ins vidories, as Ilaiah has abundantly proved ch. liii. and the
pfalmiti, as Caloviiis obferves, " hic brevem lubjungit avawpa>^iacr,v, et
quomodo a facerdotio ad illud regnum pervenerit oftendir, nempe, per
paffionem ad exaltationem." And this metaphor oi drinkmg of the brook in
the ivay may allude to the diftrefTed ftate of the prophet Elijah 1 Kings
xvii. 6. who was afterwards carried up into Heaven. Seeker gives it up
as inexplicable. Mudge renders the firfl part, " He (i. e. God) Jliall
give them drink, &c." Houb. refers it to John xviii. 2. Grotius, &c.
to the hafly march of a conqueror, who refrefhes himfelf with the firft
flream that he meets with. See Merr. But Calovius and others fuppofe
it to denote the multitude and greatnefs of ChrilVs fufferings. See Pf.
Ixix. 1,2. From this two-fold character of the MeiTiuh the Jews have
been led into that fatal error of two Mefliahs, the one a Juffering, the
other, whom they vainly expedt, a triumphant one.
PSALM CXI.
THIS is the fourth alphabetical ^(^\m ; the author of which cannot be
afcertained. Mollerus afcribes it to David. It is divided into ten verfes
or ftanzas, the two laft, as Muis and others have obferved, confifting
of three lines. And as Lowth obferves, it \s perfe6ily alphabetical. The
fubiedl of it is the A<5ts of Divine Providence exerted in behalf of the
Ifraelites.
H' 'bb'n cannot be confidered as a part of the pfalm.
V. I. aaV.
[ 255 ]
V. I. nn'7. c. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read 'niV, or with Hare 'nS
as in Pf. ix. i. " with my whole heart."
2. tD't^Tn, " Jludied of all who delight in them." See Hammond,
&c. The works of God are an inexhaufHble fund of contemplation and
wonder. See Rom. xi. 33.
Xy'irM 43 MSS.
3. " His work is honor and glory '' i. e. by an hendiadis, lery glorious.
See Pf. xxxvi. 4. This probably alludes to the wonders wrought in
Egypt, and the promifes made to Abraham.
4. " He hath acquired a memorial by his wonderful work?," Ham- '
mend.
T'iiKVo:'?. 51 MSS. rmf^VsjV.
5. ^ItD, " A prey,'' or '•' meat," may refer, as Vatablus and others
fuppofe, either to the Jpoiling of the Egyptians, Exod. xii. 36. according
to the covenant made with Abraham, Gen. xv. 14. or to feeding the
Ifraelites with Manna. But it flrikes me that J^ltO is written by miftake
for n^nn, " He hath given a law unto them that fear him." i. e. the
law from Mount Sinai; and for the covenant fee Exod. xix. 5. But a
friend refers to Prov. xxxi. 13. Mai. iii. 10. for the text.
mDt' 19 MSS.
6. rsrb, " in giving them the heritage of the nations." See Pifcator,
&c. the "? bearing fometimes the fenfc of the Gerund in do. See Maf-
clef, &c.
7. The promifes of God, who is the Lord of all the Earth, to Abra-
ham, and the wickednefs of the Canaanites, fufficiently juftified their
expulfion. See Locke's Fir/l Letter on Toleration. But fee Pf. Ixxviii.
^^. and cv. 11.
8. D'lJyy, 10 MSS, Xy^^y more regular. Syr. and our Verf. add Y,
'• and. Sec."
9. The Law of God is immutable, and for ever obligatory.
10. CDH'tyy, or as 16 MSS. Dn'a>1V more regular. But there being
no antecedent to anfwer to the affix, Houb. reads according to 6,. n'B^y,
to
C ^56 ]
to agree with n^^♦ j rather n*tyiV. Durell reads nj, as the relative to
n.'^Sn, " The fear of Jehovah is the excellency of wifdom — Good under-
ftandlng fhall be to all that do, or, follow it-— his praife endureth for ever."
Jun. and Trem. render ^"2^, " good Juccefs" See Durell alfo on Prov.
iii. 4.
P S A L M CXII.
THIS is the fifth alphabetical pfalm, which is exadly in the fame
form as the laft ; and the fubjea: of it being only an enlargement upon
the lalVverfe of that, as Muis, &c. have obferved, the fame author pro-
bably compofed both.
V. 2. '• In the earth" Rather with Green, ** in the land." As it feems
to mean the Land of Ifrael, to which the promife of temporal bleffings
was limited.
" His feed." i. e. not according to ihc flejli, but according to thcfpirif.
See ChryfoR. " Ha promiffiones temporalium bonorum femper intel-
ligends funt cum exceptione cafiigationis & crucis." Muis.
3. " And his righteoufnefs, &c." may refer to a future flate.
4. p^l^i^. Houb. fupplies rWTW " gracious, and merciful, and righte-
ous is Jehovah." Alex. Verf. fupplies D'nbN T^^7]\ But 4 MSS. Ijup-
port Hare, Sec. in reading pn>, " The righteous man is gracious, and
merciful." Who, as they furtiier obferve, is the fubje(5t of this pfalm,
as "Jehovah was of the kfi.
5. Notwithftanding what De Dieu ar.d others affirm, the adjecflive
often precedes the fubftantive. See Calafio's Concord, under nD. Which
Seeker, referring to Ifai. iii. 10. &c. propofes to render here, " Happy is
|the man, who, &:c."
Vim ^'2by. Mudge and others, " will fupfort his matters in judgment ."
i. e. will carry his caufe.- — Syr. " will fupport his words in judgment."
c i. e.
C ^bi ]
i. e. will never utter any thing but what is ftridly true. See Coccius
$nd Jerem. iv. 2. But Ar. with Caft. feems moft fuitable to the context,
« -will moderate his words in judgment." i. e. will fpeak as favorably as
he can of delinquents confidently with truth, contrary to the pradice of
the wicked. See Pf. xciv. 21.
6. See Prov. x. 6. -^^ ^'^
7. HDn. 56 MSS. have mD2 ; but the true reading is probably nDl^,
according to Syr. and our Bib. Verf. ** His heart is fixed, trujl'mg in Je-
hovah." See Calaf. Concord.
8. NT» and HNT, a beautiful parononiafia. For riN"^' fee Pf. liv. 9.
&c. See Pf. xcii. 12.
9. in3 *lTfl, " ^[fpergity dat." i. e, *' As Noldius very well renders it>
fparjtm dat," Hare, &c. — Ch. inftead of reading pn, (or rather i:in) for
]r)J» as Houb. fays, fupplied it, " He hath difperfed /w riches^ he hath
given, 6cc." .duoli
10. HNT. Pifcator and our Bib. Verf. fuppofe the pronoun underftood ;
but I confider n as the fern, affix agreeing with pp in the former
verfe, a? Gen. xxxviii 15. See alfo Pf. cxxxii. 13. " The wicked A?^^
fee it." i. e. The exalted Horn. Or as neutral j the radical of the verb
and the pronoun coalefcing. See Pf. cvi. 29. cxxxii. 13. and Lowlh's
Prcl. Diff. on Ifai. p. 15.
PSALM CXIII.
IT is very uncertain who was the author of this pf^Im ; butasthe^tk
and 8th verfes are manifeftly taken from i Sam. ii. 8. and the 9th pro-
bably alludes to the hiftory of Hannah, it might be compofcd by Samuel
or David, who were fo nearly interefled in the lignal mercies vouchfafed
to her. See Lorinus. This and the five following pfalms, called the
€reat Hallehijah were fung at the paflbver. See Poole on Matt. xxvi. ^o.
U u u V. 3.
[ 258 J
v. 3. As the hfl line in this verfe feems defedlive, and the verb fub-
ftantive is feparated from the particip. in the foregoing verfe, perhaps ♦n«
has been dropped from the end of this through its fimilitude to mn*, or
by tranfpofing the words with Green it might begin the line, and then
the two verfes would form a beautiful teiracohn, the fr/l line anfwering
to the third, and the fecond to ih.z fourth. See Green's verfion.
V:^7)^ 27 MSS.
4. *7y 2d. Ar. Syr. and Vulg. Vvi, " cind his "glory, &c." See our
Verf.
5. In this and the following verfe is a moft remarkable hyperbaton, for
which fee Houb. Lowth, &c. j and for the ♦ paragogic in the two parti-
ciples the former reads the affix % ** Who is like Jehovah our God — who
magntfeth him/elf to dwell in the Heavens — who humbleth him/elf to look
alfo upon the earth"
7. 'a»pa. Houb. reads D'pS, as in the parallel place, i Sam. ii. 8.
6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with one ant. MS. at firft nfltt'KOI, ** and\\i\t\}n.
the needy from, &c."
8. »n'nn'7. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with Houb. 'Q'tt^in'?, '* that
he may fet him with princes." Hare reads I'tyinV. The next line feenis
redundant. See the parallel place.
9. 'n^C^IS. Houb. n»:yia. See Pf. Ixviii. 7.
nnotr. Perhaps naa::^, which improves the antithefis, *♦ He maketh
the barren woman a family, — her that was defolate the mother of chil-
.dren." See Ifai. liv. i. This, as was obferved verfe i, probably refpefts
Hannah, the mother of Samuel.
Allelujah. This fhould be the title of the next pfalm according to 6.
Vulg. Ar. 6c &x\\. with one very antient MS. Hare^ &c.
PSALM
E ^59 3
P S A L M CXIV.
B»Y making n' iVbn the title of this pfahn, the antecedent to his fane-'
tuary is fupplied. See Green. It is divided in the Collar, miofour equal
parts, confining of two verfcs each ; and is compofed of fynonymous
parallels. See Lowth's Prcel. 19. " Hie pfalmus totus conftat lambt-
cis." Hare. For the author fee the next pfalm.
V. I. wb, or as 58 MSS. J^riV. But as this word occurs no where
elfe, perhaps it is written for X^'bt " frona a people that mocked." Al-
luding perhaps to 2 Kings xviii. 3 — 20. Or to Pf. cxxxvii. 3. All the
verfions render it, *' Ex populo barbaro." " And we fhould render it,
barbarous^ In Ch. in'll Cignifies qui /ifigua ignot a loquitur ; whence ^^zr-
barus, an inhabitant of Barbary." Durell.
2. min'. The verb being femin.. JuJah muft here fignify the Tribe
of Judah, in which the fan6luary of Jehovah, which anfwers to the pa-
lace of earthly kings, was ereded. See Pf. Ixxviii. 68. But Houb,
reads n'n according to Syr. " JcSus efi Judah fanduarium ejus,"
VN"1{:^'. Syr. Ar. and one MS, "jX-ilT'"!, " and. Ifrael." i. e. The land
cf Ifrael, which was the territory of the King Jehovah,, and the firft ad
©f regal power which Jehovah performed as King of Ifrael was conduc-
ting the Ifraelites through, and deftroying the Egyptians in, the Red
Sea. See Exod. XV. Numb, xxiii. 21, 22. Pf. x. 16. and Vatablus.
VmblTDID. One MS. reads with Houb. vrcb^DL'ob which, feems to be
right. Syr. with one MS. bN")tr'1. See Our VerC
3. In this and the following verfe we have a very bold but moil beau-
tiful profopopoeia.
niil. Syr. reads inN"1, " faw him." i. e. Jehovah. " and fed," like a
vanquiflied enemy, See Green's verfion..
C 260 ]
©j»1. 23 MSS. Dlin. See v. c.
" Jordan retreated back." Like a daftardly foe, afraid to face the ad-
verfary.
4. ITpl* ** fuhfilkruntr '* Ex /w/k, non ex hxtitia." Muis.
niyi-l. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & R^, read mVl.1V See our Verf. And
the metre, as well as the conneflion, feems to require this reading.
5. The apoflrophe in this and the following verfe is trucly fublime.
6. We muft either fupply O with 6, 8c Syr. before non here, and TTpin
in verfe 6 ; or with a friend continue the fenfe of it from the former part
of the verfe. See our Verf,
7. " 'Vin." 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. Grot. &c, read nVin, " The earth
trembled, &c." *' Refponfio ad quceflionem, qute prtcccflit." Grot.
P"7SS probably written by miftakc for T\\\V, as in Job xxviii. tS. where
102 MSS. correct the text.
One MS. reads 'nVK. See parallel paflages.
8. ODnn. i6 MSS. have ♦3flinn ; and Hare reads *l3inn. See 6. —
Houb. with Ch. '^TXn^ Hare with others Cd:in'7 for D.1K. See Pf.
cvii. 35.
IJ'yab is evidently wrong; we fliould read therefore after 6. Vulg.
Syr. Ar. & N.xh. Houb, &c. ^yy&f, ** into firings of water." See
I Kings xviii. 5. Or with Ch. Mafclef, 5cc. ^'VS'?, *' into a J^ring"
PSALM CXV.
A S the former pfalm ended abruptly ; and this is conneded with it
by 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. ^fEth. with 19 MSS. and as the following ejacu-
lations fo naturally arife from the conhderation of the wonderful works
of Jehovah juft before recited, Lorinus's opinion that it is only a con-
t'muation of the former is not improbable. Patrick refers it to 2 Chron.
XX. 2.
[ 26i ]
XX. 2. Some fuppofe It to be written by Mojes at the Red Sea. Others
by David in the beginning of his reign. Others by Mordecai and
EJlhcr. Others by the three children in the fiery furnace. Perhaps by
Hezekiah, or fome one in the Babylonifli captivity. See Pf. cxiv. i .
V. I. \D. The fenfe, as well as the metre, feems to require ]n% " but to
thy name the Glory Jhall be give?!." " This is not difclaiming the merit
of a good adion done, but difclaiming a right to a favour afked." Seeker.
■]^)D^< biy. 6. Vulg. Ar. & i^th. with Hare, &c. omitting by, read
inOKI, " and thj Truth's Sake." Ch. & Syr. with 46 MSS. and Ploiib.
read bv\ '* and for, &c." See Pf. cxxxviii. 2.
2. If the children of Ifrael had been deftroyed by their enemies, who-
foever they were, they would then have exulted, ** where is now their
God?" whofe promifes to his chofen people have failed. See Deut. ix.
28. I would therefore render the verb, *' Why JJ.ould the heathen have
/aid, &c. ?"
3. This Is the anfwer to the fuppofed infolent queflion.
6. Ar. & iEth fupply \nN*^1> at the end of the firli line, and as Syr.
and one MS. read im^K, the words might admit of this conflrudtion,
*' Our God is in Heaven j and in earth — he doeth whatfoever pleafeth
him." Ch. reads *in.!3, in the middle, *' But the habitation of our God
Is in the Heavens."
4. Dn'li'y. o. Vulg. Syr.- &: Ar. with Hare, Sic. read Q'nn '!>>•.
But have we not the antecedent in verfe 2d ? Perhaps better, *' Their
idols of Jiher and gold (are) the work of men's hand?."
7. The conflru-flion being irregular, it would add greatly to the beuity,
as well as propriety, of this verfe, to read according to o. with a iriciiJ,
Cn'? D'T, and DnV D'b,1-|.
8. DH'try. 30 MSS. have cn»:i"ii/' more regular.
bD. o. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & .^th. with 13 MSS. b^2^, " and ev;ry on;,
who trufteth, &c."
9. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & .^th. with 7 MSS. Hare, tec. fupply 7X1
before Ifrael, and with Hare, fee. we lliould probably read inili, as
X X X ill
[ 262 ]
in vcrfe 2d. " T^he houfe of Ifrael trujleth in Jehovah, &c." Which
removes the irregularity of the conftrudion. See Green, &c.
12. "]ni». Syr. Vulg. & Ar. IJDnn'l, " Jehovah hath been mindful
of us, and hath blejjed us." The three next lines contain a beautiful
anaphora.
13. If we compare the metre of the CoUat. with Hare's, it may ap-
pear proper to read DH before 'NT, as in the two preceding lines.
a'bvyn 38 MSS.
14. Muis and others flippofe m3'l3 to be wanting in the firft line.
See Mudge, &c. But perhaps l^Jf, which is frequently joined with the
verb, is omitted before DS'bv, " Jehovah fliall Jli// add unto you." Or
as 7 MSS. read p\»DV, the true reading might be, Pj'DV f\D\ " Jehovah
/kal/ greatly add unto you."
15. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c i^th. with 12 MSS. TWy^. Othervvife
-IS^K may have been omitted through its fimilitude to the verb.
16. D'Oiy D'Ol^n. Houb. confiders the laft word as a participle,
** The Heavens are appointed for Jehovah." " Perhaps, The Heavens
are the Lord's Heavens. Or read as Deut. x. 14." Seeker. Durell
reads with all the ant. verfions 'ttltTT, ** Ihe Heaven of Heavens is
for Jehovah." See Pf. cxlviii. 4. 1 Kings viii. 27. 2 Cor. xii. 2.
17. MSS. 41. with Houb. read n"lV.
n» in this and the following verfe better mn*. See Pf. Ixxxix. 9.
18. " But we nvill blefs." A friend fuggefts, with others, that 6.
Vulg. & Ar, read D"n, ** But we, who are Jiving, &cc." Which greatly
improves the antithefis.— n* "hbTl, which concludes this pfalm, is more
properly the title of the next according to 6. Vulg. Mih, Lori-
nus, &c.
PSALM
C 263 ]
PSALM CXVI.
PATRICK and others afcrlbe this pfalm to David, referring for the
occafion of it to 2 Sam. xv. &c. Hammond fuppofes it to be written
after the captivity from the Chaldaifms, which occur in verfe 7. But
is not the fubiedl of it particularly adapted to Hezekiah'^ cafe 2 Kings xx.
I,} See Mudgc. Green's diviiion into three parts feems moft regular.
V. I. 'nn^^?, " fat habeo, I am fatisjiedy Gataker, Lowth, &c.
See Amos iv. 5. Edwards according to his verf. reads V^)l^^?. But
tranfpofing the word Jeho'vah with Green, and reading with 6. Syr,
Vulg. Ar. Mth. Hare, &c. and one MS. bip for ''jip, the words may
have this fenfe, ** I love yehcvah, becaufe he hath heard — the voice of my
fupplications."
2. Green, following Hare's metre, tranfpofeR the words of this verfe.
Seeker reads after Syr. and Pf. Ivi. x. DVn for 'D'lV But as we have
this word Ifai. xxxix. 8. and the metre of the Collat. is deficient, we
might read with Syr. inN"lp« for NIpK, " therefore in my days will
1 call upon him"
3. ''\)ity\. Mudge and others HifDI, " The cords of death furrounded
me — and the fnares of the grave gat hold upon me." See Pf. xviii. 5.
2 Sam. xxii. 6.
4. nJK. 46 MSS. KJK, and 47 in verfe 16.
6. CNflD. From confidering the radix of this word> and comparing
Pf. cxix. 130. and Prov. xxii. 3. 1 am induced to think that D'Tlfi is
the true reading, though it fo frequently occurs in the firft form ; and
this word is generally taken in a bad fenfe, whence the Latin word fa-
tuus is derived, as Lorinus obferves ; but here, and Pf. xi».. 7. in a
good one
II V'K'in'. Perhaps V'ti^lH; but fee Mafclef. ch. 23.
[ 264 ]
7. OTTlia^. All the verfions with 2 MSS. read In the fing. OmJ!:'?,
and it is found no where elfe in the plur. Hammond infers from the
Chaldee terminations of the pronouns in this ^-erfe, that this pfalm was
written after the captivity ; but fee Pf. cxiii. 7. and Lowth's Pnrled.
p. 29.
8. ^li^Qi n)ibn. 6. Vulg. Ar. 6c JEth. reading the verb in the 3d. per-
fon more agreeably to the context, Lorinus conjedlures very probably that
we fliould read '^ySin \'bn, " For /le hath delivered my foul from death."
nyai p. 19 MSS. read nVOia. See Jerem. xxxi. 16.
DN' 2d. 6, Syr. Ar, & ^th. with 19 MSS, HNI, '* and my feet"
Which the connexion, as well as metre, feems to call for. See our Verf.
9. my"IKa. All the verfions, with Seeker and 2 MSS. read riilNn,
In the fing.
ID. Green tranfpoles the particle »D, " I fpoke, becaufe I believed it."
But 2 Cor. iv. 13. iuftifies the prefent pofition of it^ and for this fenfe
fee Caft. Lcxic. — 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th, make the following part of
the pfalm a diflin6t one. *
11. 2fD. " Every man is a lie." I. e. A mere nothing. See Mudge,
&c. and Pf. xxxix. 5, 11. But 32 MSS. read ItlD, a liar.
12. ♦mVia.in. Hammond, with Mafclef, makes this a Chaldaifm,
Houb. &:c. read vbl.!:in. But perh ps the true reading is vblCin. (See
2 Sam. xix. ;-.) " How fliall I return unto Jehovah all his kinanejfes
toVards me r"
13. myit^**. 6, Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with 61 MS. read nyiwN
" The cup, of Sahatio?i." i. e. " The hibamen, or drink oflering,
which bv a Synecdoche is put for the whole facrifice." Mede. Book 2.
ch. 9. Or by a metonymy, the cup of Jahation may mean the cup of
blcfiiigfor falvation. See i Cor. x. i6.
14. rniJ. The conftruLlIon is irregular here, and verfe 18. and as Ch.
in both places has a verb of the firft perfon fut. perhaps we fliould read
n:T:.K, " / t:/// declare them now before aH his people." Unlefs 17,13
and'
A
[ 26s J
and i2^ fliould be thought better, " ie/ore Iwn now, and all his peo-
ple."
•' Ki abundat." Houb. and one MS. omits it.
15. As this and the three following vcrfes are omitted by fome MSS.
as the two laft are almoft a literal repetition of verfes 13, 14. and as verfe
14 conncdls fo naturally with verfe 19, may they not be confidered, as an
interpolation ?
** Precious, &c." What we efleem fo, we do not wantonly difpofe of.
See Grotius, &c.
i6. nJK, or as 47 MSS. NJN\ See verfe 4.-6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th.
omit this word, but in that cafe O would be alfo fuperfluous, perhaps
therefore it is written by miftake for r^^T'i, according to our old Verf.
" Behold, O Jehovah, thai I am thy fervant."
^nOK p- Are not thefe two words written for *inOt*l, " I am thy
fervant; in thy truth thou haft broken my bands ?" See Pf. Ixxxvi. 16.
Pifc. &c. refer this to i Sam. xxiii. 26. The laft line feeming defed;ive,
perhaps HDIdV is written for TlTlDlDb, which is the ufual form ; and
in Ifai. xxviii. 22. 3 ant. MSS. have the fem. plur.
17. 18. See verfes 13, 14. Seeker refers for the firft part of verfe 17,
to Lev. vii. 12.
19. ODins. Buxtorf in his grammar p. 91. makes this a Chaldatfm ;
but in his Lexic. fuppofes the '» added for the fake of the metre. Per-
haps the true reading is "IDIDI. See Ezck. xxviii. 22,
rr ^V"7^. Thefe words are probably the title of the next pfalm. Sep
6» Vulg. Syr. & i^th.
PSALM CXVIT.
HOUB. with 21 MSS. conneds this pfalm with the following.
See alfo Kennicott's Gen. DiiT. Cod. 36. and as the Gentiles were as
Y y y nearly
C 266 ]
nearly intereAed in the Mejfiah as the Je'vos, they are called upon to ce-
lebrate Jehovah. See Rom. xv. 11. and Cocceius, &c.
V. I. D'DSn. 19 MSS. have D'DINH ; Hare reads D»0K'7, perhaps
rather D'awb, " all ye people" By whom we are probably to under-
hand the Ifraelites, as the former fentence refpefted the Heathen. See
Deut. xxxii. 29. where the prepofition DN, or DV, has probably been
dropped before IDj; ift. See Kennicolt's Gen. Diff. 84, 5, &c. with
Rom. XV. 10.
PSALM c:^\nfti.
IT is generally allowed that this pfalm was written by David j..but.as
Rivetus obferves, " verius videtur Davidem de fe^ tanquam typOt locu-
tum fuiffe ; ita ut prcefertim ad Mejjiam, tanquam antitypum refpexerit.
Porro dramaticus eft hie pfalmus." See Hare, &c.
V. 2. 11DK'. 6. Ar. & iEth. fupplying n'l before Ifrael, we fhould
orobably read with Ch. and one MS. of confiderable note nON'» which
preferves a moft beautiful anaphora, with which this pfalm abounds,
** Let the Houfe of Ifrael now fay." See Pf. cxv. 10. ^-,(.^.
5. irriOl. Perhaps ♦iniD3, the next word beginning witl> ♦ , ** Je-
hovah anfwered me by my enlargement " Here is a beautiful antithefis.
ns which occurs fix times in this pfalm, probably only a rabbinical
contraftion for mn*. See Pf Ixxxix. 9.
6. All the verfions with Hare, &c. fupply ntVD, " Jehovah h among thoje
who help me." But from comparing Hare's metre with that of the Collat.
it feems to be unneceflary, " Jehovah nfor me, I will not fear — what
man can, &c." See Rom. viii. 31.
7. nrya. 6 MSS. nnya, " Jehovah is to me for my helper." See
Pf. x. 14. i. e. " folus mihi eft inftar omnium aUorum adjutorum."
Rivetus, 6cc. See Pf. liv. 6.
•' Therefore
I
C 267 ]
*' Therefore IJliall be able to face thofe who hate me." Green. But
fee Pf. xci'. 12. — ♦^^:^ly2. 4 MSS.
8. The laft line of this verfe being defedtive, Hare, &c. would read
DIN* pn, as in Pf. cxlvi. 2. and perhaps we may render more literally
thus, " To trull in Jehovah is better than confidence in the Son of Man."
9. *' To truft in Jehovah is better than confidence in princes."
10. The- grammatical conftrudion of this and the two following verfes
is very fingular.
Db'OK O. 6. Syr. Ar. & ^Eth. omit O, and Gejerus confiders it as
an expletive. Lowth as an adverb, " in the name of tlie Lord I (luiU
J'urely deftroy them." See Poole alfo. Junius, &c. fuppofe a Metalhefis on
account of the metre in the three lines according to our verfions, " But
in the name, &c" But this does not feem to be a fufficient reafon for
the tranfpofition. Seeker wKlies to make one vQvh out of the tioo words j
and as 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^th. give the verb the /i^ fen fe, which,
as the prefent Bifl:iop of Norwich obferves, it fhould bear, perhaps we
fhould read with the 1 converfive DV.t3K1, " In the name of Jehovah
/ have defiroyed them." And one MS. has Db'OND. Unlefs O may be
fuppofed to be written for »JK.
tD^'OK. Lowth reads with 6. Vulg. & Houb. Db^J:l^?, " 1 'will recom-
pence them" But this does not feem fufficiently expreflive of the total ex-
cifion of the enemy which is implied in verfe 12. See Seeker alfo.
11. 'J13D. We fhould probably read uniformly 'iUnD in each verfe.
But as a repetition in this line feems unnecefTary, perhaps we fliould read
mw, " Mifie enemies alfo furrounded me."
12. Dnm3. 79 MSS. have Dmm^.^ See Ifai. vii. 18. The compa-
rifon of bees is moft expreflive of the number^ and the vehemence of Da-
vid's foes. See Deut. i. 44.
1Dy"r, &c. '* Ihey are extin£i as a fire of thorns." i. e. as foon as it
is lighted. See Ecclef. vii. 6. The former fimilitude denoted the vio~
knee of the attack ; this iht fuddennefs of the defeat. Houbigant's reading
TW^. does not improve the fenfe.
13. 'jn*m.
[ 368 ]
13* 'Jri'm. If we retain the text with Ch. here Is a fudden apoftrp-
phe to Sault or fome other perfon. See Munfter, Mudge, 6cc. — 6, Syr.
Vulg. & ^th. read by a metathefis ♦D'mi in Niph. " I nvas thrufl fire
at." Houb. &:c. read with Ar. wm, " they thrujl fire at me that I
mieht fall." Which feems mofl fuitable to the context.
The laft line beln^ defe<5tive in the metre, perhaps pa has been dropped,
" But Jehovah was thejliieldoi my help." See Deut. xxxjii. 29. Or
♦j:iJ21, " my help, end t)iy Jliield." See Pf. xxviii. 7.
14. nty 2 MSB.— man. AH the verfions, Muis, 6cc. with one MS.
read 'ITIDM, " and viy fing." And we fliould read mn» for h». Sec
tlie parallel place, Ifai. xii. 2. where for H' mOH we fliould read ♦n'lSP,
tlie laft word being evidently redundant.
15. If the firft line in this verfe according to the Collat. be not an in-
terpolation, Hare's metre feems mofl regular, unlefs we omit nyilT'V
niyy. Houb. reads here, and in the following verfe TWfDV, which the
conftru6lion calls for. See Pf. Ixxviii. 54. In this and the two next lines
is a mofl beautiful anaphora.
17. One ant. MS. reads mn» for rr, and it is obfervablc that in the
next verfe another ant. MS. reads n* mn% fo that one verfe feems to have
taken from the other.
18. See Prov. iii. 12. Mudge refers thefe words to 2 Sam. xv. 17.
Our Bib. Verf. of the laft line is beft ; 11 MSS. reading mO'-
19. Here begins the facred dialogue in which the king fpeaks tirft ;
the door-keepers anfwer in the next verfe. See Mudge, Lowth, 5cc.
20. \sn3» 5 MSS.
N^3^? 21 MSS. — Syr. nT"l%V1. St«5 verfe 17.
21. ** David medium tabernaculum ingrellus hoc videtur cecinilTe."
Muis, &c.
22. That David was a type of Chrift, fee Jerem. xxx. 9. Ezek.
xxxiv. 23. Hoi. iii. 5. And the refemblance between them in the /»/<7f<'
ind f/iciinnefi of their birth, their JuJ'etwgs and jerficutions, their fins/
glory
C '^eg ]
g/ory and exaltation is very remarkable. See Munfter, Patrick, &c. Thefe
words therefore might be applied to David in an inferior fenfe by the
priefl: on his entrance into the tabernacle ; though Calovius and others
refer them folely to Chrift.
" The builders." By thefe we are to underfland Saul and his confe-
derates J or the Scribes and Pharifees, &c. See Adls iv. 27.
23. •* DKt, hoc, i. e. hsec res ; videl. quod lapis tile, &c. (foem. pro
neutro) vid. Matt, xxi, 42. Mark xii. 11." Glafs.
24. This, if applicable at all to David, may refer to i Sam. xvi. 13.
or to 2 Sam. vi. 17. and xxi. 22.
" Which 'Jehovah hath made." i. e. eminent and remarkable. Muis.
Or perhaps, " Jehovah hath made this day — we, &c." The priefls, or the
people, fpeak here. See Rivetus.
25. Thefe are the words either of the people, or the priefts. Rivetus.
But Grotius makes the King to fpeak in the firfl: part, and the priefls
and people in the fecond. See our Verf.
Na and i<:^J. it is very obfervablc that 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^Eth.
read neither of thefe words, which begin and end the two lines of this
verfe -, but as the omifTion of both would affed the metre, the interjec-
tion feeming unnecefTary, and Ar. & Syr. fupplying the affix pronouns,
which are wanting, the following readings are fubmitted to conGderation,
Hin for {<JN with the plural affix pronouns to the verbs for n final,
" Behold, Jehovah hath faved us now — Behold, Jehovah hath delivered
us now." According to Ar. Or n: for i*:K, with the verbs as before,
" Now hath Jehovah faved us — now hath Jehovah delivered us." The
part: tenfe of the verb feems mofl fuitable to the context. Some MSS.
begin a new pfalm here.
26. " We that are of the Houfe of Jehovah, blefs you." i. e. " We
priejls" Vatablus, &c. Or perhaps, " We blefs you in the Houfe of
Jehovah." Into which David and the people were entered.
27. This feems to be the anfwer of David and the people to the priefts
and Levites.
Z z z bN.
[ 276 ]
ba. Syr. read> li'n'^K, " Jehovah is our Go J, and he hath ihone upon
us." See Numb. vi. 25. (where Sam. reads "l»N») and Calaf. Cone.
" Jin proprie fignificat feftum, five folennitatem ; fed per metonymiam
fumitur pro /i^;l3 five viiflima, ut docent Exod. xxiii. 18. Efai. xxix. i.
Ampf. V. 21," Grotius, Sec. " K''7E3 Chald. quod Latlnus interpres in
Bib. Pol. abfurde 6c fine ulla neceffitate reddir, puerum, quum ea vox,
ficut & Heb. nbCD, agnum fignificet, .ut hic Mu. reddit." Poole.
D'nnyi. 92 MSS. O^mnyn, " Bind the facrifice with cords." But
as it was not cuflomary to bind the facrifice to the altar, Houb. follows
6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. " appoint a feajl with thick bows or leaves, &c."
But how can l^iDN bear this fenfe ? From confidering therefore Edwards's,
and Green's verfion, which completes the fenfe, perhaps "^y has been
dropped before ^y through the fimilitude of the words, " Bind the^-
crijice, or lamb, with cords, (which was done previous to flaying of it)
Offer it up at the horns of the altar." See Exod. xxx. 10. Seeker re-
fers to Le Clerc.
28. David alone fpeaks here.
na01")K. 6. Vulg. ^th. with Hare and 7 MSS. read 10DY1K1, " and
I will exalt thee." After this 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. repeat the words
wc have in verfe 21. but they are omitted by Chryfoftom, Bafil, and
others, as Lorinus himfelf acknowledges.
29. The chorus.
PSALM CXIX.
MUIS, £cc. afcribe this pfalm to David. Mudge and others think it
of a more recent date. The flrufture of it is very fingular, as it confifts
of 22 portions, in alphabetical ovd^&v, each containing eight verfes, which
begin with the letter of the alphabet in its order. The beft reafon that
can be afiigned why each fe(5tion contains eight verfes is, that this was a
facred
C 2/1 ]
facred number amongfl: the Jews. See Gen. xvii. 12. Lev. xxiii. 36.
and it was had in fo much reverence amongfl: the Grecians, ** quod ad
honorem o6fonarti & perfedionem ejus indlcandam, fi quas perfeda efTe ac
magnifica vellent, ilia navra dktu dicerent." Thefaur. Ant. Grasc. Vol. IX.
p. 1387.
V. I. DoVnn. 15 MSS. DO'^inn more regular. See Pf. Ixxxiv. 5.
2. nvj. 27 MSS. nvij.
VmV. 37 MSB. vnnj^. See I Kings ii. 3. and feveral MSS. con-
firm this reading elfewhere.
More literal with a friend, '• "They Jliall feek him with their ivhole
heart "
3. 6. tranfpofe the negative particle, and for 'bv^ read 'byiS. Syr.
reads VDlTn, " Verily they do not commit wickednefs — but walk, &c."
See Seeker. To fupply the defedt of the metre in the lafl: line, might
we read after Ch. D'iD, " in his right ways ?
4. By reading U*? according to our Bib. Verf. at the end of the firfl;
line in the Collat. the metre is reftored, " Thou hafl; charged us — dili-
gently to keep thy precepts." But fee Hare.
nni53. 47 MSS. "imps. See Pf. xix. 8. y\'^\ih 4. "IND may per-
haps be written for 1^*7, or DblV"?. See verfe 8.
5. Perhaps ch^)h is dropped at the end of this verfe, '« to keep thy
flatutes for ever" "I'pin 4 MSS.
6. The firfl: line feeming defedive, may not 'Jt? have been dropped
after tK from the fimilitude of the words ?
8. 1ND. Syr. probably lyi, " Thou wilt never forfake me." yy^Tl
3 MSS. mOKTN 5 MSS.
9. Tima. Ch. with 24 MSS. "inm3, '* according to thy words"
6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. Sc ^th. with Houb. &c. T")1*T, ** thy words"
Hare ^im, fing. Durell, limi, " by taking heed to thy word" But
as the metre of the Collat. is defective, perhaps we fhould read *l"in
n*^l, *' by keeping the way of thy word." See verfe 33, Or the pro-
noun
C 272 ]
noun inK may have been dropped in the middle of the fentence, «* by
keeping himfelf according to thy word." niDtyV 3 MSS. It may be in-
ferred hence and from verfes 99, 100. that the author penned this pfalm
in his youi/t.
10. ^i^yti^n 5 MSS. See Pf. lix. 11.
11. *' / /lave hid." Rather with Syr. Ar. & Gej. " / ham laid up."
i. e. as the choicejl treafure.
12. For the metre Hare fupplies DK before "y^T^, or as 7 MSS. 7pin.
14. bVD. One very ant. MS. probably reads with Syr. "jyo, " above
all riches." — But the line appearing defective, perhaps "ip» has been alfo
omitted, ** above all precious riches." See Prov. xxiv. 4.
i(i' ^•^P^2. 3 MSS. have "I'mpini more regular. 6. Syr. Vulg. 6c
iEth. with 37 MSS. inm, " thy words."
17. As the metre of the Collat. which feems the moft natural, is de-
feiflive, perhaps miT is loft from the end of the firft line through its limi-
litude to rrriN in the beginning of the next, or as Syr. Ar. & Hare with
9 MSS. n'nN1> " Be gracious unto thy fervant, 0 "Jehovah — that I may
livet 6cc." Or as 20 MSS. read "jim, and 2 bim twice, perhaps the true
reading might be. this, the imperat. and infin. coming together, '* Deal
bountifully, &c." See our Bib. Verf. Unlefs with Ch. we fupply 21D,
*' Do ivell unto thy fervant, &c." See our old Verf.
18. From the defed in the metre of the Collat. it feems as if Tl^y
has been omitted at the end of the firft line, " Open the eyes of thy fer-
vant."
nniinp. Our old Verfion with Mudge, &c. omit the prepofitlon,
** the wonderous things of thy law." But we may render with Syr.
" the wonderous things in thy law." i. e. that I may be able to com-
prehend the Divine Myfteries contained in it.
20. nO'lJl. All the verfions with Hammond render this word, in the
ChaJd. feufe of it, " hath defired."
21. 6. Syr. Vulg. & ^th. with 2i MSS. D':nB,*n
22. Ym-iy 33 MSS.
23. If
C 273 ]
23. If David was the author of this pfalm thefe words may refer to
1 Sam. xxi. 14. 6. read »m. — "]*Tny- One MS. of note reads with Hare,
&c. "Tinyi, " but thy fervant." 7pinn 5 MSS.
24. Hare, &c. fupply the apparent defcd in the lad line by adding
I'pin, " thy ftatutes are my counfellors." Houb. reads "jTlpTi, " my
Counfellors are thy right eoufnefs." which feems rather than "ypn to be the
word, which 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read inflead of 'tt'JwS ; but as the me-
tre calls for both of them, & »nVV 'U'J^f is an unufual phrafe, as a friend
remarks, as applied to inanimate things, perhaps for 'tl'JK we might read
♦a>JND, •* Thy Jiatutes are above my Counfellors." I'DHy 27 MSS.
25. 'J'n. A great number of MSS. read here and every where elfe
♦J'TI, which is probably the true reading, the 2d » being put for the 3d
radical. See Pf. lix. 17.
Green fupplies the defe6l of metre in tliis line by adding D'H'^N*,
" Quicken me, 0 Gody according to thy word." And it is obfervable that
this word occurs only in verfe 115; fo that probably either this, or
mnS which appears but feldom, has been dropped in many places ; ani
one of them at the end of the next verfe.
28. ♦ti'fij, " My foul droppeth, &c." But 4 MSS. read »J% " Mine
eye, &c." See alio Job xvi. 20. Lam. iii. 48, 49, As a friend obferves,
6. & Vulg. Ar. & lEih. from them, read v.v'jtcUv for i'/i'j1a.iiv -^ which the
collation of the 6. MSS. will probably reflify.
29. 'Jjn imim. Ar. reads with Gejerus, &c. in"nnD% " and be
gracious unto me according to thy law." Houb. &c. read 'Jin, " and de-
clare to me thy law." from n'n, declarare. See verfe 25 for the metre.
30. 'nnti'. o. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. wiih Hare, TinDty iib, " I have not
forgotten thy judgments." Houb. &c. read 'JiCT, " thy judgments are
my delight." Syr. reads ^n'Cli;, " I am delighted with thy judginents."
A friend derives it from the Ar. "ji', '^oluit. But Gejerus, 6:c. think that
njliV is underllcod, or rather has been loll, " thy judgments I havo
fet before me." See alio our Bih. Verf. Which reading Pf. xvi. S.
4 A flren'iheiu.
[ '274 ]
flrengthen?. 6. Syr. Ar. ^th. with lo MSS. ^aSlTDl, " and thy judg-
jtients.'
32. *' Becaufe thou hajl enlarged my heart" i. e. made me to rejoice.
Syr. Hammond, &c. " Enlarging the heart feems to have three fenfes,
I Kings V. 0. Ifai. Ix. 5. 2 Cor. v. 11, 12. Perhaps the firfl fhould be
chofen here." Seeker.
2^1. Ch. reads 3pJ/ '^V, " even unto the end." And the metre feems to
requires it. See «lfo Hare's Verf. — ypTi 8 MSS.
34. nb. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & JEth. nb, " with my whole heart."
nn::::'K\ 5 MSS. nnaty^i, rather nmi2tyNi.
35. In the lad Hne perhaps 1K3 is wanting. See verfe 167.
36. " ^nd not to covetoufnefs." " Inclinat Deus in teftimonia lua 5c
ad bonum efficienter & per Je ; in avaritiam & mala dejicienter & per acci-
dens ; \. e. quia permittit caderej vel fubducit fuam gratiam." Gene-
brard.
37. 'J'n. See vcrfe 25. Houb. reads »jn), which is flrengthened by
one very old MS. which has »i»nj, " lead thou me in thy way." See
Pf. V. 9.
38. "JDNT"? "ItTK. 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. omit the firfl word, which
makes the metre evidently too fhort. Hammond, &c. fuppofe n'H to be
underftood according to Walton^ verjion of Ch. " which 7nay, or will be,
to thy fear." Houb. reads lir^KI, *' that I may walk according to thy
fear." " But then, as Seeker obferves, it fhould be followed by l, as
Prov. ix. 6." Durell renders "it^K, in the imperat. *' guide him to thy
fear/' But then it (hould be ^"lty^?• Our Bib. Verf. with Munfler, &c.
fupplies anp or fome fuch verb, " who is devoted to thy fear." Green
fupplies another fignifying to promote, or adva7ice. See his Verf. But
probably i;:^N is dropped from its famenefs to the preceding word, *• who
walketh according to thy fear." See Ar.
40. 'J'n. See verfe 37, and 25.
':S|
41 • 'JNi:i'i
I
[ 275 J
4U 'JKIl'l II MSS. Several MSS. read the verb and noun in the
plur. num. with Syr. and our Bib. Verf. One very ant. MS. reads
with Syr. &c Ar. ^DVIJiTn. See our Verf.
42. nm 'J3"in, or as 7 MSS. 'S"!!!"!, " So fliall I anfwer f/ie reproach-
ful in J pecchJ" i. e. the reproachers. See Ifai, xxxiii. 19. and our old
Verf.
43. IKD ^V arc probably redundant here, according to the Collat.
and their proper place feems to be at th.e end of vcrfe 47. But Hare, &c.
remove them to the end of the firll: Hemiftich in the next vcrfe.
■JDStyD'?. 6. Vulg. Syr. & J¥..\.h. with Houb. & 73 MSS. TODtt'DV.
44. The firft line of this verfe fceming defedive, and there being a
tautology in the lafl, it appears to me probable that y^T\ has been drop-
ped, and that the metre flood originally thus, " So iliall I keep thy law
continually — thy Jlatutes for ever and ever."
45. nin"ll, " at large." See our marginal Verf. i. e. " ixz^ from
fear, anxiety, &c." Ainfw. ^mpiD 42 MSS.
46. Hare's divifion moll regular. I'miyn 26 MiS. Syr. reads, as
Seeker obferves, nptyi.
47. See Hare, &c. and verfe 43.
48. " My hands alfo will I lift up, &c." Of the ////W^m fen fes men-
tioned by Lorinus of thefe words, that of Aben Ezra is moll pertinent,
" qui docet effe hunc morem pra cmore aliquem cum honore excipiendi."
And the pfalmift perhaps alludes to Mofes receiving the law from God
upon Mount Sinai, Exod. xxxi. 18. tmn}* "ItyK. Hare, 6cc. reje<fl
thefe words as redundant ; and they feem to be borrowed from the pre-
ceding verfe. But fee Seeker. ";»pinn one MS.
49. -Ql. Vulg. 6. with Hare, 7-in— Alex. Verf. Syr. & Vulg.
Houb. &c. ^nm, ♦' thy u-ord, &c." See verfe 16, &c.
Perhaps we ihould read ♦n'jn', «' for luhich I have waited" See verfe
74, 84, 114 ,
50: Confidence
[ 276 ]
cc. Confidence in God the only true fource of conlolation in affiidion.
Rather with Muis, &c. " that thy word, 6cc."
CI. 'Ji'bn. All the Verf. with Hare, &c. and 54 MS. ^Jli^'rn i which
the conflrudtion requires.
"innin^. All the Verf. with one MS. "]nmn!:% " Tet have I not,
ccc.
52. The fcriptures, like a true mirror, difplay the juflice of God in
the puniihment of finners, and his goodnefs in rewarding the righteou'^.
53. nflyVT. Perhaps a burning fever , which the peflilential winds in
the Eaft occafioned. See Gejerus, Pf. xi, 6. Ixix. 3.
'ITiy 9 MSS.
54. nirr, which feems redundant in the next verfe mig!)t be added .v
the end of the firft line in this (See the Collat. and Hare) /
mTDt 66 MSS. and one TpiH- " m.lC might be trandated tnrori
very fuitably to the foregoing verfe." Seeker.
z^l. One MS. omits mn». See above.
56. Jun. and Trem. Hare, 6cc. according to Syr. fupply noni after
^b, which the fenfe, as well as the metre, requires, " This hath been
my comfort — that I &c." See Seeker. impiJ 40 MSS.
57. Hare, Lowth, 6cc. fupply the defedl in the firft line by reading
nnx after 'p'7n, " Thou art my portion, O Jehovah." Perhaps 'DVOI,
*• O Jehovah, my portion and my refuged See Pf. cxlii. 6. The tranf-
pofition might be occafioned thro' the alphabetical order. lltttJ''? 4 MSS.
58. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read 'iV, " with my whole heart."
See verfe 34.
59. The divifion of the Collat. feeming beft, I would add mn% or
ta'n'TK, at the end of the ift line. See verfe 25. 7nnV 34 MSS.
60. niDtyb 3 MSS.
6 J. 'Jiiy. All the Verf. with 9 MSS. read 'jmy, which the con-
ftrui^ion requires. Houb. &c. read 'J^jy, '* The bands of the wicked
have
C 277 ]
/lave bound me." 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. feem to read 'iimj?, " The
fnares of the wicked hanje overthroum me." See Job xix. 6. and MS.
121 But our verfions are equally good,
inmn. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. "iDlim, " hut I, &c."
63. noiti'bl 4 MSS.
64. mn* fliould be probably placed at the beginning or end of the
2d line, " O Jehovah, teach me thy ftatutes." "]^pin one MS.
66. DVa. 0. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & .^Eth. with Hare, &c. read CDVOI.
But Seeker fufpedled very probably that mD is crept in from the former
verfe, and that CDVO, begins this, " Teach me dijcretion and knowledge."
Though, as he obferves, the old verfions have it.
67. yW. Houb. with 35 MSS. more regularly yssv. See verfe ri8.
68. 6. Ar. & i^th. fupply mnS and divide the verfe thus,
mn» msD
} &c. n»Dai
*♦ Thou art good, 0 Jehovah — and being gracious teach, &c." See verfe
64. 7i5in 3 MSS.
69. As a friend obferves, 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. feem to have
read ni'^ for I'^fiD, " The iniquity of the proud is multiplied againfl me."
But the alphabetical order requires the text, and he refers for it to Job
xiv. 17.
6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & jEth. read a*?, " with my whole heart." And
one ant. MS.- l5fJK. See Pf. Ixxviii. 7.
70. nbnD. One MS. probably reads with Edwards n'jFQ, *' Their
heart is fattened with fat" i. e. is fwolen with fat,
71. Ypin 4 MSS.
74i A beautiful paronomafia in the two firft words.
75. Ch. Syr. & Ar. read D'isnif.
Ch. Vulg. & Ar. read nJIDKm. See our Bib. Verf.
-J-J' 'ilKIl' 23 MSS.
78. WU' 16 MSS.
4 B »iimy,'
C 278 3
'iiniy* " although they have overthrown me with lying." See IVIudge,
and verfe 6i.
'JK. c. Sy^ Vulg. Ar. & ^Eth. with Houb. »:j«1, "/«//wilI, &c."
7Tlp£3a 60 MSS.
79. IVTV 6. Ar. with Houb, and 12 MSS. read 'yiVI, more fuita-
ble to the preceding word. I'DnV 26 MSS. The two Hemiftichs
in this verfe feem defedive. See verfe 25.
80. Tp«inn 3 MSS.
81. "innV. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. inmbl, " hut I hope, &c."
82. *• Saying, &c." *' Habet locum profopopoeia, ficut aliis in mem-
bris, ita et in oculis." Lorinus.
^2>' *»1J3'p^« o. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & i^th. probably read, as a friend re-
marks, mpn, " in the froj" Ch. Mudge, &;c. ** in the fmoke."
Which feems to be the right fenfe here. See Harmer's Obf. Vol* I.
p. 131. and Gen. xix. 28.
84. HDD. The fenfe, as well as the metre, feeming defedive, might
we read |D'-|22 '3, " How bitter are the days of thy fervant ?" For which
expreflion fee Amof. viii. 10. And for this fenfe of O fee Taylor's Con-
cord. 'flTinn 3 MSS.
85. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. rendering p^TVU, fabulationes, probably al-
fo read TiSD for T\'2» " told me idle Jlories." For as Hammond obferves
T(2 will not bear this fenfe. But one MS. reads nnti', and another
r\TWt which favors the text. See MSS. alfo in Pf. Ivii. 7. Ch. &
Syr.
86. ♦J'lty, " help thou me." Perhaps 'jny, ** mine enemies perfecute
me wrongfully."
87. "yi^Q. 53 MSS. "jmpS- See Pf. xix. 9. and verfe 40, &c.
88. See verfe 25. .,
89. By reading with Syr. nn J* before mnS the irregularity of the
metre is adjufted. See Hare and the Collat. and this and the following
verfe form that kind of tetracohn mentioned by Lowth, in which ** pof-
teriora membra ad priora referenda funt alternatim." Prasl. 19. *• Oh
Jehovah
[ 279 ]
Jehovah thou art for ever— thy vsrord is fettled in Heaven." See Prov. iii.
19, Seeker was once inclined to read D»JDC'3, and pN3 in the next
verfe, but refers to Pf. Ixxxix. 3.
90. Many MSS. nm nnb ; and 8 -n»ym.
91. nav. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with Houb. ^^OJf, *' According to
thy ftatutes iht d-xy continueth." But what follows favors the text- See
Pf. cxlviii. 6. &c. Syr. omits the whole verfe.
92. TK feems to be written for »JN, " /{hould have pcrifhed in mine
afflidlion." Syr. omits it.
93. See verfe 87. ^TlpD 72 MSS.
94. See I Kings xx. 4.
"^5- "I'rny, or as 35 MSS.. TDHV. But Syr. & Ar. read I'DHVl,
** but I will confider, &c." Which the fenfe and metre call for.
96. n'jDn. " Omnis humana potentia, fapientia, &c. finem habet."
Tirinus. As the verfions vary in the fenfe of this word I once thought
nD3n might be the right one, " I have feen an end of all wifdom —
but thy, &c." Syr. & Ar. read nirTT), which the antithefis requires.
98. I'mva. 6. Vulg. ^th. with Houb. &c. and 37 MSS. *]mifD
in the fing. which reftores the grammatical conftrudlion, " Thy command-
ment hath made me wifer than mine enemies — for it is ever with me."
See verfe 96.
99. This and the following verfe very applicable to David.
100. T"npfl 70 MSS.
1 01. niDtyf? 8 MSS. and feveral ant. MSS. read here, and elfewhere^
IT^W i but there is no authority from the text for it.
103. As the metre of the Collat. feems moft natural, but the laft line
is deficient, I would fupply mpDD at the end, (See Ch.) " How fweet
are thy words unto my palate \~—fweeter than honey, &c." See our
Bib. Verf.
imax. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ch. iEth. with Houb. &c. and one MS,
■l'n")»K which the conftrudion requires, or rather "jnilDN. See Pf. xii. 7.
Unlefs witji Ar. we read Y^QJ.
104. Would
r aso J
104. Would not the metre be more regular by beginning the laft He-
miftich with ♦n^yd' ?
105. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. read »mn'njb, " unto my paths:'
106. 's^'^ld^ 7 MSS.
107. 'r'n 41 MSS. See verfe 25.
109, '33:3, " in 7ny hands" i. e. ** In fummis periculis & vitae dif-
crimine verfor vid. Judg. xii. 3. i Sam. xix. 5. &c." Muis, &c. Du-
rell with a friend reads with 6. Syr. Ar. & i5^th. "J'Mn, *' in thy
hands."
112. The laft line is manifeftly defe(flive. Durell lupplies "1B«K at
the beginning, " which are an everlafting reward." If this fenfe be ad-
mitted, perhaps n.'Jn, which ends the laft verfe, may have been dropped
from the end of this, " they are an everlafting reward." 6. Vulg.'
Ar. & ^th. fupplied hv, " propter refrihutionem." ' Ch. reads ly,
" even unto the end." See our Verf. alfo. But as this borders upon
tautology, may not '3 have been dropped from the beginning, iad'
the affix from the noun, •• Jbr their reward is for ever ?" Tpin
4 MSS.
113. CflVD. Hare fuppofes this word to bear the fenfe of D'Vti'fl ;
which could not be the word of the text, as it claflies with the aU
phaietical order. Green thinks therefore that 6. ^th. & Ar. might
read DmiD, Hallet, as fome one obferves, propofes O^shOi which
may fignify perver/os. See Caft. Lex. Perhaps the word might be
iDnVD, ** The turbulent I hate." But a friend referring W I Kings
xviii. 21. renders the text, " I hate opinions," i. e. which may be either
true or falfe.
1 14. See verfe 25.
115. Should we not read DlifOn "ISKI ?
116. Rather with 6, and a friend, " and fnake me not ajliamed of my
hope."
[ 28i J
117. " nytyKI cum priore verbo nVL^'IN*! elegantem paronomafiam ha-
bet." Lorinus. 7pini \J MSS.
118. Dn*D"in. Houb. renders it, *• Nam vana efi elatio eorum." And
Lovvth approves this fenfe. But our Bib. Verf. is not only literal, but
affords a very good fenfe, " For their deceit is falfliood." By which ex-
preffion the pfalmifl probably alludes to the Lex Talionis amongft the
Jews, and the apoftle might refer to this pafTage, 2 Theff. ii. 11,
where he fays, " that God fhould fend them ftrong ddujion that they
fhould believe a lye." See Durell alfo. But a friend propofmg Dni2"nn,
gives this fenfe, " for thou lifteft them up in vain." i. e. that thou
maycft cafl: them down again. ^♦i5inD 5 MSS.
119. mt^'n. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read ♦Dltr'n. But Hare, &c.
according to Aq. & Sym. with one MS. of great note more properly
natyn, " Thou ejleemejl all the wicked of the earth as drofs." *]»nny
21 MSS.
121. 'ptyivV 5 MSS.
122. nny may be confidered as the 3d perf. Pyh. " Thy fervant
is engaged, or add'iBed to good." See Jerem. xxx. 21. Then this line
anfwers to the firft of the former verfe.
♦:i5tyv'. All the Verf. Houb. &c. with 31 MSS. 'Jipirr, which is
neceffary; and this line anfwers to the laft of the former verfe. See
verfe 89. ' ' ' - '. •
123. l'?^, " Mine eyes long for thy falvation." See Durell, and
2 Sam. xiii. 39.
124. Tpim 2 MSS. See verfe 25.
125. 7nny 23 MSS.
126. Adding with Hare, &c. DSt^a and reading with Vulg. Houb.
and one MS. niH' for mn^'7, the verfe may be divided thus, « It is time
to execute judgment— O Jehovah, they have broken thy law." See Gen.
xvii. 14. Hammond follows Ch. & Syr. " It is time to ivorPiip Je-
hovah." And for this fenfe a friend refers to Lev. xxii. 14.
4 C 127. The
[ 282 3
127. The lad line being defedlive, and Syr. fupplying y\\2, per-
haps :n has been omitted, " and muc/i fine gold." See Pf. xix. 10. •
128. 6. Vulg. & JEth. as a friend obfervcs, read 7"np3 b^b p by.
Syr. probably reads TinnN* 7T1p3 Vd, ** Therefore I /ove all thy pre-
cepts." Which keeps up the antitheCs better, ** but I hate, &c."
Syr. 5c Ar. reading "jDl in the 3d place. .;:l ..j
129. Perhaps we (hould read »b}< at the end of the firil line, " Thy
teftimonies are wonderful unto me*"
130. *T-Q1. Syr. & Ar. with 25 MSS. read "1"I17, " The manifefta-
tion, or explanation of thy word giveth light." See 6. Gejerus, &c. al-
luding to the Urim and Thummim. I once thought that nnfl might
be written for nrfl, and that *]min might be wanting at the end of the
laft line, " Thy word enlighteneth the foolijfi — thy law giveth underiland-
ing unto the fimple." But it is obferved by a friend that Ch. fupplies
DOtrn, ** enlighteneth thofe that are in darknefs." Which reading
may alfo fupply the defe6t in the following line, for which purpofe
Hare, &c. read 'i»y, *« enlighteneth ot/«^ eyes." See Pf. xix. g.
131. nSNtyNV 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^th. with Hare, fupply mi.
See alfo our old verfion. But the word may be rendered according to our
Bib. Verf. " and panted" or perhaps, ** and /wallowed." Alluding to his
eagernefs. See Job v. 5. and Ezek. ii. 8.
132. 'nmN'? 3 MSS.
133. The conftrudbion requires Dbt^'.
134. pnVO 7 MSS.
135. ^Kn. Houb. more regular TKH. See Pf. xxxi. 17..
1»pin 3 MSS.
136. by. 2 MSS. (one of which is of great note) read IK^K by ; but
as this makes the line too long, perhaps we fhould read HDIty for 1'lDtS^.
" for them that keep not thy law." And it is probable that 6. Ar. &
iEth. read the fame likewife, making it the part. Ben. fing. with the
affix pron, of the firfl perfon. Unlefs, as Seeker remarks, i(pu^i» is
written
[ 283 ]
written for £>Wai'; which the Collat. of the c. MSS. will difco-
ver.
137. IK?'!. 6. Syr. Ch. & JEih. read DHiy'lj which the metre,
as well as fenfe, requires. See Hare, &c. One MS. ']QSiVt^.
138. The difficulty of the conftrudion in the prefent text is gene-
rally allowed. See Poole, Lowth, 6cc. But as 4 MSS. read □'jiv*?
after I'Diy, or as 34 MSS. ^rmv, admitting Hare's metathefis, every
thing is fet right, " Thou haft commanded thy teftimonies Jbr ever —
they arc very right coufnefs and truth." i. e. moft righteous and true.
See Seeker.
139. There can be little doubt but we fhould read 'jrinOV. See
Pf. Ixxxviii. 17.
140. The metre of the laft line being defective, perhaps IJ^D has
been omitted, " Thy word is exceeding pure — and thy fervant lovcth
it very much." See verfe 1 67. Unlefs for ^^{D in the firft place we
might read t^KO, ** Thy word is tried ijoith the fire— zndiy &c." Al-
luding to Exod. xix. 18, See 6. Vulg. £c jEth.
141. TTipi) 52 MSS. Syr. adds % See our Verf.
142. The laft line being deficient, perhaps ^J;'7 is omitted, ** and
thy law is truth y^r ever." See verfe 25. Syr. reads TOiD\ or feme
fuch word for p^5».
143. Syr. reads *]»r)lVD% which feems right. See our Bib. Verf.
. 145. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. &; ;Eth. read 'n*?. "]»pin 4 MSS.
146. Another inftance of the Tetracolon. See verfe 89. Y^HV
24 MSS.
147. n"inb 53 MSS. See verfe 114, &c.
148. " T^he -watches." Ch. interprets '\\. oi both watches, the evening
and morning. Our verfions confine it to the night laatcheim Ham-
mond underftands it of the morning watches, which the former verfe
feems to favor. Dimoty}* 39 MSS.
149. See verfe 43 and 175, with 57 MSS. 'j'^n 49 MSS.
150. The
C 284 3
I 50. The antithefis between the two verbs is very well preferved in
our verfions. 'Sm 7 MSS. — 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. &; i^th. read iminoi,
*• but arc far, &;c."
151. The metre, as \\ell as fenfe, feems to require »V at the end
of the firft line, " Thou art near nnto me Jehovah." *' Illi prope funt,
fed tu mihi propior es." Gejer. &c.
152. "]»rnyD, or as 24 MSS. Yri"nVJ2. Syr. Hare, &c. rejecfl the iJ,
as redundant j and Green's verfion is, " I have long fince known,
'* that thou haft eftabliilied thy teftimonies for ever." A friend follow-
ing 6. renders the text, " I have long fince kxvownfrom thy teftimonies,
tliat thou haft founded them for ever." Seeker offers on*^D' for DmD%
" for thou Jlialt punijh them for ever." i. e. the perfons mentioned
verfe 150. which avoids the irregularity of the pronoun; but the
mafc. affix occurs again In verfe 167.
154. 'iTl. See verfe 25. One ant. MS. reads 'Jin, " he gracious
unto me according unto thy word." Which feems moft fuitable to the
context ; but one MS. probably reads with Syr. ^niONb'J, *' and be
gracious, &c."
M5- Tpin 5 MSS.
157. One MS. of good authority with Ar. reads the 1 at the be-
ginning of the 2d. line, *' but I declined not." ♦Din 5 MSS.
158. Dn:Q. 32 MSS. Dn:nn.
rmUlpDNI. The metre feems to require that we fl:!Ould omit n final.
See Pf. cxxxix. 21.
160. ti^Kl. 6. Vulg. Syr. & /Eth. with Hammond, Hare, &c.
" T^he beginning of thy word (or as 6. with one MS. of thy taords, as
a friend obferves) is truth." Vatablus, fee. fuppofe the D dropped on
account pf the fl^/w<^f//c<j/ order, " From the beginning" See our Verf.
Cocceius, &c. render it J'umma, " ^he 'whole of thy word is truth."
Jun. and Trem. with Lowth, i5cc. " Thy moft excellent word is
truth." See Merrick. Perhaps by a metathelis, " Thy word is the
excellency
C 285 ]
excellency of truth." As containing the mofl interefling of all truths
the knowledge of the one true God.
IpT;: t3DE?/i:. ('. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & >Eth. with lo MSS. Hare, &c.
'DDtt'O, *' and all the judgments of thy right eonfnefs are for ever." Green
reads with one MS. pTV YDOtrO, " and all thy laws are right eoufnefs for
ever." But fee verfe 164.
160. " Princes, &c." " Magnates five Saulls, five Abfalomi." Muis.
161. inatlSI. Ch. with 55 MSS. "]-imD1, " hut my heart feareth
becaufe of thy word." Syr. he Ar. read Tim, " but my heart feareth
thy word." i. e. he was retrained thereby from doing them any hurt.
See I Sam. xxiv. 6.
162. ^^. 6. Vulg. Ar. & /Eth. {yij^'K. Syr. ♦ntl'::'. But perhaps
we fhould read \i}yiJ, gaudiens fumt
163. "jnmn. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & Mt\\. with 9 MS. ^mim, which
the antithefis calls for, " but thy law, &c." <
165. Seeker with Marginal Verf. ** and they (hall have no ftumbling-
block." 'nniN*? 9 MSS.
167. DinNI. As the conflrucftion is here irregular, and the metre
defedlive, perhaps we fliould read n3n{<1, (13 being borrowed from
the following word) and fupply ypT\, " and loveth thj Jiatutes ex-
ceedingly." See verfe 152.
ynrw 23 MSS.
168. The Omniprefence of tlie Deity is the mofl forcible motive to
a virtuous upright conducft.
Tmiy 20 MSS.
169. If we read nin' at the beginning of the 2d line, which is
equally proper, this and the following verfe not only atibrd a beau-
tiful alternate tetracolon, but likewile a (Iriking homoioteleuton, which
our verfions have in fome meafure imitated.
171. njynn. Houb. reads rUV'^D, w'hich is its ufual form.
nbnn. Syr. reads "ibnn, *' thy praifc." Which feems better.
7pin 3 MSS.
4 D Perhaps
[ 286 ]
Perhaps rather, " for thou haft taught, t^c." See the next verfes.
J 72. ^jrn. Houb. more properly njyn. See verfe 42.
175. ':"l?y» -ODCi'CI. 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & iEth. read the words in
the plur. and 63 MSS. have Y^Stt'OI, and 32 'jniV' ; and as the noun
is generally read in the plur. this is probably the true reading. See
our old Verf. and verfe 43.
176. inN. 16 MSS. iniN.
" Oh Jeek thy fervant." Tbefe words make the firft line of Hare's
metre, and the laft of the Collat. too long; if therefore they are retained,
fliould not the verfe confift of three lines, inferting mn* at the begin-
ning of the 2d, " I have wandered here and there like a loft fheep —
O Jehovah feek thy fervant — for, &c. r" But perhaps they are only an
interpolation, as one very ant. MS. omits "piV, " I have wandered
here and there like a loft flieep — but I do not, &c." It is very ob-
fervable that not one of the ifiitia/ letters in this pfalm has been loft,
which ftiews how ufeful (he alphabetical o^d^x has been to the preferva-
tion of this moft excellent fyftem of religious, and moral precepts, for
2400 years, fuppofing it to have been written in the time of the Baby-
lonifli captivity; but much longer, if David was the author of it. And
this circumftance may account for the many feeming deficiencies at the
end of the lines, fuppofing the metre of Kennicott's collation be ad-
mitted. See Pref. For as Hare obferves, " fingula; Periodi in hoc pfalmo
duobus conftant verfibus, qui longitudine eadem fere funt ac alii."
P S A L M CXX.
THIS and the fourteen following pfalms are called fongs of degrees,
or a/cents. '* hoc eft, quas caneretur, cum populus in Hierofolymam
afcenderet ; nimirum vel ad fefta quotannis celebranda, vel turn cum e
captivitate Babylonica reverteretur." Lowth. See Calmet alfo. But
Gejerus, &c. fuppofe it to be a mufical term to denote the tone of voice
in
[ 287 ]
in which they were to be fang. See Patrick, and Pf. vi. " Hi pralini
fc dicuntur, quod a Levitis decantati effent in quindeclm gradibus. Sin-
guli pfalmi fingulis gradibus deftinati funt." Muis, Hammond, &:c.
V. I. The metre of the two firft verfes, according to Hare, and the
CoUat. feeming irregular, may they be divided thus, " In my diftrefs
I cried unto Jehovah — and he heard me : Jehovah delivered my foul —
from lying lips, &c. r" But fee Lowth's prel. Difl". on Il'ai. p. 26.
6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c i^th. with 8 MSS. read xmb^\ See our Verf.
Patrick, &c. fuppofe thefe words to refer to Doeg.
3. The firft line of this verfe feems defedtive. Cloppenburgius and
others fuppofe D'n'7N, to be underftood, or wanting, " What {hall God
give unto thee?" But Hare, &c. read "ipt^ DSlJ'i which the former
line ftrongly fupports.
f)'D'. 50 MSS. have f]'DV more regularly, which confines the verbs to
the adive fenfe according to Ch. Syr. Ar. Lowth, &c. — Houb. &c.
with one MS. read after 6. Vulg. & JE\\\. P\DV, in Hoph. " What
{ball be given unto thee, t/iou lying lip ? — or what fhall be done unto-
thee, thou falfe tongue ?"
4. "TllJl, " The arrows of the Mighty one fharpened." This may be
meant of God. See Cocceius and Pf. Ixiv. 3, 7. which pafTages feem
with this to allude to the Lex Talionis.
D'/Sm ''711:1, " with cozh of Juniper." Which, as Vatablus and others
alfert, burn long and furious. Arias montanus, 8cc. " with coals of broom."
See Harmer's Obf. Vol. II. 426. Syr. " ■with. coolXs of the oak." 6. Vulg.
6c iEth. probably read D'^^n, ** cum carbonibus defolatoriis. But as
Ar. followed by our old Verf. renders the words burning coals, perhaps
it might read with a fmall alteration D'ann D'^jm. See Job xxxvii. xj.
Houb. reading 'hrt-ID for '*7n:i DV, gives the words this fenfe, '• The
arrows of the Mighty one are renewed — as the coals of the Juniper."
See his Verf.
5. H'W. Probably written for 'iK. See Calaf. Cone.
[ 288 ]
*T^"j. u. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 5c ^^ih. with Houb. &c. read nDt^a, " Woe
is ir.e, for my fojourning is prolonged.'^ And to the fame purport is
Bochart's fenfe of the word taken adverbially, •' T'or I have fojourned for
a long time." Gejerus, Hare, &c. read ^{^123, '* Woe is me, that I fo-
journ in Mefech." But Muis, &c. undcrftand it proverbially, as they
lay in French, •* demeurer et avoir affaire avec des Turcs & Arabes."
Some refer this and the following part of the verfe to i Sam. xxv. i.
6. 'Lr'D: nV. The firft word not being found in 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. &
^^th. perhaps the true reading is '{t^Qjn. One ant. MS. has ♦*?.
KJItt'. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. &• .'^th. with one very valuable MS. read
'KJIsy, " 'ivith them who hate peace." Which the metre and the following
verfe feem to call for.
7. Dl'ju. The abftract for the concrete, as in 1 Sam. xxv. 6. Ge-
jeru?. But two valuable MSS. read DlVkyb, and this anfwers better, as a
friend alfo obferves, to n-PlVjib in the next line j which being too fliort,
perhaps 1*2n may have been omitted from its likenefs to ncn, " I was
for peace, but when I fpoke — they Jlwuted for battle." See Pf. xlvi. 7.
Green reads ♦3> " When I fpeak of peace."
P S A L M CXXI.
mbvab. 7 MSS. have mbVJin, conformably to the other 14 pfalms.
The metre (hould be all long according to the latter part of the Col-
lat. ox Jhort according to Hare, which Lowth follows chieHy. Whe-
ther we mufl underfland David fpeaking here, or a perfon going up
to the feafls at Jerufalem, or on his return from the Babylonilh capti-
vity, bv the hills, or mountains are probably n.eant Zion and Moriah,
*' ubi Deus prxfens erat ad opem ferendam." Grotius, &c. who fup-
pofes alfo that David compofed it durijig AbfaJom\ rebellion. See Pf.
Ixxxvii. I. ex. 3.
V. I . Lowth
[ 289 ]
V. I. Lowth makes the King to fpeak in this and the following
verfe, whom he fuppofes to be before the ark, imploring the Divine
Aid. See Ptacledt. 30.
2. nmy 8 MSS.
3. In this and the following- verfes Lowth makes the high pried to
anfwer the king.
"JK 2d.— 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^Eth. with 18 MSS. have hii^, which
the connection, as well as the fhort metre, requires, " and he that
keepeth thee will not flumber." This and the three following verfes fa-
vor the opinion that this pfalm was compofed on the going up to the
Jeq/ls, or on the return from the captivity. See verfe 6.
inaiK^ 5 MSS. with 6. Syr. & Vulg.
4. noti'. Houb. reads with 67 MSS. "iDlty ; and from comparing
Hare's and Lowth's metre, might it not be better to reduce the four lines
into three, " Behold he neither flumbereth nor fleepeth — Jehovah t/ie
keeper of Ifrael, keepeth thee — Jehovah is thy fhade upon thy right hand ?"
6. n3D*' 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read ")n3', or ^mDN " non uret te."
But Ifai. xlix. 10. favors the text. See Deut. xxviii. 26, 6cc.
Hare's and Lowth's metre being defedive, and the fenfe imperfedl,
we muft either read with the former according to 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. &
^th. riT K*?! for ^'^♦^ ; or, as \h.tfmiting, or burning of the Moon feems
to be an improper expreflion, perhaps T^<♦ has been accidentally omitted,
" and the Moon JJiall give light by. night." See Ifai. Ix. 19. Which
fenfe the fuppofition in verfe 3 may countenance.
7. Hare, &c. connedt the firft word in the beginning of the next verfe
with the laft.line of this, " Jehovah (hall prefcrve thy foul." Several
MSS. have IIDli" here and in the next verfe.
-. 8. Lowth, &c. refer thefe words to the king's going forth to battle.
But they may be applicable to the prefervation of the Jews from their
enemies on their going to the feajis at Jerufalem. See Exod. xxxiv. 24.
4 E PSALM
.-J
[ 290 J
PSALM CXXII.
IT is thought by fome that this pfalm was compofed by David, as the
title fets forth, for the ufe of the people going up to the feajis. See
Muis, &c. The metre of the Collat. is long, which is feldom ufed by
David, but here it feems preferable to Hare's, who, on account of the
metre, brings "nn' from the end of the 3d verfe, where it is fuppofed
to be redundant, " Let us go together to the Houfe of Jehovah — And
let us, &c." But fee verfe 3.
V. I. Dnown 9 MSS.
2. nnOIJ^ 15 MSS. " More literally Jlood, or are Jianding," Seeker,
who renders the firft verfe with 6. 6c Ch. ** I was glad amongst, or re-
joiced in thoje, 'who, &c."
3. mirwr. The jy is ufed for ntys*, Judg. vii. 12. and viii. 26. But
a friend obferves that the ufe of ^ for "il^K is a proof of the recentnefs
of the latter pfalms, where it occurs fo frequently ; and that it is uncer-
tain who was the author of the Book of Judges. Houb. reads with
13 MSS. nnninty.
nrv, feems to be better conne6ted with the following verfe ; efpe-
cially if for DK'Ly we might read D'K^ia?. See the next verfe, and Pf.
cxix. 162.
4. n*. Hare, &c. read mnS ** Rejoicing the tribes go up together,
the Tribes of Jehovah, the congregations of Ifrael," Who in full confi-
dence of the proteiflion of their eternal King, afl'embled from every
part of the land without any fear of moleftation. For this fenfe of
nny fee Houb. &c.
5. As the metre in the Collat. is probably too fliort in the laft line,
abiy ly may have been omitted, ♦• the Thrones of the Houfe of Da-
vid
C~ 291 ]|
\\A for ever" See 2 Sam. vii. 16. But why thrones? " D'lc'it. t/irom
pro domo, Hvcfatnilia, &cc. in plur. vel, quod throni regales cum d.emor-
tuis Regibus combufti funt, tefte Maimonide." Gejerus. Rather per-
haps to denote the temporal kingdom of David, and the fpir'itual king-
dom of ChriJ}, his Son, which was to fucceed the former, and of which
there was to be no end. See Luke i. 32, 33. xxii. 30.
6. The addrefs of the high prieft perhaps to the people alTembled at
Jerufalem.' " In hoc verfu elegans eft paronomafia quatuor vocabulorum."
Lorinus. TnmK 5 MSS. And as in moft places there is MS. autho-
rity for it, this is probably the true reading.
.7. I'j'ni, ** within thy fortrefs" Probably the Tow^r of David mtn-
tioned Cant. iv. 4. See alfo 2 Sam. y, 9.
rvb\V. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & i^th. with ii MSS. T\'b^\ *' and tran-
quillity within thy palaces." This wifh was peculiarly proper, when they
were affembling to pay their homage to Jehovah their king.
8. NJ. Hare and others for the metre's fake remove this word into
the next verfe, but as it has a peculiar emphafis here, it may have been
omitted there, ** I will Jiow wifli thee profperity— I will ;;ow feek thy
good." All the verfions omit it in both places. Better perhaps mon
PSALM CXXIIL
LORINUS attributes this pfalra to David. Patrick afcribes it to
Jfaiah on Sennacherib's invafion. See 2 Chron. xxxii. 20. Muis and
others refer it to the time of the Babylonijh captivity, or that of Antio'
chus. The metre of the CoUat. feems moft eligible, and the title of a
Jong of a/cents does not feem to accord with the fubje(ft of it. But fee
Pf. cxx. i»
V. I. ^^^n.
C 292 2
V. I. ♦nti'»n. One MS. has nti'Vn, which is probably the true reading.
See Pf. it. 4. Uftlefs, as 13 MSS. have »aB>Vn, we confider it as a Chal-
daij'm. • • ' t- s -
- 2. »J»V3 2d. Ch. Syr. 6c Ar. with 7 MS5. ♦yy31, " and as the eyes of
a maiden, &c." For the explanation of this phrafe fee Muis, and Har-
mer's Obf. Vol. II. p.i2j. ^ ••
3» IJVnt!', " For we- are fitted' with |fr<?j^ contempt." Caft. — Syr.
reads liva&S *' For -zf? /hJtM- heard much contempt." This may refer to
2 Chron. xxxii. Or to the infults of the Babylonians mentioned Pf.
cxxxvu. 3.
4. nil* Perhaps written for nm, and for 13tyfl3 H*? we fliould pro-
bably read liti'Sjn.. as one MS. omits rrV with all the verfions, adding
with another 7W7\* at the beginning to complete the metre of the Col-
lat. " O Jehovah, difgrace hath tilled our foul" Or ai 25 MSS. " our
fouls." The following words according to 6. & Vulg. are in apportion
*• The fcorn of thofe that are at eafe, the contempt of the proud." which
feems moft fuitablc to the luxury, and pride of the Babylonians. See
Ifai. xiv. 4. &c.
^iaP3VN:i'7. Perhaps, in conformity with the other word, D'^VKiH;
which is chara<5leril\ic of the Babylonians. See Ifai. xiii. 11. Unlefs,"
as the Keri reads D»JV »N:ib feparately, D':v D'NJirT might be better,
♦• the contempt of the proud opprejjors."
PSALM CXXIV.
) ji asdirJlii A-jviHr
:-/ni ?'
.MUIS, &c* afcribe this pfalm to David, agreeably to the title, upon
hh x'l^ovy , ONtt Xht Ammonites, 2 Sam.' x.'-'Lbrinus and others re-
fer it:. tp the Babylon^ captivity; which verfe 7 ftrongly countenances;
and two MSS. (one of note) omit m'?. , * "
C 293 ]
V. 3. »}K. Hare omits the ♦ here with one MS. but retains it in the
two next verfes. Houb. rejeils it in all three; and it would be better
to read uniformly j but the final ♦ favors of Chaldaifm ; and, as a friend
obferves, it is found no where elfe in this form.
4. "QV T]hm. " Omnino legendum in Hop/?. *l2Vn bnJ." Houb.
•* The flood would have been made to go, 6cc." But a friend obferves that
one MS. omits n in the firft word.
5. niy. Hare, &c. read with Syr. 1*iny, which is the beft method
of reftoring the grammatical conflruftion, " Then the proud waters had
gone, &c,"
6. Perhaps Beljhaxzar might have meditated the total deftrudion of
the Jewifh people in his drunken fit. See Dan. v. 4.
7. See this probably foretold, Ifai. xiv. 4. and completed Dan.
V. 30. &c.
The metre appearing defedbive, l^nya may have been dropped from
the end of this line, through it's likenefs to the following word, " and
we are delivered y;-o/« our enemies y
8. 6. with 7 MSS. nti'lV.
PSALM CXXV.
DEL ANY afcribes this pfalm to David upon his taking polTelfion
of Jerufalem ; but it feems equally adapted to the Ifraelites aflembling to-
gether at their annual feafts. The metre of the CoUat. is long.
V. 1. 6. Ar. &c. with 6 MSS. D'niDinn.
DbW*?. Syr. reads dViV*?!, " but abideth for ever."
2. n*? 2'2D. Sometimes the relative is ufed with the antecedent, but
Syr. reads linD, ** The mountains y«rr(?w;z^ Jerufalem —^W, or/tf, Je-
hovah, &c" See our old Verf. Syr. reads alfo :iy\D, or JJD in the 2d
place. •* More literally, t/ie mountains are — and the Lord is." Seeker.
4 F 3. Thefe
C ^94 ]
3. Thefe words feem to imply that no foreign invader fl>oulc] take
poflefTion of the JevviOi territories, agreeable to that promife. Numb,
xxxiv. 24. See Cajetan, 6rc.
4. ni'DH confidered as the 3d perf. agrees better with what follows,
" Jehovah doeth good unto thofe, &c." nn'D'H 24 MSS. .
5. 6. Ar. 6c &th, with Houb. fapply by, " But as for thofe that
turn ahde unto their crooked ways." An eafy miftake from the fimili-
tude of the two following letters, ♦'^yia 13 MSS.
D"i'?ll', &c. Hare, &c. rejedl thefe words as fpurious. But as all the ver-
fions retain them, as 4 MSS. and two others perhaps, read with Syr. &
Ar. Dl'jB'l, and they feem requifite to the metre of the CoUat. they may
be authentic.
P S A L ISI CXXVI.
THIS pfalm was probably compofed by Ezra, or Nehemia/u See
Grotius, &c.
V. I. ny^ 8 MSS. with Pf. xiv. 7. and Seeker miu', or with one
MS. n':it^'. See verfe 4.
D'abniJ. 22 MSS. D':2bin3 more regular, " ns thofe that dream"
Their deliverance was fo great and unexpeded that they thought it a
mere vifion. A friend conjectures that 6. Vulg. 6c Ar. read D'CPlJO,
ui -rafaxtxhtyivoi. Ch. perhaps DTl'/nr, Jicut agroti.
2. n'jD'. " Obferva JK hie, ut alias, convertere fut. in prcef. Sic
et Exod. XV. I." Muis. See Ixix. 5.
4. r\y\\J Hiay be, as Houbigant makes it, the participle paffivci but
it may be alfo, which he feems not to allow, imperative Kal" Seeker,
See Numb. x. 36. A friend reads with one MS. ni'{i'» ** Bring back
again our captivity." i. e. " our captives, O Jehovah, to the South,
as
1
[ 295 ]"
as is the courfe of the rivers, to wit, from Babylon which is fituated to
the North of JudcEa. The rivers Euphrates, Tygris, &c. run from the
North to the South towards the Sea." Should we not rather read n:!'n,
or ytu'r\ !* Durell makes it the nominat. cafe, and nS' the {\gn of the
genit. " T/ie turning of our captivity , Sec." Syr. probably reads :il1tl',
or Hty, " Jehovah hat/t turned again our captivity, as the torrents in the
South." Lowth thinks, ** that the image is taken from tlie torrents in
the deferts to the South of Judsea — The point of the comparifon feems
to be the return and renewal of thefe (not rivers, but) torrents, which
yearly leave their beds dry, but fill them again -, as the Jews had left
their country defolate, but now flowed again into it,"
5. A proverbial exprefllon according to Muis, &c. But fee the next
verfe.
6. V^^tTi ^t:^!: K:^:, orNiyiJ, as feveral MSS. in both places. " Portans
traSfionemfeminis." i. e. " per Hypallagen.y^wf;; tta^ionis. h. e. femen e vafe
de coUo fufpenfo extrahendum, et in gyrum projiciendum." Pifcator,
&c. — Mudge, &c. " Bearing d f^V^ of feed. "^ " Tra£imn femifiis vocat,
propter fulci longitudinem, in quem femen tradlum fpargitur," Boch.
" Traham frumenti," Traha eft vas exiguaj molis. Abu. VValid in Hamm.
'♦ Parum feminis" Marian. See Poole. Houb. omits the frjl word,
rendering thus, •* drawing forth the feed." And Amos ix. 13. to which
Mr. Bradley refers, countenances this. But he queries, whether it
might not be ptyj3, " from afack ?" A friend with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar.
JEth. and one MS. omits ']ll?D. But if yirn may be confidered as
the partic. den. (for which fee Ifai. Iv. 10.) the Avords may bear this
conftrudion, " Thefower, who goeth on and weepeth, bearing the mea-
fure — fhall coine again with joy, bearing his Jheaves."
Several MSS. read Nn' KU, and 12 vmr.:VN. Our vcrfions add IDK,
" with him." But I do not know upon what authority, though it may
poflibly have been dropped from its likenefs to the latl letters of the for-
mer word.
Harmer
L 296 ]
Harmer fuppofes thit the pfalmift here refers to the cuflom of the
Arabs plundering the hufbandman of his feed. See Vol. I. p. 87.
P S A L U CXXVII.
SOME afcribc this pfalm to David. Houb. &c. io Solomon accord-
inof to the title. Merrick fuppofes it to be a Cradle-hymn. Lorlnus, &c.
think it was compofed on the building of the fecorul temple, and D'n
may be underftood xarMox"' of the Hoiife of God. See Pf. cxxxiv. i.
Though 6. Syr. Ar. & ^th. omit 11, there feems to be an emphafis
in it according to Ch. " fruftra laborant tn ca architedli ejus." See
Seeker alfo.
V. I. Hare to fupply the defed in the 4th line of this verfe would
either add ^^pt^•, or read in the plural with others according to Syr.
& Ar. npty Dni:iu> ** T^he watchmen, &c." But perhaps according to
Vulg. riDK may have been loft from the end, ** If Jehovah keep not
the city — he that keepeth it watcheth in vain." — A beautiful tetracolon.
One MS. and another at firft, TjOtt'*.
2. This verfe may be well underftood of the afliduity of the Ifraelites
in rebuilding the temple and city of Jerufalem. The 2d line is pro-
bably too fhort ; perhaps DDn3JyC2 has been loft by fome accident
from its fimilitude to the word in the former line, *' and delay to
reft in your bed."
♦bslkS 4 MSS. more regular.
p. The prefent Bifliop of Norwich, renders with Noldlus, " furely."
6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with Hare and others, with 2 MSS. probably,
read O, "fir he, &c." Or as Seeker and Green, '♦ ivhereas." which
feems to be right. Our verfions have loth. " Membrum hie deeft."
Houb. , nn'V.
[ 297 ]
nn»V. Houb. underftands this of Solomon, Eut 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar,
& /Eth. with 2 MSS. have yTTb in the plur. See Ifai. \x. 5,
KiKf. 4 MSS. nJtt', doubtlefs right.
3. The next objed was the repeopling of the land; which wholly
depended upon the Divine Bleffing. See Deut. xxviii. 4.
13{S>. Hare, &c. read nSK', " The fruit of the womb is his gift," In
confequencc of the firfl: bleffing apon mankind. Gen. i. 28.
4. OmVin 01, '* jilnjwcentutts." i. e. " In Juventute geniti." Grot.
8cc. " Juvenes." Pifc. &c. And this laft fenfe anfwers better to the next
verfe, where ■)i:i correfponds with ^yiy here.
5. See Pf. i. I, ^
DK ift. 9 MSS. with Hare omit it, and for the fake of the metre it
may be rejedted, " luho hath filled his quiver with them." i. e. domum
Vatab. &c.
r\11^ ^2, *' hut they /fiall dejlroy, ^c" So Glaffius, Sec. But the ufual
fenfe of the verb feems here preferable, ** when they Jhall fpeak with their
enemies in the gate." i. e. In the defence of their private rights, or
thofe of the fiate. See Muis, &c. Merrick makes "iVK'n to fignify
** in war." referring to Judges v. 8. and he obfcrves, from Du Halde,
that it is a common faying at this day in China, " when a fon is born,
that a bow and arrow are hung before the gate"
WO? 12 MSS. and6r D'l'N*
P S A L M CXXVIII.
THIS pfalm is naturally conneded with the preceding, and is a
moft beautiful Epithalamium. See Patrick, &c.
V. I. 6. Vulg. Ar. & Mi\\. read the verbs in the plur, But fee
Pf. i. I. "ibinn 16 MSS.
4.G 2. »3,
[ 298 ]
2. O. 6. Ar. & JEih. omit this word, and it is not neceflary to the
fenfe j but Glafiius, &c. tranfpore it, ** Jhr thou flialt eat the labor, &c."
A metonymy of the caufe for the effedt. Here is a fudden change of per-
Ibns.
3. As it was, and is ftill, cuflomary in the Eaft to have feparate apart-
ments for the ivcmen, " in the fides of thy houje,'' niay as well refer to the
ivife, as to the vines. For the former fee Muis, Harmer, &c. Foe
the latter Patrick, &c.
*'. Round about thy tab'e.' Meaning the Olrie Plants, Patrick, &c,
Gejerus, Harmer, &;c. refer it to the children -, and fuch tranfpofitions
are frequent in the facred writings.
n'Tlfl 58 MSS. and 60 "hTs'^Zi.
4. '>^. ^^" ■ Surely thus." Durell, 6cc. But 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^th.
with 5 MSS. omit it. See our old Verf.
5. The iirft line feeming defedive, -j-^i may have been dropped from
the beginning of if, " Jehovah ihall furely blefs thee, &c." See Gen.
xxii. 18. &:c. All the Verf. read nX"in% both here and in the next
verfe, which feems to be right. Seeker following 6. Vulg. Syr. fie &xk\.
offers this fenfe of this and the next verfe, " ^he Lord blefs — and mayeji
thou fee — Tea mayefl thou fee — Peace upon Ifrael."
6. ** Peace upon Ifrael." Hare, &c. rejedt thefe words j but if they
are retained we fhould read with Syr. Ar. & Houb. Dl^tyi. See Pf.
cxxv. 5. and our Verf.
PSALM CXXIX. '
THIS pfalm might be compofed by Ezra^ or Nehemiah, for the
confolation of the Jews at the time that their enemies obftrufted the
rebuilding of the city and temple.
V. 1.
I
C 299 ]
v. 1. From my youth." i. e. from the time I was In Egypt. See Muis.
Bill Bofluet carries it up to Abel. See Dr. Home, the prefent Bitliop
of Norwich. Syr. reads mi^ 12*1> " Creverunt oppre fores met." Sec
Ch. alfo.
2. One MS. reads mn"!, perhaps for 12'n. See verfe i.
3. Thefe words may refer to Exod. i. 11 — 14.
DDUVdV. S5 MSS. have. OD'^VOb, & 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th.
read the word in the fing. though they give different fenfes to it, Houb.
reading ♦:\.i for 'n:i, and Dm^VD DnV, puts this conftrudion upon the
words, " fupra tedium meiim molitiones clam fecerunt — in longum
duxerunt colloquia fua." But Seeker difapproves of this fenfe, and offers
this tranflation of the text, " They have prolonged their ajjiitl ions." That
is, the affliSlions canjed by them. As he obferves further, 6. probably
read D'yt^^nn for D'C'")!!; or as 11 MSS. DHyiin. more properly.
4. Hare and Edwards fupply the defedl in the metre of the firll: line
by reading pH'il *"ljn, " Jehovah, who is gracious, and righteous."
See Pf. cxvi. 4. Perhaps from the likenefs of b to p, which ends the
former word, and of rijfp to the next, nVpV may have been dropped
from the end, " Jehovah, who is righteous unto the end — hath cut afun-
der, &c." Alluding to the cords, wherewith the tafk-maflers fcourged
the Ifraelites; or to the deliverance from the BabyloniHi captivity.
5. In this part of the pfalm the Ifraelites are encouraged not to defift
from their undertaking. See Title.
** All thofe that hate Zion — fliall be confounded and turned back" j
la;")!' 9 MSS. 6 imD'. and 9 '{^iia;.
6. ** Like the grafs upon the houfe tops." The houfes in the Eaft
having ^(2/ roofs, they might carry up their corn fometimes to dry
there, and fome of the fcattered grains falling into chinks, might take
root, but for want of foil and moifture, prefently wither away. See
Gejerus.
^^
[ 300 i
^ibty njyipli.*. Houb. reads ^Vtyn DTpt:^; but perhaps nD^i5 is ufed
adverbially Ezra v. ir. which may prove that this pfalm was written
by /lif/i, or at leaft after the captivity. t)Viy may admit of different
fenfes. 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEth, with Hammond, &c. render it, ** ^?
plucked up." It being the cuftom fometimes when the corn was ripe
to pull it up by the roots. Ch. with Mudge, Lowth, &c. ** groweth
up-" or as Gejerus, " which withereth, before ;V appears in ear" See
Harmer, Vol. II. p. 462.
7. The laft line being defefblve, perhaps we fliould read liDV lOVD, it
being very common to add the verbal noun. See Gen. I. 11. Rather
with Pifc. Sec. " Neither he that bindeth up the {heaves, his arm"
8. The ufual fl^lutation of travellers Xa \}i\^ reapers. See Gejerus, &c.
Ruth ii. 4.
Dnayn. 6 MSS. OnniVn more regular.
P S A L M CXXX.
PATRICK and others afcribe this pfalm to David, either when
perfecuted by Said, or after his adultery with BathJJwba. Hammond, &c.
to fome perfon in the BabyloniJJi captivity, which the laft verfe favors.
V. I. If the long metre of the Collat. is adhered to, the two firft lines
might be reduced into one, efpecially if we omit »JTN ; for which 21 MSS.
read mnS which occafions an unneceflary repetition, *♦ Out of the depths
have I called unto thee ; O Jehovah, hear my voice 1"
3. ':iN n*. As 42 MSS. read mn* inftead of the laft word, perhaps
the firft fliould be omitted.
*lDiyn, or as 7 MSS. liatST). " Rigidam hie judicialemq. denotat de-
lidtorum obfervatloncm, & quafi confignationem, & fecundum omncs
circumftantias examinationem." Gejerus, — 'mv 5 MSS.
4. O.
C 301 ]
4. *^, ** But there Is mercy with thee, therefore flialt thou be fearcJ,
or reverenced." Grotius, &c.
N-nn. 13 MSS. ^i^V^, and one Ed. Kn'D, which feems to be moft
regular. Ch. reads ns^in. Vulg. "jmiD- 6. & Ar. "iDC Houb. tranfpofing
the words in this and the following verfe, and reading with 6. Vulg. &
^th. Tnnp for ♦nnp, gives this fenfe of them, " If thou haft laid up
iniquities with thee, f/iaf thou mayejl be feared, O Jehovah who fl^iil
ftand ? feeing there Is pardon with thee, / have waited for thee, O Je-
hovah." And it is obfervable, fays a friend who adopts this reading,
that none of the ant. verfions favor our tranflation.
5. ^n^\^. Perhaps better nmp, there being an elegance, as well as em-
phafis. In the repetition of the verb, " My foul hath earnejlly waited for
Jehovah, and I have hoped for his word." i. e. Perhaps for the ful-
filling of his promife. See Jerem. xxv. 12.
Houb. &c. read n'jmn, conneding it with the following words ; and
6. reading inm*?, & 2 MSS. "^nnbl, a friend gives this fenfe of the
words, ** expedavit anima mea, et in verbo tuo fperavit."
6. "ipnb Dnnty npi'? Dnatra. 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. with Hare,.
&c. for "ipn*? Dnaty read nb'^n ly, ** Anima mea expeiftat dominum
ab excubiis matutinis ufque ad noSlem." Hammond, 6cc. render the
words, " My foul waitelh for Jehovah every watch of the mortiing."
Houb. &c. read nnyb DnOtyV, " from the morning watch even until
the eicening watch." But there being an tllipfis of the verb, (unlefs we
read nbmn with Houb. 6rc. in the former verfe.) Green omits the two
laft words, and reads nmp at the beginning, " My foul waiteth for the'
Lord more ardently than thofe who watch for the appearance of the morn-
ing." Perhaps the true reading might be nplb DHOIl^'D m.-ti*'.2, '* My
foul watcheth for Jehovah, as thofe who watch for the morning." See
Jonah ii. 9. alluding either to the city guards, as Muis, or to the priejh,
as Patrick, 6cc. Seeker keeps to the prefent reading, pointing;, and
tranflation.
'jiK*?. 41 MSS. rwiyh, 4 Dn!:iJrD, and 5 CDnSltT.
4 H 7. The
[ 302 ]
7. The firfl: line of this verfe according to the metre of the Collat. be-
ing defective, might we fupply the defeat according to the laft
line of the next pfalm, ** Let Ifracl hope in Jehovah from henceforth
and for ever?" See Pf. cxxxi. 3.
8. Hare would either rejefl this verfe, or fupply V2V DH, ** And he (hall
redeem his peopU Ifrael from all their fins." But as the metre of the Collat^
does not require this addition, and there does not feem fufficient reafon
for rejecting it, perhaps for vniJIV we might read IDUV, ** And he fhall
redeem Ihael from all his affli^ion" I. e. The Babylonijh captivity. See
Pf. xxii. 24. cxxxii. I.
P S A L M CXXXI.
DAVID compofed this pfalm, as Patrick and others fuppofc, in con-
fequence of Saul's invidious fufpicions, \ Sam. xviii. 8. Perhaps rather,
if he wrote it, of his eldeft brother's rebuke, ch. xvii. 28. The whole
hiftory of David fhews that he did not afpire to the kingdom through
ambitious views. See i Sam. xx. 8.
V. I. mbn."\i 29 MSS.
2. Hare, &c. rejedl the three laft words of this verfe as a faulty re-
petition. Houb. followed by Lowth, reads nS^QJ for 'tyW, " like a
a weaned child upon her breajl." An unufual fenfe of the word. With-
out repeating therefore other fenfes of the words (fee Poole, &c.) giving
N*? DK the interrogative fenfe, reading with Seeker according to 6.
Vulg. Syr. Ar. & iEth. 'mni^ for ♦nntt^, and with a fmall alteration
Ijy for >V in the 2d place, which has occafioned the greateft difficulty,
the whole may be rendered thus, " Have I not humbled^ and kept my
foul in faience r — As a child that is weaned of his mother, my foul is
humble as a weaned child." Mr. Bradley reading "jiv for ''py in both
places
C 303 ]
places gives this conf^rudlion, ** As an infant whom his mother has
<weaned, as an infant who is weaned is my foul." i. e. innocents
bV2'\'2 many MSS. in both places. Sec Ifai. xxviii. 9.
3. This verfe feems improperly placed here. See Hare, Sec. and Pf.
GXXX. 7.
...i . ; daidw ,r<:
.not AW.o ;nlf»m ?;;
PSALM CXXXIL
PATRICK, &c. afcribe this pfalm to Solo^on'.'Yo(i[m^, &c. to David;
and if confidered as a continuation of the former, this exclamation na-
turally follows what had been faid in verfe 2.
V. I. DK. All the verfions with one MS. read riNI, tf«/'all his afflic-
tion." Or as Patrick, &c. according to 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^Eth.
** and all his humility.'* See Pf. cxxxi. 2. Hare makes it a prepofi-
tion, ** with all &c." Mudge approved by Seeker renders, " Re-
member to David all &c."
2. ^tTK, " Who fware, &c." Syr. And this oath might be made, when
the ark was with Obed-Edom, from which God abfolved him by the
Prophet, 2 Sam. vit. 5 — 13. But fee verfe 5.
*nJ. Syr. & Ar. with Hare m^i, '< a?2d vowed." Vulg. & Mih, re-
peat the word, •* He "vowed a vozv unto the Mighty One of Jacob."
Which. Periphrafis for Jehovah occurs Gen. xlix. 24. and might be
here ufed, as Muis obferves from Kimchi, ♦* quod domus Santfluarii,
five templi, Jacoboin fomno vifa eflet. Gen. xxviii. 17." Or as allud-
ing, according to Houb. to Gen, xxxii. 24. who fupplles b^, *' to the
Mighty God of Jacob."
From *<»2K and y2'2i, which are fynonymous, came the Cabiri or the
great Gods of the Grecians, and the Abiry of the Druids. See Thef.
Antiq. Roman. Tom. v. p. 760. Bryant's Myth. Vol. II. p. 473. and
Cooke's Patriarchal and Druidlcal Rellg.
Q. Here
C 304 ]
3. Here is a beautiful Anaphora in the three firlV lines of this and the
following verfe, that gives likewife an emphafjs tb the expreffions, which
Gla/Tius, &c, fuppofe to be hyperbolical ; but Kirjath-jearim being fo
near to Jerufalem, the bringing up the Ark thence might be performed in
the courfe of a day. See Seeker, Nii^S 13 MSS.
4. ^QVDyb. 6. Vulg. & j^th. 'tJVSVbl, which the conftruaion, as well
as metre calls for, " or flumber &c."
5. mJ^t^'^. " Enallage numeri." fiochart. See. But as all the
verfions have the fing. they probably read DJDU'JD with n final, or
]2Z*0Tlt i unlefs the noun may be feminine in the fing. as well as the
plur; and then there will be an antecedent to the following fern, affixes.
" Mudge feems rightly to tranflate, " the place of t/ie Lore/, or Jeho-
vah, &c." For the pfalm exprefies in the next verfes, firft his hearing
news of the, ark, and then his aftual finding it at Kirjath-jearim, i Chron.
xiii. 5, 6. which was the completion of his vow. b frequently fignifies,-
0/'." Seeker.
6. mjJ'Ciy. All the Verf. have the fem. affix, and Pifcator refers it
to yna, which he fuppofes to be underftood in verfe 5, " for tke Ark
of Jehovah." But fee verfe 5. Hieron. &:c. read the verbs with the
mafc. affix in, naking the place the antecedent. Rather perhaps ac-
cording to Houb. Jehovah, who accompanied the Ark, (See verfes 7, 8.)
'* Behold we heard of him at Ephratah." i. e. '* Silo, ubi area diu
manfit, in Ephrata:a regione." Junius, 6cc. " Ephrata proprie ell
Bethlehem; fed hie accipitur pro tota regione Ephratsa, qu^e extendebatur
a Bethlehem Hierofolymam." Tirinus, &c.
n^l. .24 MSS. read mt^'a, " We found him in the territory of Jear."
i. e. at Kirjath-jearim.
7. Junius, &:c. refer this to the Houfe of Obed-Edom, See verfe 5.
Muis, &c. to the temple of Solomon. But why not to the tabernacle
which Da'-cid eredled ?
DnnV 67 MSS. ^,o,Q bojj
8. " Arife,
C 305 ]
B. ♦' /irife, 0 'Jehovah, Sec." The ufual expredicn on the removal
of the Ark to any different place. See Numb. x. 35.
y^y 7 MSS. " The Ark of thy Jlrength," h, e. " Omnipotentla; tuae
fymboluni." Gejer. See 2 Chron. vi. 41.
9. ** With right eoufnefs" Alluding to the priefts garments, Exod.
xxviii. 2.
The metre of the laft line being defecftive, we fhould read with
9 MSS. and as in the parallel place verfe 16. lJi1» p"^, " and let thy
faints fiout aloud for joy." i. e. The Levites, whofe office it was. See
Spencer, 6cc.
ID. " Of thine Anointed" may be fynonymous to thy fervant, and both
may be fpoken of David. One MS. TH, as it is written through the
firft Book of Chron.
11. nOK. Gejerus reads with Ch. Syr. & iEth. DIDND, which the
conftrudtion requires, " in Truth."
** Of the fruit of thy body will I fet upon thy throne." Ch, fupplies
the ellipfis by reading *]bD, " will I fet a King, 6cc." But perhaps
for *]V we fliould read "jbo, " of the fruit of thy body will I fet a King
upon the Throne." Which may refer in the firft place to Solomon, (See
2 Sam. vii. 12.) but was fully completed in Jefus. See Ails ii. 30.
Though Calovius and others make this promife to rtlzicfolely to Chrift.
12. ^mv^' 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & iEth. with 45 MSS. have ^nnw
** and my teftimonies." The pronoun it may have the plur. fenfe as well
as ni. See Job. xix. 19.
" For evermore." The temporal kingdom of David continued in the
line of David till the birth of Chrift, when the j^/VvVw^/ kingdom com-
menced in the perfon of this Son of David, of which there lliall be no
end. See Luke i. 32, 33. and PIfcator.
13. It might have been revealed to David by Jehovah that Zion fhould
be hX^ fettled refidence in future, which determined David to build a mag-
nificent temple inftead of the tabernacle. See verfe 2. and 2 Sam. vii. 2.
4 I niN.
[ 3o6 ]
mK. As all the verfions have the pronoun, n muft be con fide red ac-
cording to Houb. as thcfcm. affix agreeing with Zion. See PC cxii. lo.
Or nriN, according to the Ch. being dropped through the fimilitude of the
letters, may be fupplied after the verb, which the metre feems to want,
" He hath defired />, &c."
14. This declaration of Jehovah might be pronounced at the time
that David brought the Ark, the fymbol of the Divine Pretence, into the
tabernacle. See i Chron. vi. 31. xvi. i.
n^DMi. S7 MS3. more regular ^'n'^^?. See Ifai. xxvi. 9. Jcrem.
xvii. 16.
15. nT5f. Houb. reads nniy, I will furely blefs hsr princes." Mr.
Bradley reads n'Ti* to the fame purport. Seeker fupports the text from
Neh. xiii. 15. But as Ch. reads the particip. in piel inftead of the in-
finit. perhaps, we might read ^inD Ty, " Bkjfing I will blefs the city"
16. n':nDl. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with 8 MSB. rviXX^, nor does
the fenfe, or metre, feem to require the copulative, " / will cloath her
priefts with health." Rather, ivith Jahation. Alluding to Exod.
xxiv. 24. — " And her faints." See v. 9. ■
17. " The Horn." This was an emblem of regal power.
. "):, " A lampt or candle." which Solomon is exprefsly called I Kings
xi. 36. But this title more peculiarly belongs to that Son of David, who
is ^z bright and morning ft ar. See Rev. xxii. 16. Or may we read
"Ifj, " I have prepared a Crown for mine anointed f " See the next
verfe.
18. Vl'K 32 MSS. This received its completion in fome meafure
2 Sam. XX. 36 — 43, but has been and •will be more eminently fulfilled
in that King of Ifrael, whofe kingdom fhall have no end. " 6. legerunt
ntJ TO ayla(TiM ixH, ct fignificatloncm fumpferunt a "itj, quod eft, feparare
fe ab aliis religione aut voto, iicque fe quodammodo fandtificare." Muis.
And a friend propofes thefe queries, '* whether this pafl'age relates to the
Mejjiah ? and whether Jefus may hence be called a Nazarcean^ fubmitting
this
I
[ 307 ]
this confrrudtion of the laR words to confidcration, vbvi, ajid from him,
(i. e, fprung from David) a Nazarsan fluall flourifh ?"
PSALM CXXXIII.
THIS pfalm being probably compofed by fome perfon on the Ifraelites
aflembling themfelves together at Jerufalem on their feftivals might be
properly ftiled, A Jong of af cents. See Pf. cxx. Mudge, and Lowth's Prte-
Icdl. 25. Patrick, &c. fuppofe it rather to be written by David on the
conclufion of Abfalom's rebellion.
V. I. Syr, omits n:n, with 5 MSS. " How good, &c." Hare, &c.
omit the 2d nO with one MS. " Behold how good and pleafant it is, &c."
ID:i is fuppofed to have an emphafis here. See Muis. But a friend ob-
fervcs, 2 MSS. (one of them very ant.) omit it, with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. &
iEth.
2. y\^T[- " n fuperlativum fignificat." Gejerus. And the ointment
ufed for the undlion of the High Priejl was made of the moft odorife-
rous and coftly herbs. See Exod. xxx. 23, 30. It is probable alfo that
it was this kind of ointment, with which Mary anointed the Blefled Je-
fus, as emblematical of, and preparatory to, his entrance on his Priejlly
office by the offering of his body once for all.
T1». Hare, &c. read ITtT. Houb. "nvty. And ^ might be dropped,
the laft word ending with it. 21 MSS. read TiV, and 18. *7")Vti'. See
alfo the next line.
'J3 bVt " to the collar of his garments." See Exod. xxxix. 23. Muis,
Patrick, &c.
3. This verfe has been truly the crux criticorum. Eufebius, &c. as
Lorinus obferves, fuppofe the dew to be carried by the wind from Her-
man to Zion, but this being improbable, Grotius, Houb. &c. read |}<»jy
for p% making that and Hermon to be the fame, according to Deut.
iv. 48. Seeker, &c. confider p»5f as an appellative, " As the dew of
Hermon,
[ 308 ]
Hermon, that defcendeth upon the dry hills." See Ifai. xxv. 5. Glaf-
fius, Lowth, &c. fuppofe an ellipfis of \ or D, before i"|'ty j and a friend
obferves, that as feveral MSS. read "rnviy, T may have been tranfpofed
from the beginning to the middle of the word, " As the dew of Hermon,
and that which fell upon the hill of Sion," Gejerus, &c. fuppofe an ellipfis
alfo of the word btD, " and the dew, which fell, &c." See Lowth on Pf.
ex. 3. But perhaps pann may be written for \\^r\r\, copia, and by an
Hebraifm the words may bear this fenfe, " As the copious dew, which
defcendeth upon the mountains of Zion." See Pf. Ixxxvii. i. i Kings
xviii. 41. There is a peculiar beauty in comparing the Ifraelites aflem-
bled on Mount Zion to the niimberkfs drops of dew that fall down upon
it. See Pf. ex. 3.
Dtl', " For there, &c." This word, as Lowth obferves, neceflari4y
refers to Zion, which is a very ftrong objedtion to feveral interpretations
of the former part of the verfe. But fee Tirinus, Seeker, &c.
D»»n. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. with one very ant. MS. CD«m, " and Life for
evermore."
PSALM CXXXIV.
AS Lyranus obferves, this pfalm may be only a continuation of the
former, and the Frieji may addrefs the Levites rn the two firft verfes. "Or
one company of the Levites the other according to Lowth, who remarks
'• that this pfalm is nothing more than the alternate cry of two difterent
divifions of the temple watch. The firft watch addreffes the fegond, re-
minding them of their duty: the fecond anfwers by a folemU bleffing :
the addrefs and the anfwer feem both to be a fet form, which .each
divifion proclaimed, or fung aloud at ftated intervals, to notify the time
of night." Notes on Ifai. p. 263.
V. I . Syr. omits n:n, and perhaps rightly. DHDW 9 MSS.
2. All the verfions with Houb. and 35 MSS. readOD'T, your hands.
I
[ 309 ]
Wlp. 6. Syr. Ar. with Houb. &c, t^niA " fo the lanAuary."
Perhaps with n local. riUnp. Hare, &c. read Ili^Tp, "to his fanSiuary,"
and fupply Dty for the fake of the metre, " and blefs the name of Je-
hovah." But the long metre of the CoUat. if admitted, renders this un-
neceflary.
3. Here the Levites anfwer the prieft, or one company the other. Sec
above. Perhaps rather, " in Zion." See Pf. cxxxv. 21. and Joel iii. 21.
ni^iy 6. with 9 MSS.
PSALM CXXXV.
PATRICK, &c. fuppofe, that this pfalm was compofed on fome
very remarkable deliverance of the Ifraelites from their enemies ; but
the fubjedt of it feems peculiarly adapted to the celebration of their
annual feftivals, in which It was highly proper for them to recite the
mercies vouchfafed to them from the "Exod to fettling them in the Land
of Canaan, and it might have been compofed for the ufe of the temple
on thefe folemn occafions. But fee verfc 9.
ib'jn 2d. perhaps, " praife //, or him, O ye fervants of Jehovah."
See our verfions, and Pf. ii. 12.
3. rr iVjn. One MS. omits the laft word; but another appearing to
have read a third letter, and Syr. omitting Jehovah at the end, the true
reading may have been mn' in the firft place, and mn in the 2d. accord-,
ing to Syr. ** Praife ye Jehovah ; for he is gooi^.^
4. 'JKIiy'. Syr. Ar. & .^th. with our Verf. VN^trn, which the metre
feems to want; and as O feems redundant at the beginning of the next
verfe perhaps it may be written for np', which might end .this, and hath
taken Ifrael, &c." For H' read mn*. See Pf. IxxxI.y. 9.
5. ON O. Hare omits the laft word as repugnant to the metre ; but
in this place it appears to be emphatical. See verfe 4.
4 K iriHNT
C 3iO ]
WinNI 20 MSS. which fcems to be the true reading. See Jolli. iii.
Ti, 13. Ifai. i. 24. &c.
6. Vdi. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. 6c ^th. with 23 MSS. Houb. &c. "jDni,
*' and in all deep places." See Lowth's Pre). DilT. on Ifai, p. 23.
7. Jeremiah might borrow thei'e words from the pfalmift. See ch. x.
13. and Grotius. CX'LIO 58 MS.
113D'7i ** w;V/i the rain." h bearing this fenfe. Gen. xlvi. 26. See
Gejerus ; who obfcrves, " inter mira Dei opera merito hoc refertur, duo
adeo contraria elementa fociari." And the pfalmift probably alludes to
Exod. ix. 23.
KilO. 3 MSS. K'2f10. See Calaf. Cone,
" Cut of his treafures." " Reliqua tria elementa, ignis, aqua, terra,
oculis cernuntur; non vero aer aereique vend, qui ideo reconditi dicu.n-
tur." Gejer.
8. ^y. 36 MSS. nyi, " from man even unto beaft." See Syr. Vulg.
& Ar. But one MS. tranfpofes this and the following verfe, which
feems to be their natural order.
9. As 42 MSS. read nms*, and 24. mms*, this is probably the true
reading.
D'DflDV Houb. with 35 MSS. D'HSiai. See Calaf. Cone.
'D3inn. Perhaps pS* IDIDl, " in the midft of thee, O thou Land oi
Egypt." Though there is no other authority for it but our old Verf.
and the feeming deficiency of the metre. See Exod. from ch. iv. to ch.
xi. But if this be a Chaldaifm, as Gejerus fiippofes, (See verfe 10.
and Pf. cxxii. 3.) the date of the Pf. muft be brought to a lower period.
11. naNH. 10 MSS. mDKn> and fron> Ch. with the other verfions,
one may conclude that this is the true reading, which one very ant. MS.
has preferved Gen. xv. 16.
«* And all the kingdoms of Canaan." i. e. 31. See Jofh. xii.
12. nbn: ift. 5 MSS. n'jm'?. See Pf. cxxxvi. 21.
i;5. Many MSS. nm Tn"?.
^ 14* ** For
C 311 3
14. " For Jehovah ivUl avenge his people." So the word Hrauld'
be rendered here, and Deut. xxxii. 36. whence this verfe is taken. See
Hammond, &c,
1^. See Pf. cxv. 4, &,c. This and the three following verfes contain
a mofl- farcaftical defcription of the idols oi Egypt znd Canaan ; which
could not preferve their votaries from deftrudtion. See Deut. xxix. 17.
17. One MS. reads here as in Pf. cxv. 6. and fupplies verfe 7, which
fee.
i8. DH'tyy. 24 MSS. have DH'^y.
^0' 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. JEth. with 12 MSS. b2\ " and tv try one, &c."
19. Patrick concludes that this and Pf. cxv. were written by the fame
perfon on different occafions, the one in a time of diflrefs, the other
when it was over ; which gave rife to the variation of the expreffion.
But fee verfe i.
21. ]V5fO. See Pf. cxxxiv. 3.
pSJ'. 23 MSS. pliy, part. Ben. " dwelling at Jerufalem."
n» ibbn. 6. Vulg. y^th. Hammond, &c. connect thefe words with-
the next Pf. which wants a title.
PSALM CXXXVI.
THE argument of this pfalm fo nearly correfponds with that of the
former, that it was probably wrote in imitation of that for one of the
three great feftivals, with this difference only that an Intercalary verfe, or
chorus, is repeated after every hemiftich, and makes, as Lowth obferves,
perpetuam torojJw. Lorinus thinks that the latter part of the pfalm has
refpedl to the Bahylomjh captivity. It abounds in anaphoras, and alli-
terations, and it is obfervable that not one letter of the Intercalary
verfe has failed through the whole pfalm.
V. 2.
C 312 }
% 2. Jehovah Is fuperlor to all the Gods of the Heathen. See
Exod. xviii. 1 1.
3. ♦J^^**7 "9 MSS. CD'JnKn 10 MSS. See Pf. cxxxv. 5.
The government of the Jewifh people being a Theocracy, (See i Sam,
xiL 12.) Jehovah's fupremacy over all the kings of the earth is here
aflerted, and as Lorinus obferves, •* hue forfitan allufit Johannes, appel-
lans Chriftum, xegcm regum, ct dominum dominorum."
4. ntl'yb. 6. with 15 MSS. ntyiV*?, part. Ben. Xyhvx 27 MSS. A
beautiful afyndeton in the fix following verfcs.
5. The formation of the Heavenly Bodies feems to call for a peculiar
exertion of wifdom. See Pf. viii. 3. Houb. fuppofes the prep. 3 to
have a fuperlative fenfe here. See Pf. Iv. 19. Seeker renders it, in.
nmyb i8 MSS.
6. b>', juxta, ** near the waters." Gejerus. Rather, "together
with the waters." See Taylor's Cone.
7. nirivb 24 MSS,. and 41 D'bn.l.
9. The metre of this verfe, according to the Cpllat, being too long,
and that of Hare, &c. dillbnant to the reft of the pfalm, which made
Hare himfelf fufpeft that nVbl mbt^ao'7 was an interpolation, it is pro-
bable that, mention being made of great lights in the former verfe,
DOD131 is an interpolation, ♦• the Moon to rule the night" See Gen.
i. 16.
mbli'S^V. All the Vcrf. Houb. &c. with i6 MSS. nVtl'Oi:':. See
verfe 8. and Gen. i. 16.
10. •* To him, who fmote the Egyptians with their firft born," The
plur. affix requires this verfion. See Gen. xliii. 32.
1 1 . NVVV N'i'Vl would be more regular. See Calaf. Cone.
13. in*?. 6. with 33 MSS. imb.
*' Into parts." Our old Verf. better, " into tivo parts." See Exod.
xiv. 22. and Gen. xv. 17. But the antient Jews had a notion that the
Tea was divided into tivehe parts according to the number of the tribes.
See Muis. 17. D'*:n.l
[ 3^3 J
17. to'bni 42 MSS.
i8. iv^n'i s MSS.
19. mOKH 9 MSS. See Pf. cxxxv. ix.
21. " TAwr hand" This feems to make agalnft the fuppofition that
the Ifraelites had a prior right to the Land of Canaan. See Pf.
Ixxviii. 55.
23, 24. As thefc I'crfes feem to have a reference to feme later deli-
verance than that from Egyptian bondage, perhaps it might be the re-
demption from the Babylonijli captivity, and Ezra or Nehemiah might bor-
row from the former pfalm, and make this addition to it. See verfe i.
'JJp'lD'l, ** et tripuit nos." " Violenter, dilaceratis vinculis,. clauftris, &c."
Gejerus. A word very expreflive of the forcible refcue of the Ifraelites
by the fudden conquefts of Cyrus.
25. |m. 27 MSS. with 6. read ^mi, " ivho is the giver, &c." But
the proper place of this verfe feems to be after verfe 9, as the Sun and
Moon are the grand inftruments of vegetation.
26. Vk*?. The metre feems to require ♦n'7{<'7. The firfl verfe of Pf.
xxxiii. is found in 2 MSS. between the end of this pfalm and the begin-
ning of the next.
PSALM CXXXVU.
NOTWITHSTANDING this pialm bears the title of David in
6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. it was compofed by feme perfon during the
captivity according to Patrick, &c. Or upon the return from it; as
Muis, &c.
V. I. DYinj, " By the rivers of Babylon, &c." The river £«-
phrates in the neighbourhood of the city might be divided into feveral
branches, one of which ran through the midft of it. See Prid. Connedt.
4 L Or
[ 314 ]
Or there might be feveral cuts made from it to water the diiferent parts
of the city. See Bryant. {.
" We fat down." " Sitting on the ground was a pofture that denoted
mourning and deep diftrefs. See Lam. ii. 8." Lowth's Notes on Ifai,
P- 39-
2. rOID-, " in the rr.idjl thereof." i. e. of Babylon: and the willows
might be planted on e.-ich fide of the flream by way of ornament.
" Our harps" Perhaps the conquerors obliged the Levites to carry
their harps to Babylon in derifion of Je/wvah their king. For other rea-
fons fee Poole.
IJ'mniD. This is the only place, where the ifl i appears in the plur.
but as it is only once wanting in the fing. and 23 MSS. read lymiJD,
that is probably the true reading ; or rather with 2 MSS. iymTJ'3.
See alfo MSS. 30, 39, and 245. -• --•
3, lybVim. Hare, &c. read I^Vn, as in the preceding verfe with
r)n::ti'% " We hung them up, for there. Sec." But this tranfpofition
has no .authority. Others make it the noun from the fame, verb,
" in the fitfpenfiony or hanging up, of our harps." Durell fetching the
fenfe from Ar. renders it, " they that laid heaps upon us ; or following
6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. fie iEth. is inclined to read IJO'^iin. Rather UO'biai.
Mudge, &c. after De Dieu fuppofe that by a Chaldaifm C? is changed
into n, *' and they that fpoiled us." Ch. favors this reading. Houb.
derives it from '^n, Ar. vincire, or from Samar. kVd, " et qui nos afpor-
tarunt." Muis from bV', ejulare. See Durell alfo. Others from ^bT\,
" and they that were mad upon us." See Pf. cii. 8. Perhaps wc fhould read
"li'bbim, " and they that pierced, or wounded us, in joy (faid) ^»^ us the
fong of Zion." Alluding to their cruel and infolent treatment of, and
triumph over them. See MS. 245. and Jerem. 11. 51, ^2.
Tiya. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & jEth. n'lra, " out of the fongs." " 0
denotat canticum feledlum & eximium. Vid. Pf. xxviii. 7." Gejer.
Perhaps tSTI is the true reading. See verfe 4.
4. " The
C .3'5 3
4. *' The Johg of Jf/iovalt." i.e. Perhaps fome particular fong ufed
at the celebration of the feftivals in honor of Jehovah. See Amos viii. 3,
Revel. XV. 3.
" In the land of a Jlranger," i. e. of a grange Gocf. See our Marg.
Verf. Muis, ixc.
5. ♦:'0» r\2'Z'n. <'. & Vulg. with De Dieu, .Sec. in Nipha!, " Let
my right hand i^e forgotten." Syr. & Ar. with Houb. &c. read 'nDJ^D
for riDii'n, " Let my right h:ind forget mc." Patrick and others fup-
pofe an ellipfis. See our Verf. Perhaps therefore |,1J hath been omitted,
" Let my right hand forget to play." See i Sam. xvi. 18.
6. ^H1 by. AH the verfions, " ?'« t/ie beginning of my joy." Muis.
Lowth. &c. with our Bib. Verf. *• Above our chief, or greatejl joy."
Our old Verf. omits t^K"! entirely. Durell interprets the lad words thus,
*' let me rejoice in bitternefs." i. e. ** May an oppreffive calamity be my
doom and only comfort." The fecond fenfe feems beft.
7. ** Remember, O Jehovah, to the children of Edom the day of
Jerufalem." i, e. punifli them for their cruel infults. See Mudge, &c.
and Obad.v. 10. " Judicia autem Dei in Idumasos propter hanc imx^'^^Mitioiv
habes Jerem. xlix. 7, &c." Grot.
-nDT 36 MSS. DHlDlNn 9.
8. mnjyn. Syr. & Houb. with pne MS. m'^^^r^, and as the metre
of the Collat. is defecStive, perhaps we iLould add miw'n, which might
be dropped from the fmiilitude, " O, daughter of Babylon, who de~
firoyefty thou flialt be dejlroyed." Alluding to Ifai. xiv. 4. " Vajlata,
i. e. certo exitio deftinata." Muis, &c. But fee Seeker. This and the
following verfe feem to have refpedt to the Lex Talionis, Exod. xxi. 24.
See Lorinus, &c.
9. That the Babylonians probably ufed this cruelty to the Ifraelitifh
children fee Lam. ii. 11. and Ifai. xiii. i6.
PSALM
C 316 ]
PSALM CXXXVIU.
PATRICK, Sec. afcribe this pfalm to Dc-y/V/ agreeable to the title.
Lorinus, 6cc. from the ufe of VOM in the 2d verfe infer that it was
written after the building of the temple, which argument has no foun-
dation. See Pf. V. 8. i Sam. iii. 34 Mudge afcribcs it to Dante/. See
Pf. Ivii. I.
V. I. All the Verf. with Hare, &c. and 4 MSS. fupply mn* in the
firft line, " I will praife thee, O 'Jehovah."
liJ. 6. Syr. Ar. & ^th. have *7i2i, *• even before the Gods, &c."
i. e. " before Kings, Glafilus, &c." *' before the Angels" 6. Vulg. Ar.
&^th. with Mede, 6cc. Perhaps before thefalfe Gods of the Heathen,
amongft whom the pfalmiO: might at this time be ; (See i Sam. xxx. 7.)
if David was the author, or Daniel.
2. " Towards thy holy temple." Wherever the ark was, there was
the temple of Jehovah. See 1 Sam. iii. 3. And the pfalmift probably
direfled himfelf to that point. See Dan. vi. 10.
nniD}^ IDtt' b'2 by. if the prefent reading of 6. Ar. Sc JEth. be right,
their copy had tnp inftead of the lall: word, ** for thou haft magnified
thy holy name above all." But Hammond thinks that for i-,ic:, we fliould
read >.cyiov, which the Collat. of the 6. MSS. may fet right. Durell
wholly rejedls the word upon their authority, " For thou haft magnified
thy name above every thing." And one MS. wants it. Hare, &c. read
CC' inftead of it, " thy name ahove every name" See Phil. ii. 9. Syr.
reads Dt^ for *lDli', " for thou haft magnified thy Word above every
name." Seeker propofes ,"in2K for the laft word, thy Truth, But
■]n").2N1 leems to be right, " for thou haft magnified thy Name and
thy Word above all thing.^." See verfe 4, our old Verf. 5c Houb. But
a friend
C 317 ]
a friend for ^aty ^D conjedures D'tttyn, " for thou haft magnified thy
name above the heavens" See Pf. viii. i, cxiii. 4.
V. 3. »j:jrm, " refpondijli mihi." Syr. See alfo our Verf. and the
words may refer to i Sam. xxx. 8.
'Jimn. 6. Viilg. & Ar. probably read ':il-in, " thou JJ.alt multiply
me" 48 MSB. have »Jl'n"in, in Hiph. Houb, reads n'mn. But Syr.
probably reads *t^•f):^ flV :nm, " ^«^ //io« /;^/ increafed the flrength o/"
my foul" ny 10 MSS.
4. " When they have heard the words of thy mouth." i. e, " opere
nimirum completa." Gejerus.
5. Omn, " And they fhall fing of the ivays of Jehovah." For
n in this fignification fee Cartel's Lexic. Pifcator, &c. But a friend
reads with one MS. "n^y'i for T1'j:"1, " et reSle precedent"
6. Mudge, &-C. place the correfpondence between Dl & pn"iaa,
'• Though Jehovah be //%/;, yet he hath relpea to the lowly — and ob-
ferveth the haughty, though afar of." Houb. b:c. put it between Qi
and mn.!!, " Though Jehovah be high, yet he regardeth the lowly —
though he be exalted, he acknowledgeth him afar off." And Green tranf-
pofing the two laft words reads J/Ti for VT* •' though he be exalted,
yet he owneth (him) from afar." Durell renders the laft line, " but
the proud he regardeth with averfoii" R. Nathan, &c. referring to
Judg. viii. 1 6, render VT', franget. See Poole. But Ch. & Vulg.
probably read there yTT from Wl, frangere, Syr. &; Ar. from yn, in
Hiph. " mala officer e."
7. 'J'nn. 53 MSS. ':"nn. But Houb. reads 'jn:!!, " thoujlialt lead
me" See Pf. cxix. 37.
>]K by. Houb. &c. with 1 1 MSS. tranfpofe thefe words, which re-
moves the neceffity of expunging the laft with Hare and Edwards, who
to complete their metre infert 'JnK at the end of the 3d line; but as
that of Green and the Collat. feems preferable, I would add niH' at the
end of the verfe, which might be loft, the next beginning with It, " and
4 M thy
C 318 ]
right hofnd flaall fave mc, 0 'Jehovah" Syr. renders the words, /«
ira.
8. •iDri' or as 11 MSS. "nJ2.V. Lowth, &:c. read according to 6. Vulg.
Ch. Ar. & /F.th. 'jai', or bmn, " w///, or, W// recompence." Houb.
objeding to this reading, and the text on account of the prepofition,
(which Seeker obviates) remarks thus, " Syrus \ytiit protexit, ex fcriptionc
antiqua pO», proteget. nyn fubjungi folet verbis po, et pi protegere."
But Seeker obferves that the firll verb never bears this (cnk ; and Syr.
does not feetn to have read either of them, but yu'in or fon,e fuch word,
" Dexteram tuam Domine quiefcere fac fuper me." Unlefs Walton's ver-
fion be wrong, as Houb. and Seeker agree in their fenfe. Mudge, &c.
render the text, " will completely cover me all round." See Cocceius.
Green reads \ys, '* Jehovah will be a Jliield around me." Perhaps
D"1*J:i» maybe the better reading, " ]t.\\ov^h JJiall confume them for my
fake." i. e. The enemies mentioned before. For this fenfe of the verb
in Ch. & Syr. See CaH:. Lexicon. Unlefs we read in the 2d. perf.
with 6. which agrees better with the context, " Thou JJialt confume them,
O Jehovah, &;c." Syr. reads with 15 MSS. ntt'VO, " the -work, &c."
P S A L M CXXXIX.
THE title, with all the verfions, afcribes this pfalm to David, but
tlie many Chaldaifms in it (See verfe 2, &c.) militate againfl this opi-
nion ; and as in the Alex. Verf. there is added, Za^a^/a b tS hxTKo^a^ it might
be written perhaps after the captivity. See Mudge. It is a moft beau-
tiful compofition j " Et (i primas tenet in Idyllico genere Pf. civ. hie
proxime illi alTidet." Lowth's Prided, who with Mudge divides it into
Jive parts. Green and the Collat. into Jour. The firft fedion contains
a mod fublime defeiiption of the omnifcience of the Deity,
V. I.
[ 319 ]
V. I. vim. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & JEth. with Houb. &:c. read »:vim»
*' and known me." Unlefs »r)K, which generally follov/s this verb, has
been dropped through its likenefs to the following word. See Calaf.
Goncord.
2. pimOj *' exponatur dc loco remotiffiino, aut tempore" Lorinus.
Mere it feems to refer to the latter. See our old verfion, and Seeker.
3. nnr. ** Thujiftejl my path, &c." Mudge, tic. See alfo our
marg. Verf. Munfter, &c. " thou compajj'eft" And from this fenfe of
the verb comes If, corona, which alfo feems mofl fuitable here. See our
Bib. Verf. and verfe 5.
♦yn Cocceius and others (See Poole) fuppofe this word to be a Chal-
' daifm for 'i^a"! ; but a friend with great probability thinks a bed is fo
named from the fquare fliape of it, as quadra fignifies id quod eji qua-
drat um : See Ezek. i. 9. Lev. xx. 16. He alfo further remarks witk
Muis that o-xSivoj not only fignifies, juncus^ but fioream e juncis contextam,
Ang. a mattrafs. Grotiu^ fays that this word is written by miflake for
xoiTsi'. The Collar, of the 6. MSS. will clear up this.
4. p. 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^Eth. with one ant. MS. read nDK p.
A friend referring to Dan. iii. 18. offers N*? \T\. Perhaps |m, " But
Ic, O Jehovah, thou knoweft the whole of it." See our Bib. Verf. and
Green's tranflation of the lafl: word. •' Et fi nondum eft fermo in lingua
mea, tu tamen Domine nofti omnia, quajutiirafunt, lit qua prceajfcrunt:
Tu formafti me, &c." Houb. — 6. Syr. he Ar. dividing the fentences
differently, for nba probably read TW nba, or nbvo, " prevaricatio]'
5. Green's tranfpofition of this and the next verfe probably right;
the former referring to the Omniprejence of the Deity treated of in the
next fedlion. Our Bib. Verf. as Seeker obferves, feems equally good
with that of 6. and Houb. See verfe 4.
6. n»Nb£). 39 MS^. read riK'^D. probably right. See Caftell. Houb.
reads "jnyi n'K'rfln, *' Ihou luiji magnified thy knowledge, 6cc." See 6,
and Seeker.
[ 320 ]
- . i
•JDIK, Durell, deriving it from b^D, reads Vl3», " / danft'Ot comprehend
h." Which feems moft pertinent.
7. This feems to allude to Gen. iii. 8".
"jmiD, *' Jrom thy fpirit." By this exprefllon mofl of the antient
fathers, and the generality of modern interpreters underftand xht Holy
Ghoji. See Ltorinus, Poole, &c. It is alfo clear fromPf. li. 15, &c. that
this per/on of the Trinity was well Jcnown to the Jews in the time of j
David. Arid the learned Cudworth has {hewn (See his Intel. Syrt. p. 548.
&c.) " that the platonic do(ftrIne of a Divine Triad was derived from a
theology of Divine tradition or revelation, or a Divine Cabala afflongft the
Hebrews, and from them afterwards communicated to the 'Egyptians,
and other nations," Which tradition probably commenced from the
creation of the world. In the account of which Mofes makes ufe of this
expreffion D'JiVn N"12, where the plaral tioun with the finguhr verfc, as
has been obferved by many learned perfons, feems to denote -a plurality
ofperfons in the Unity of the Godhead. See Pifcator, Randolph, &c.
In the next verfe we read that •' the Spirit of God moved upon the face of
the waters." And that by the Spirit of God we ate here to underftand the
third perfon in the Trinity is not only fuppofed by mdft of the Greek
and Latin Fathers, (See Tirinus) but may probably be inferred from
Pf. xxxiii. 6, &c. For though fome learned men fuppofe this cxpreffion
only to denote ^Jlrong, or great -wind, (See Grotius, &c.) the idea of a greet
wind fitting, or as the word nsma properly fignifies, brooding upon the
face of the waters, does not feem here fo confonant. And that the
Evangelift in thofe remarkable words, *' The Holy Ghoft (hall come upon
thee, and the power of the Higheft Jhall over/liadow thee," (Luke i. i^.)
alluded to this paiTage of Genefis is admitted by Grotius himfelf, *' mihi
placet fententia putantium tralationem fumptam ab Avibus pullos ex-
cludentibusi ut^ ita oilendat Angelus, ea virtute oriturum hunc foetum
■qua mundus ipfe iexordium fumpfit." But if thefe arguments fliould not
^e deemed by fome conclufive, the following paflage in verfe 26. ** Let
us
[ 321 ]
Ks nmke man," more plainly proves ^l plurality ofperfons. For though this
mode of expreflion may be fometrmes ufed as a majejlic form of fpeech,
it will appear from comparing ch. iii. 22. that this Interpretation cannot
be admitted here, as liJD "inK3, as one of iis, relates to the fame as
TWVif l^t tis makcy and thofe words cannot be underftood of an indivi-
dual perfon. See Chryfoft. Patrick, &c. And that they are not ad-
drefled by the Deity to the angels, as Grotius and others affert, is evident
from Heb. ch. i. wherfe The Son is exprefsly declared to have made the
world in exclufion to the angels \ who, as may appear from compar-
ing Gen. iii. 24. with Heb. i. 7. were probably employed by the Divine
perfons to guard the tree of life. See Pf. civ. 4. Ainfworth, Sharpeon
Cherubim, &c. ** Fades tua hic Filium defignat." Gejer.
8. pDK. As this verb appears only here, and in Dan. it flrengthens the
fuppolition that this pfalm is of recent date.
D'Dtt'. AH the Vcrf. with one valuable MS. probably read h'^ before
it.
'?^^?ty nWXI. All the Verf. with Houb. &c. read nVlfKI, *' Or jliould
I go down to the grave, &c." Vatablus, &c. adhering to the text, fay,
" alludit ad id, <:\no6. fepulchrum mortuis eft pro leSio," *' Or if I make the
grave my bed, &c." Or as Seeker, ** if I lay the grave, or, place of the
deceafed, under fne," i. e. lie down iii it. Green renders 'j'KtJ', HelL
9. " Videntur mihi hujufce diftichi, plane ficut prioris, duo membra
intra fe opponi, non efle alterum alteri eonfequens ; tranfitum diiplicem
exprimi, unum ad Orientem, ad occidentefn alterum " Lowth's Prasl. 16,
See Green alfo. As the firft Hemiftich feems fhort, we ftiould probably
read with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. T^th. & Green KB'K Qt* ; and 5 MSS. read
with them n3Dty{<%
*• Of thefea." i. e. The Mediterranean, which was Weft of Judaea.
10. As the two members of this verfe anfwer to thofe of the former,
and the metre of the laft feems deficient, perhaps nfl, may have
been dropped from the middle of it, " Even there (hall thy hand lead
4 N me
[ 322 ]
nie — and here fliall thy right hand hold me up." i. e. that he fhould
not fink in the deep waters.
11. T:!K1. 9 MSS. nDlNI more regular, or perhaps we fliould read
-|::ii« DK1, " And if I JJioidd fayr
'J5lti". The fenfe put upon this verb, as Green obferves,' feems forced,
he therefore reads ♦JDt^nS " the darknefs ivill hide me" But ♦JOlt:?' is ftill
nearer to the text, " the darknefs ivill fence me.'' See Job. x. ii. Or
as a friend 'JDID'.
'JlJ'l TIN. Our Bib. Verf. gives the literal fenfe of thefe words.
" Sed apud Nebienfem contrario fenfu, nox quoque eft Obfciiritas propter
me." Lorinus. Green alfo fuppofing this fentence to be fynonymous to
the preceding, which Ch. and the following verfe countenance, reads
nya ilJy'K, " and the night fhall be hlacknefs around me." Houb. fetch-
ing the fenfe from Ar. 6c R\\'\. reads "Jiy ftili nearer to the text, " caca
erit fuper me." See Call. Lex. — Seeker is not at all fatisfied about this
verfe.
12. Tt^'n*. 6 MSS. read "yiiXW but the true reading feems to be
Tl^n», " Yea, the darknefs is not dark with thee." See our old Verf.
HD'trnD. Houb. with 56 MSS. nDt^riD, in which form it is found
every where elfe ; and the word "]'? feems to be dropped at the end of
the line, ** As is the darknefs, fo is the light to thee" See our marg;
Verf.
13. Green connedts this verfe with the former. Lowth, &c. make it
a part of the next fedlion, to which it feems more properly to belong,
as it fets forth the omnipotence of God in the formation of man, *' the
nobleft work of God."
D'Jp, " Becaufe thou hajl created ray reins." See Lorinus,- &c.
TT^D. 47 MSS. have 'nv'JD, a ftrong proof of the corruption of the
text. See Calaf. Cone.
" Thou coveredji me" &c. i. e. With a membrane which contains
the Fcetus, See Pifcator, &c.
[ 323 ]
14- 'n»bflJ mt<"l1J ':: b'J. The critics differ widely in the conftrudtion
of thefe words. 32 MSS. read TiNbDJ more conformable to the radix. All
the Verf. read n'bSJ, agreeable to which Durell renders thus, " I will
praife thee, for thou hajl wonderfully done terrible things." Houb. fup-
pofing that O by never bears the fenfe oi for, reads bK for "7^, and
TS^VQI for 'D'VdJ, " I will praife thee, O God, for I am awfully made.'*
See Svr. alfo 5c Green. But Seeker reading: the verb with Houb. maintains
from Noldius this fignitication of the conjundions united. Mr. Bradley
reads ^^ with Houb. and the verb according to the Verf. " I will praife
thee, O God, for thou hafi wrought terrible things wonderfully." But
perhaps >D has been written for "?:), " I will praife thee for all the ter-
rible things thou haji ivonderfully done^''
15. 'D'li'y. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & /Eth. in the 2d perf. D'ilT-
'ilDpl. 6. & Vulg. probably read 'D^pl, " et fubftantia mea" I
would read DOpI, or with the T prefixed, " My fubftance was not hid
from thee, which thou 7nadeft in fecret — and wroughtejl curioujly in the
lower parts of the earth." " Diftindtionem pulcherrimam membroruni
comparat operi Phrygionko." Grot. See Lowth alfo Prasl. 8. and Green.
" In the loixer parts of the earth." i. e. The wotnh. See Muis, &c»
with Job xxxi. 15. Houb. reads 'JD't^y and »:nop1- '
16. '/Sb-le This word occurs no where clfe, and Seeker with great
probability reads 'a"1Jl> by which a proper noun is fupplied to the plural
verbs and affixes, and the tranfpofition and additiojn propofed by Green,
&c. rendered unneceffary, " Thine eyes did fee 7}iy bones — and in thy
book all of them were written, they were fafhioned daily, when there
was not one of them." A friend conjedtures that Hif' may have been
omitted from its fimilitude to 1"ili» in the following line. See our Ver-
fions.
*' In thy book" alludes to the method pradtifed ".by human artifts of
working by a Jketch or model. See Hammond.
nv*-.
Y. 324 j
Tn\f». Durell reads nVS " /."_v members were regiflered." See Job. xvi.
7. Houb. fupplying ir\2l gives this fenfe, " Dies mei in fafciculo
erant, et ne unus quidem ex iis defidt." See Hammond alfo, and Green,
17. 'bl. Hare, &c. rightly conclude this word improperly placed, and
we fliould probably read with Green 'h 1")p* DD, *' How precious to me
are the thoughts of thee, O God." Or with Hare 'bs*, " How precious
are the thoughts of thee, 0 my God"
18. 0"l£)DN. The fut. for the fubjund. Grotius, &c. — &s* rather
feems to have Jjeen omitted through its fimilitude to the two firfl: let-
ters of the verb. See Gejer.
♦nV'pn. z^j MSS. »mV»pn. See Pf. iH. 5. " 1 awake^ and am flill
with thee." i. e. am Jltll thinking of thee. Muis, Patrick, &c. — " I am
ii\uiry, Sec. i. e. I find it an impradicable attempt, for in the end
I am where I began." Durell. — There does not feem to be any connec-
tion between the two Hemiftichs of this verfe, as a friend has obferved.
Might we then read Ci'pn for 'DVpH, ** Is there any end of them ; for
I am yet with thee ?" i. e. thou doft ftill fupport me.
19. The prefent learned Birtiop of Salifbury conjeflures that this and
the three next verfes are mifplaced, and that they might begin the next
pfalm, the 23 verfe being more regularly conneded with verie 18, and
then this might be divided into three feftions. Otherwife this verfe,
according to Muis, begins the lafl: fe<flion, and by an apoftrophe the
pfalmiil exprefles his indignation againft thofe who impioufly oppofe
their Creator, and deflroy i\\c\v fellow-creatures, who are his work.
CD^?. De Dieu, &c. *' verily" Gejerus, &c. with Syr. *' Oh that"
Houb. 6cc. read *]J^. But the 2d fenfe may be confident with the idea
of a theocracy, wherein idolaters may be confidered as rebels. See
Chryfoft.
h'lDpn 22 MSS. and. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & /Eth. read D'yC'l. Buxtorf.
miftakes in faying that mV^* is wrote only once fully in Pf. 1. 21. for
it
C 325 ]
it Is found here, PC. xvlii. 32. cxiv. 7. Deut. xxxii. 15. Prov. xxx. 5.
&c. But one MS. reads ♦^V^?, and fee Pf. cxlv. i .
*♦ T/ie men of blood (i. e. murderers) JJiall depart from me." 1 being
confidered as converfive. Green omitting it, would read 1"lD'. But fee
our Bib, Verf.
♦ia. 7 MSS. 'jaD more ufual.
20. Tina'.' 28 MSS. read with Syr. our Verf. &c. "jnaK^i but the
text will admit of a very good fenfe. See Houb.
")ny mih \XWi. The verfions make little fenfe of thefe words, but
all agree with moil of the critics in reading IKt^J. Hare, &c. fupply
•jaty, *' Thine enemies take thy "Name in vain." Green to avoid the
ellipfis reads by a tranfpofition *l'y"l, " and take thought of thee. i. e.
think of thee only for deceit." Houb. reads with a very fmall alteration
'y^lfy following which the verfe might be rendered, " Who rebel againjl
thee for the fake of wickednefs — they Uft up themfehes againjl thee for
the fake of vanity." i. e. by preferringy^^ Gods to the Creator of all
things : at which impiety the pfalmift exprefTes his indignation in the fol-
lowing verfe.
21. Kibn. t-j MSS. Nbn.
n»aaipnm. Hare, &c. with 2 MSS. ^aaipnam, and two others fup-
ply a, which is probably right, notwithftanding what Buxtorf afferts.
Gram. p. 234,
** And am not I grieve dT^ Rather, ** and do not I abhor V See Green,
and verfe 22. But, as Seeker obferves, one is tempted to think that this
fhould be OaipDi^ i though no verfion or MS. f^wors this interpreta-
tion. And for the text he refers to Gen. xii. 3. Pf. xviii. 7.'
22. " PerfeBione odii, per hypallagen, pro odio perfeBionis," Pif-
cator. Thefe words are fpoken in the fpirit of theL^w, which confidered
idolaters as r^/^£'/j- againfl the flate. See verfe 19. D'I'kV SS MSS. hs
this line feems defedlive according to the Collat. perhaps "ry"? has been
dropped at the end, '• They fliall be enemies to me for ever J' i. e. I
will have no intercourfe with them.
4 o 23. 'i3nty.
C 326 ]
23. ♦SV'^B/. 18 MSS. 'finD. See Pf. xciv. 19. But 6. Vulg. Ar. &
JEth. probably read 'b'ntt', " my paths" Syr. n;'i>*, " myjieps." Ch.
reads a different word from Pf. xciv. 19.
24. dViV Tm. Hare difTatlsfied with the fenfe of Muis, Le Clerc, &c.
reads ty^^, " in the way of peace." ** Via pads viae molejlice optime op-
ponitur." " ^i Atduc vnQ ad terminos vita conj'uetos." Houb. But as IVy
lignifies an idol, and is fo rendered by Kimchi, &c. (See Poole) *]3"jll
may be the true reading, '* And fee if the way of an idol be in me — and
lead me in thy way for ever," The affix being eafily omitted through
the famencfs of the letters. But Seeker juftifies the text from Pf. i. 6.
Jerem. vi. 16.
P S A L M CXL.
IT is fuppofed by fome that this pfalm was compofed by David ac-
cording to the title, when under perfecution from Saul. See Muis, Pa-
trick, &c.
V. 2, C31KD & ly'KO may be either taken colleSlivelyy as Lorinus and
Durell fuppofe j or the violent man may relate to Saul, and the other to
Doeg. See Pf. xviii. 47. with Muis, &c.
'jnjfJD. 6. Vulg. & M\h. with one ant. MSS. read 'JlifJ. See our Bib.
Verf. Syr. & Ar. But 2 MSS. with Syr. t^'KOL See our old Verf.
3. man'jD. One MS. reads rtDn'7D, with Syr. & Ar. It is neceflary
with Gejerus to fupply '7^?, or *?, ** Every day they are gathered together
for battle" See our Bib. Verf.
4. ysWZV' A ferpent of the moil venomous kind. See Boch. — 6. Vulg,
Ar. & E.xki. with the Apoftle in the plur. " of afps."
5. See verfe 2.
6. Hare, 6cc. divide this verfe inio four lines. Mudge and the Collat.
only into three, though in a different manner ; and as one MS. omits nBn»
and
[ 327 ]
and another reads T'b ''b^h, (See 6. Ar. & ^th.) Hare, &c. with Syr.
read 'biVJJ, and 30 MSS. lD*{yp10, I would propofe this order, and con-
flruction of the words,
&-C. •]iw
&c. cs'bnm
: &c. 'Vjivo
■** The proud have hid a fnare for me — and they have fpread cordsyor my
feet — in my path they have laid traps for me." And thefe fynonymous
expreflions may denote the great vigilance of his enemies.
8. '* O 'Jehovah, my Lord, the ftrength of my falvation,'"
tlV 16 MSS. and 6 m3D.
9. Hare, Houb. &c. agree nearly in their corrections and divifion of
this, and the next verfe; I fhall therefore only obferve, that 2 MSS.
juftify ion' for laiT, and 45 MSS. read lODD* Inftead of lOlDD', and
adding D^nbj"? inftead of nbo, which is improperly placed, they may
be divided thus, *' Grant not, O Jehovah, the defires of the wicked-
Let not his device fucceed 0 God — They lift up the head who furround
me— let the mifchief of their own lips cover them." Ar. reads the nega-
tive, and a friend remarks perhaps rightly, ** ut ne fuperbiant/* See
Hare alfo.
II. 1E:*0». Houb. with 31 MSS. laia*. Seeker with great probabi-
lity reads I'DZD'.
D'7S\ 58 MSS. dV£3S which the conftrudion requires,- and Vulg.
6. with Ar. tfNn *bn:i, " He fhall rain coals of fire upon them — he
fhall caft them into pits, that they fhall not rife again." See Pf. xi. 6.
But 6. Vulg. Ar. & i^ith. feem to have read DinnD^ formianai, " /«
miferiis." Ch, reads DYlDrQ, " in foveas Ititofas" Syr. omits it. And
as it occurs no where elfe, may it not be written for rmMDl ? See Pf.
cxli. 10. Hab. i. 15, 17. Houb. &c. read according to Vulg. & Alex.
Verf. Db'Sn, or oV'SDI, ** "Thou Jlialt cajl them, &c." Or, " But
thou, &c.*'
12. " Vir
C 328 ]
12. ** Fir UngUit eft maledicus." Gejerus and Hunt. Hare not
thinking this expreflion ftrong enough reads yci^ for ^IB^"?, «* The Scor-
ner" Either of which is applicable to Doeg. But from comparing verfe i
and 5 with this, Hare's metr^ with the Collat. and confidering that y-|,
which 2 MSS. omit, feems redundant in the 2d line, perhaps this word,
or rather yun, fliould be inferted in the firft inftead of \\\>h, " He (i. e.
God) will not eftablifli the wicked man in the Landy (i. e. of Ifrael) — he
will hunt the 'violent man to deftru^ftion." But one ant. MS. omits
D»n.
13. nVT, All the Verf. Houb. &c. with 48 MSS. have »nVT.
IDflB'a. All the Verf. Houb. with 4 MSS. DSJ^OI.
B'i'lK. Houb. with 70 MSS. C3'JV2t*, in which form it is always
found, ** / know that Jehovah will maintain— the caufe of the afflided,
and the right of the poor."
14. In this verfe the rewards of the righteous, which were temporal
under the theocracy, are contrafted to the punifliments of the wicked,
defcribed in verfe 12.
** In, or isoith, thy Prefence." i. e. The divine Shechinah,
PSALM CXLI.
MUIS, Peters, &c. fuppofe that this pfalm was compofed by David
according to the title, upon his flight to Ac hiJJi, king of Gath, i Sam.
xxvii. 2. Hammond, &c. refer it to i Sam. xxiv. and perhaps the
remark on verfe 6. may flrengthen this opinion. Mudge, &c. attribute
it to Jeremiah, See Jerem. viii. i, 2,41. Seeker remarks that Peters's
cxpofition and application of this pfalm is admirable, though not quite
unexceptionable.
V. 2.
I
[ 329 ]
V. 2. niDp. All the Verf. have miJpD, " ns the incenfe." But Cad.
reads n"1l3pb, " for incenje." Gejerus obferves that the incenfe was of-
fered up in the morning, and is oppofed to the evening facrijice, at the time
of offering which (i. e. three o'clock in the afternoon) devout Jews at a
diftance from Jerufalem ufed to fend up their prayers to God. See Dan.
VI. 10. -■*^ '
3. b"!. o. & Vulg. feem to have read r\bl here, as does Ploub.
and if with Pifcator, &c. ni>3 be confidered as a noun, the words afford
this fenfe, <* Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth — a guard againft,
or upon, — the door of my lips." Which are fynonymous expreffions. But
fee Hammond, &c. One ant. MS. omits ^y, and another bl.
4. mbby. 68 MSS. mV'^y. See Calaf Cone.
trnvtDVrjn, " with their pleajant meats." Durell. But Seeker reads
Dn'OyiD*:!!. See Gen. xxvii. 4. &c. Prov. xxxiii. 3. Peters underrtands
this of their luxurious idol feafts. See Durell alio. ♦'7V1D 13 MSS.
5. 'Jab.T- Lowth reads according to Syr. & Ar. 'nnV, " Let the
righteous inJlruSl tne"
IDn. Hare, &c. read with 6. Vulg £c ^th. TDni, *' in kindnefsS'
'i' b^? tTN"!. One MS. reads »;:'{<"), which favors the opinion of Ham-
mond, Peters, &c. '* Let not the oil of my head, &c." [i. e. with
which I was anointed.] But fee Durell's verfion, who obferves alfo,
" if this be a prayer of David, the words may be rendered thus, T//o'
the righteous kindnefs (fliewn in fparing Saul's life) bruife me and reprove
mey let not the anointed head (i. e. Saul) break my head. See i Sam.
xxvi. 23, 24." Grotius, &c. render the word, frccftantijjimum. See alfo
our Verf. — Hammond tranflates it, " the oil of poifon." i. e. Calumny.
Hare, Lowth, &c. read f]»i' yty"), according to 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. 6c
yEth. *' Let not the oil of the wicked bedeiv, or anoint, my head."
Seeker objeds to this fenfe of the verb. But this reading feems prefe-
rable \ though 27 MSS. read N»:».
'n'jiDm. Hare, 6<c. with one ant. MS. omit thel; but it may be
cmphatical, " For my prayer is even yet againfb their kindneJJesJ' i. e.
4 P verba
[ 330 ]
verba adulaioria. See Poole, 6. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. A friend reads
'nVlDnn, and gives with fonie of the former readings this ftnfe of the
whole, " Let the righteous inllrucSt me in mercy, and reprove me ; but
let not the oil of the finner drop on my head; (i.e. flattery) for my
prayer is ftill againfl their wicked nefs."
6. 'i::!,!:'2''3, *' Their judges on the fides of the rock were di/tniffed."
i. e. in fafcty. Peters, &c. alluding to i Sam. xxiv. 7. And this feems
to be the true fenfe of the word j but perhaps 'n-!2L:>J is the right reading,
" Their judges 'u:ere prffer.ved in the fides of the rock — and heard my
words, that they were pleafant." See Prov. xvi. 24. and i Sam. xxiv..
9 — 22. Houb. ij::k: for IISVJ, " w^'"<? true." In this verfe Peters ob-
ferves, that the kindnefs of David to Saul and his men is oppofed to their
cruelty to him, as fet forth in the next.
CDn'LTDIty 7 AISS. But as one MS. omits JD, might not the true
reading be in'Ui314J^, " his judges" i. e. Saul's.
7. :?pn nb'iDI. As a friend obferves, 6. might read vpn». See Vulg.
alio. Durell makes thefe two words nouns, " As Jlireds and chips." But
12 MSS. reading nbliD, 5c 11 vpim, Junius, &c. feem right in making
iZ'Vy to be underftood. See Ecclef. x. 9. and our Verf. " Jam tantd
vi me & meos circumilant, ut mox diftringendi, et membratim difcer-
pendi Hmus illorum impetu, nifi tu, Deus, fuccurreris." Junius. See
Patrick alfo. Houb. £cc. read Cn'lDVy, or IC'i^VV " their bones," ac-
cording to Alex. Verf. Svr. 6c Ar.
\W\i! 'SV. Peters renders thefe words, " at the mouth, i. e. at the
command of Saul." But the pit, or the grave here feems to be oppofed
to the ca've in the preceding vct(&.
8. " But mine eyes are unto thee, O Jehovah, viy Lord." Houb.
reads with 13 MSS. -ji. & n mighr be added from its fimilitude to the
following letter.
9. n5 n»a. 6. Vulg. Ar. & Mlh. read PDO, " a laqaeo." Syr. Ti:,
*' a manu laquei" which feems to be right, aid might be rendered "from
the power of the fnare," See Pf. xlix. 15.
[ 331 ]
m:i'pav i8 MSS. mtyplOI, more regular; but 6. Vulg. Ar. & JEtli.
and one MS. with Houb. mtrplDOl, " and from the gins."
'bno 9 MSS.
lo. inDDD2. Hare, &c. read with 6. D1J2D01, " info their oun net"
Houb. OnO^Ol with Syr. 6c Ar. or rather as Lowth DnnODDl, " into
their own nets."
Trt'. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. conneft this word with the laft fentence,
whereas Hare allows that it belongs to the firft; though for the fake of
the metre he has placed it in the laft line ; but the Collat. has reftored
it to its proper place ; and inftead of repeating *TJ^ with Houb. to fup-
ply the metrical defeft, *' ego tejlis ero, donee tranfeam," (to which
Lowth obje(fts, as unneceflary) nV has been probably dropped before ly,
as they frequently occur together, " Let the wicked fall into their own
nets together — let me ever efcape. See our Bib. Verf. Unlefs we read
with Ar. and our old Verf. D"nnVK — OJN1, ** and let me ever efcape
them."
PSALM CXLII.
THIS pfalm is generally fuppofed to have been written by David»
according to the Hebrew title, 6. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & Mih. when in
the cave ; perhaps of Engeddi ; as the next might be compofed when he
was in that o^AdulIam. Or vice verfa. For it is not very probable that
they were both penned on the fame occafion. But Houb. refers them
both to Chriji,
V. 2. The verbs are in the fut. " I will cry, &c." David there-
fore may be fuppofed to be in the cave. See Muis. But Seeker ob-
ferves, " that the danger was paft, when this pfalm was penned } and
therefore in the title, the tranflation fliould be, u^hen he had' been in the
caveJ'^ See verfe 5.
r. 332 J
mn<. 2d. Houb. reads with one MS. ^na. But if any change be
made, perhaps it fliould be ''jj*, (See the preceding word) .'* with my
voice will I fupplicate my God." There is no MS. authority for reading
'bipn, which feems proper.
3. IID^N 21 MSS.
4. riDNl. " T non tam copulat, quam tempus veluti determinat."
Gejer. *• Then thou kneweft my path." See our Bib. Verf. Hare re-
jeds it with 3 MSS. nilNn 5 MSB.
The fenfe, as well as metre, feems to require that with Hare, &c. wc
fhould read D'KJl, as in Pf. cxl. 6. " have the proudhida fnare for me."
Houb. adds a line from Pf. cxliii. 4.
5. 13'nn. Ch. reads D'nx. 6. Syr, Vulg. Ar. & .'^th. might, as Lo-
rinus obferves, read O'llD part. Ben. or rather perhaps D'HJ^V See our
old. Verf. But he, after Hieron. with Hare, 6cc. reads I22il, as 51 MSS,
have it ; but the word in the text feems to be the regular imperat. See
Mafclef, Pf. xlv. 4. and our Marg. Verf. Hare once thought that '7iiDti^
fhould be fupplied after HK'Tl according to Houb. and Jun. " Look on
the right hand, and fee on the left." Some word feems wanting to
make up the metre of the 2d. line in the Collat. perhaps ^1^ may have
been dropped after \'>^\ ^^ but no tnan czrzdi for, &c." See Gen. xxxi.
40. Syr. Vulg. and Ch. read with 18 MSS. ]'N1 ; $$ MSS. have tim,
but the verfions favor the text.
6. Syr. reads with one MS. 'pbm, ** and my portion."
7. Hare for the fake of the metre fupplies ^y in the 2d line ; and the
two following feeming too fliort, might we read mn» at the end of the
3d line, and add nD after O at the beginning of the 4th, ♦* Deliver
me from my perfecutors, Jelwoah — for they exceed me greatly in
Jirength?" See Prov. xxiv. 5. Amof. ii. 14. I^ah. ii. 2. 'SlinD
5 MSS.
8. i:iD!D23, ** cut of frifon." i. e. The cave, where he was confined.
See Muis, &c.
C 333 3
»n. Houb. reads with 4 MSS. O, " For the righteous expeSi that thou,
&c." borrowing the Ch. fenfe of the verb. See Lowth alfo. But as all
the Verf. have the pronoun, perhaps we fhould read '"j, as in Job xxxvi.
2. or rather '"^l, ** T/ien fliall the righteous Jlock about me — when thou
(halt be gracious unto me, O Jehovah." See verfe 4. 11»n3' 62 MSS.
But fee Pf. xxii. 13. Hare's addition of ninS and T\r\Vi, feems proper
at the end of the 2d and 4th line. 'jlO.in 25 MSS.
PSALM CXLIII.
PATRICK, &c. refer it to the perfecution oi Abfalom, according to
6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. But fee Pf. cxlii. i.
V. I. Houb. &c. divide the metre thus, " O Jehovah hear my prayer
—give ear to my fupplications in thy faithfulnefs — anfwer me in thy right-
eoufnefs." Rather, /« thy mercy. See Eflay for a new tranflation. *]ni1DK3
44 MSS.
2. Ninn> Hare, &c. read with Syr. K'in> " and briitg not." See Job
xiv. 3. But c^j MSS. read ^1T\, which favors the text. Mudge, 6cc.
read this verfe in a parenthefis, which feems right.
3. I'N. 3 MSS. Hare's metre feems moft regular. Better with Syr.
& Ar. " as thofe who are for ever dead.'* i. e. without any chance of
being reftored to life. See Ifai. xxvi. 14. Lam. iii. 6.
4. Hare's metre feems preferable.
5. " The days of old" feem to refer to the miraculous deliverance from
Egypt,
"iVs. 6; Syr. Vulg. Ar. & .^tli. with 12 MSS. ^VVD. See Pf.
Ixxvii. 13.
4 CL , _ 6. As
[ 334 3
6. As the verb is wanting in the laft fentence of this verfe, Green in
his verfion fupplies HKOi?. Durell with Syr. connei^s nS'V with the firft
noun, *' Anima mt2.fiUens eft tui ficut terra." See alfo Complut. Verf.
7. One very valuable MS. reads with Syr. & Ar. ♦:> before nnb3,
" Hear me, O Jehovah, y^r my fpirit." See our old Verf.
n^^^V), ** Left, Sec." The force of the negative is carried on. See
above. — n^V 47 MSS. Seeker thinks fomething may be wanting here.
See Pf. xxviii. i.
8. *' In the morning." i. e. " cflerifer, vid. Pf. xc. 14." Vatab. &c.
npinn 2 MSS.
Perhaps mn» is dropped after 'nnon, " for in thee do I truft, O Je-
hovah." See the Collat.
9. 'n'DD 1*bt^, *' I have lain hid with thee, or, near thee." Muis, &c.
** Rather, hide me near thee." Durell. — Gejerus fays tliat this verb may
fignify the fame as Tl'Dn, which one valuable MS. reads, and a friend
adopts ; but 6. Vulg. Ar. 6c iEth. reading, as Seeker obferves, 'DDJ,
(which one ant.. MS, authorizes) and 2 MSS. with 6. Ar. & lEih.
*yhii O, the metre being deficient, perhaps we fhould read 'flDJ 'illDD
" For unto thee do I fee to hide me." See our old Verf. and Green. — Syr.
omits the words of the text.
10. Hare's metre here feems preferable.
'n^K 42 MSS. See Pf.cxxxix . 19. and cxlv. i.
pKa 6 MSS. read with Hare, &c. rr\^1, (See Pf. xxvii. 11.) " Let
thy good fpirit lead me in a p tain path, or, the path of iiprightnejs." And
this reading is ftrengthened by 3 MSS. having "]"n2. But Merrick
follows our Bib. Verf.
11. 'J^nn. 56 MSS. '^''nn, " Treferve me alive." Mudge.
12. Preferring the metre of the Collat. mn» might be added to com-
plete the laft line, *' for I am thy fervant, 0 Jehovah." The preceding
verbs fhould be rendered in the fut. being declaratory, not imprecatory.
nmv 19 MSS.
PSALM
C 335 ]
P S A L M CXLIV.
THE follow.'iig pfalms are all eucharijlical. Grotius refers for the
fubjedl: of this to i Sam. xvii. according to 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th.
Others fuppofe it a compendium of Pf. xviii. But Patrick, &c. refer
it to 2 Sain. v.
V. 1. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. with" 5 MSS. 'mynVKI, *'' and my fotgers."'
2. nOn, *' Benignitas mea." i. e. *' in vie beneficiis ; abftraiflum pro
concreto." Gejerus. Hare reads 'DPID, or ^ptn. See Pf. xviii. i. xci. 2.
Durell TlDn, probably right, " My refuge and my fortrefs, &c." Or
perhaps, as »n*Dn follows, 'JDn, " My Jlrength." See Ifai. xxxlii. 6.
MSS. 2, omit "h ; and 'j'j read with Houb. f|Tnn..
<Z3y. Muis, &c. with 42 MSS. befides many marginal readings
D'DV, who fubdueth the nations under me." See alfo Gen. Difl'. Sedl.
26. and verfe 6.
3. p. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. y^th. with 14 MSS. |m, " or the fan,
&CC." ** Exclamatio ab admiratione paavejamaj Dei, quam in fe expertus
fuerat." Muis. See Pf. Ixxviii. 70, 71.
4. nmy. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. y^-th. with Hare, &c. I'lnV, " his days-
pajs away like a fhadow." But fee Ch. and our Bib. Verf, Perhaps
we fliould read i")nv "lliy, *' his days pafs away like the departing fha-
dow." See Pf. cii. 12.
5. T^ity. Ch. Syr. Ar. Hare, &c. with one ant. MS. if not ano-
ther, read DVJty, " Bow the Heavens, &cc." See Pf. xviii. 9. Allud-
ing probably to the defcent on Mount Sinai. See Lowth, &c. and Pf.
civ. 32.
6. " And fcatter them." i. e. The nations mentioned verfe 2. v/hence
Patrick infers that Pf. xviii. and this were penned on different occa-
fions.
7-
C 336 1
7. D»2T D»J:I2. Hare with Edwards omits thefe two words, or
adds with Green 'JJ^a after them, as in Pf, xviii. 17. for the fake of
the metre. But as Durell obferves, O^DO not fuiting well here, unlefs
we underftand it with him of g?-eat affliSlions, perhaps tD'DVD might be
better, and dividing the verfe into three lines, according to the Collat.
♦jVlfm might be put at the beginning of the 3d line, " Send down
thine hand from above — rid me from the mighty nations — and deliver me
from the hand of the fons of the ftranger." i. e. from the Fhilijiines.
See Hammond, 6cc. Or from Idolaters, See Patrick.
in*. All the Verf. with 37 MSS. read TT» fing.
8. Thefe words may allude to the vanity and deceitfulnefs of idols.
See Hammond, and Ifai. xliv. 20. Or to the fallliood and ferjury of
their enemies. See Mariana, Spencer, &c. Pf. cvi. 26. &c.— Perhaps
n^^-N might be better rendered, " For their mouth." The laft part of
this and the nth verfe fliould be rendered uniformly. See our Bib.
Verf.
9. Here begins the iirmnw, or triumphant fong in confequence of the
vidlory. See Pf. xxxiii. 2. and Pref.
10. DOboV. Syr. reads "I'joV, " to the king." Rather .with Seeker
l^boV, " to his kingt" anfwering to his fervant. See i Sam. ii. 10. which
expreflion in Hannah's prayer feems prophetical of David. Houb. 6cc.
read with Syr. Vulg. and one MS. *]liy, " thy fervant."
** Yi^oin \.]x& iwoxd of the "wicked." Mudge; by whom he underftands
JJlibi-benob. But fee verfe i.
11. Thefe words may bear the pajl fenfe. " He hath freed me, and
delivered me, Sec." And this will remove the difficulty with refpedbto.the
three following verfes, which Gejerus, Hare, &:c. fuppofe to be fpoken
by the Philiftines «aT« nI/Ar.^tv. But Vatablus and others confider them as
the words of the Pfalmift.
12. ni^K. A friend fuggefts that this word may be a verb in the
imperat. mood, and that its force fhould be continued to the following
verfes, •* Blefs our fons, &c."
C 337 ]
nnT3. o. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & ^th. with 63 MSS. read nvitD, which is
better. Houb. prefers mn'O " ficut Oliveta." '• qua", ex adverfo pkn-
tationum, cum feria mirifice congruunt." But in the 16 places, where
D't appears in the plur. it is always in the 7/mJc. gend. befides that
corner ftones were in the highefl eftimation in the Eafl. See Pf.
cxviii. 22.
D'nn. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read n'ilDJ, *' Jicat fmiilitudo."
But the true reading is probably DOnn'?, " Our daughters fliall be as
the corner Jlones, hewn out for the building of a temple, or palace-" bD'n
fignifics both. See Durell, and Lowth's prel. DilT. on Ifai. p. 30.
13. l3'"lflD. This word appearing no where elfe, perhaps it fliould be
li'JIfD, from pt, alimentum.
1? "jK \M2, " de cibo in cibum." Cocceius, &c. " Our gamers arc
full, affording provifions upon prow/ions." Thefe repofitories for corn io
common in the Eafl (See Harmer, Vol. II. p. 452) probably took their
rife from Jofeph's wife regulations Gen. xli. 35. 6. Vulg. & Ar. read
nt "?{* ntO, " burfling forth on this fide, and on that fide"
yi'W.'i. Houb. reads with 41 MSS. y^Wi, in which form it appears
in near 200 places.
IJ^mVinn, " in our fields" See Seeker, Sec. Job v. 10. and Prov.
viii. 26.
14. If the metre of the Collat. be followed, it is not improbable that
pXl is dropped after pfl, from the fimilitude of the words, " Our
oxen are flrong for labor, there is no breach in the land." i. e. whereby
they may efcape, or be carried away. See Amos iv. 3. As horfes were
not permitted to be multiplied in the land of Ifrael under the Mol'aical
difpenfation, in order to affert the fupremacy of Jehovah, (See Deut. xvii.
16. Pf. XX'. 8.) oxen were of fingular ufe both in agriculture, and other
laborious work. But fee Edwards.
nNl»'< Houb. per n adventitium, reads HJ^^V. But fliould we not
rather make it the femin. " and there is no one that goeth forth" i. e.
i^ woman j as they are the firfl to take the alarm in cafe of danger.
4 R " Neither
[ 338 ]
" Neither is there ar;y one crying in the flrects." Which denotes
the grcatefl: tranquility, li'nnmi. 6 MSS. lymnmi more regular.
15. mn'C The unprecedented ufeofthis exprefTion feems to argue the
recentnefs of this pfalm; and the time oi Nehemiah may be as fuitable to
it as any. There is no necefllty for fuppofing with fome that the firli
line was fpoken by the Philijlines and the next by the Pfalmiji, as both
arc adapted to the laft. See verfe 11.
Muis fuppofes a redundancy of the pronoun, but the words may per-
haps be rendered, " Bleiled are the people, ivhofe Jeho'vah is their God."
In oppofition to the tutelary Gods of the nations. It may be proper to
obferve that 2 MSS. have the fame words, after ntTK ift. which occur
in Pf. Ixxxiv. 4. though none of the verlions acknowledge them. Sec
Gen. Din*. Sed. 84, 8.
PSALM CXLV.
THIS is the laft of the alphabetical ^Mms ; and it is very probable frorfi
the metre of the Collat. that each verfe conlifted of two Hemiftichs, the
one beginning with the letter of the alphabet in its order, the other with
the letter % which may prove the impropriety of Hare's divifion of the
metre. All the verfions afcribe it to David, with the Heb. title j which
one MS. omits, nbnn is found only here, as the title of a pfalm.
V. I . " I will extol thee, O my God, the King^' The Jewifh go-
vernment was a theocracy.
'm'JK. 52 MSS. read here 'nVtt, and it is obfervable that we have
this word, and D'H^N in 2000 places at leaft without the 1. See Pf.
cxxxix. 19,.
3, bblHD 24 MSS. and 20 in'?1Tl'71.
[ 339 ]
4. *Tn*1"aA1. 20 MS8. 1»m"niai ; but all the verlions have the frng. as
in verfe ii. The conftrudlion requires that we (houldread' with Ar. and
a friend T:i' ; unlefs we read iniK'% which agrees better with the fol-
iowing verba.
5* 1"^"''^ T123. By reading TTV 1T11D, there is no neceffity for reading
with Hare, &c. 1-QT for nm, '* T/uy Jhall celebrate the majefty of
thy glory." Alex. Verf. reads •]^^l^.
nn'ti^i*. Durell, &c. read with 6. Syr. Vulg. & JEl\\, in'JT', " and
they Jliall /peak of the words of thy wonders." i. e. thy wonderful
words, alluding probably to Exod. xx. But Green makes this and the
T^t verFe to rt//fr«tf/^ J which the lall verfe of the pfalm countenances.
*^ 7nKbDi. 40 MSS. 7mN'7fl^
6. 1»mb"7:n. Houb. omits the « with 42 MSS.j but all the Verf:
with 21 MSS. read inblTII fing.
niliJDK. Houb, 6cc. read with 6. Ch. Vulg. Ar. & Mih. riiinSD''.
But fee verfe 5,
7. The metre in the laft line of this verfe feemihg dcfeftive, might
we not fupply pi? See Pf. cxxxii. 16.
8. "["iK. To preferve the correfpondence in the Hemiftichs according
to the Collat; I would read "]"tK1, ** and Jlow to anger." See title.
9. The fenfe as well as metre, feems to require that we fliould read
with Hare, &c. according to 6. & JEih. v'p after b':h> " Jehovah is
gracious unto all that wait for him." See I<am. iii, 25. Though Lo-
rinus and Seeker objedt' to it;
10. naiani'. 6 MSS. and 4 at firft, read "llDnnn
11. The laft Hemiftich appearing defetStive, mn% or D'H*?**, may
have been omitted.
12. Lorinus, &c. read with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. £c iEth»"] inftead of
% ** To make known to the fons of men thy mighty ads — and the
glorious majefty of thy kingdom." Which is more agreeable to the
context. The metre of the Collat. feems to require TfHi which Hare
rejefts. See verfe ji VmmiA 24 MSS.
13-
r 340 J
13. D'a*?)^. 60 MSS. have C'dViV, and tj. "»ni.
^ Notwithftanding what Buxtorf, &c. have afferted, it cannot be
doubted that a verfe confiding of two Hemiftichs, beginning, with the
letters J and % has been here omitted, which 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. i^th.
with one MS. have preferved, (See Grotius, &c. with Gen. Dill. Sicdt.
48. &c.) :VLi7a bDl iDm— V-im V^n mn» lONJ^-^-J^/io-y^A /> true in
all his licords — and merciful in all his luorks." v v
14. All the verfions read with one MS. "]0D, and wirfi 6 P]pn.
D»'7fln. 35 MSS. D'Vsiin.
15. Hare's metre here is irregular. See verfe i. and that of the CoUat.
being too long in the laft line, Dn*? (hould probably be omitted, ac-
cording to 6. Vulg. & Pf. civ. 27. See our old verfion. The change
of perfons here is very obfervable. ^^m ^^
16. The metre of the firft line being defciStive, we fliould either
with Hare fupply HDH before HK, which is favored by 6. Vulg. &
Syr. or add mn* after "JT, or as 6. with ^j MSS. "^ns ** Thou opened
thine hands, 0 Jehovah." which may have been dropped in other places.
See verfe 19.
18. VN"ip. 12 MSS. VN^Ii? more regular.
bo'?. It would add much to the emphafis, as well as to the literal
order of the Pf. to read with 2 MSS. b2b^, and with all the Verf. and
21 MSS. imN"lp» *• even to all them that call upon him in truth."
19. See verfe 16.
20. noity. All the Verf. with 12 MSS. read naty, and 3 vanW, which
the conftru(5tion calls for. -
PSALM CXLVI.
IK — i.' . 3tii oi nv.'j.i.?! u>ii>:n oT '
^j.TJtfE .vtprds, n» rlVbTI, begin and end the five following pfalnis.
Muis, ^c. afcribe this to David. Lorinus, &c. bring it down to the
^l J,'ii3#; return
[ 341 1
return from tlie BahyhniJJi captivity. Haggai therefore, or Zechariah, may
)iavc been the author of it, as 6. Syr. Ar. & iEth. fet forth in the title.
See Prideaux and verfe 7.
2. mn» DK 7 MSS. See verfe i.
3. " In the Son of Man." i. e. Perhaps Cyrus. See Pf. Ixxx. i8. to
whom fome of the Ifraelites might attribute their return from the Baby-
lonifh captivity.
4. niy». 6. Vulg. Ar. & .^th. with Houb. nti'n, " and he Jhall retimiy
&c." Or rather lltyn, as 66 MSP. have nw.
VDjnti'y. 8 MSS. vmJDtyy. " Chalda^us Jer. xviii. 12. loco Hebrsi
lymitl'nD cogitationes nojlras, pofuit KiilDi^y. Vid. Dan. vi. 3. Jon. i. 6.
TO mnci'y Job xii. 5. a nonnullis per cogitationes redditur." Gejer.
5. l"Qt:^. Syr. & Ar. read ^yl\V^^, " <?/r^ whofe hope is, &c." Hare
reads T\i1i!\if. Hammond, &c. apply the following part of the pfalm to
the MeJJiah ; but it has probably fome refpecS likewife to the reftoration
from the Bahylonijli captivity. See verfe i.
6. Let it be obftrved once for all that feveral MSS. with 6. Vulg. &
Ar. read the verbs to verfe 9, with the \ as the partic. Ben. but there
feems to be no occafion for it. The metre being irregular, perhaps we
ihould read 'pK DNI in the firfl line, and omit DN at the beginning of
the 2d line.
t2^^vb has been underflood of the 70 years captivity. See Lorinus.
7. *' Jehovah loofeth thofe that are hound" " De liberatis captivis
Cyri regis juflu exponunt nonnuUi." Lorinus. This and the four fol-
lowing lines afford a beautiful Anaphora.
8. ni53. 6. Ar. & iEth. read n*1in or fome fuch word, '• Jehovah
teacheth the blind." But from comparing Ifai. xxxv. 5. xlii. 7, &c.
♦i»y has been probably omitted through its fimilitude to the following
word, " Jehovah openeth the eyes of the blind." See Munfter, &c.
" Mire hsec congruunt ad Chrijli tempora." Grot.
4 T 9, C3n.1,
[ 342 3
9- Dn;i, " The Jhangers" may be applicable to the Jews in tbeir
captivity. See Exod. xxii. 20, and Lorinus. Houb. reads TTTVO, or
nny, for "niy*, but the next verb favors the text.
10. liVo* 35 MSS. and more than 50 MSS. read nm "inV.
P S A L M CXLVII.
MUIS, 6cc. conclude from verfe 2 and 13, that this pfalm was com-
pofed after the captivity, and Patrick afcribes it to Nehemiah. 6. Syr.
Ar. & ^th. make Haggai and Zechariah the authors of it. See Pf. cxivi. i.
V. I. The conftrudion feems to require that we fhould with Houb.
&c. make n^ ib^H, a part of the pfalm, and reading with them, and
one MS. T\'Q\ for n~C?, render the words thus, " Praife Jehovah, for he
is good — fing praifes to our God for it is pleal'ant — Praife is becoming."
Houb. reads with Syr. inNi, " becomes him." And with this reading
we might omit D'VJ with one M3. ** for praife becomes him."
2. " The difperfed of Ifrael." 1. e. The liraelites in Babylon, whither
they were led captive. — nJn, 8 MSS. but 6. Vulg. Ar. & i^th. have the
partic. which the context favors.
3. NiDin 23 MSS. with Syr. but fee above.
4. This verfe probably alludes to Gen. xv. 5.
5. IJ'JnN 67 MSS. and ij IJilTK, one of which is preferable. 6. Syr.
V^ulg. Ar. & .^,th. with 15 MSS. read iniinn'^l.
7. W, " iterate," Caft. i. c. fing one after another; the chorus on
the one fide anfvvering the chorus on the other. See Exod. xv. 21.
Ephef. v. 19. and Pref.
mini. Hare, &c. nyi"inn, " ivith Jhouting." But the text feems pro-
per here. See Pf. xxvii. 6. IIJ'Dn 16 MSS.
8. cd;:; HD^'^n. Perhaps cJTit'n D3i:n.
6. Vulg.
[ 343 3
6. Vulg. Ar. & -^th. Hare, &c. infert an Hemiftich from Pf. civ. 14.
between the lad: line of this and the firfl: of the next verfe ; but Seeker
rejects it ; nor does it feem neceflary. One good MS. probably reads
•pKH*?, which may help the metre.
9. The pfalmifl: makes mention of the Crows, or Ravens, as Lorinus
obferves, ** quoniam crocitmido declarant famem fuam, efca;que neceflita-
tem." But fee Calmet.
1{«{"lp». Ar. reads iniN^pS " which call upon him." Unlefs we fuppofe
the affix and formative 1 to coalefce. See Pf. ii. 12. But 1ty{< may be
confidered as a conjunction, •' when they call." See 6. Syr. & Vulg.
nmy 29 MSS.
10. N*? 2d 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. with 36 MSS. Kb%
n. r\'i'r\. Syr. reads Hi'm, " Sed obleBatur:' And none of the other
verfions have the participle.
12. 6, Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEtli. make this the beginning of a new
pfalm : and 6. Ar. & iEth. have in the title, •' Alleluja, Aggcei & Za-
charia." See Pf. xlvi. 1. " Sed qua auftoritate conjuncSta disjungant,
di^junda contra conjungant, non conftat." Hare.
13. If 'Nehemiah compofed this pfalm, it muft be after the walls
were rebuilt. See Neh. ii. 17.
14. ibin.t. All the verfions, except Ch. read with one MS. ^'VliS,
•' thy borders.''
m*7;i7, ** peace." " The abftract for the concrete." Durell. "Deficit
v." Pifc. Rather n- See Syr. £c our verf.
1^. p^?. Gejerus reads with Ch. pK*?. Hare fupplies with Syr. VV-
nblirn 26 MSS. with 6. Vulg. & Ar. See verfe 3.
nina ly, " ujque cito." i. e. celerrime, Buxt. &c. But a friend obferves
fy is probably written for "jjr, and fhould be placed before the preceding
word. See Syr. and our verfions, which alfo fupply ^^<a, An allulion to
the meflengers of kings.
16. Ther
[ 344 ]
1 6. The brevity, aptnefs, and fublimity of the following defcriptions
are not to be paralleled in any other author. A mofi: beautiful parononiafia
in the 2d line. \nMn 33 MSS. with 6.
17. D'DiDD. Green deriving this word from DSD, Ugare, with Schul-
tens, gives this fenfe, *« Who fendeth forth his ice io bmd up (the wa-
ters.)" But as there is no authority to-fupply the ellipfis, the verfion of
Caft. and others feems beft, " He fendeth forth his hail like morfels." i. e.
of bread, which it refembles in colour ; and perhaps for imp in the
next line, we fhould read Tr\^, " who fliall fland before his hailf" Al-
luding to 2 Sam. xxii. 15. — liDV 8 MSS.
18. " And melteth them." i. e. " Gelu frigufq." Fife. &c. Perhaps
the hail-Jiones, taking the foregoing fubftantive in the colleSiive fenfe.
"^V imi. Durell reads ibm nT\, " The -wind bloweth, and the wa-
ters ^ow." 6. Syr. Ar. & ii^th. with Houb. read the ^a; as well as
the copulative, *' He turneth his wind; ^«^ the waters flow." This may
be the better fenfe of ity» here.
19. 1"iai. 56 MSS. vnn, " liis words." See Exod. xx. i. Vpin
4 MSS.
20. D»D3tyD% 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. VDSty^l, and Durell gives
this fenfe of the words, •' nor have his judgments iizJlruSled them." See
Jud. viii. 16. Houb. &c. read with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ch. Ar. & ^th.
D^nv, *' nor hath he declared his judgments unto them."
P S A L M CXLVIIL
THIS pfalm, as Lowth obferves, ** is a beautiful example of the
fynthetic, or conflruBtve, parallelifm j in which there is a correfpondence
and equality between different propofitions, in refpeft of the {hape and
turn of the whole fentence, and of the conflrudtive parts ; fuch as noun
anfivering to noun, verb to "verb, member to member." See Prel. Difl'. to
Ifai.
C 345 ]
Ifai. p. 21. It might be compofed by the author of the former, as a dif-
fuafivc from Idolatry, which, it is obfervable, the Jews never committed
after their returrv from the BabyloniJJi captivity.
V. I. lb"?!! being repeated y^i;^« times may be intended to denote the
perfection of praife, that being a^crd"^ number amongft the Jews.
p. Perhaps better rendered w, " Praife ye Jehovah in the Heavens."
i. e. ye angels^ who dwell there ; (fee Lowth on Pf. Ixviii. 27.) or Jeho-
vah dwelling there. See Pf. cxxiii. i. and v. 7*
2. "iKiy. All the Verf. Houb. &c. with 56 MSS. have Vi^lV. " All
ye A/j hojls." SeePf. ciii. 21.
3. The Sun, Moon, and Stars, are called upon firft to praife God
(which they do in a metaphorical fenfe) becaufe they were the firfl: objefts
of Idolatry. "ilK. 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read niKI, " and light,"
But the words may be in conflrudlion. See our Bib. verfion.
4. " Te Heavens of Heavens." i. e. '• The highejl of thofe Heavens,
above fome part of which the waters are here faid to be placed." Ham-
mond. Grotius obferves, ** Hebrsi caelum partiuntur in tres regiones,
quarum prima eft nubifera, altera ajlrifera, tertia angelifera" See 2 Cor.
xii. 2.
5. This and the next verfe are the flro'ngefl: proofs of the vanity of
idolatry. For the addition fee 6. Houb. and our old verfion.
6. pin 7 MSS. and 48 niy», which may be the fut, in Niph. " and it
JJiall not be broken." See our old Verf. — Tigur. Verf. Meibomius, &c.
read innVS " and they Jhall not tranfgrefs (it)." See Pf. civ. 9,
7. Having in the 4th. verfe finlfhed with the waters above the firma-
ment, the Pfalmift now proceeds regularly to the waters under the firma-
ment. See Gen. i. 9. which are there called Seas, but here Deeps ; and
that D'J'iD probably fignifies Whales, and other fea monfters, and not
ferpents as Durell fuppofes, fee Gen. i. 21. Ezech. xxxii. 2. DlSinn
41 MSS. Sec Pf. xxxiii. 7.
4 U 8. " Firer
[ 346 ]
8. " Ftre" i, e. the lightning. Vatab. &c. which accompanies the
hail ftorm, though fo oppofite in their natures. See Pf. cxxxv. 7.
mVD mn. Syr. with our old Verf. myDl; but Pf. evil. 25. Ezek.
i. 4. &c. confirm the text. The connection feems to require nm, ** and
the ftormy wind." See Ar.
ns:^. 17 MSS. more properly r\^^)f, in Bert. 6. & Vulg. CD«i:?iy. Ar.
♦tyijr in regim. " the fulfillers of his Word." " Erubefce ergo, homot
qui folus Dei legem non obfervas." Tirin.
9. " Fruitful trees." Rather fruit-trees. Mudge, &c.
" And all Cedars." comprehending in o«? »fpecies every kind of tree
not bearing fruit. See Muis.
10. The antithefis, if not the metre, is better preferved, by reading
with Meibomlus ^0^^J after trm, " the reptile of the earth." Or as
Hare, 5<cc. bDl, " and every fowl."
1 1 . From the inanimate and animate parts of the creation, he proceeds
to the rational.
♦DSIJy 7 MSS. and feveral read here, as in other places, D'O'W^V.
12. nbim. All the Verf. with Houb. and 95 MSS. mbinn, a ftrong
inftance of the corruption of the text. " And alfo maidens." Emphatical j
as having no occafion to be afraid of attending at the annual feafts. -See
Gejer. — Hare, &c. rejedt 1, for the fake of the metre.
13. 1^^^, '* is to be exalted." The Pre-eminence of fehovah above
all the celejlial and terrejlrial divinities is aflcrted ; and the proof of it
given in the next verfe.
14. Dl'1, " Becaufe he hath exalted the horn of his people — He fliall
be the praife of all his faints, &c." in delivering them from the Baby-
lonifh captivity. For this fenfe of % fee Cafl. Lexic. ** When he ex"
alteth, &c." Mudge. " ylnd he exalteth." Lowth.
m'np. 43 MSS. imipi " his kindred people." See AInfworth. The
Ifraelites were in the clofeft alliance with Jehovah. See Jerem. xxxi.
PSALM
[ 347 ]
PSALM CXLIX.
MUlS and Patrick afcribe this pfalm to David. Mudge, &c. re-
fer it to 2 Chron. xx. 21, 22. Others, according to Gejerus, bring it
down to the time of the Mefliah. See Hammond. Mollerus fuppofes
it to be written juft before the deliverence from Babylon.. Perhaps rather
by TSlehemiah on his conquering the enemies of Ifrael, and fecuring the
city of Jerufalem, as recorded, ch. iv. 7 — 18 and vi. 15.
V. I. " A new fong" may be very well applied to the occafion juft
r^icntioned. See Neh. viii. 9.
2. Vtyjrn. Houb. reads int^Vn. See alfo Deut. xxxii. 15, 6cc. But
the true reading feems to be VtyiVl according to 14 MSS. or intyiVl
(See MSS. in Job. iv, 17.) " in his tnaker." i. e. God', who formed
Ifrael from the wombs of Sarah and Rebecca in a miraculous manner.
See Tirinus on Ifai. xliii. 1.
Rather, " Let the fans of Zion be joyful in their king." The Jewi/h
government being a Theocracy, -which commenced at the time of the,
departure from Egypt ; and continued in fome degree till the coming of
Chriil, as had been foretold by Jacob, Gen. xlix. 10.
3. biriDi, ** with the pipe." See Pifcator on Exod. xv. 20. our Bib.
Marg. Mudge, &c. with Preface.
«Y)rQ 33 MSS. and 8. nuoi.
4. ni'l 6. Syr. & Ar. with 3 MSS.
Perhaps rather, ** He decketh the affiiSied with falvation." As a
contraft to the miferable fituation of the Ifraelites in captivity. See
Lam. iv. 5.
5. Might we read DTOD3, " Let the faints rejoice with their glory ?"
i. e. their tongues. See Pf. Ivii. 8. and v. 6.
«* Let
C 348 3
♦' Let them fing aloud upon their beds." This may denote the moft pro-
found fccurity. See Muis, &c. Or the pfahnift may here allude to their
happy releafe from the inceffant watchings mentioned Neh. iv. 23.
Green fuppofes that their beds may mean the couches on which they re-
clined, when they partook of the eucharijlical facrifices. Durell giving it
a metaphorical fignification from the Ar. and referring for this fenfe of
hv to Noldius, renders it, *• They will ling aloud from the heart"
Some one by Seeker's remark feems to have read DmJ3B'D3, " in their
dwellings" And though, as he obferves, Vv doth not favor that reading;
this noun with "^y might afford a very good fenfe, " Let them fmg aloud
Jor their habitations." which they now enjoyed in peace.
6. nVfl'fl. " Prima fyllaba geminatur ad augendam fignificationem."
Gejerus ; and 8 MSS. reading DVflD feem to confirm it j but fee Prov. v. 4.
This may refer to Neh. iv. 13, 14, &c.
7. See Neh. iv. 7, 8. The force of the verb feems to be carried on
to the laft fentence. Syr. reads with 4 MSS. mnDim, which the con-
nedion, if not the metre, feems to require. See our. Verfions,. — D'O-iK^^i
16 MSS.
8. *< To hind their kings, &c." " Hoc hyperbolice diflum." Muis.-
Unlefs the pfalmift alludes to Ifai. xlv. 14. See Lorinus. "iiDn'j 31 MSS.
D'p^tl 49 MSS. as feveral read wherever this word appears.
9. *' The judgment 'written." Patrick, &c. refer this to Deut, vii. 24.
&c. Muis to Deut. xxxii. 42 — 43. Perhaps it may allude to Ifaiah's
predidion concerning Cyrus, xiv. 4 — 27. A friend refers to i Cor. vi. 2.
and the apoftle might allude to this pafTage. Our old verfion reads 21033,
but as Seeker obferves, contrary to the ant. verfions, and without any
other authority ; and one MS. reads mflSn, which m^y be emphatical.
Durell renders the Epiphonema in the laft line, '* He is an honor among
all his faints." But our Bib. Verf. feems equally proper, and i& ex-
preffive of God's fignal protedion of his chofen people from the Call
of Abraham to their eftablifliment in peace at Jerufalem> beautifully de-
fcribed by Nchemiah ix« 4 — 28. 'Sl
PSALM
[ 349 3
PSALM CL.
THIS pfalm feems to be an Epitome of the two preceding, and
might be compofed by Nehemiah, or Ezra. It is obfervable, that if we
include the title, and the conclufion, the word lb"?!! is repeated twelve
times according to the number of the Tribes of Ifrael ; (on which account
this number was in great efteem amongft the Ifraelites. See Nurtib. vii.
84. I Kings xviii. 31. Mark iii. 14. Rev. vii. 5.) and not thirteen,
as Gejerus fays, in allufion to the thirteen attributes of Jehovah, for
which he cites, Exod. xxxiv. 6. unlefs WriD in verfe 6 be confidered
as one. Nor are there ten inftruments, as Muis probably fuppofes, un-
lefs we read "iDlti'l in verfe 3. See Preface.
V. 1. liy-Tpl, "/or his Holinefs." Ghffius, &c. But our Bib. Verf.
feems equally proper, and it may fignify either Heaven, or the Temple.
See Gejer. & Houb.
l?1j; 8 MSS.
2. vnmn.^n. 30 MSS. vn'mn:Q, and one im"nn:i2. Syr. & Ar.
inmX13, in the fmg. See Pf. Ixvi. 7. ailD 18 MSS.— Syr. with one
MS. probably mn.
3. "Iflllt'. Probably we fliould read nfllLTI, as J/pDn may denote ano-
ther inftrument of the trumpet kind; (See Ezek. vii. 14.) " Praife him
with the clarion, and the trumpet." See Title and Preface.
-IIJOI 12 MSS.
4. '^inOI, " and 'with the pipe." See Pf. cxlix. 3. t]in2 32 MSS»
D'JDl, or as 25 MSS. D'yoi. This word occurring no where elfe,
it is impoffible to afcertain what kind of inftrument this was, but as
Edwards upon the authority of Rabbi Hannafe makes it zjlringed inftru-
ment, and the word is probably derived from nJD, to number, probably
it was fo called] from the extraordinary number of ftrings, which it
4 X had
C 350 ]
had, and perhaps the decac/iord mentioned Pf. xxxiil. 2. 2W^ 51. MSS.
See Gen. iv. 21. and Preface.
5. Thefe cymbals had their different names from their different tones,
" praife him with the deep toned cymbals — praife him with the Jharp-
toned cymbals." Or vice verfa. See Preface.
6, As the preceding verfes confifl: of tivo Hemiftichs, it is very pro-
bably conjedtured by Hare, &c. that an Hemiftich is wanting to com-
plete this ftanza, which may be done by fupplying one of thofe two
which he propofes, or by adding nDPl DblV*? 0> *' for his mercy endu-
reth for ever" See Pf. cxxxvi.
TV iilT\' " Non alia voce potuit melius obfignari pfalmorum liber
quam hac, qus perpetuo nos admoneret, nunquam ut de Dei laudibus
conticefcamus, quumque confummaverimus, tunc ut rurfum incipiamus."
Muis.
APPENDIX
C 351 ]
APPENDIX.
PSALM I.
V. I. After Prov. iii. 18. read, we find alfo HDJ, ♦{i>£)n, and nnv,
often. But fee Pf. xli. 2.
3. by*. lo MSS. more agreeable to the radix. .
4- 0^3- 53 MSS.
5. MSS. 31 more regularly IDIp'.
PSALM IL
V. I. Several MSS. read CD'Dlf^"?, here and elfewhere. See Prov, xi.
26. Ifai. li. 4.
PSALM IIL
V. 3. MSS. 16. CnaiK, more regular.
8. Syr. with 2 MSS. 'Jt^l, " and haft broken."
PSALM IV.
V. 2. Several MSS. read ^y^y here, and elfewhere ; but there is no
inftance of this form in the text, if Calafio's Concordance may be de-
pended upon, which is not always the cafe. See Pf. lix. 11. fire,
4- Xbfln 34 MSS. more proper ; and one perhaps K^bsn. See 2 Chron.
xxvi. 15,
5. See Pf. xcix. i
7. MSS. 19. DnOIK.
8. Lowth fuppofes an ellipfis of nHJit!^, ** prs gauclio ejus temporis,
quo, &c." See Pf. ex. 3.
P 5 A L M
[ 352 ]
P S A L M V,
V. 4. *i"i«ij?X 13 MSS.
5. yy]^' 45 MSS, more agreeable to the radix.
.6. '"jyiS 6 MSS.
8. mil 17 MSS.
11. Dn'myyi::J3 34 MSS, See Pf. ixxxi. 13.
12. 'imK 7 MSS.
PSALM VI.
5. One MS. reads now with Syr. & Ar. 'JJ/'tT'im, '• and fave
me, &c." ,
8. npnv. 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. read 'Dpny, " inveteravi." Syr.
npnvi, " ^^ turbatus efi" See our old Verf.
9. ♦'^nfl 12 MSS.
PSALM VIL
3. f^TnO' 5 MSS. After verb add, Seeker thinks they read "p'lfai V**
p"lSV
5. 'JDbliy 31 MSS.
6. f^n-i' 5 MSS. and 3 DIDnn.
. 14. After 'pVt*? add, or r^M^r 'pVinV. See MSS.
P S A L M VIIL
V. 4. Y^1V35;t? 26 MSS.
PSALM IX.
V. 4. ♦I'K 30 MSS.
9. DlSty* 8 MSS. D'OW*? 16 MSS.
II. Tt^in 25 MSS.
14. 'J3n 22 MSS. as elfewhere.
21. nn'ti'. The Grammarians fuppofe an Aphcerefis of n at the be-
ginning of this and many other verbs of the fame formation. But does
not D'ii'n feem to be the true reading ? One MS. reads riDty.
PSALM
C 353 3
P S A L M X.
V. 2. By reading CVtyi all the difficulties with refpeft to the gram-
matical conftrudtion are removed, *« By the pride of the wicked the poor
is perlecuted — let them, &c."
6. Many MSS. read "nn nnV.
9. One MS. reads probably 13D3, and another IDlDl- See alfo 6. Vulg.
Ar. & ^th. PjiDn' 8 MSS.
13. trmn i8 MSS. See V. 15.
16. See Pf. cxiv. 2.
18. DIDJyb 13 MSS. and p-)yV 22 MSS. One ant. MS. reads Pi»Din»
This verfe is irregularly divided.
PSALM XI.
V. 5. 6. with 8 MSS. read lTm\ and render this Hemiftich thus>
" but he that loveth iniquity, hateth his own foul"
6. TDO» one MS. and another probably..
7. One ant. MS. reads r)p*7!f.
PSALM XIL
V. 4. mbnA 41 MSS.
5. liiltybb 27 MSS. more regular.
7. mmnD n MSS.
PSALM XIIL
V. 6. It feems proper to read buS or Vw. See Pf. xxxvii. 5.
PSALM XIV.
V. 4. ♦byifl 6 MSS.
7. See Pf. xiii. 6.
PSALM XV.
V. I. p3ty' 13 MSS.
3. li'isy'? 54 MSS.
4 Y PSALM
n 354 ]
PSALM XVL
V. 10. 31tvn 7 MSS.
ab 2d. lo MSS. with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & ^th. kH
PSALM XVIL
V. 5. *TiJ3n 43 MSS.
12. nti^V 15 MSS. with 6. Vulg. & ^th. and 6. Vulg. & Ar. feem
to read ^IDD, paratus.
PSALM XVIIL
V. I. -inK 49 MSS.
4. bbina.
12. IDDTD 7 MSS.
23. vnipim 2 MSS.
32. mbx. See verfe 47, and Pf. cxxxix. 19.
42. One MS. reads Vyi- See our verfions.
49. " From the violent man" i. e. Saul probably.
P S A L M XLX.
V. 4. naiN 17 MSS.
14. nwn 52 MSS.
•jKI 5 MSS. Durell renders the laft words, •' frotn fmn'ing greatly"
PSALM XXL
V. 9. One ant. MS. reads with 6. Ch. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. 7Ki{y bs"?,
(rather with 4 MSS. •J'KJIJ:') *' all them, &c."
P S A L M XXIL
V. 2. The Evangelifts read with Ch. 'iDplB', and one MS. ♦^nnDJT,
iphy hajl thou forgotten me f
18. See Pf. xcii. 12.
27. VB'nn 15 MSS. with 6. &c.
PSALM
C 355 ]
PSALM XXIV.
V. r. ♦niyv 30 MSS. with 6. &c.
6. After O God read, " It feems as if Jacob fhould be Jehovo."
Seeker.
10. niKni* mn'. This expreffion occurs very frequently ; and, though
Gejerus, Lowth, &c. fuppofe an ellipfis of 'nVK, it is obfervable that
it is fupphed only once in the text of Ifaiah and Jeremiah, notwithftand-
ing thofe words are found in 120 places at lead j (See Calaf. Cone.) and
very few MSS. fupport this addition.
PSALM XXV.
V. 9. For IS'ISJ/ 2d Syr. reads, 'Oi^i'^y pauper es.
10. vnnyi 25 MSS.
11. Inflead of, and we ought, &c, read, 6. 6c Syr. feem to read
nbD> Vulg. rhODi but the 1 may be wholly converfive, *' i/iou wilt par-
don."
PSALM xxvn.
V. 9. Vk 2d. Syr. reads with 2 MSS. ^Kl. See our Bib. Verf.
PSALM XXXL
V. 12. ♦VT»'7. 27 MSS. 'VTA'd'?; but fee Pf. Ixxxviii. 9. in Append,
and Prov. vii. ^ .
PSALM XXXII.
V. 5. For Hare, See. read, " Hebr. yale quod non inteliigo; Gr.
mT I/xS." Hare. ** I wonder Hare did not underftand »'?{*. (probably a
miftake for '"7^) It is the fame with by, concerning" Seeker. Why
not, againjl tnyfelff See Vulg. &c. Gejerus, &c. fuppofe It to fignify the
fame as riK, and our verfions omit It ; but ftill, &c.
7* U'li'JD 3 MSS. quite regular. See Pf. Ixxvlii. 7. cxl. 2, 5.
PSALM xxxin.
V. 2. Several ant. MSS. read here, and elfe where IliOl, but it is not
found fo in the text. After xcii. 4. read. See Preface.
6. mn»
C 356 ]
6. mrr 121 Here anfwers exadly to the \oyos of St. John i. i. and V£)
mi f/ie Jpirity or breath of his mouth feems to be a proper defcription
of ihQ procejjion of the Holy Ghofl. See Lorinus, Poole, &c. and John
XX. 22. on which Voffius obferves, " Hinc colligitur Spiritum etiam a
Filio procedere."
1 6. mil feveral MSS. in both places, and in the following verfe,
PSALM XXXIV.
V. 13. After yflinn read, or confider 'j-tjnn as a participle, for which
fee Buxtorf i perhaps, &c.
PSALM XXXV.
V. 18. One MS. reads with Ar. rWTV "JllK, which feems better,
*' I will praife, O Jehovah, &c."
PSALM XXXVL
V. 5. nm» 5 MSS.
PSALM xxxvn.
V. 8. mm 26 MSS.
17. All the verfions with ii MSS. read "j^DI.
18. One ant. MS. with 6. Vulg. Ar. & ^th. VT.
19. IK'll* 13 MSS.
21. \'r\Ti all the verfions with 7 MSS.
PSALM XXXVIIL
V. 9. 'nwfli 48 MSS.
20. 'Kjity 5 MSS.
21. After '£)"m read. But upon further confideration, though Buxtorf
alfo fuppofes a metathefis (See his Gram. p. 516) the text feems equally
proper j which Durell, referring to Ifai. i. 23, &c. renders, '* injlead of
procuring me good."
PSALM XXXIX.
V. 7. "Tai'' 6 MSS.
PSALM
[ 357 3
P S A L M XL.
V. 16. CDnaii^n 8 Mss.
17 'imK 5 MSS.
PSALM XLir.
V. 6. 'b'mn, agreeable to the parallel paffages, feems to be right.
8. All the verfions with 4 MSS. read Nip.
PSALM XLIV.
V. 3. D'OIK*? 14 MSS.
10. IJnmr 3 MSS. with Syr.
15. D'aiK*?! 20 MSS.
22. mpn^ 4 MSS.
moi'jyn 27 MSS.
PSALM XLV.
V. 5. After and others read, with 2 MSS.
PSALM XLVL
V. 5. After Altijfimus read. But 41 MSS. read {yiTp.
PSALM XLVn.
V. 4. IIT. " Put. pro prast. Hoc intellige de fubje6tione Cananae-
orum." Muis, &c. See Pf. xviii. 48.
PSALM XLVIIL
V. I. After determine read. He divides thus, reading alfo differently,
&c. bni
: &c. ")»yi
&c. nn
: &c. tyiK'D
PSALM XLIX.
V. 2. ^im'> 15 MSS.
5. "nJ'31 8 MSS. See Pf. Ixxviii. i. Matt. xiii. 35, Rom. xi. 33.
4 Z PSALM
C 358 ]
PSALM L.
V. 22. m^JK. One MS. reads D'hVk ; but fee PC. cxxxix. 19. ♦h^W
3 MSS. and 18 f\r\m.
PSALM LL
V. 10. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. read with one MS. nj^:im. See our Verf.
13. See Pf. cxxxix. 7.
PSALM LIL
V. 4. ntynn 7 MSS. and 15 with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. and ^Eth.
mn.
PSALM LIV.
V. 9. See Pf. xcii. 12.
PSALM LVn.
V. 10. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. with 20 MSS. "j^arKI. See our old Verf.
D'OIN*?! 12 MSS.
PSALM LVIIL
V. 7. Dinn 5 MSS.
9. Ti'jn* 8 MSS.
PSALM LIX.
V. II. After ©*<:. read. See Pf. xcii. 12.
P S A L M LX.
V. 14. Several MSS. read here, and Pf. cviii. 14, li'Op; which feems
to anfwer better to the verb. See Pf. xliv. 6.
PSALM LXL
V. 3. tjiaj/i 3 MSS.
PSALM LXV.
V. 3. ^H^y 4 MSS.
8. a'DMii 13 MSS.
PSALM
C 359 ]
PSALM LXVI.
V. 3. ^njr 3 MSS.
15. mitop 4 MSS.
PSALM LXVIIL
V. 25. tyiipn 4 MSS.
PSALM LXIX.
V. 3. n'JIliyi 9 MSS. So alfo many MSS. read, wherever thi';; word
occurs.
31. One MS. reads nW libl-INI, " and I will magnify it, O 'Jehovah,
with thankfgiving."
PSALM LXXIIL
V. 18. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. with 3 MSS. read TsmDth, fing.
27. 'I'i?'!!^ 9 MSS. which appears to be a miftake for "I'pirn. See
Calaf. Cone.
28. 'JNI. See Pf. xli. 13.
PSALM LXXIV.
V. 18. After njerf. add, unlefs we might read DK for DNf, " Remem-
ber the enemy,"
PSALM LXXVL
V. 13. 1^^fn♦ 25 MSS. — One very ant. MS. reads NmJ {vVv, " The
Moji High is terrible, &c."
PSALM LXXVIIL
V. 12. ]V1V feveral MSS. here, and elfewhere ; but there is no inflance
of it in the text.
PSALM LXXX.
V. 20. "iKm 4 MSS. and we Ihould read uniformly in each verfe.
PSALM LXXXin.
V. II. pn 15 MSS. and fome of them very antient. See alfo other
places.
PSALM
[ 36o ]
PSALM LXXXV.
V. 10. p3tyV 20 MSS.
PSALM LXXXVIIL
V. 9. Dele more regular, and add, But 'yi'D feems to be the regular
part. pah. in Pyh. See Prov. vii. 4.
19. After dijlrefs read, But one MS. reads with all the verfions 'yTDl.-
PSALM LXXXIX.
V. 8. D'trnp 40 MSS.
10. Nisyi. One MS. reads INd, and .another ant. one Ntyi; Bux-
torf fuppofes an aphaerefis of i, but D^^l feems moft conformable to
the radix. See Ezek. x. 16.
12. ni<l'7ai 31 MSS. But fee Pf. xxiv. i.
13. nK12 one MS. See verfe 12.
PSALM XC.
v. I. A great number of MSS. mil "mi, and 7 nnV more ufual.
6. Syr. & Ar. read with 13 MSS. niybl. See our old Verf.
For Tjth verfe read, 14th.
PSALM XCVL
V. 11. We fliould probably read b'AD, or 'jlAD. See Calaf. Cone, and
Pf. xxxvii. 5.
PSALM XCVIIL
V. 6. See Preface.
8. Ar. reads ]n'flD, their hands.
PSALM a.
V. 5. imf^. 43 MSS. read int<.
8. 'byifl 6 MSS.
PSALM CIV.
V. 8. One MS. feems to have read mVpll, which is better.
PSALM
C 361 3
P S A L M CV.
V. 10. pTh one MS. '7^*'^iy'b1 n MSS. with 6. Vulg. & JEth.
27. vmniK 10 MSS.
31. Nin'l one MS.
PSALM CVI..
V. 45. ni-!3 14 MSS.
PSALM CVIL
V. 30. For pna read nna, and add. One MS. reads ^IHD, but thefe
words occurring, &c.
PSALM cvin.
V. 4. a'Diti"?! 13 MSS.
8. nnbj^K 19 MSS.
12. D'nbt^ ift. 4 MSS. read D'^'?^^ ^n^?, as in Pf. Ix. 12.
PSALM CIX.
V. 29. Two MSS. read D'Diyil i but DDt^ll feems to be right. See
Pf. XXXV. 26. Mich. vii. 10.
PSALM CXIL
V. 10. pYin^ 5 MSS.
PSALM CXIV.
V. 7. See Pf. cxxxix. 19.
PSALM CXVL
V. 4. 'tl^iSJn JobD feems to be the better reading.
PSALM CXVIIL
V. 23. One MS. at firft read N^m, with 6. Syr. Vulg. Ar. & /Eth.
See our old verfion.
PSALM CXXXV.
V. 2. Dna'^uy 17 MSS.
5. After 6f<r. read, or IJJnNI, as 8 MSS.
5 A CRITICAL
C 363 ]
CRITICAL REMARKS
O N T H E
BOOK OF PROVERB S.
CHAPTER I.
V. I. "THE Proverbs of Eolomon., the Son of David, King of
Ifrael."
This Title of the following Book is fufficient to recommend it to
our moft diligent attention, as being the produdlion of the wifefl of men,
who had received his education under the befl: of Fathers ; independent
therefore of Divine Infpiration, we might expedl to find in it a rich trea-
fure of religious and moral fentiments ; but when we confider this work
as the penmanfhip of him, to whom God is exprefsly faid to have given
a wife and underjlanding heart, we muft receive it as the oracles of God,
which are full of Grace and Truth. The Proverbs might be called
CD'bsyD, as commanding affent j as axioms are fliled a|io^viii«of£i/Ta, worthy of
remembrance. See Lowth's Preledt. 4. But of the three thoufand which
he fpake there is not a third part remaining. Grotius, indeed, who
reckons them from the beginning of the tenth chapter, makes them
only 658, but in the preceding chapters there are wife maxims of the
higheft importance to the prefent and future felicity of mankind. It has
been
[ 364 ]
been juflly obferved by many writers, that the admirable inftrudlion they
convey is adapted to all ageSf conditions, and ranks of men. Some, in-
deed, have maintained that Solomon was not fo much the author as the
colkSfor of thefe proverbs; but what is aflerted i Kings iv. 32. feems to
be a confutation of this opinion ; and Cornelius a lapide, fpeaking of
the antient fages of Greece, obferves, " omnium prior fuit Salomon, adeo-
que ipfe nullius fuit difcipulus, fed omnium Magifter." And how great
his repute for wifdom was, may fully appear from the vifit of the Queen
of Sheba recorded i Kings x. i — 10. where fhe gives the moft ample
teflimOny, that the infpiration of the Almighty gave him this fuperior
underftanding, and enabled him to compofe fo many, and fo ufeful lef-
fons for the benefit of the whole human race ; which, that they might be
more eafily and more deeply imprefled upon the mind, are conveyed in a
metrical form. See Preface to the Pfalms. The firfl: fix verfes are by
way of an exordium to point out the author, together with the ufe and
intent of the whole book, which is divided into two principal parts :
the firfl: to chap. x. contains an exhortation to wifdom j the fecond to
chap. XXX. confifts of thofe religious and moral axioms, which conftitute
that wifdom; and though the lafl: chapter gives us the admonition of
Bathfliebah to Solomon in the choice of a wife, it probably received its
prefent form from his hand, and therefore may be confidered as a part of
his work. Others indeed divide it differently. See Poole, Patrick, &c.
♦Vfc:^^ 25 MSS. See Kennicott's Collation.
2. nVlb, the infinitive ufed potentially, <• that you may know." See
Poole. Durell confiders it as the Gerund in do, " Concerning the knowing
0/^ wifdom, &c."
" Wifdom and inftruftion." I. e. religion and morality, which are
further particularized in the following verfe. See Poole.
3. b'2^T^, perhaps for byili^Ty, partic. Ben. " The inflrudtion of the
prudent." i. e. Solomon himfelf. See Gen. xlviii 14. The three follow-
ing words may be expreffive of righteoufnefs towards God, jujiice to our
neighbour, and equity to our fellow creatures ; under which come mercy
and
C 365 ]
and charity. But fee Durell. More than 50 MSS. read with Houb.
Dnjy'OI, in the ufual form.
4. naiy mufl be heie taken in a good fenfe, and denotes prudence.
See Poole. For D»«nfl'7 fee Pf. cxvi. 6.
5. We fhould either read with 10 MSS. P)Dn, or with 6 Pi'DVI.
The wife man here fsems to mean a perfon, who witlies to be informed
and inflrudled, and takes every method for condudiing himfelf, like a
fkilful pilot, through life with fafety. " bin proprie fignificat artem
nauticum, & folcrciam gubernandaj navis." [Muis. — Houb. reads with
30 MSS. mbinnn.
6. " And the interpretation." In the early ages of the world moral
truths were conveyed by apologues and riddles^ as the mofl Ariking me-
thod of imprefling them on the mind. See Judg. ix. 7 — 15. xiv. 12.
And the word of the text might be ufed to ejcprefs the derifion they were
fubjeft to, who could not unravel their hidden meaning. But fee Poole,
and Hab. li. 6.
DDTm. 16 MSS. read DDITm, which the conftrudtion requires;
and all the verfions have the plural. See Pf. xlix. 4.
7. D'tyNT fignifies not only the beginning, but the excellency of wifdom;
and the fear of God comprehends the whole of man's duty. See Ecclcf.
xii. 13.
nODn. 6. Ch. Ar. & Syr. read n02m, " But fools, 6cc" And the
antithelis, which is very oblervable in this book, feems to require it.
See verfe 2. One MS. omits it.
8. ** My fon." Solomon addreffes himfelf to his hearers as theiry^-
ther, (See i John ii. i.) and inculcates the duty of obedience to parents
as next in order to that due to God. See Exod. xx. 12. Pietas was ufed
by the Latins to exprefs both,
9. '* jdn ornament of grace." i. e. a graceful ornament; alluding to
the decorations of the head, and neck, ufed in the Eaft. See Pf.
Ixxiii. 6. <
5 B TD-uiaV.
C 366 ]
Tni-inj*?. 7 MSS. read -jrnni:iV, which is proper, and all the vcrfions
have the fing.
10. Kan. 36 MSS of Kennic. and 22 of De Roffi read niKn, which
is probably right ; but as the fenfe, as well as the metre, feems defeiflive,
and one MS. probably fupplies the word nn, perhaps Dnn, or rather
OnV, may have been by fome accident dropped, " confent not unto them."
See Vulg. and Deut. xiii. 8. Unlefs we read with one MS. of Kennic.
Nlin, which Michaelis approves, (SeeDe Roffi) and fupply D1D3, " come
not into their ajjembly." See Gen. xlix. 6.
11. The 2d line of this verfe being defe<flive, it ftrikes me that Dfln
from its fimilitude to Dl*? has been dropped, " let us lay wait for the
blood of the upright." (See xxix. 10.) which yields proper antecedents
to the following plur. relative ; unlefs for the 3d line we read only D"i53,
" let us lay wait for the blgod of the innocent."
12. The firfl part of this verfe alludes to Num. xvi. 30.
D'O'Jsm, " et totos cum univerfli fubflantia." Mariana. See Deut.
xi. 6. But Hodgfon renders it thus, " Let us fwallow them up as the
tomb does the living, — and the upright as thofe who go down into the
grave."
13. 6. Syr. Ch. & Ar. read NVsil, " and fill, &c."
15. All the verf. read with 2 ant. MSS. Dm2'nJ2, " from \}ci€\x paths."
16. To preferve the connexion of this and the three following verfes,
would it not be better to read the i8th after this, " But they lay wait
for their own blood — they lurk privily for their own lives .?" Thus does
Providence fruftrate their wicked counfels, by making them inftrumental
to their own deftrudtion. See Pf. xxxvii. 14, 15. ^ISK^V 2 MSS. See
vi. 27. for the conflru6tion.
17. DJn ♦:;. 6. & Ar. read a:n Nb O, " For the net is }ioty &c."
But as it does not feem to be the defign of Solomon to fliew the fuccefs
of the wicked, perhaps we fliould read DjnD, " As the net is fprinkled
(i. e. with feed) in vain — in the fight of any bird — So, 6cc." See-de
Dieu in Poole. But a friend reading riKI with 6. & Syr. renders thus
from
C 367 ]
from Syr. '* For they fpread their net for every bird deceitfully; they
lie in wait for their blood ; they conceal themfelves — fuch are the ways
of all who work iniquity, and tnke away their lives from the poffefTors of
them."
" mt never fignifies to fpread, but to ffr'mkle." Hunt. Houb. read.s
rrifQ with 48 MSS. which feems moft regular. See Calaf. Cone.
18. Dnti'flj'?. 12 MSS. more regularly tDDIt^'SJ'? ; if plural, as Vulg.
19. VVa I ft. 8 MSS. Win, which the grammatical confiruftion requires.
See XV. 27. trSJ npS " It feduceth the foul:' Hodgfon.
20. mODIl. All the verfions with 5 MSS. read DDDH, or as it {hould
rather be riDDn, which the context requires ; the following verfes contain
a moft beautiful profopopceia.
21. nVOn. 31 MSS. have nVDIH, but 6. read moin or as Houb. monn,
" upon the top of the walls" which feems to be right. The two laft
lines of this verfe may be very well reduced into one by omitting the
two firft words of the 3d line, which feem unnecefTary, and one ant. MS.
omits TVl, " in the openings of the gates flie faith — How lonp-, &c."
22. D'nfl. 7 MSS. more properly CDS. See Pf. cxvi. 6. From this
root comes the word fatiius.
" Scorners," i. e. prefons, who turn the moft facred things into jeft
and ridicule \ with whom this prefent age abounds. See verfe 26, and
Hodgfon.
23. Iltrn. SI MSS. with Houb. "Qliyn, more regularly. The fut.
for the imperat.
" My fpirit."' The fpirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord.
See Ifai. xi. 2.
24. " / have Jlretched forth my hands." •' Metaphora a matribus, quae
petulantes pueros paffis ulnls ad fe revocant, venlentes complefti paratas."
Parous, in Rom. x. 21. *' Hoc eft poematis exemplum parallelifmi fy-
nonymi. vid. Ifai. li. 7, 8." Lowth.
26. ** I will laugh, 6cc." " Nota hic congruam punitlonem, rfus rifui
refpondet." Corn, a lap. See verfe 22. One MS. reads with all the verfions
[ 368 ]
Nnn. 7 MSS. Kim, " When your fear cemeth, &c." lb much con-
trary to what }'0u now expedl.
27. Nni. Several MSS. in both places Nini. Houb. reads Na »D, or
iiy^, " mm veniet." 29 MSS. HNItTD. This verfe paints the outward
calamities, and the inward horrors, which clofe the fcene of the ungod-
ly, in the moft diicnal colours.
28. The change of ptrlbns here is fcriking, and the meaning of it feems
to be, " quafi indignos cenfeat ukeriori colloquio." Gejer.
'JJ}<np'. 41 MSS. read 'j;iK"ip', bat two MSS.. and one very old
one at firft, read with Houb. 'JlN"ip% which is probably right j and the
error might eafily arife from the great fimiiitude of the letters. But a
friend remarks, that, as all the verbs in the. MSS. have the 3 doubled,
the former J mult be paragogic, and the verb may be fingular, with quis
underftood, which, is a common ufage.
»^J"intt'». 33 MSS. have 'JJIIil!:", which flrengthens the former remark,
as the firft J is probably redundant. See Houb.
'JJi^yo*. 38 MSS. have 'JJIKVC'j but one at firfl of good authority
29. *' Did not choofe." i. e. were utterly averfe to. Gejer.
30. 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. with 3 MSS. read K^l'
31. This verfe may allude to Pf. Ixxviii. 27—31.
Dn'ni'VD^I. 6 MSS. read cn^nViyaOl, more regular.
32. nn'lt:'^, " Averjo," Syr. & Ch. " fc. ab audiendis monitis fa-
pientias." Pifc. See alfo verfe 23. " The backjliding" Durell.
D»n5. 2 MSS. different from thofe in verfe 22, D'Tlfl. See verfe 4.
mbtt'l. DiVk'T feems to be the right reading, '* and the profperity,
&CC." See Job xv. 21. But Seeker from Ch. renders it, *' and the error."
33. yairi. 6. with 7 MSS. and one old one at firft, ^DW), in Ben,
nD3. We fhould probably read r\^2^, as it is ufually written. Inno-
cence is the beft fecurity. See i Pet. iii. 13. A friend conjedures
CHAP.
r. 3^9 ]
C H A p. II.
V. I. SOLOMON refumes his addrefs to his hearers.
^SVD. 8 MSS. pfl\fn, " and hide." An allufion to the concealing the
moft valuable things infecret repofitorieF.
2. nton. 6. Syr. Ch. & Ar. read T\^TW which the connedion feems to
require, " and wilt apply, &c."
3. DK 'D. ** Alterum abundat." Merc. Unlefs «D is written for
•]K, " verily, if &c." " Pergit Solomon in elegante climace." Gejer.
Ch. renders DK, matrem. A friend renders the words, For if, &c. and
reads with all the verfions, and one MS. nJllD^I.
4. This verfe alludes to thofe, who fearch the bowels of the earth
for filver and gold.
D'iaCOODI. 43 MSS. D^JlDDaDI.
5. The diligent feeker of righteoufnefs will be always fure to find it.
See Matt. vii. 7-
6. By reading this and the two following verfes in a parenthefis, the
9th verfe naturally connedls with the former. See James i. 5. Here is
an ellipfis of the verb fubflantive, which is very common.
7. n'trin, " true fubftance for the righteous." In oppofition to the pe-
rifhable riches of this world. See Matt. vi. 19. But fome one would
read with 6. nVltyn, as forming a more perfedl parallelifm, *• He trea-
fureth w^ falvation for the righteous."
" A buckler" i. e. He protedls them from the dangers and difficul-
ties they incur in the purfuit of righteoufnefs. See xi. 19. One very
old MS. has ].1D1. But Durell renders the word, " he giveth, &c."
Obn"?. 19 MSS. Obin*?, more grammatical.
8. mitj'? 14 MSS. " To keep:' i. e. that they may keep the path of
judgment, and not be interrupted in their courfe. See i. 2. But Muis
and others underltand it of God, •* cuftodiens, five tutas reddens femitas
juftitias, ne pii in illis impingant."
5 C tOSiyD,
C 370 ]
DSti'a, " Trov'identia, Vid. Pf. cxix. 91." Houb. — mmt?. 14 MSS.
read with 6. nmK.
VTDn 26 MSS. with all the verfions and Houb. " and he preferveth
the way of his faints" See alfo De Rofli.
9. See verfe 5. which referred to the firft table of the decalogue, as this
does to the fecond. See i. 2. Ch. 6c Syr. confider the three laft words
of this verfe as in regim. " et redlitudinem omnium bonarum viarum."
And one MS. reads niT'DI. See Durell alfo. But as one ant. MS. omits
y\^, perhaps we might read D'^OVD, ** and all upright paths." A friend
connedls this verfe with the following, " '^rhen flialt thou underftand, &c.
— when wifdom, &c."
10. In the following verfes he exemplifies the truth of what he had
aflerted before. The conftrudion feems to require DV^n.
11. One MS. reads niD^iTI i and another ant. MS. TlVJn.
12. " To deliver thee, &c." i. e. That thou mayeft be delivered from
tne way of the evil man j fo yi, to correfpond with the following parti-
ciples, muft be underftood, and to anfvver to thzjlrange woman in verfe
16. See DurelL
" m33nr» here means full of guile and artifice." Hodgfon. Several
MSS. have mDlSnn, wherever this word occurs.
13. Cnnvn 4 MSS. which muft agree with i^'K, as a colledtive noun,
in the preceding verfe according to Gejer. Or, as a friend obferves, the
force of D muft be carried on to this^
nmK Syr. with 9 MSS, " The path:' See verfe 8. -p-rn one MS.
with Syr, and one at firft of De Rofli.
14. *' And delight y &c." This betrays the higheft degree of obduracy.
See Rom. i. 32.
15. D'lt'pJ'*. The grammatical conftruflion feems to be this, *' Who
an ferverfe in their ways — and froward in their paths." ** Hsec vox,
Hefychio tefte, Jiotat oblique gradientem cancri more." Gejer.
nrrmmt^ 13 MSS, more regular.
16. See verfe 12.
7r\].
C 371 ]
n*!. " Hebrsi voces eas {peregrinam & meretrkem) tanquam fynony-
mas habuerunt ; adeo ut apud eos peregrina tnereiricem, & meretrix pe-
regrinam denotaret. Quandoque peregrina meretricem fignificavit, ut
Prov. ii. 16." Spencer De Leg. Heb.
nnDJO feems to denote the adultcrefs, as may appear from the follow-
ing part of the context, " wlxich enticeth with her words."
17. *' 'The guide of her youth." i.e. her hujhand.
** The covenant of her God." " Obligationis fuse tefte Deo fadlx, qua
obligavit fe quod marito fuo adhsrere velit. vid. Jerem. ii. 2." Pifc. &c.
nnrvn. 7 MSS. mnvn.
18. *' Domus ^W metonymice hie ponitur pro eis quos in domo ejus
geruntur." Cartw. in Poole.
" D'NflT fignifies the Giants, whom God deftroyed, Gen. vi." Mede j
who underftands by it the infernal regions. See xxi. i6. And Pf.
Ixxxviii. ti.
n'nb.ivo. 30 MSB. n»m'7:ivD.
19. The conftrudlion requires n'KIl- See 6. r\TV\^ 6 MSS, See verfe 8.
20. I^n \vdl» " Ambula igitur." Syr. & Tig. Verf. The fut. being
ufed for the imperat. as the imperat. is fometimes for the future. See
iii. 4. and Hodgfon. ** Ut ambules, (inquam)," Merc. &c. rPTS^
8 MSS. and 3 "naaT).
CHAP. III.
SOLOMON purfues the fame fubjedl with arguments fomethlng
different.
V. I. ** Forget not my law." Total ignorance is better than wilful
forgetfulnefs. See 2 Pet. ii. 21.
2. IS'DV. This verb does not agree with the fem. nouns in the pre-
ceding verfe, we fhould therefore read with Syr. and 2 MSS. IDDV in the
fut. ISiiph, '* Length of days, 60c. J/ia/I be added unto thee."
** Et anni Vita." i. e. ** .per Hypallagen, annofa vita." Pifc.
3. -jirr. All the verfions with 9 MSS. read lintr, as the conflruflion
requires.
[ 372 ]
Tm:i"l,"!. Notwithflanding 42 MSS. read more fully ^'Dllini, as all
the verfions have the fing. the true reading probably is "imA"»:i. This
alludes to Deut. vi. 8. See i. 9. The affix pronouns are here irregular,
unlefs we refer them with Vatablus to mercy and truth.
4. Ni'ai, " and find:' i. e. and thou (halt furely find. The imperat.
ufed emphatically for the fut. Gejer. &:c. See ii. 20.
" ma hyi}\ and good confideration. i. e. favor, efleem." Hod<^fon.
CD
" Goodfuccefs. The verb 'jSJ:^ has this fenfe, Deut. xxix. 9. 6cc." Durell.
See Pf. cxi. 10.
6. I'DniK. 14 MSS. with 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. TmmN.
8. y^'iV^. 3 MSS. read *Tni{yb, and if we underftand the navel by this
word, it muft be put by a Synecdoche for the whole body. See 6. &
Ar. One MS. read at firft yi'^b, " to thy hreafi." Grey reads with
Houb. ']-)jj'nb ; Green prefers TiNi:^'?, & Syr. reads one of them, " carni
tuae," " to thy fejh." which feems more agreeable to the following
noun. See v. 11. and Lowth's Notes on Ifaiah, p. 7.
9. " Out of thy Jubjlance" i. e. with tithes and offerings; which to
withhold 'w&s fiscrilege. See Mai. iii. 8.
10. See Mai. iii. 9, 10.
11. \*pn. 28 MSS. and 3 at firft, pP^* ^^^ advice in the preceding
verfes related to thofe in profperity, that of this and the next to thofc
in afflidion.
12. The conftrudion of the laft line of this verfe would be made very
eafy by reading ii after p, according to our verfion ; but the author to
the Hebrews, xii. 5. follows 6. & Ar. which read p ^D, and make
nNDT a verb, " fagellat autetn omnem filium, &c."
DK I ft. is omitted by one MS. and it feems redundant.
13. niTN. See Pf. i. i. xli. 2.
Ki'a may be confidered as the part. Ben. — 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. feem
to have fupplied "IIS'K, qui invenit.
D1N1. One very ant. MS. reads t^'J^l, and the fimilitude of the words
may have occafioned the omiffion of "lE'N, " and every one that draweth
out
C 373 ]
out underflanding." See our marg. Verf. " Tanquam metalla ex ter-
rx penetralibus, quo etiam to Ni'o refpicit." Merc. See ii. 4. " 6. le-
gunt tifHi"] pro tD^K^, & metricae orationls perpetua lex eft, ut eaedera
res, variis in membris, variis fint vocabulis defcriptae." Houb.
15. D":D0. 49 MSS. 3 of De Roffi and the parallel place, &c. read
D*J'Ji30, by which Bochart iinderftands Pearls. See Poole, Job xxviii. 18.
"I'^Qn. One MS. of De Roffi reads with the parallel place D'Vijn,
and as he obferves^ none of the verfions have the affix, " and all the things
that may be dejired." See viii. 11.
16. " Sapientia hie more poetico defcribitur, ut Regina, utraque manu
prsmia oftentans, &cJ' Gejer. &c. Mr. Bradley reads, with all the
verfions, and 5 MSS. nVwO^:'!!. See our Verf.
18. This alludes to the tree of life in the garden of Eden.
IK'XD n'DOm, The metre, as well as the conflradtion, feems here ir-
regula'-, " Et qui tenent earn beatits. Plurale cum fingulari, forma ea
videlicet, qua gaudet verbum "m?j<, ut Pf i. i. cujus formse quam plu-
rima excmpla cum fmt, fruftra ea forma abuti velles." Houb. But we
do not find \\\& fing^particip^ of this verb with the plur. noun elfewhere.
Durell reads mtTNa nOOim " and direSis thofe who retain her." Ch.
& Syr. read ontyNJJ, which feems better, " and blejjed are they who re-
tain her." See Ifai. ix. 16. Mai. iii. 16. But a friend fuppofes very
probably from 6. that mn' has been dropped from the end of the verfe,
" and 'Jehovah maketh happy, &cc." which might be occafioned from
the next verfe beginning with the fame word.
1 3 MSS. have nOQinv
19. Solomon paffes from human to divine wlfdom, which was emi-
nently difplayed in the creation of the world, and a (fords an inexhaufti-
ble fource of contemplation to the fons of men. 6. Syr. Ar. & Ch. read
P131, " and, &c."
20. This feems to refer to Gen. i. 10. Some fuppofe it to allude to
Gen» vii. 11. or Exod. xiv. 21. See Poole. «' PofTet VtD p.o quibufvis
guttulis rigantibus accipi." Gejer. See Job xxxviii. 28.
5 D 21. ir*?'.
L 374 J
21. Itb'. 1 6 MS3. inb'. — 6. read bin, f-'^ Tap/JL«r, from "^n, /i/rr^j Ch.
6c Syr. witli Houb. read bv\ m vikfcat ; but one MS. at firfi: l"?!* ne lii-
lefcanty *' Jet them not fee m vile in thine eyes." i. e. ivifdom and difcretioTit
which follow ; ov t'at li^orks of God before recited. IViJ 14 MSS. But
6. read "lIVJI, " ^w/X-tv/, &;c." which prcferves the antithefis. See iv. 21.
22. vnn. One old MS. 'H'l, " ^;/(/, or, /or it lliall be, &c." See Syr.
TrniTi'?. 2 MSS. •]nn,"in:i'7. See verfe 3.
23. MSS. 19 read ?j."\n with Houb. more regularly.
24. This verfe may allude to Deut. xxviii. 67. for what is there ap-
plied to a nation may with equal propriety refer to an individual. One
valuable MS. reads :30Ji'n. Durell, referring to the ant. verfions, would
read "|3trn, " When thou art funk doion, &:c." But did not 6. & Ar.
read nc:"n, and Syr. & Vulg. |tr»n ?
25. DKDD. 19 MSS. tZ!\snfl. See vii. 22. Pf. Ixiv. 8, &c.
nN:rai. 20 MSS. DKI&'OI. 5 MSS. Ninn. See Houb.
26. "I'^DDl. One MS. reads "^^"2, which Job xxxi. 24. flrengthens j
or rather "]'7D2n. — 6. read "]0"n b^l, or as a friend fuggefls "jnbOD VD2,
by which the metaphor is preferved, " In nil thy ways." What Syr.
reads is uncertain. Ch. ")*TVDl, "for a fupport to thee." which alfo agrees
with what follows.
27. vbyi. For the different conftru<ftions of this word fee Poole:
" D ominiis honi h'ic iWchuv, qui jus habet in bona nollra ; qualis eft i.
qui iis dignus efl, qui ea promerctur. 2. qui alioquin indiget." Gejer.
And there were fome forts of perfons fpecihed under the law who had
a legal claim upon an llraelite to certain acts of kindnefs and mercy. See
Lev. XXV. 35. &c. Deut. xv. 7. to whom the words of the text feem
immediately to refer. We have a beautiful anaphora in this and the four
following verfes.
*TT 6. Ch. (5c Ar. with Houb. and many MSS. of both Collations; and
b'Nb feems to be the true reading. See Pf. Ixxxviii. 5.
28. -]';;-|'7. Ch. 6c Syr. with Houb. and feveral MSS. of both Collat.
"J'lb, as the conflrudtion requires. See verfe 29.
29. " That
C 375 ]
4, 29,, *' Ihat he may dwell, &c." 4 MSS. read ti'innn, and 27 iti'».
There is. a beau'tjful j?aranomafia in tlie firft Hemiftich of this verfe.
30. A perfon of a litigious difpolition gives his antagonift fair advan-
tages againfl: him, Houb. reads l'"(n with 20 MSS. and this verb is
generally found in Hiph.
31. See Pf. xxxvii.' i. " ^mulationis confequens efl'e folet imitatio."
Gejer.
32. As Syr. & Ar. feem to have read mn* in' the 2d line, " et confa-
bulationes Domini cum redtis ;" it ftrikes me that the true reading is
" But his counfel is with the righteous." " Eos ad arcana fua admittit,
quod amoris indicium eft." Cartw. Hodgfon reads with 2 MSS. IJIi'l,
*' his favor."
33. mil feems to be the regular conftrudtion. See Pf, Ixviii. 13.
Job viii. 60.
34. " DK vd\&t.quandoquidem." Gejer. &c. Perhaps rather written
for ^K, verily. See i. 26.
1D"JV'7. Houb. with 28 MSS. and 4 at firft D'UVb, ** but giveth
grace to the humble." Rather with Seeker, " but giveth favor, &c."
In contradiftiniftion to his contempt of the fcorners. -'
35. *' But ih'SimQ Jliall exalt fools." i. e. bring jhem into the moft con-
fpicuous difgrace. See our Bib. Marg. and Durell. .A beautiful Oxy-
moron. Houb. reads D'Jp, according to Ch. & Syr. *' but fools JJiall
poffejs fliame." A friend obferves that one MS. omits DHD.. But then
there will be a defedt in the metre.
CHAP. IV.
V. 1 . 001. One ant. MS. reads ♦in. See v. 7.
2. npb, " DoSirine." becaufe received from others.
v.jji'iA ^
J u
« V » 1 ... -»
.n.cc
'^'
I eJicfij
-'a .oi
^ 2ic?'{ ■ ':
.oifiiJillnoj
.r'.-cr::'
^ « i-^
[ 376 ]
3- " ^*i and p muft be joined in conftru<aion. For the beloved Soa
of my Father was I — and moft dear in the eyes of my mother." Hodgfon.
See Durell alfo.
Tn»l, *' et quafi unicus. Notse comparatlonis fajpe fubticentur."
Grot.
'jtjb. Several MSS. of both Collat. ♦3i'?, but there is no necefTity for
an alteration.
4. '^nn. Houb. with 21 MSS. »Jivi. One MS. •2nV1.
^On». 3 MSS. "lirjn' > and 3 -nDtJ'.
5. If we retain all the text, this verfe might be divided into three
lines (See Kennicott's Collat.) but then the fenfe, as well as the metre,
feems defedlive, and one valuable MS. & Syr. omit Vni nDBT), " Get
wifdom, get underftanding — decline not from the words of my mouth."
6. as a friend obferves, omit the firfl line. " Verus ordo eft ille quern
lequitur Arabs." Houb. which tranfpofes the fentences in this and the
foregoing verfes.
6. 1-|VJm 6 MSS.
7. nOi? ift. I would read T\'iy\i according to our Verf. " therefore gtl
wifdom."
8. nVobo, " Exalt her." " fc. laudibus." Pifc. &c. In oppofition
to thofe who deride and vilify her. " Sufcipe illam ; fie Aquila." Houb.
" 'Tivhie about her. i. e. as a "oine about its fupport." Seeker from
Schult.
9. 1i:iJ:n. 6. Vulg. & Syr. read 1Jj;,n, " with a crown of ^ory Jhe JJiall
proteSi thee." Unlels pO will bear this fenfe j but fee Pf. cxxxviii. 8.
Ch. " I'by, a crown of glory fliall be upon thee." Perhaps the true
reading is "]"?03n, " Jh^ P^all reward thee with a crown of glory." Ar.
omits the whole. See i. 9.
10. CD"n. 6. Syr. Ch. & Ar. read "l"n, " and they fhall multiply
the years of thy life." This fenfe of the verb preferves the grammatical
conftrudtion, which is ftrengthened by one very ant. MS. which reads
II.
C 377 ]
II. TD^n. Houb. with 31 MSS. "]'nmn, which is more regular.
13. f\in. Syr, V,u,lg. & Ar. isnn, '* let /^^rnot go."' Seejob xxvii. 6.
As Houb. obferves, we Ihould alfo read ^{')^ O T)'£U as the noun is mafc.
and one MS. has Kin.
14. MSS. 7. Kinn.
15. miyn one MS. and 8 liaVI. The repetition, (hews the iinpoi;tance
of the advice^ • :i., . jr;./
16. ^b'\^y. Houb. with 24 MSS. iVt^D*, which feems- right.
18. Notwithftanding all the verfions read mxi, as Green obferves, the
1 (hould be omitted, and prefixed to the firfl word of the next verfe to
preferve the antithefis, " The path, h.c.-^but the ivaj." Or perhaps
by a metathefis we fliould read m^^{ with 4 MSS. though there is no
authority of the text for it, adding 1 to the beginning of the next verfe.
ni13 17 MSS. " Which fliineth more and, more, 6cc." " Ut nempc
lux fubinde mane accrefcit, donee confirmetur, et plenus. tandem dies
fit in meridie." Merc. Hodgfon renders ly with Durell, as, referring
to Nah. i. 10.
20. One MS. of good authority 'fl nDN"?, " incline thine ear unto
the fayings offf7y mouth." See verfe 5.
21. it'V. One good MS. inV. See iii. 21. One very valuable MS.
reads bDa for *lirQ, " keep them with all thy heart." See Pf. cxix. 69.
22. Dn^N^QV. 31 MSS. DH^N^IDV, more regular; but Houb. with
one valuable MS. omits the » witi Ch. and Syr. " For they are life
unto him who Jinds them." Which agrees with the following affix; unlefs
we read with another MS. and a friend Cityi, " and medicine to all
their fiejh" Durell reads lltyi, *' bear tidings of htA\h" ,,..,.■
23. Some take the firfl word in a comparative fenfe. See. Poole, and
our Marg. Verf. Durell renders the latter Hemiftich, ** The goings
forth (or the progrefs) of life ; i. e. (as it is, added in the old ve^fion) As
the heart is pure or corrupt, fo is the whole courfe of a man's life"
-nifj 18 MSS. ■■ ' ' ' ' \^
24. See Matt. xii. 34.
5 E mr"?!.
C 378 ]
mtbl. One MS. r)'rh^, more agreeable to the radix.
25. ^1W\ 32 MSS. ne;'*. See XV. 21. " 'nB'S' ex *1W, quae
ante te funt, palpebrae tuae con/piciant." Houb. But then TW> might be
better.
26. bDI, " //^^^ <?//, &c." Or as Hodgfon, '* fo OrnW all, &c," 6.
Vulg. Ar. & iEth. read -y^TS with 18 MSS.
27. One valuable MS. reads with 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. IDHV " <^«^
remove." — 6. Vulg. & Ar. add two verfes more, which have no authority
of MSS.
C H A P. V.
V. 2, THE metre of the firft line being dcfedive, we fhould per-
haps fupply mnJD with 6. & Ar. " That thou mayeft preferve good
thoughts." -j'lDiy'? 6 MSS. See i. 2. '
3. 6. & Vulg. probably fupply nD"lD H^^'Kb a'tTpn Vk, " Hearken
not to a deceitful woman." which the caufal particle in this vcrfe feems
to require. See Houb. Unlefs we read n£)2D> " The lips of a ftrange
woman (or as Durell, of a leii)d woman) drop as the ho?iey comb." Or
render it with Hodgfon, *' Although, &c."
4. " Favo opponitur abfmthium, et oleo gladhis, &c." Cartw.— DVfl'Q
2 MSS. See Pf. cxlix. 6.
5. '71NJJ'. See Pf. xvi. 10. and vii. 27. DITIV 22 MSS. and one very
ant. MS. mD bK.
6. Gejerus's fenfe of this verfe is as pertinent as any, making
tfi to fignify non with 6. Syr. & Vulg. " She iveigheth not the path of
life — her ways are moveable ; thou canft; not know them." See Durell
alfo. 6. Syr. Ch. & Vulg. feem to have read imn, or l^nn, " She
doth not walk in the way of life." For other fenfes fee Poole. One ant.
MS. reads miK, and 20 n'nib:^^.
7. "niDn, ^yKl^y DO3. 6. Vulg. & Ar. read, as the context requires,
"llDn, VOB'j 'J2, " Now therefore, my fen, hear me — and depart not, &c."
See Houb. alfo,
9. " Thy
C 379 ]
9. *' Thy glory." *' robur five vigorem tuum." Fife. 6cc. See xx. 29.
D'lnKb* *• to Jlrangers." i. e. Perfons who would alienate him from
God by enticing him to fin. Durell, referring to Deut. vii. 10. renders
it, " to the idle."
IDJtt'l. Many MSS. of both Collat. "j'mJtyi j but 5 of Kennic.
"]mJlS''1» more regular ftill.
n?3NV. One MS. with 6. & Syr. DnrDJib in the plur. Perfons, who
would have no mercy either on him, or his fubftance. See Prov. xxix.
3. Some underftand this of the hufband of the adulterefs. See Pf. i. i.
10. ^niD one MS. and the prepofition l is probably dropped through
its fimilitude to the following letter.
n'll. 6. & Ar. read IJ^I before this word, " and left thy labours
come into the houfe of the ftranger." Ch. & Syr. read the verb in the
2d. perf. fing. " and left thou bring" So that probably one of them
was originally in the text, though no MS. fupplies it. Houb» reads
Nl' nn^;vii & Syr. with 2 MSS. has the noun in the fing. One MS.
reads "l^i'Vl, and another at firft TDVJ/V For nn: fee Pf. i. i»
11. I'lKSJ'l, *• and thy body" This does not feem to be the fenfe of
the word here, and as it fometimes fignifies alimentutn, Caftalio's, or Hodg-
fon's fenfe feems beft, " when thy tiefti, and thy provifions, or thy re-
mainsy are confumed." Unlefs by an Hendiadis we render the words,
" when the flefh of thy body is confumed." See Syr. Verf.
13. blpn. Many MSS. of both Collat. blj?'?, which feems right.
14. The laft line of this verle but ill accords with what precedes, and
to reconcile them Durell renders thus, " in the midji of company and
the multitude." Hodgfon making DVO here to fignify a worthlefs man, or
criminal, 2. to fignify for, ^7\^ a court of judicature, and Tl^'rij /
have appeared, gives this fenfe to the whole, *' As a criminal have I been
arraigned, for every kind of offence — before the tribunal, and before the af-
fembly." But for mv^ '^Hp "l"ina the follov/ing reading is humbly fub-
mitted to the confideration of the learned ^:T^V^ \'h\> IIHl, ** Jn a little
while I was in all wickednefs — in the midft of JJiame and nakednefs"
The
C 380 3
The one being the judicial confequence of the other ; and the puni(h-
ment correfponding to the crime. See Ifai. xlvii. 3.
15. To prevent thefe dreadful effefls of incontinence Solomon pre-
fcribes marriage, (See Heb. xiii. 4.) and alludes, as Gejerus obferves, to
the cuftom of the Eart: of having wells and ciflerns of water in the houfes,
being the greatefl comfort and refrefhment in thofc hot climates.
16. In Kennic. Collat. there is a vacant fpace at the beginning of the
firll line, which may be fupplied by reading with one MS. 11f1£)»l, ** Then
fhall thy fountain, 6cc." by which we are probably to underftand the
fruitful effefbs of lawful commerce in a numerous offspring, which play
m the Jireet. See Menoch, Seeker, &c. But 6. as Capellus and Ken-
nicott obferve, read either "jK, or Nb, " Let noty &c." prohibiting the
ufe of common proftitutes, which frequent public places. See vii. 12.
Houb. prefers p, " ne Je proripiant. Nam Salomon jubet honeftis
verbis, ut utatur fua quifque uxore, ne, fi vir ad aquas alienas fitim
reftinguat, aqus domeftic^e, minus pot£, nimium exuberent j ac deinde
in promifcuos ufas deriventur." De Dieu with Hodgfon takes the words
interrogatively, and then we might read lifl£j»n, or fupply DK, " An-
non dilpergerentur, &c. ?" lyiiJ' ^j MSB. and 18 TmJ'yD.
17. " They Jliall be only thine oivn." i. e. thy children Ihall be truly
legitimate; or thou flialt be fole pofTeffor of thy ivife. • -
Dntb, *' and there fhall be 7J0?2e of Jlrangers with thee." 1. e. none
of their children. One old MS. reads DHf ; and all the verfions feem to
have fupplied ipbn before "jDN*, " and no ftrangers JJiall partake with
thee."
18. " Thy fountain Jliall be blejjed." i. e. in a fruitful offspring.
*' 6. i5i«. f. Trn. f. legend. TO. purus." Seek.
n^NJD. Several MSS. of both Collat. read D^^ly but 2 often figni-
fies loith.
19. The hind and the roe were much efteemed in former ages.
See Boch. The comparative adverb feems to be wanting, *' like the
loving hind, and the beautiful roe." See Vatablus.
[ 38i ]
'yW. Houb. with 17 MSS. 'J\y\\ which is more regular, the firft "i
being part of the radix, " . Let her breads, rather /ler love, fatisfy thee,
&c." See vii. 18.
. " With her love" i. e. with the love of her, in oppofition io i\\Qjlrange
woman.
HAtyn. One MS. reads KJit^D ; which 6. feem to have followed. Ch.
probably reads IDtyn, incumbe -, which the laft line of the next verfe
gives fome countenance to. A friend conjedtures that the text might be
originally V1^T\, " let her affedlion ftream on thee at all times — am^ he
thou tv^r fatisfed -wlih. her love." As the word in the text properly fig-
nifies, to go ajlray, and fhould be fo rendered in the following verfe. The
Syr. Verf. pa/cere, alfo favors this conjedure. Durell fetches the fenfe of
this word in this, and the following verfe, from Ar. Icetitiam attulit ; tho'
he acknowledges, it fignifies to err, or go ajlray, every where elfe.
20. pn. 29 MSS. p'n. *' Honeftis verbis congrefTum & fceda expri-
mit." Merc.
21. " He pondereth." Rather, weigheth. i. e. in the balances of juf-
tice. See xvi. 2. and Ifai. xxvi. 7, vm'jJiyiD 15 MSS.
22. VmiW* 33 MSS. vmJiy ; and though this word is found 2 Kings
vii. 9. and i Chron. xxi. 8. with the double 1, from the number of
MSS. which read it with one there, and the ufual reading elfewhere, it
is evident that one fhould be omitted ; this being, amongft many others,
a plain proof of the corruption of the text.
"lilDV. This verb is irregular unlefs with Syr. we give it the paffive
fenfe, " The wicked man Jliall be taken in his iniquities." Which the
context will not well bear ; one MS. at firft read IIDV, and 5 MSS. have
lillDb' J but ftill as there is a pleonafm of the pronoun, and the noun
is feminine, by reading nil^bn, or with Houb. pt^V, all difficulties
are adjufted.
iriKtSn. As Durell obferves, the Verf. read "iniXtDn in the plur.
23. Perhaps thus, '* He fhall die, becaufe he would have no inJlruElion
-—and Jirayed in the multitude of his folly." mill 4 MSS.
5 F CHAP.
C 382 ]
•r
C H A P. VI.
V. I. TM. All the Verf. with many MSS. of both Collations read
"]3D, thy hand. " to dj^ hic repetatur, et in claufulis fequentibus." Bayn,
&;c. The iiril part of this chapter fets forth the_ danger of furetiihip
even for a /r tend; mupih more then for -ay?r/2«^^r. .rc^Z"
2. " With the words of thy viotith" The repetition oi thcfe words
feems to refer to the t'-joo feveral engagements in the preceding verfe. One
very ant. MS. reads. wi^h,o..^Syfj^ y.tiJg-'.^cAlM^mDVjl, *' <ind thou art
taken. ' _j.,. jif,, y^.j;^^ yj-jj ni Ltiv Jn^i y. oi tiDOifi Lu:; .•,vi,,u i^^ ;■. ,.
3. N1£3K'. 6- Vulg. & Ar. feem to have read "i?D1f?; " Do this wiiich /
Jay" Perhaps it is redundant. See Ch. Or it may be written from the
iimilitude of the letters for KJK> " Do this, / pray thee, my fon, that
thou mayeft be delivered." .-.r;
bi'Jm. One very good MS. '^yjnv
"I'V'I. All the Verf. and many MSS. of both Cgllat. read "]!;% which
the context feems to require, r •■
Dfl")nn, '^ fubjice te. fc. ante Creditorem." Merc. (Sec. A- friend re-
ferring to Pf. Ixviii. 3 1 . renders It, beftir ihyfelf; who alfo reading with
6. "ivn:! D'VI n^*?* propofes this fenfe, "Away with all delay, and de-
liver thyfelf, when thou art cox\\e into/ the Jiand of -wicked men on account
of thy friend ; go, bejlir //^y^^ and roufe thy friend."
5. TO I ft leaves the fenfe Imperfecfl, and our Verf. has, from the
feeming exigentia loci, fupplied Ty, which other learned men have fol-
lowed j but as moft of - the verfions read one word only, Durell conjec-
tures it Ihould be TVO, " from the hunter." One MS. and probably
another of Kennic. and one of De Roffi, with another at firft, read
nflJ3j "from thefnare," which agrees better with the verfions. ** Forfan
legerunt 6. Ar. Syr. Ch. ID TO, ex compede, vel ex repagulis, qusevo-
vabuli 10 poteftas Arab, in lingua nunc eft." Houb. — Hodgfon alfo
fetches this fenfe of T from the Ar. . " Efcape like a Doe from the toil."
6. Idlenefs
[ 383 ]
6. Idlenefs is another great caufe of the decreafe of men's fubftance.
*' Muti animantes funt veri laicorum libri, quibus ad Dei notitiam
erudiantur." Cartw. And Bochart obferves from JEVmn of the anfs, " ut
in pleniluniis ne no£tu quidem torpeant & quiefcant."
7. "IB^K might be rendered, " For, or althoughy fhe has no guide,"
Ch. 6c Syr. read -)>i*p, " no harvejl."
The laft line of this verfe being defedlive, perhaps n'bj^ has been drop-
ped at the end, the force of the negative being continued, " there is no
overfeer, or ruler over her." Syr. 6c Ar. have the pronoun.
IDItt'. 15 MSS. and 16 "^tyiav
8. There is a coniiderable addition at the end of this verfe in 6. 6c Ar.
relative to the induftry of the Bee, which is not noticed by any MS. And
Seeker obferves, *' that Gould hath fully proved, that Ants eat no-
thing in winter, and lay up nothing for it, why thea not rather mention
Bees V But fee Boch. in Poole, and xxx. 25.
10. Here are a beautiful mimefis, and climax. — Ch. reads DJty, and
with 4 MSS. nSJIJn, which feems better, plan 29 MSS.
11. " So flial/, &CC." Rather, " Therefore, 6cc." It being the ^z/t/w^t
of Solomon to the p/ea of the fluggard. See Durell. But 6. 6c Ar.
probably read y") "ibtlDD* m-Tn^ naKli 'ohi7:o(or, which fome would render,
" as a highwayman."
^tt^^{'^. 4 MSS. omit K, and 5 read with Houb. ']tyn> as in other
places, " thy poverty," as thy only property. See xxiv. 34. " 6.
feem to have read here, and xxiv. 34. i».ia for po, which they trans-
late ayyE^^s 2 Sam. xv. 13." Seeker. Did they not rather read nD ^"13*
uaiif aya&i ^foixii^ ?
12. Durell's conftruftion feems mofl: appofite, *' A bafe (or worth-
lefsj fellow is a wicked man — walking, 6cc."
13. " Winking." Either by way of token to his comrades, or of
mockery at others. Several MSS. of both Collat, have VJ'Vl, ^ vb-l"!!*
T\'y\D 16 MSS. correfponding to the preceding participles j but 6. Syr.
Vulg. A'. 6c Mih. with many MSS. have the verb in each place.
vm;/i5fNi. 12 MSS. 14. mDsnn.
r. 384 ]
14. masnn. Ch. reads ^Snna, part. Hithp, ** being perverfe in his
heart he devifeth mifchief." See ii. 12.
D'na. Several MSB. read Avitli the 1, but more infert the ♦. See
xviii. 18.
15. " Suddenly JJmll he be broken." i. e. like the potter's vcflel, which
cannot be repaired. See Ifai. xxx. 14. DIKDiJ 13 MSS.
1 6. A certain number for an uncertain, which, Lowth obferves, ** ele-
o-ans eft Hebraici carminis ornamentum. Vid. c. xxx. Ecclef. xi. 2."
" 6. & Ar. read \i}ti}» & "inty." Seek. 26 MSS. with all the Verf.
and Houb. nnvin.
17. " Eyes of loftinefs." i. e. Pride. " Procedit fecundum ordinem
membrorum, a fupremo orfus, & in infimo definens." Merc. mSQIti'
6 MSS.
18. 6. Syr. Vulg. 6c Ar. with 2 MSS. read {^mn. 6. Syr. Ch. &
Ar. with 4 MSS. D»V,"\"n. For the conftrudtion fee verfe 27. and vii. 11.
19. n'fl'. Perhaps nS', or T\^'\\ Jpirantem. See Pf. xxviii. 12.
20. niVJ. 12 MSS.
21. The affix is irregular, and though there is no authority for an
alteration, we fhould probably read with Houb. miV— H'lU'p, " alliga
cam, &c." The O final being eafily miftaken for n. See the next verfe.
22. ** It Jhall lead thee." i. e. The law. See verfe i.
mV'pm. One MS. of good authority mV'pnn, the affix has been
alfo probably dropt, " and when thou awakejl, it fhall, &c." But Houb.
reads with 2 MSS. ii'>rw, " et evigilabis, ilia autem, 6cc." "natyn 3 MSS.
23. MSS. 20 of Kennic. and a very antient one of De Roffi at firft
with all the Verf. read nnDID in the fing. " and the reproof of inftruAion
is the way of life."
24. nV"l 2 MSS. which the grammatical conftrudlion requires j un-
lefs we confider it with Merc, as in regim. There feems to be a meta-
thefis in the laft Hemiftich, ** from the y?r^;;j-^ woman, which jlattereth
with her tongue" See ii. 16. vii. 5.
25. *' With her eye-lids" i. e. her eyes by a fynecdoche.
26. The
C 385 ]
26. The metre as well as the conftruflion of the firft line being irre-
gular, confidering HJIt with Durell as the partic. Ben. inftead of ^^D ly,
I would propofe "iDnS *' For by means of a woman, t/ie Jbrnicator fliall
want bread." See Ezek. iv. 17. Unlefs for r\T\\ ntTK '\V1, we might
read with a fmall alteration of the letters nilfn ti^'K HVn, " For a whore
•will break a tnan down even to a morfel of bread." See the verb in
this fenfe Job xxxiv. 24. — •* 6. & Vulg. for nyi read 'yyy, Prethim
enim fcorti vix eft unius panis." Seeker. The prefent learned Bilhop of
Waterford obferves, that lyflj here fignifies life, ov per/on. See him on
Ezek. xiii. 18.
27. It is obfervable, that in this and the fallowing verfes we have the
mafc. noun plur. with the fern. verb. But fee vii. it.
28. The idea of the Ordeal-Jire feems to have taken rife from this
paffage of Proverbs.
29. Might we read k"?! ny% " So is he that goeth in to a wicked
woman, and every one that toucheth htr^ JJiaH not be innocent T' h. e.
** non erit impunis." Pifc. — 5 MSB. with 6. y.nJn»
30. The metre of the firft line being deficient according to Kenni-
cott's Collat. and '2V'\'> '3 feeming improperly placed, perhaps we fhould
tranfpofe the words, " They do not difregard a thief, although he is hun-
gry— when, &c." i. e. they take all the pains they can to detedl him.
Unlefs we might fupply DH^Jl after li.1'7. See our Verf. But Durell
reads tfl» for inn», '• Is not a thief taken, when he ftealeth ?" Which
feme of the verfions authorize.
31. " D'nyniy fignificat plenariam & perfedam refb'tutionem." Gejer.
even if it requires his whole fubftance. See Exod. xxii. 3.
32. MSS. 3. read t\N1i ; and one omits riK^Ki but Ch. & Syr. read
nB^N:2> which the conftrudion requires.
** Dejiroyeth his life." Adultery was a capital crime under the Leviti-
cal Law. See Lev. xx. 10. Durell renders the laft words, '• He that
hath commerce laith her"
5 G 34. nan,
C 386 ]
34. nan, perhaps Dan, " For a man is heated with jealoufy — and
will not fpare in the day of vengeance." When the .adulterer is brought
to his trial. Or. nan, " Jealoufy heatetlu"
35. MSS. 2. and a valuable one at firft, read "ISO and niT* which
may give this fenfe, *' He will not accept the perfon of any ranfomer
— nor will he acquiefce, although the gift be multiplied" ^'w^
CHAP. VII.
V. 1. Several MSS. read "nat^, and pSyn.
6. & Ar. have a verfe at the end of this found no where elfe, " Fill,
honora Dominum, et vaiebis ; prseter eum autem ne timeas alterum."
2. ♦nmm n'm. Houb. reads ^nmn n'nm, " etfit lex mea." maty
5 MSS.
3. 'Tnv:iVt?. One MS. omits », with Ch. '^ upon thy fnger" " Ac
fi eflet annulus memorialis digito affixus." Gejer. — Syr. reads, " upon
thy neck" See iii. 3. But 16 MSS. with 6. Vulg. & Ar- read YniyiVl^.
The Jews underftanding this literally bound the law upon their arms.
See Spencer, &c.
4. MSS. 6 -na^?, lo^mnK, and 31 jrnai. Houb. would read 'nVliai,
" et cognata mea," to correfpond with the preceding noun; but 5 MSS.
have VTa% as it is ufually written-. See Pf. Ixxxviii. 9. Append.
5. See ii. 16. lo"! *C\\ > ■
6. The fenfe, as well as the metre, of the ift Hemiftich of this
verfe being defective, perhaps WK*! has been dropped at the end through
its likenefs to the preceding word, ** For / looked through the window
of my houle — through my lattice I beheld — aqd. \ faw." But 6. Syr.
6c Ar. make this and the following verfe to refer to the Jlrange woman.
7. n^nK 5 MSS. more regular. One MS. at firfl: D^'DSn. See Pf.
cxvi. 6.
" Si legeris *iy3 lyjn 'iXl, inter flios adolefcentiae adolefcentem, fiet ora-
tio plana & expedita." Houb. — Mr. Bradley doubts this reading. A friend
demands
C 387 3
demands another inftance, where D*JH fignlfies inter adolefcentes. Might
we then read tsmnil ?
8. MSS. 6, and cxne very antient at firft, nnjr. See 6. Syr. &c.
** Jslear her corner." " Loco fc. obvio, & ad capiendos juvenes ac-
commodato." Menoch.
10. D'tr. Ch. reads n^iTl, which is neceflary. See Pifc. DTlIfJI 30 MSS.
6. & Ar. nifVlJl, " whic/i maketh the heart (of young men) to jiee away"
But the text feems preferable.
11. 7\^iy\r\ 25 MSS. " She cannot rejl quiet." Durell. But our Verf.
feems preferable, by her vociferations giving notice where fhe is.
m-nm. 27 MSS. mmOl better, ** but backjlideth." Durell. Rather,
** and wanton" according to Syr. alluding to her frolickfome motions
defcribed in the next verfe.
12. " Without" Rather, " at the door " \. e, ofherhoufe. 51 MSS.
with all the Verf. mimn.
13. Rather, as a friend, ** Jl^e hardeneth her face, and faith unto him."
14. ♦by, ** aptid me" Jun. & Trem. " Chez moi, at home."
Hodgfon. — " Peace Offerings." " Ex his facrificiis convivium inflruere
folebant." Mariana. She adds hypocrijy to her iniquity.
15. "inC'V, " tofeek thy face in the dark." To exprefs her great re-
gard for him. See verfe 9.
16. DnilD. Pifc* would read Dnm02i but D may be confidered
as the prepof. or may have been omitted. Durell renders this word
blankets ; perhaps rather fiieets. Compare Syr. & Ar.
miDn, or as 6. Syr. Ar. & R,\S\. miOm, and from the radix of
this word, and the efleem in which patch work was in the Eaft (See
Gen. xxxvii. 3.) this may be the fenfe of the word here. See Mercer.
IVON, which is found only here, is fuppofed to be an Egyptian word.
See Caft. Lex. But as 6. Vulg. & Ar. render it Jlravi, might not the
original word be XO^, paravi, and the words be rendered thus, " I have
furniflied my bed with Jlieets — / have alfo decked it with patch work of
Egypt?"
17. D''?nK.
C 388 ]
17. CD'bnJ^i c. read ^lOJp ♦^HKI, and render it, " and my houfcy or
tent, with cinnamon." But one old MS. at firft: read ^)^'7^^?, and another
of De Rofli at firft m'^HNT, as in Pf. xlv. 9. Cant. iv. 4. and 3 MSS.
have D'bnKI* ** and aloes." For an account of thefe odoriferous fpices
and plants fee Calmet's Di6t.
18. Come, let us riot in love, &c." 31 MSS. DHll.
nobvnJ. One MS. nobVDJ, " let us hide our/elves." Durell renders
the text thus, ** Come, let us take our fill of love; let us folace ourfelves
it'ith ardent love until the morning."
19. 6. Syr. & Ar. read ^IL^^i^r^, and with one of De Rofli's MSS. at
firft n'13, " For my htijband is not at home." In that cafe l might be
joined with ^bn, " hut is gone," Sec. jsima. 6 MSS. pniD, " a journey
qf^ length." i. e. a long journey. See 2 Sam. xv. 17.
20. riDDn 2 MSS. as in Pf. Ixxxi. 3, *' at the day appointed." Perhaps
one of the three great feftivals, at which he was obliged to return. See
Deut. xvi. \b. Some make it the full, others the new moon. See Pf.
Ixxxi. 3. Kin' II MSS. and 4 in'!*?. See Gen. xxxix. 16.
21. " npV. fign. fermonem fuavem, quo capiuntur & demulcentur animi,
& in bonum, et in malum." Merc, ma 6 MSS.
22. All the verfions with 19 MSS. "]bn, and 24 DIKDfl, but 6.
feem to have read »infl, part. Pah. from nDD, xETrpaSei?, infatuatus.
" Ke3-?05 eft avis deceptu facilis : hinc a Graecis pro Jlidto ufurpatur.
Ariftoph in Pluto." Boch. &c.— " To the Jlaughter:' " quafi ad
pafcua." Menoch. b'V^ "IDID "JN DDVDI Kl'. " Contextum muti-
lum & depravalum fic emendamus, &c. 'j'N 0372. VkV 1D11D ^K DVM. bnV,
lUe igitur poft earn vadit, veluti Bos, qui ad madlationem fequitur;
velut AJinus, qui ad vincula j^uw/^ vadit ; quemadmodum cervus eundo fub-
Jultat ; donee jecur ejus tranfadigat fagitta; quomodo ^z-uw in retia prae-
cipitat, &c. — Similitudines duas priores animalium funt tardorum
bardorumqne ; pofteriores, curfu et volatu levium. Quibus rebus per-
quam eleganter demonftratur juvenis amore capti nunc levitas, nunc ftu-
piditas." Houb. The learned Dr. Hunt likewife reading with 6. Syr.
Ch.
C 389 ]
Ch. & At, b'K for Vlt^, iii which he is followed by Seeker, and con-
fidering DDV3» as the part. Ben. gives the words this fenfe, " and as the
a^g Jkippingy oxrujhing into the fnare." But it is obfcrvable that for the lad
word Vulg. reads ti'lDDl, with DDV, or fome other word, " et quafi agnus
lafciviens, et ignorans quod ad vincula flultus trahatur." — 6. & Ch. read '7'KDT
lbD31> ** et ficut cams ad vinculum j etjicut cervus, in cujus jecur, &c."
making four beafts with Houb. though of a different kind. Hodgfon
renders the third line, " yea, like a fool he rujlieth on to puniQiment."
fetching the icni^ of DDV from Ar. ruit, and obferving, that asb'X appears
in none of the MSS. collated by Dr. Kennic. it never exifted in the
text ; but this argument feems not altogether conclufive, unlefs it can be
proved that thefe MSS. and likewife thofe of De Rofli, which have it
not, were prior to 6. 6c Vulg. Mr. Bradley in a- fimiiar fenfe, " and as
a fool leapeth at corredion." Kin* 13 MSS.
23. "inSiDj part. Ben. Hunt. See above.
** And knoweth not that it Is for his life, or, againft his life /' i. e.
The fnare.
24. D»J2. 6. Vulg. & Ar. read »J2, and the verbs In the fing.
" Hearken, &c. O my fon." See v. 7. and the next verfe.
25. •?« 3d. Ch. Vulg. Syr. &; Ar. with many MSS. of both Collat.-
'7^<^, " and go not, &c." n'ma'Dn. 34 MSS.
There Is a remarkable acknowledgment by way of note at the end of
this verfe of the corruption of the text in an edition publiflied In Italy by
Michaelis Chaim. See Gen. DilT. Sedb. 62 ; and MS, 300 T.
26. As D'bbn feems to anfwer to D'D-fVl, or rather as 20 MSS.
D'Oll^Vlj Dr. Kennlcott's fenfe, which Seeker follows, feems proper,
" for fhe hath thrown down vi\2inY foldiers — and her Jlain are all rnlghty
men." See i DIff. p. 110. Mr. Bradley doubts this fenfe of the word.
27. ** To hell" Rather the grave. See v. 5. Though it is true in,
both fenfes.
5 H CHAP.
C 390 ]
CHAP. VIII.
V. I. BY ivifdom, Calovius, &c. anderftand here the y?f«?«^ perfon
in the Trinity. See alfo Matt. xi. 19. Others fuppofe it to be only per-
fonified, as in the former chapters, and as contrafted to the harlot in the
preceding. See Menoch, &c. Wifd. ix. Ecclus. xxiv.
2. D»anD 58 MSB. *' on the top of the high places." Alluding to
watchmen on the towers.
" Near the ivay." i. e. where two roads meet to diredt them right.
n'n, *' in the places of the paths." " I'he houfe of the roads, mean-
ing that public central fpot, where the great ftreets and roads meet, at
the meetings of the crofs-paths Jlalionsd.*' Hodgfon. If this be the true
reading the prepofition is wanting ; and one MS. inftead of the two words
reads mi'HJn, " in the paths." But perhaps Ti is the true reading, *' by
the fide of the paths flie ftandeth." See verfe 3. Compare vii. 12.
3. Rather with Durell literally, " By the fide of the gates" Where
the greateft concourfe of people was. " K1201 melius, vid. 2 paral. xxiii.
13." Houb.
5. n"? li'in. As we had this verb in the firft Hemiftich, it is proba-
ble that we Ihould read "liOn, " and ye fools, prepare the heart." See
I Sam. vii. 3. Pf. Ixxviii. S. Unlefs we fupply the affix alfo, ** your heart "
One MS. and another at firfl, read "h for nV, " underftand fne." For
D'KnS fee Pf. cxvi. 6.
6. QnU3, *' qu£ in promptu font a *t:i3 coram." Houb. Rather per-
haps, principalia, ** principal things." See Cafl. Ley.
nriDSDI, " And I "will open the lips of uprightnefs ." i. e. I will fpeak
right things; the partic. Ben. Pih. being ufed for the fut. But one
MS. reads riDDN. Durell confidering a in Dn:^'^ as a prepofition, ren-
ders thus, " and will open my lips with equity." Perhaps we fliould
read Dntt'' D^13tiS upright lips. See verfe 9.
7. yiyi. " c. Syr. 6c Ar. legerunt ipw' viendacium, qucd refpondet
i-eritati." Houb. ^
8. One
I
C 391 3
8. One MS. omits this verfe.
9. ** To him that underjlandeth." i. e. ** ei qui debitutii adhibet in-
telligendi iludium. Verbum a<ftionis vel efFedlus pro conatu ponitur."
Gejer. See Joh. vii. 17. 'Ki'lD^ 36 MSS. and one Dnt^'DI. See
verfe 6.
10. *' And not fiher.'' " Negatio hic vim habet comparationis im-
parium. vid. Exod. xvi. 8. &c." Gejer.
11. See iii. 15.
12. *' Nos 'finiDty inveni, ut id conveniat cum KlfDK." Houb.
mOTO, " of 'witty inventions^* This expreflion does not comport with
the dignity of the fubjed: ; and as one MS. reads TytlM^ I w^ould render
the words, " the knowledge of difcreiion.'* See i. 4. " The well planning
of defgns" Hodgfon.
13. I would read with Durell, 'DKT, &c. " I fear Jehovah, / hate
evil."
** And the froward moutir may allude to the harlot. See vii. 13. &c.
Hodgfon reads with 2 MSS. ^m.— mOIDnn n MSS.
14. See ii. 7. Perhaps by an Hendiadis, " Siolid wifdom is mine."
See Poole. " '>y^ commodius 'h" Houb. with 6, Vulg. Syr. & Ar.
"h 2d. One ant. MS. with 6. Syr. & Ar. »Vv
15. " By me Kings r^/^«." *' fnfl^ ^ reSle ; vt\ feliciter" Gejer.
6cc. D'Jnm 19 MSS.
16. D'lty. An inferior order of governors, who may be called magi-
flrates.
Durell renders the laft Hemiftich, " and the nobles are all governors of
the earth." But 6. & Vulg. read IJOflU', and alfo a great number of MSS.
of both Collat. read plif for ^'IK, " and all the nohlcs, judge right eotijly."
Which anfwers better to the preceding fentence.
17. rrnriK. All the Verf. with Houb. and feveral MSS. of both Collat.
have 'nnK, or as two ftill more regular, 'UniN. Rather, " I will love
them that love me."
'J:^{V^2^ 23 MSS. 'iJlJ^Va'. But the true reading is probably ♦J1K':fO'.
See i. 28. 18, The
[ 392 ]
1 8. The fenfe put upon pny being unufual, perhaps we fliould read
"inj^, *•' abundance of v/ealth and righteoufnefs." i. e. abundance of righteous
•wealth -y which is the mofl durable. See xiii. ii. and Luk. xvi. ii,
19. rsav We fliould probably read T31D, part P^//. " My fruit is bet-
ter thanyo//.^ gold." See i Kings x. 18.
" My revenue" Durell, " my produce," which, as he obferves, an-
fwers better to my fruit ; which Hodgfon renders, my bounty."
20. Rather with a friend according to 6. and our Bib. Marg. " I walk."
21. {y» Ch. reads D':2^, *' years." Ar. probably n^T, " the inheri-
tance." " ty' fubfantiam, five opes* Nam B^» eft nomen." Houb. See
alfo Gejer. Hodgfon renders it, " It is in my power." See Gen. xxxi. 29.
tDn'm")5f1NVi2 MSS. See verfe 17. One MS. perhaps 'imK.
22. IDm. Hare, &c. with 6. Vulg. & Ar. VDTI, " his ways." But
Ch. & Syr. read ixni, *' creaturce Ju(S."
TNQ. Ch. reads {i^NIS. But this had been expreifed before. Syr. feems
to have read h'D, " before all his works." The Wifdom of God being
eternal as well as his eflence ; it might be then 'Jtt 'JD, *' / was before
all his works." See verfe 23, and Wifd. ix. 9.
23. One ant. MS. reads DblVa 'JK, which the metre requires.
♦nDD3, ** / ivas anointed." Metaphora a regura inauguratione." Gejer.
24. MSS. 45 mainn.
D'O niDJ. 6. & Vulg. tranfpofing thefe words, inftcad of nJ33
probably read "liinDJ, " When no fprings of water were burfi forth"
which avoids the irregularity of the grammatical conftrudion ; but
*m:iDi feems better, " when there were no fountains of water, I was
glorified" See John xvii. 5. " CD 'D3J1, et Jlillationes maris, quomodo
habetur. Job xxxviii. 16." Houb.
26. mVim. The various fenfes put upon this word (for which fee
Poole.) make its authenticity dubious. " Vulg. et flumina, ex fignificatu
Arabico verbi \*Kn, confluere." Houb.— Durell from the fame fource makes
it to fignify, '* the grand colle5tion of waters, i. e. which were mixed
with the firmament at the creation of the world." By it Hodgfon under-
ftands.
C 393 ]
ftands, l\\t Moon, the SwiyAhz P/anets, the Heavens, " not yet had he
made the Earth, and all that furroiindeth it." A friend conjeftures from
6. it might be nVVn, ammtov^^ deferfa. But perhaps it may be written for
\'5»m, " As yet he had not made the land, nor the gravel — nor the finejl
fart of the duft of the globe." Which gives a beautiful gradation, ferving
to fliew that it requires as great power to create the fmalleft particle of
duft, as the whole earth.
m"l3y. " Optima fcriptura, mQIJ', arabice, locos eminentes, nondum
montium terra cacumina," Houb. — Durell renders the whole, " nor the
firft part of the worlds of the univerfe;" as referring to other worlds be-
fides, the planetary fyftem, Hodgfon more agreeably to the text, " not
yet an atom of the duft of the globe." mSV 2 MSS. See alfo Job xxviii. 6.
27. MSS. 18 "ipinn, more regular. See verfe 29. Or ippm.
** Upon the face of the depth" *' Sermonem hie elTe de ahjjts aquce
una cum elemento terrce in (ormum fphcericam redadbis, fatis docet contex-
tus." Gejer. But fee Poole.
28. " The fountains of the deep" ** quia omnes ex ilia voragine de-
rivantur." Gejer. X\\Vl. " depofcit itrvn, dum ilk folidabat" Houb.
29. MSS, 10 Ipin, " It's boundary" Hodgfon.
30. po^?. Houb. with Ch. nJSf?, niitrita. 6. Vulg. Ar. & Syr.
feem to have read nJOIK, difponens, feu componens. See alfo Pf. cxxxvil 5.
** \\'!2'^, faithful, 2 Sam. xx. 19. his companion." Hodgfon.
D'VLrVty 2 r MSS. But it is better to read with Houb. VVii'VK', " his
delight." See Ifai. v. 7. and Randolph's firft Part on the Trinity.
31. ** Non dubium nVIt^, fuper terrain. Vid. 6. & Vulg." Houb.
" With the fons of men." " In quorum, fc. gratiam hie orbis conditus."
Merc.
33. The laft line of this verfe being defedlive, and the verb wanting
the noun or affix, perhaps 'DVy is dropped, " and refufe not my counfel."
See i. 25.
34. MSS. 7 VOlty. All the verfions fupply nL^N. 7 MSS. and one old one
at firft, lIpK''?; 30, with all the Verf. ♦mnV'T; 7, with an old one at
5 I firft,
[ 394 3
firfl-, nVtDiy^ J and 20 with all the Verf. mtltD- This verfe is oppofed to
vii. 8.
35. 'NVa I ft. 8 MSS. with another at firft, 'KlilD more regular, and
for the 2d feveral of both Collat. and Vulg. KiD, which the context
requires, " He thai Jifjdeth me, findeth life." Unlefs following 6. Syr.
& Ar. we read with a friend »N*:fia 'KV1D, " Egreffus met egreffus vita,"
36. MSS. 2 with a good one at firft, ♦NDim. " jBa/ ^^ who faileth to
get mej wrongeth, &c. See Jud. xx. 16. When this verb is ufed to
fignify finning againjl^ it is followed by a prepofition." Hodgfon. But
XX. 2. feems to be an exception to this rule, though Ch. has the pre-
pofition.
'• Love death." " Non intentionaliter, fed confeqiienter" Gejer.
C H A P. IX.
V. r. mODn. All the Verf. have the fing. and 3 MSS. read DD^n,
which the conftrudion feems to require, or rather nMPT. Syr. as a
friend remarks, reads TVI. ** Sept em numerus perfedionis." Merc. As a
friend obferves, 6. Syr. Ch. & Ar. probably read n3Vn> and in one MS.
n is upon a rafure, " Jfie hath ereSled her i^v^n pillars." Houb.
reads with 6. & Vulg. D'T122y» " feven pilars." The pillars may denote
the (lability of it.
2. This is oppofed to vii. 14. See xxiii. 30.
3. Kljsn, perhaps Klpb, " She hath fent her maidens to cry out, or
invite." See Vulg. Syr. and verfe 13.
n^rrnyj; 24 MSS. " Puellas fuas. Quia poftulabat allegorise ratio, ut
mulier fervitio fuo fceminas adhiberet." Gejer. But a friend obferves, that
Syr. & Ar. probably read 7\'''y}}^» fervosfuos, who were ufually employed
on thefe occafions. See Matt. xxii. 3. and for this fenfe of lyj, he re-
fers to I Sam. ii. 13, 6cc. — ** Upon the higheft viings of the city."
Meaning the turrets which were placed in different parts. Uolefs with
Merc. &c. we read »n:i for »£)Jl.
'i5"lZ2. 44 MSS. with others at firft 'D"na. See verfe 14.
4. "nD»
C 395 3
4. mD» 22 MSS. 3 MSS. with all the Verf. IDm, " and ^s for him,
&c." See verfe 16. Houb. reads with one MS. & Syr. mDKI, as in
verfe \6. But this verfe breaks the connedion, and, as a friend obferves,
is improperly inferted here.
6. D'NDQ. 3 MSS. Cj"nD. See Pf. cxvi. 6.
7. nOV 6. with 7 MSS.
*' Getttth himfelf a blot." The force of the preceding verb being car-
ried on , Merc. & Houb. according to Ch. read iV DID for IDiQ, ma^
cula eji ei, " // is his difgrace'" By the {corner we are to underftand an
abandoned perfon, void of all religious fentiments, and moral virtues.
See i. 22.
8. " Forfan negatio hie comparative exponenda, q. d. Potius corripefa-
pientem quam deriforem." Merc. But fee Grot. Matt. vii. 6.
9. ^n. By rendering this verb with Durell, " direSl a wife man," which
fenfe it has Ifai. Ixi. 8. there is no occafion for an additional word.
Houb. derives it from niD, docere. See Poole alfo and Ch. which feems
to have read ^'7K.
" A jiiji man" ** non perfeBe, fed inchoate." Gejer. f^'DVI 4 MSS.
10. " And the knowledge of the holy." i. e. fay fome, of angels. Ra-
ther of holy things, in oppofition to profanenefs and immorality. See
Job xxviii. 28. and Menoch. Unlefs for D'tt?*Ti>, or as 24 MSS. D'ti'np,
we might read \UT\^T\, " and the knowledge of the Holy One, &c."
i. e. God. Or may the text be underftood of the Trinity ? See If. vi. 3.
Jofh. xxiv. 19. &c.
11. 12DV1 one valuable MS. with all the Verf. in Hoph. Unlefs we
might read the fern. plur. See x. 27.
12. '* For thyfelf" i. e. iox thy own ^00^, not mine* 6\ Syr. & Ar.
by an additional reading give the words this fenfe, " If thou be wife for
jhyfelf, thou ihalt be wife alfo for thy neighbours." Houbi. would read
")iVb for •^m'?, " but if thou fcorneft, thou fhalt bear thy fcorning."
There is a further addition of three verfes, for which there is no MS.
authority -, but, as Durell obferves, they might be inferted in brackets.
13. nvns.
C 396 ]
13' nvn5« The force of the frft word being carried on to this, and
reading with 6. & Ar. HoVd for HD, the verfe may be thus rendered,
'* A foolifh woman is noify — a woman of intrigues , and hath no fenfe of
Jhatne" Ch. as a friend obferves, reads niltO for nO.
14. ♦anD. 32 MSS. 'ZDYia. Ch. reads Dl"lD, or on, " upon a lofty
throne." This anfwers to verfe 3.
15. Ninpb 2 MSS. nnyV 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. with 4 MSS.
1 6. niD* 2o MSS. mON 9 MSS. as in verfe 4.
17. *• Stolen waters." See v. 15. " And the bread of fecrecy." So
called, becaufe adulterers are obliged to coiiceal themfelves for fear of de-
te<flion.
18. See ii. 18. All the verfions read ♦p^Vm. n'Ninp 26 MSS. which
feems more regular ; but fee Buxt. — 6. Syr. & Ar. have an addition of
three verfes.
C H A P. X.
THE remaining chapters contain fpecial precepts, which are for the
moft part enforced by an antithefis. See Grot.
V. I. " In hoc Difticho antithefis eft verborum." Lowth. But as
Houb. obferves, lat^ requires VIN*. " maketh his father glad." Unlefs
we read with one MS. 6c 6. DK.
3. mm, " but he driveth off the mifchief of the wicked, i. e. from
the righteous." Durell, who thinks there is no authority for the fenfe
of our verfion ; but Pf Hi. 9. feems to fupport it See alfo Pifc.
Perhaps rather pm, for which fee Ch. & Syr. " but he driveth away
the fubjiance of the wicked." 6. & Ar. read TX'XW but he overturneth
//7^/i/>of the wicked." t]nn» 4 MSS.
4. *' T^he fothful hand maketh poor" Durell. See verfe i, " The
hand offraud(^-3\\ make poor." Hodgfon. " ty^'i. W'\, paupertas" Houb.
Rather with 9 MSS. a^n, •* maketh a man poor." See xiv. 20.
5. All the Verf. read DTnJl, which the antithefis requires, and the
omiflion might arife from the fimilitude of the letters. " ty»10, cunBator"
Houb. • 6. " Of
[ 397 3
6. « Of thejuji" Rather, of the merciful.
** But "violence cover eth the mouth of the wicked" To prefer ve the
antlthefis Houb. for »fl reads »3S, ** but violence covereth the face
of the wicked." See Gejer. alfo. Durell thus, " but the mouth of the
wicked cloketh (or extenuateth) violence." See verfe 12.
7. *• Shall be a blejing.'* " K form ufed in bleffing others. Seeker."
np"»*. 6. Syr. & Ch. read ^VT, extinguetur. See Ecclus. xli. ii.
8. " But a prating fool Jliall /all." Perhaps, " but a fool Ihall fall by
his lips." Ch. reads D'nSB'n. " Dlb', calcitrabit -, ex ling. Syr." Houb.
See Hodgfon alfo.
9. Onn Houb. with 45 MSB. but though it appears no where elfe
in the form of the text, yet as there is MS. authority for it, wherever the
word occurs, this feems to be the true reading.
VIV, *• Jhall be known." Rather as Syr. &c. Jlmll be deteSied. Unlefs
we might read j;nv, " but he that perverteth his ways, Jhail fuffer evil."
See xiii. 20.
10. MSS. 4 omit this verfe, and the famenefs of expreffion in verfe 8
countenances it, as to the laft Hemiftich. See Kennicott's ill DifT.p. 506.
and Gen. Diff. § 165. 6 MSS. pip.
6. Ar. and one MS. of De Roffi at firft: read miiX ** forrows"
" Caufeth forrow." Durell, " Jliall be put ta forrow" For which
there is no reafon, if we follow the reading of 6. Syr. & Ar. in the
next Hemiftich, for which fee Houb. and Kennicott's ift DilT. p. 506.
But as thefe learned perfons have not given us thefuppofed text, the fol-
lowing is fubmitted to confideration, O)^^ TW)f HOID T\y\TX\. See Job
xiii. 10. and Ifai. xxvii. 5.
11. " But violence covereth the mouth of the ivicked" Perhaps with
Ch. *' but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence." See verfe 6 ;
where if we read with Houb. it avoids the repetition of the fame fen-
tence, efpecially if by a metathelis we might read here ^D' for nD3»,
*• but the mouth of the wicked poureth forth violence." Which the an-
tithefis may favor. See xv. 2.
5 K 12. nmyn
C 398 3
r -
12. ywn 33 MSS. — Vd byi. One MS. of note reads "jai, and the me-
tre feems to call for it. The apoftle reads nm, i Pet. iv. 8. 6. Ar. &
Syr. differ widely, as Dr. Randolph obferves.
13. One MS. omits KVDH, and it is not neceffary to the (enfe, or metre,
" Ih the lips of him that hath undcrjlanding is wifdofii."
14. ni~ip, •' exhaurit interior a. fie vertimus ex nnn, haurire." Houb.
25 MSS. read 7\'2T\'p^ Durell reading m;? renders it, " produceth deftruc-
tion," referring to Ifai. xli. 21. " But misfortune attendeth the loquacity
ofafool." Hodgfon.
15. 1TV. Durell reads rejoining the T to the next word. I would ra-
ther read with one MS. at firft tlV, and with him, and another of good
authority DDnai, " The wealth of the rich man is a city of Jirength j
(i. e. a flrong city) —hut, &c."
16. DNDnV, ** ad egejlatem, ex Mth. ling. Operse jufti ad vita fub-
fidium — proventus impii ad egejlatem." Houb. And Hodgfon obferves that
D»»n fignl^cs fujlenance, xxvii. 27. Others render it, to puniflnnent . See
Zech. xiv. 19. &c. Or we might read perhaps mon'?, " the fruit of the
wicked to death:' as oppofed to D»«nb. 2 MSS. with 6. & Syr. DNlim.
17. miK 10 MSS. But fee Pf. cxix. loi.
nnyi 19 MSS. — nyno, " erreth frequently :' So the verb in Pik. fig-
nifies.
18. riDDu:. " Lying lips are the tribute of hatred." Durell ; for which
d^fe he refers to Numb. xxxi. 28. Gejerus obferves, " Continetur hic
turpis linguae abufus, quando quis vel blanditur, intus latente odioj vel
calumniando fsvit, odio erumpente."
19. '^L^'m 44 MSS. The verfe may be rendered, " A tranfgrejfor
ceafeth not with a multitude of words — but a prudent man refraineth his
hps." m-in 4 MSS.
20. MSS. 3, with all the verfions, ^^i, as the antithefis requires, " but
tJie heart, 6cc." — " CVDD, as the leafi thing." Durell, i. e. as a thing of
no value. Hodgfon renders it, " is like drofs." See v. 14. c. & Ar.
read ViVy, " defciet,"
21. One
C 399 ]
21. One MS. of Dc Roffi, and three others at firft read with 6. ivn»,
fciunt ; but the antithefis fupports the text.
22. '* The bleffing of Jehovah is that which maketh rich.." Durell.
MSS. 44 read t)»DV ; but the Verf. favor the text, " And forrow JJiall
not be added with it."
23. " The fenfe of niLt^V is to be imparted to both lines. It is as di-
•verjion to a fool to do 'wickedly ; — the like is it to a man ofjenje to 'aB wifely."
Hodgfon.
24. The conftrudtion requires that we fhould read with Houb. \T)),r\.
25. 6. with 4 MSS. of Kennic. and 4. of De Roffi read mnvi, " When
the whirlwind pafleth, then the wicked is no more." But 3 MSS. with
Syr. read "iiyD. See Ch. alfo, and our Verf.
6. & Ar. read IDV, " but the righteous fiall be .ejlablijlied for ever."
Should we not read Dbivb, for the fake of the metre? See verfe 30.
26. *' yls vinegar to the teeth." " Acetum turn nimio frigore, turn
acore, fluporem dentibus inducit, ut teflantur Plin, 6cc." Gejer.
vnbijyV 6 MSS.
28. nriDty, in Pih. " maketh joyful," " HIJ^D, injiciet pavorem, ex Ar.
fignif." Houb.
29. The firfl Hemiflich might be rendered, " Jehovah hjlrength, or
ajlrong tower, to him that is upright in the way,"
nyn 60 MSS. 6. & Ar. feem to have read riKT for *]m, Pfp"?,- &r.
Dinb 14 MSS. and 8 'bviiDb.
31. mDlSnn 12 MSS. See alfo the next verfe.
- 32-. pj/T. Durell reads ]ivn', in Hiph. " The lips of the righteous
declare what is acceptable." But then it would be more properly |ivnv.
Ch. & Syr. probably read with the text. 6. & Ar. ]liDV-|», fillant.
One MS. of Kennic. and three of De Roffi, PVT, pafcent, which Houb.
had fuggefred. Perhaps we fhould read ]1VTi», the prepofition being un-
derftood before the nouns, which frequently happens, " The lips of the
righteous are known by courtefy, or kindnefs — but the mouth of the wicked
by perverfenefs." See iv. 24. Hodgfon renders the laft word, treacheij,
-apeii. 12. C H A P.
C 400 3
C H A p. XL
V. I. ** A perfeSi Jione." i. e. of its full weight, with which they
were ufed to weigh. See Lev. xix. 36.
2. D'VIW. The fenfe of this word, which occurs no where clfe, is
perhaps befl afcertained from Mich. vi. 8. Nil'! 2 MSS.
3. nam 3 MSS.— Dn:in 19 MSS.— Oltyi. 24 MSS. with Houb.
D"r65^% evidently right. 6. Ch. & Ar. ftrangely miftake the fenfe.
6. All the Verf. r read Dmni,. except Ch. which has the flag., affix.
Dmin 17 MSS. ' ' ■
7. DIK is redundant as to the metre, and is not neceffaiy to the fenfe j
but 2 MSS. omit VE'T improperly. Tho' as fome one has obferved, the
antithefis is better fupported by reading with 6. &; Ar. vh pHS for yeh,
'* when a righteous «?^« dieth, his expeftation doth ko/ perifh."'
*' D'JIK, vanitatum. i. e. vana, expeBatio vana interibit." Houb.
** ]TK Jlrengthy and his expectation of courage faileth." Hodgfon.
8. The antithefis requires, " but the wicked."
9. ** By the mouth of the hypocrite his neighbour /hall be dejlroyed,"
is more literal, though 42 MSS. read n'nty*. " The profane, by his
difcourfe, forrw/i/^M his companion." Hodgfon. Some one reads with 6.
in*y>, and gives this fenfe of the whole, " by his mouth the hypocrite de-
Jlroyeth his neighbours i but by the knowledge of the jujl Jliall they (his neigh-
hours) he delivered." Which improves the antithefis.
10. The antithefis requires, *' but when the wicked perifh." xhVT\
6 MSS.
11. " 5y the bleffing of the upright'^ muft: mean here their prayersy
intercefjionsy &c. See Poole.
12. ** ^i fpernitt ac proinde convitiis profcindit, infipiens eft." Pifc.
See Syr. alfo.--ni"an 3 MSS.
13. ibn 5 MSS. which gives this fenfe, " A tale bearer ivalketh
about revealing fecrets." Which is more chara<fleriftic. See Durell alfo,
and XX. 19. " 'jOT
C 401 ]
" bO"! 'I'Jin, vir mutabilis. vid. 6. Jer. vi. 28. nam tm^^o^ obliquus,
idem valet ac Troixixof." Houb. But from comparing the two pafTages, it
is evident they were tranflated by different perfons.
14. mbinnn 25 MSS. See Job xxxvii. 12.
\»yV. 6. Syr. & Ar. probably read nVV, in much counfel. But the true
reading feems to be D'^'yV- See xv. 22. mil 6 MSS.
15. O. Glaffius obferves that this word is put for the relative qui,
and refers to Gen. iii. 19. iv. 25. and Pf. xc. 4. But thefe proofs be-
ing not altogether fatisfadlory, I prefer with a very flight aheration tj:,
'• 'whofo is furety for a ftranger, JJiall be utterly undone." See our mar-
ginal Verf. and Jerem. xxx. 21. which greatly ftrcngthens this reading.
ntDIl 23 MSS. which is preferable. " But he, &c." See 6. &c.
16. Kennicott fupplies two Hemiiilchs in this and the following verfe,
agreeable to 6. Syr. & Ar. which preferves the antithefis, (See Seeker
alfo) " A gracious woman fupporteth her hujband's honor ; — but Jhe that
hateth right eoujnefs, is a throne of difgrace. — The Jlothful, though rich, Jliall
come to poverty -y — but the laborious (hall retain their riches." See i Dill',
p. 508. Mr. Bradley would read nsy'Nb for KDD, " is a difgrace to her
hujhand."
D'VnyV *•" n'';f1"im, et folUciti ejus, five, procuratores ejus. \. e. illi, qui
ad ejus nutum rem familiarem adminiftrant." Houb. Hodgfon renders
the text thus, " A gracious womr.n com7nandeth refpe^f — as men of rapine
extort plunder," •'
17. All the verfions with 5 MSS. read TDn. In this verfe is an anti-
thefis of words. See x. i.
18. ntyiV 7 MSS. and 12 j;"i"itl, and V feems to have been dropped
before V^^V^ (See- Green's tranflation, in Notes on If. liii.) " To him
that worketh wickednefs fhall be. a deceitful recompence — but to him,
&c." There is a beautiful paronomafia between np'^y and IDa', and
for this fenfe of rhVQ fee Jer. xxii. 13. and Junius.
19. p, 6cc. This line feems defedive both in fenfe and metre.
Seeker reads with 6. Syr. & Ar. ]3, " The Son of Righteoufnefs (i. e.
5 L the
C 402 ]
the righteous man) is for life." Vulg. reads HJD, " Righteoufnefs pre-
pares, or diredleth, to life." See Durell alfo. A friend offers p3, " qui
Jiabilit, &c." But the metre is ftill defedive, might we then read p pin,
" The Son of Righteoufnefs (i. e. the righteous man) is prepared, or
appointeJ, for life — but he, that purfueth wickednefs, for death ?" Green
reads jr^ilf O, ** For he thatfoweth righteoufnefs (foweth it) to life — but
he that purfueth wickednefs (purfueth it) to his death." _ .
20. More literal thus, ** The frovjard in lieart are the abomination of
Jehovah — hut the upright in the way, his delight " See Durell alfo.
21. tV 1*. For the fenfe of thefe words fee Corn, de Lap. in Poole,
and Patrick. Durell ingenioufly conjedlures I'b*, " "The poJJerity of the
wicked, &c." And fuch tranfitions are not uncommon. Houb. to pre-
ferve the antithefis reads yilH, " but the arm of the righteous, &c."
See xvi. 5.
22. " In a fivine' s fnout ." " Refcrt teftls oculatus D. Rauwolf me-
dicus, opulentiores Arabum (qui Judsis vicini erant) in altera narium an-
nulum geftare aureum." Gejer. " Et fic fcribit Pietro della valie."
Lowth.
23. Ch. reads y]d^, which avoids the grammatical irregularity, ." The
defire of the righteous is only Jor good."
6 MSB. read with 6. Syr. Ch. & Ar. mpm as the antithefis requires.
One of De Rofli with 6. miK for mny, " but the expedtation of the
wicked peri/iieth." See x. 28.
24. "la^im 5 MSB. " but he that ivithholdeth more than is meet (with-
holdeth It) only to poverty." See Pi fc. The metaphor is borrowed from
the hujbandman fowing his feed, and St. Paul alludes to it, 2 Cor. ix. 6.
" Here there is a kind of double antithefis." Lowth.
25. nD"Q. Vulg. feems to have read nDll^, qua: beJiedicit.
Nnv. Several MSB. of both Collations have rnv. See Houb alfo. The
fenfe of which our Verf. has well exprclTed.
26. y:i2 14 MSB. and 5 im2p'. " DIkV non alibi extat." Houb. And
21 MSB. read Dx"?. But fee L'ai. li. 4. and in moft places many MSB.
fupply 1, both in the fing. and plur. See Pf. ii. i, &c. 27.
C 403 ]
27. nnity 8 MSS. and 11 E'lnV See Pf. vii. 16.
28. " As a branch:' Literally, as a leaf. See Jer, xvii. 8. " Ellipfis
epitheti." Gejer.
29. IDiy 21 MSS. ** He that dijlurbeth, ^c" fc. " jurgiis, rixis, &c."
Gejer.
30. This alludes to Gen. ii. 9. But Seeker reads ȣ) for nfl, " The
mouth of &cc" See X. 11. xv. 14.
More literal, " and the wife man ivimietb fouls." And may not DDFf
here be oppofed to J3l"ny Gen. iii. i. who was the deftroyer of fouls?
6. Syr. & Ar. might perhaps read, D'NOn miTflJ inp*7J1, " But the fouls
of the ivicked JJiall be taken away." 6. fupply another word, which they
render axfioi. Hodgfon renders the whole thus, " The bounty of the righteous
is like the tree of life — For it attraSleth the admiration of the wife."
31. 'D P\K, yea alfo. Durell. The apoflle followed 6. who differ
widely from the text ; and it is obfervable that Randolph has not no-
ticed this paflage. But 6. Syr. & Ar. reading probably, as a friend
conjedlures, yi'^i for pKl, by reading DK for p, (and one MS. had
VN at firfl) jrtrv for DbtT*, n3'J«f for O ^IK, and fupplying HNI* after it,
the text is reconciled with the verfions, and the apoflle.
CHAP. XII.
V. I. nnj^ i(i. 5 MSB. imK.
2. V'ty)'. " legimus IV'ti^T, afperiim faciei eum. (Deum)" Houb.
4. ** A "virtuous woman." Literally, a woman of firength, or, courage,
that could refift the moft powerful temptations. See xxxi. 10.
" But Jlie that maketh aJJiamed:' Rather, " but /lie that committeth
Piameful things." See Hof. ii. 5.
5. One MS. of note reads mVlinn% with 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. &
.^th. " but the counf'lsy &c,
6. DT
[ 404 ]
6. DT l*1t*. Ch. Syr. & Vulg. Olb 121K» " The words of the wicked
//> in wait for blood." There can be little doubt that this is the true
reading, though not authorized by any MS.
7. ")1fln. Durell reads with Houb. ISDn, which is fupported by Syr.
6 Ch. Hodgfon confidering it as the imperat. renders it, •• Look round
for the wicked ; behold! they are no more." "Iisy* 2 MSS.
8. To preferve the antithefis perhaps thus, •* For the mouth of his
underftanding, or the underftanding of his mouth, a man, &c." Vb"in»
7 MSS.
9. ♦* And hath afervant." 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. " and is fervani
to himfelf." Which makes the antithefis more ftriking. *• "nny% et an-
nona, Praeftat is qui contemnitur, G? habet an?}onam, illi, &c." Houb.
10. VT 4 MSS. and all the verfions have the verb. n?2K. See v. 9.
and Pf. i. i.
11. "tny 10 MSS. with 6.
l*? "iDn does not anfwer well to the former Hemitlich, might we
then read XZVb IDn, " but he, that foUoweth after vain things, Jhall
leant bread?" See xxviii. 19.
12. One MS. of Kennic. and another of De Roffi at firft read with
6. 6c Ar. D^ty*l, and the words may bear this conftrudlion, " The de-
fire of wicked men is the net of the evil." i. e. The defl:ru<5lion they in-
tend for the righteous falls upon themfelves and their companions. See
Pf. XXXV. 8. and i. 18.
\r\'>. Durell with ^yr. JJiall /hoot forth. But I do not find the verb
ufed alone in this fenfe. Merc, and others fupply V"13, *' fliall bring forth
its fruit." Perhaps mtD has been dropped, " but the root of the righteous
fhall bring forth ^(3(j^." i.e. to themfelves and others. See v. 14. Houb.
reading CJ/ ""TVaa for cyi TiVO, and fuppofing that 6. and Ch. read
]n'^f for \rv, tranflates thus " Defiderlum impii quatitt tempejias ; radix
juftorum^r»;<z erit."
13. Syr. & Ar. read vns::'. See xvii". 7. mVJ. " cni* f raits.
Lam. i. 3. But ihe jufl man is mver cntcngled" Hodgfon.
J 4. Cod.
[ 405 ]
14' " Cod. Orat. 42 legitliDl pro niJO. vid. etiam. c. xviii. 20. et le-
gendum ynt^n." Houb. *' His belly Jliall be fatisfied."
*' A?id the recompetzce. Sec." See xiii. 2. and PL Ixii. 12.
15. Rather, ** but the wife man hearkneth unto counfel." See 6. 6c Ar.
Though 4 MSS. have yoiti', which favors our Verf.
16. All the Verf. probably read ynv, *' A Fool maketh his wrath
known at once," which reftores the grammatical conftru(ftion. For DVl
fee Hof. iv. 5. Pf. cxxxviii. 3.
17. The Verf. and Commentators differ greatly in the tranflation, and
expofition of r\y\J2ii n>fl>. Perhaps we ftiould read nJIDNn ȣ3, " The
tnouth of truth declareth righteoufnefs." See Ifai. xi. 5. Jercm. vii. 28.
for the n prefixed. Hodgfon reads with one MS. pnV, " The truth
will a jiijl man declare, and fpeak out."
1 8. nt3"ll. Merc. &c. read NLDH. See Lev. v. 4. &c.— 2 MSS. of
Kennic. at firft, with feveral of De Roffi, RDin, conjidens, fo alfo Theod.
But if any variation is necelTary, perhaps nnD might be better, ** There
is, that Jlayeth, like the piercings of a fword." i. e. The tongue.
" Is health." Rather, healeth.
19. ^y♦A'^^? is probably written for j;."v"i. See Job xx. 5.
20. " HD^D, acerbitasy quomodo interpretantur 6. Pf. x. 7. Nam
fraus non eft oppofita hilaritati -, forfan legendum DIID, amaritudo."
Houb. " j;"< in this place fignifies difcord. Dijappointed Jhall be their hopes
who privately foment quarrels^ Hodgfon. — 'iy"nn 4 MSS.
21. There is a beautiful paroncmafia in the two Hemiftichs of this
verfe.
22. 'K^lVl 2 MSS. but fome of both Collat. with 6. & Ar. have njyw
in the fing.
24. n'Dl. Durell obferves that this word is ufed in the fenfe oijlacknefs
four times in this book.
25. The verb and the affix are both irregular, and as one MS. reads
niri'ty for XMT\W\ perhaps the true reading is IJnPltf, ** Heavinefs in the
heart of man depreffeth it." One MS. alfo probably reads UnOty*.
5 M 26. Durell
C 406 ]
26. Durell obferving that the antithefis is not kept up In the pcefent
fenfe of nns deriving it from Tin gives it this fenfe, " The righteous en-
deavoureth to find out h.1% friend, i. e. in order to be ufeful to him : or from
*nnj. The righteous moveth with adiivity on account of his friend." 6. &
Ar. feeni to have read TDO, cognofcetu, " Juftus ejl cognofcens amicum
fuum." Hodgfon renders it, " A juft man gaineth pre-eminence over his
neighbour." But perhaps we might read ntl>», " A juft man direSieth his
neighbour, or friend, — but, &c." The readings of Syr, & Vulg. differ
from each other as v/idely as they do from the text.
27. T^n*. This verb occurring no where elfe, and 6. Syr. & Vulg. ren-
dering ii lo differently, as to make it probable thcit they read another word
(Syr. perhaps nip') for the text, which Fuller renders, non clathrabit, (i.e.
" non clathris autcancellis circumdatis affervabit, quod venando cepit." See
Caft. and Houb. alfo) and, it being contrary to the difpofition of the
flothful man to be employed in hunting, which is a very laborious exer-
cife, amongft the various readings (for which fee De Roffi) I would offer
1"Q% " The flothful man Jiiall not blefs his food, or, fimll not be bleffed
with his food." See the laft word in this fenfe, Neh. xiii. 15. i. e. fhall
want bread. See xxiii. 21.
The two laft words of the 2d Hemiftich fliould be tranfpofed. See
Merc, and our Verf. or as Houb. np» pm. See xxiv. 4. Mr. Bradley ob-
ferves, that \'"iin is rendered, diligent, 'valuable, precious, gold^
28. Our Verf. with Buxtorf confiders the laft Hemiftich as in appO'
fition with the former, but all the ant. verfions as in oppofition, and Du-
rell, to } referve the antithefis, renders the whole according to Cornel, de
Lap. " In the high'way of right eoifnefs is life — but its bye-path leadeth to
death" See Hodgfon alfo. Ch. for rQ'Di reads nmv, " but the way ofper-
verfenejs,bic." 6. Ar. & Syr. read iomc participle noun in the plur. perhaps
D'ln', " hut the way of the contentious, &c." But yi may poffibly have
been dropped from its flmilitude to the two lafl letters of the former word, M
" but the way of wickednefs is the path unto death." See xxviii. 10. Since ■■
this note was writicn I find that a friend proposes nNDn> " the way of fin
leads to death." Glaffius reads '^y for Vn*. CHAP.
L 407 J
CHAP. XIII.
V. I. nK "»D10. 2 MSS. of Kennic. and one at firfl of De Roffi, read
nj3!i>», •* rejoiceth a father." See x. i. One MS. reads VOCyS with 6,
Syr. & Ar. *« hearkeneth to his father." Ch. fupplies blp, ** receivcth
the inftrudion of a father." De Dieu and Durell confidering noiO as the
Particip. Fah. render it, " A wife fon is inJlruSled by his father." But
anK feenis to be the true reading " A wife fon loveth inftrudion — but,
&c." See xi. i. Which reading fupports the antithefis more ftridlly.
2. Tranfpofing the words with Durell, I would render the firrt:
line thus, " Every good 7nan fhall eat of the fruit of the mouth." i. e.,
fliall be benefited by inftrudion.
CDnJill 18 MSS. *' but the foul, or the appetite, of the tranfgreflbrs
flmll eat violence." i. e. what fliall prove their deftrudtion. See i. 31.
" Antetulimus DJ^n pro DOn, fame inecabit eos ex arab. fignif." Houb.
" Anima hic pro appetitu, vel anima appetente." Gejer. It is obferva-
ble that 7 MSS. of Kennic. and one at firfl: of De Roffi, with Ch. Syr.
& Vulg. read jrntT' for '7DN», '* JJiall be fatisfied."
3. MSS. 4 read nVlJ, " He that keepeth his mouth." Or as Durell,
*' He that ivatcheth over his mouth, &c." *' Attendens de quo, cum
quo, quo modo, & loco, & tempore loquatur." Gejer.
pLTD, One MS. with all the verfions ptyiSI, which the conftrucftion, &
antithells require.
4. Rather, *• T'he Jluggard dejireth, and his foul hath nothing." Durell,
" The fluggard defireth, but hath not his will — but the defire of the dili-
gent Jliail be fatisfied."
D'\f"nn 30 MSS. with Houb.
5. One ant. MS. reads with Ar. IpC HiT, verba iniqua.
ty'Nl'. Durell fuppofes the Verf. to have read here JJ»nn, perhaps
rather ^^'2.'', " but the wicked Jliall be confounded, and put to fliame."
See Pf. xl. 14. Jerem. xv. 9.
6. Dn.
C 4o8 ]
6. tDD' Ch. Alex. Verf. & Ar. read D»On, and one MS. at firfl:
with Alex. Verf. & Ar. D'VSym, " Righteoulnefs preferveth the upright
in the way — but fin overthroweth the ■wicked."
7. For this expreflion ^"2 \^^\ to which our phrafe nothing at all an-
fwers, fee 2 Sam. xii. 3.
{J^B^innO. We fliould read lytynnoi with all the Verf. " but there
is, &c."
8. " But the poor man heareth not rebuke" Various fenfes are put
upon thefe words to make them anfwer to the former Hemiftich, for
which fee Poole. Durell renders them interrogatively, " doth not the
poor hear rebuke ?" Gejerus obferves, " commodo divitiarum opponit
commodum paupertatis ;" See Patrick alfo. Or rather he oppofes the dif-
advantages of poverty to the advantages of riches. Might we then read
T^^'X for n"iyA, " but the poor heareth not of redemption ?" Since this
note was written, I find that I partly concur with Houb. in this con-
je(fture, who reads nbN-1 NlfD, " fndeth not redemption"
9. Rather, " The light rejoiceth the righteous" But 6. for the verb
read TVi^, ** The light of the righteous is for ever." Which the anti-
thefis favors. Houbigant for the antithefis reads with Syr. nD5f» for
nStyS " The light of the righteous Jhall fliine." 6. & Ar. read ano-
ther verfe here j but no MS. authorizes .it. See xx. 20.
10. p"i. Durell &c. confider this word with Gejerus as a noun, " A
vain man by pride caufeth contention." Whence comes the word raca.
See Poole on Matt. v. 22. — 6. Syr. & A r. probably read J/"l, ** A wicked
man by &c."
11. T 'jy. Thefe words, as Durell obferves, will fcarcely bear the
fenfe given them by our verfion, he therefore ingenioufly propofes to
read n, ** but he that gathereth unto competency." which I cannot think
with him the Verf. had j for 6. feem to have read ynhv, ad fe, for thefe
two words, adding probably IDPO. Ar. fomething fimilar to this. Syr.
plVn. Ch. probably •?! by, *' but he that gathereth yor the poor (hall
increafe." And this reading may receive fome countenance from xxviii. 8.
But
C 409 ]
But Houb. renders them with Vulg. (which rather reads n»n DJ^D) and
reads with 6. & Vulg. bniQ for "jinO, ** Divitias cito partes deminuentur
— fed quae paulatim colliguntur, &c." " "rnn here means fraud. Wealth
dijhonejlly gotten (hall wafte away — but that which is earned by diligence
(hall increafe." Hodgfon.
pip 19 MSS.
12. " But the defire coming (i. e. accompliflied) is a tree of life." See
Vatab. — Mafclef, &c. confider nbna, as in regim. but then it fl^ould be
nVno.
13. We fhould probably read \X1 with 6. *' He that defpifeth the Word
(i. e. of God) (Ivall be deftroyed yor it." See Pile, and Deut. xxx. 14.
" He that defpifeth a decree (or the \i^w) JJiall be holden (or, bound) to it.
See 2 Chron. xxx. 5." Durell.
nVD. Houb. reads IKlflO, prolationem ejus, nempe verhi.
6. Ar. & Syr. fupply a verfe here. See Durell alfo.
14. Durell reading milD, & 'U'pO DmoV, gives this fenfe, " T^he
laws are to the w//? a fountain of life — to the rebellious they are the fnares
of death." As a friend obferves, 6. probably read mO' JJ'pIDD VdDI,
which fenfe gives an antithefis likewife. Ar. n'D' tJ^plQ Vd^V But
one MS. of De Roffi at firft read with Syr. pZSDn, " The law of 10 if do m
is a fountain of life." 'tl'p'iao 24 MSS. with Houb. See xiv. 27.
15. Durell, referring to i Sam. xviii. 14. renders b'2^» conduB,
ID'N, " but the way of tranfgrefTors is rugged." See Durell ; and the
paronomafia between the two laft words of the former Hemifticli and
this may favor the text; but 6. Ch. & Syr. probably read TNn, " is
for deJiruSlion" Perhaps then DTK might be the word, " their dejlruc-
tion." Dn:n2 17 MSS.
16. 6. & Ar. read inbit*, " his folly." Which feems right, t^nfl'
4 MSS.
I'j^ The antithefis feems to require with Houb. b'fl' " A wicked mef-
fenger caufeth io fall into, or bringeth into, mifchief." And 7 MSS. have
biS'. He alio reads npiT for J^tin, " A lying nicfienger." 'See viii. 7.
5 N 18. The
[ 410 ]
1 8. The conftruaiion requires niD^. See Gejer. naityi i8 MSS.
19. Durell fuppofes that all the verfions for n'nJ read ni3, or as Houb.
mN3. But Ch. & Syr. only feem to read fo, " Defiderium honeftum"
Ar. reads D»J10}<, fdeliiim. 6. probably D'TDPr, piorum. Perhaps pnj
may be the word with the firfl in regim., and to complete the antithefis,
(See Poole) we might read W^:hf " T/ie defire of the prudent is fweet
to his foul. — but to depart, &c."
20. "jVin 27 MSS. 24 D3n\ which are probably right. See Houb.
« Shall be dejlroyed." Rather with S}r. " Jliall fuffer evil." Or
as Houb. ynv in Hoph. " vialus evadct." nVTTl 9 MSS. with 6. A beau-
tiful paronomafia. See x. 9.
21. Rather with De Dieu, " but gcod Jliall repay the righteous." Then
the words in each Hemiftich anfwer one another. See x. i.
22. The antithefis requires, " hit the wealth, &c."
23. D'tTNI. " Alii, novale pri?2cipi/m; alii, pauperum; nos n»^K1, novale
primitiarum. i. e. novale recens excultum." Houb. Durell, according to
Vatablus, &c. ** There is much food in the tillage of rulers, or chief
men." 7 MSS. with Gejer. X^V^ ; and Hodgfon giving Dfltra the fenfe of
inditjiry, renders thus, " 'The poor man who tilleth fliall have food enough
— but many through floth are brought to want." But as 6. & Ar. render
the text by ju/li, I am induced to think that DnLl?' is the true reading,
" Much food is in the tillage of the upright — but there is that is deftroyed
fy 'ivrong.'" i. e. by iniquity ; which bringeth a curfe upon men's la-
bor. See Deut. xxviii. 16. and for this fenfe of the two laft words fee
xvi. 8. and Jerem. xxii. 13. Unlefs we might alfo read jy»j{i for ty»%
** but every one is deftroyed by wrong." — b2M< 12 MSS.
24. NJty 17 MSS. with 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. which the conftrudion
requires. — inniXI 4 MSS. more regular.
"iDia inni:'. It has been obferved, that the pronoun is fometimes af-
fixed to the verb inltead of the noun ; of which this may be an inftance. M
Otherwife we (hould perhaps read with Ch. "1D13 1*7 "l^k^^ '* mane quse- fl
ret ei eruditionem." Houb. &c. read with one MS. 1D1D1 nnii', *' mane
ft^rgit,
C 411 ]
Jurgit, (S cqftigat." But then fhould we not read "nDV-SI, as in Deut. viii.
5. the only place where the participle of this verb occurs ; ind the pro-
noun is ftill Wanting ?
25. W33, " of his appetite."- Caft. &c.
CHAP. XIV.
V. I. DDDn 6 MSS. which the conflrudion evidently requires, and
the words may be thus rendered, " The ivifdom of wives buildeth the houfe
*
— hut fooliJJinefs dejlroyefh it with her hands." But 6. & Ar. read D'Hl
131, " Mulieres prudentes cedificant domos." Syr. & Vulg. feem to have
read TWtH nDDn, or vice verfa, Mulie?- fapiens, which removes every dif-
ficulty.
2. inn 7 MSS. See Pf. Ixxiii. 11.
3. Rather with Pifc. ** Pride is as a rod in the mouth of the foolijh.
i. e. *' qua laeditur." Unlefs for mK:i we rhight read inU, " In the mouth
of the foolifh is the rod of his back." i. e. The tongue. See x. 13. Se-
veral MS. read here and Ifai. xi. i. iDin, where only it is found befides.
Notwithflanding all the Verf. have the plur. and no MS. authorizes
the fing. the verb requires that we fhould read hfltyi, *' but the tip of the
wife preferveth them." i. e. from pUnifliment. Unlefs w6 read With
Houb. D^'^Dtrn.
4. Oxen were much ufed in the Eaft. but more efpecially in fudcea,
as the multiplying of horfes was particularly prohibitfe'd to the Ifradites.
See Deut. xvii. 16. The contrafl betweeti "11 and ni is ftriking, ** Vera
fcriptio ^1 Dfl}^, non ejl fnnnentum. Vid. vers. 28." Houb.
5. Perhaps, " A faithful witnefs will never lie — but a falfe witnefs ut^
tereth nothing but lies." See Gejer. &c."
6. The confl:ru(ftion requires vhyt^. See ii. lo.
7. "l*?. Durell fuppofes that 6. Syr. & Ar. read *lS» ^D, " Every
thing fucceedeth adverfely." But they feem rather to have read only by a
metathefis
C 412 ]
metathefis Vs, and though, as he obferves, they certainly read nVT 'bai
for DVT ^2\ which affords very little fenfe, the other reading not
keeping up the antithefis, I am inclined to think that nVT has alfo
been miftaken for DVltyS which will give this fenfe, " Every one is
figainjl the foolifh man — but the lips of knowledge are injlruments of
fafcty." Gejer. &c. fuppofe an ellipfis of in "Iti'N, " quum 7ion noveris
in eo labia, &c." Or ni^'Ki, as Glaflius -, " Go from the prefence of
a foolifli man, and in 'whom thou perceiveft not, tScc." See Merrick on
Pf. xlv. 7.
8. Rather, " "T/ie prudent man /y wifdom underdznieth his \v?Ly." And
with Durel], *' but folly deceiveth fools." by making them to err.
9. The conftrudlion requires Gejerus's fenfe of the ift Hemiftich,
" Sin deceives^ or expofes, the fooHJh to /corn." Unlefs we read with
Mr. Bradley ^'^b'>.
\''1^. Perhaps nmi, " but the prudence of the upright is, or pro-
curethy favor." Houb. reads \b'2) VnKH, " Stulti diverforium eft reatus,
vel in reatu." Jf this reading be admitted, we might read n^m for |»ii,
" but /^f houfct &c." And it is obfervable that 6. Syr. & Ar. have
cm, and 'rim, with the verb and adjedive in the plur. " Domus im-
piorum, &c. — Domus autem, &cc." Hodgfon making Dti^K to fignify
Jinful men, gives the words this conftrudlion, " Sinners laugh at fools —
but betiveen the upright there is tnutual good nvill."
10. The text affords no antithefis, and The heart knoweth- the bit-
ternefs of his foul kttns an harfli expreflion j perhaps then yiv is writ-
ten for vnv and VTV may have been dropped at the beginning of the
Hemiftich from the fimilitude of the words, ** He, that is knowing in
heart, maketh knoivn the bitternefs of his foul — but in his joy he nvill not
ajfociate ivith the f ranger." Otherwife we muft take the words in the
fenfe of Caft. &,c. •' Animse dolorem aut l.Ttitiam novit fola mens cu-
jufque."
11. Here is a beautiful antithefis of words. See x. i. mfl' is more
regular. See Calaf. Cone.
12. OTT.
[ 413 ]
12. om. 6. Vulg. & Ar. read n^m, or i^m. Ch. Tn, which
fecms right.
1 2. If there was an antithefis in the two parts of this verfe at firft, as
in the preceding, to reftore it, might we not fupply O after Ct, and
read K'7a» for 1N3', " Even a/t/io' the heart isjil/ed with laughter (i. e. for
a time)— yet the end of that joy is forrow ?" See Ecclef. xi. 9. Or per-
haps we fhould fupply vn after zh, " Even in laughter the heart of the
•wicked is forrowful — and, &c."
piriJl'n 43 MSS. and I think we fhould read alfo nnDtt'n nnnN*!, which
removes the difficulty of the grammatical conftrudion. See Poole.
14. vbvoi, " etexfeipfo." Gejer. &c. Capellus, &c. with 6. vbbvOOl,
** et de cogitationibus fuis." which anfwers better to his own ways, and
helps the metre. " Or as Vulg. and a good man JJiall he above him."
Seeker. The antithefis requires, '• but the good man."
iz^, " But the prudent, &c." *' Non temere perfuafus omnia credit,
fed greffum fuum moderator juxta intelligentiam." Bayn.
16. non 23 MSS. " et confdit." And to preferve the antithefis we
might render thus, ** but the fool tranfgrejj'eth, and is confident." Or
as a friend, leaps overt, i. e. the bounds of prudence. See Vulg. — 6. &
Ar. probably fupply J/^Il, *' mifcetur iniquo."
ij. By our verfion of the laft Hemiftich the antithefis is wholly loll,
which 6. & Ar. reftore by fupplying mm, or DT^iT, and reading Nty» for
NJty*, " but the confiderate man beareth many things." i. e. with patience ;
or calamities, without repining. Unlefs we read TS^W, " He that is foon
angry commit tethfol/y, but the confiderate man hateth it." DIOTD muft be
taken in a good fenfe, as in v. 2. viii. 12. See Houb. alfo.
18. T\T\'y 20 MSS. in Hoph. " are crowned," D»n£) one MS.
19. " 'The evil are brought to bow before the good; and the wicked, &c.
i. e. The wicked are brought low, when they are arraigned before the
tribunal of the judge. G^z/^j fignify courts of judicature." Durell. See
XXV. 26.
20. »nmJ<T 2 MSS.. See our marg. Verf.
5 O ' 21. Rather
[ 414 ]
21. Rather with Ch. " The Jtnner defpileth his neighbour." Unlefs
we read with 7 MSS. KOn. See Pf. i. i. for intTK.
22. " lyns criminatores /tint, ex fignif. arab. nam fi redderemus,
errant, defereremus membrorum focietatem." Houb. But as the prefent
text affords no antithefis in the laft Hemiftich, as one ant. MS, reads
'tyiin in the ift place, and 4 in the 2d, and as the two firft words oc-
cur at the beginning of the 2d Hemiftich in a following verfe found
in 6. Syr. & Ar. it is probable that they are borrowed from thence,
and that inftead of them we fhould read nSK IDVm^ " Do not they
err, who devife evil ? — but thofe, who deviie good, -jaalk in truth." And
this remark may ferve alfo to confirm the authenticity of that verfe
-omitted in the text, " They that do evil know neither ?nercy nor truth ;
— but mercy and truth is with them that do good." See Durell. If we re-
tain the prefent text, as a friend obferves, the conftrudion feems to re-
quire ♦li'^inV in the 2d place, the b being frequently omitted in this
book. See verfe 35. N^n 43 MSS.
23. " There is profit." Rather with 6. & Vulg. ** There is abun-
dance" But it would ftill improve the antithefis, if for nM» we might
read D'T, " In all the labor of the hands is abundance."
Durell reading "110113 V^K for the two laft words of the 2d Hemiftich,
would render thus, ** but the talk of the \\^%fcedeth on penury" But for
the text fee xi. 24.
24. " The croion of ivife men is their riches." For the interpretation of
thefc words fee Patrick, &c. But as Ar. reads 7\tT\V for Dltry, I have
little doubt but that is the true reading ; " Suhtilty, or, prudence, is the
crown of the wife." See i. 4. &c.
6. Syr. Ch. 6c Ar. with 18 MSS. read d'tIKT in the firft place,
which the antithefis calls for j and for the 2d Ch. feems to have read
D1N5, which gives a better fenfe, ** but the folly of fools is their Grna^
ment." Unlefs cVk, which is nearer to the text, might be the word,
•« \s their Jlrength" " cVn cV'DD rb^\ fed malediSlio i\.\Alor\im divi-
tia illorum. In qua emendatione opponuntur diviti^ ftultorum divitiis fa-
pientum."
L 415 J
pientum." Houb. Some one conjecflures that 6. & Syr. read niWI for
rhMi I ft, " ha the 'Way of fools is folly." Durell reads D^lt^O "ltt>J!,
" Riches are the crown of the wife — but from the folly of fools cometh
folly."
25. " But a deceitful witnefs fpeaketh lies." Rather with Durell, *• but
a deceiver, 6rc." Though, as this does not accord very well with the pre-
ceding Hemiftich, perhaps for na'ia we fliould read ni*"\a, " but he
that fpeaketh lies is a murderer^
26. ^^ He that trufteth'm\\\Q izzx o{ ]&\\o'^2^ is firong" Durell. Which
verfion fupplies the antecedent to the following relative ; otherwife I had
conjedlured that we fhould read 'Jj; for ly, " The poor man trufteth in, &c."
But 1 1 MSS. read nj^, and another tranfpofcs the words riDlD tlV, which
favors the text.
27. See xiii. 14.
28. " Of the prince, ox, ruler." Though this word appears no where
elfe in the fing. the frequent ufe of it in the plur. fufficiently afcertains
the fenfe.
DIK*? 40 MSS. and one mm.
29. One MS. reads D*3iy for mi- See verfe 17.
30. 6. & Syr. in the firft part read differently from the text, and fome-
thing differently from each other, probably thus, NflID, xt> or, l"?
D'SM "11t<. Longanimis "vir cordis, or cordis fui, ffiedicus ; having borrowed
the two firff: words from the former verfe.
:i'7 Dnjyi. The firft v/ord being no where elfe found in the plur. and
one MS. having izn^n, perhaps we fliould read nbn "ILi'l. " Cor fi}ians.
Tig. Verf. & Jun. <5c Trem. i. e. Vir animo humano etbenefico."
Glafs. " The benevolent heart, &c." See Hodgfon alfo, and xv. 4.
31. ptyiy 6. v.'ith 5 MSS. and 3 with 6. yrW^V.
32. " In his death" " Infignes calamitatcs & pericula Hcbraei mortem
vocant" Drus. See Warburton alfo. But 6. Syr. & Ar. probably read
lani, " in his integrity." Which Seeker thinks preferable ; though he
admits the former fenfe.
One
[ 4i6 ]
33. One ant. MS. reading y-nn V** greatly corroborates the Verf.-of
6. Syr. & Ar. " but it is not known in the inward thoughts of fools"
For this fenfe of nnp:i fee Pf. xlix. 1 1 . & Durell. ** Melius forfan ; et
W in medio ftultorum cognofcetur." Seeker. *' Melius D^bDD, vel
tDrr'jDD, et in mediis eorum medullis (fc. fapientum) manifeftum fe dabit."
Houb. — Buxtorf, &c. to avoid an emendation, render it interrogatively,
" Et an, 6cc. ?" Bayne from Aben Ez. renders it, frangetur, vel, oh'
livioni tradetiir. See Poole. But wherever this fenfe is required, I (hould
fufpedt that we fl:iould read the derivatives from VJ/*!, frangere. See Pf.
Ixxiv. 5.
34. D'DIKV 5 MSB. See verfe 28. As a friend obferves with Seeker,
6. Syr. & Ar. probably read "iDm, " but fin diminijheth a people." Or
rather mNLDn TlDm, " minuunt autem populos peccata" Which fenfe im-
proves the antithefis.
35. B"1DS reftores the conftru6tion. See our Verf. and verfe 22.
Durell renders the text, *• but his wrath is that which caufeth Jliame"
CHAP. XV.
V. I ft. "A foft anfwer." Rather, " A foft difcourfe, or word"
See Ch. Syr. &c. The conftrudtion requires n31. Sec xxv. 15. And
2 MSS. read n'l^D ; but the true reading is probably a't^n.
'* Stirreth up Anger," " Innuit iram inilar flammte afcenderej fi quis
verbis afperis, veluti foUibus, fufflet." Bayn. — 6. & Ar. revcrfe the fen-
tences, & read very different.
2. Rather with Mariana, &c. " Knowledge adorneth the tongue of the
wife." See 2 Kings ix. 30. Hodgfon thus, ** The tongue of the wife
giveth grace to their wifdoni"
4. Rather with Merc. &c. '* An healing tongue." See xiv. 4.
Two MSS. of great authority read r\T\, which flrengthens Durell's
Verf. " but perverlenefs therein affiiBsth the Jpirit"
'* Sed
C 417 ]
" Sed perverfitas in ea, ejl quaji confraSlio per 'venfum, i. e. quails accl-
dere folet ex vento orientally qui vehementiflimus eft. vid. Jerem. xviii.
17." Pifc. 6cc. " but a mifchlevous one is like a deftrudlive blajl"
Hodgfon.
5. lOltri 15 MSS. and 60 Dnr. Rather cnV'. Ar. alfo, and one
of De Rofli at firft innSID, ** but he that regardeth his reproofs is pru-
dent."
6. Ch. & Syr. read n'll ; and the prepofition was eafily dropped from
the famenefs of the letters in this and many other inftances.
pin 7 MSS. and 4 DNlim with Ch. «* but the revenue of the
wicked is troubled." 6. Syr. & Ar. read n^N, or im3i, with the plur.
nouns, •' FruSius autem impiorum peribunt."
7. T\\\ ** difperfe knowledge^' " fcminantis in modum." Mariana. 6.
& Ar. read T\T, ligata funt ; which Houb. deriving from *>Vi renders
with Symmac. " cujlodient" Ch. IVnV, notam faciunt. Vulg. IV)!',
dijfeminabunti which feems right.
p nV. Our Verf. fupplies ntyy, ** doeth not fo." For which fee
2 Sam. xvi. 10. The ant. Verf. render the laft of thefe words diffe-
rently. Durell renders it, doth not ejlablijh ity but fufpeifls ^3 might be
the word, ** but the heart of the foolifh doth not take^ or receive it"
Perhaps p» might be right, " but the heart of the foolifh doth not un^
derjiand it." The labor therefore of the wife man is fruftrated.
8. See 1 Sam. xv. 22. and Ifai. Ixvi. 3.
9. The former verfe related to the religious condudl of the hypocrite j
this refers to the moral conduft of the wicked,
10. It is not eaiy to afcertain the reading of Syr. & Ar. but whe-
ther the firft Hemiftich is confidered as in appofition, or oppojitiout we
fhould read with 6. Syr. Ch. Ar. and 14 MSS. KiltJ^I. 5 MSS. have
inyV & 4 nniN*?, and Houb. adds with Vulg. D"n, " that forfaketh
the way of life"
II." Hell and deJlruSiion" Some fuppofe an Hendiadis, " The dejlruc-
tive grave" See Merc. & xxvii. 20. But Gejerus, &c. underftand
5 P ^y
C 418 ]
by this expreffion the Jlate of the damned. " blNC is the place of de-
parted fouJs, and never fignifies the grave. The upper JJieol is for the
good, the lower for the bad." Peters. See'verfe 24. But fee Pf. xvi. 10.
12. One MS. reads nOIH ; but 6. having the p/ur. participle, nOID
feems to be the true reading. See ix. 7. — Vxi 6 MSS. with all the Verf.
And 1 ends the former word. -T
13. n'tO'». 50 MSS. The mind affedls the body, and vice verfa.
14. MSS. 24, with all the Verf. have 'fll for »J3% " Optima emen-
datio. vid. x. 6." Houb.
15. 'JV. 6. & Ar. read D'J^") 'J'y, whence I conclude that D'yi is
the right word, and was dropped from its famenefs to that following,
" All the days of the wicked IlX^ evil — but a good heart is &c." Which
affords a beautiful paronomalia.
16. " And trouble therewith." i. e. The torment of an accufins; con-
fcience. See xviii. 14. ,,..{...
17. nm{<, or as 20 MSS. nmiN'. The Latin word viaticum anfwers
exadly to this. . ;.. .
19. DDIcIDD 22 MSS. and 47 nblbo. See our marg. Ver.f.
20. By reading with Syr. TIN*, the two Hemirtichs correfpond better,
" A wife fon rejoiceth his father ." See Durell.
For Hill or as 5 MSS. nil, perhaps we ihould read nii'l^. or with
one MS. miD, " but a foolifiiy3;; is M^ //^w^- of his moUier." 5. MSS.
with 6. Syr. Ch. & hx. reading V'DD pi. See Kemiic. 2d Dili'. This'
verfe affords one inflance out of manv in which the verlion in Walton's
Polyglott cannot always be depended upon.
21. " Vera fcriptio eft vdil IS^KS beatus erit eundo^^i'Mowh. And
one MS. reads DDbV. But perhaps we fhould read TXpbi " but a man of
Mndcr^zndi'mg wiil be direSied, or, made happy, by iufriiSiion.." .. .
22. The conftrudtion is very irregular in this verfe, ^fS.ee, PooJe), but
as 4 MSS. have nn£i'nS2, if we read "I5n with Houb. as' Jer. xxxiii. 21.
it fets every thing right, ** A purpcfe is drfappoiiitcd iox want of counfel —
but it is eftabliflied, &c." Unlefs we fuppofe with him that the noun in
its
C 419 ]
its prefent form is fing, though there feems to be no other inftance of
it.— mna 7 MSS,
24. One MS. omits rhyt:h, and 6. 6c Ar. read fome very different
word. See Durell, and Eccles. iii. 21.
nno bwii'D. For the laft word 6. read Vt^'V, ac,^. See Ar. " T/ie
lower, ,0V inferior JJieoli deftined to bad fouls. See Pf. Ixxxvi. 13."
Peters.
25. " Of the ividoiv." Who is moft expofed to infults and injuries.
26. " But the pure /peak what is acceptable to him" Durell. —
*' DVJ nOK, hone/la confiUa. Quippe IJSK eft confilium capere. vid.
xyi. 24." Houb. But this does not keep up the antithefis. Perhaps
then we might read by a metathefis, and fmall addition, lOyj DmHD
nx:Kl, " hut the words of tlie pure are his delight." See 6. & Ar. QniilDl
35 MSS. and 18 DyiJ. .See Pf. xc. 17.
27. mJnai 43 MSS. with 6. Vulg. & Ar. " Dona luc intellige,
non ea, qua; ex liberalitate divitum obtingunt, fed ea, quibus corrumpi
folent judices." Pifc. ..'v.v^y.;^ jM >*
i 28. my"1. One ant. MS. mi"), " poureth o\xt 7nany things". "Which
makes vthe antithefis Wronger.
29. One MS. of good authority reads pn"l. See Ifai. lix. 9. c. & Ar.
add th©' v^rfe, which is found in xvi. 8.
■ 30. Durell renders the text thus, " T//^ heart, r-ejoiceth through the
light of the eyes ; a?id a good report maketh the body fat." " Hodgfon fup-
pofes 2 to be underftood, " ^s the light of the eyes cheereth the heart —
fo^a good' reputation filleth the bodies with marrow" But the following read-
ing of r\\My^D for nOt^', & Ity^ra for ;ty"in, is fubmitted to confideration,
" 'The 'joy: ol the heart is above the light of the eyes — and a good report
above the fatnefs oi the body." See Eccles. vii. i.
T\V'\'^li}^ 7 MSS. with c. Syr. & Ar.
-31. Durell reading nipm, gives this fenfe, ^' /The ear that, heareth re-
proof hath If e, — and abideth, &c." Hodgfon makes D»n here to flgnif/
falutary.
[ 420 ]
falutary, " The ear that lifteneth to falatary admonition — will tarry in fo-
ciety with the wife." But for D"n, might we read n*nn, ** The ear
that heareth reproof, Jlmll live — and fliall abide, &c. ?"
nyaity 8 MSS. 6. & Ar. omit this verfe.
32. Several MSS. read DND, V^^^^, & nj|?, which the grammatical
conftruftion requires. Durell renders the lafl: Hemiftich, " but he that
heareth reproof gainet/i a heart." i. e. his own.
33. For nOlO perhaps we fhould read imtD, ** The fear of Jehovah
is the excellency of wifdom." See i. 7. and Pf. cxi. lo. But as Seeker ob-
fcrves, 6. read nDSm, '^ inJlruSlion and wifdom." Hodgfon renders thus,
" Wijdom tcacheth, that the Lord is to be feared, — and that before honour
is humility"-
CHAP. XVI.
V. I. THE verfions vary greatly in the interpretation of this verfe.
" T^he preparations of the heart are in the power of man." See Gejer.
** Senfus, Homo deliberat, fed Java, decernit." Caft. " Man may prepare
his thoughts, but the utterance of the tongue, &c." Hodgfon. ** To man
belong the inclinations of the heart : but by the Lord is the tongue afjijled.
TWCi is the participle Fah." Durell. Might we venture to read D'h'jkV
for D1N% ** To Gt?^/ (belong) the difpofngs of the heart, and the anfwer
of the tongue is from Jehovah?" See xxi. i.
2. The conftruftion requires "jm, " Every w^zy of man is pure, &c."
See xxi. 2. But Houb. reads iDf. A friend propofes that, or Ot. One
MS. reads It:;' for this word, as we have it xxi. 2.
3.31:1 4 MSS. See Pf. xxxvii. 5. "j'mnK'nD i MS. and 18 1J13».
4, ** For him/elf J' i. e. " propter gloriam fuam" Pifc. &c. ♦* So as to
Jerve his oun defigns." Seeker. — Glaflius, &c. render the text, ad refpon-
fum fuum, i. e. *' God does, or rules, all things, fo as that they agree,
or anfwer one to another, and even the wicked agree to (or are fitted for)
the day of evil." EfTay for a new tranflat. &c.
D:n.
[ 421 ]
D:n. Syr. reads -iVJI, " et impius Jervatur" See Durell. Green by a
metathefis reads nn DV Vty-)'? DAI. See Seeker alfo. By the evil day
may be underftood the day of calamity^ and Solomon may allude to Pha^
raoh. See Exod. ix. i6.
5. T*? T. *' Etiamfi manum ad manum junxerit , i. e. etfi fuperbiam ha-
bet jam otiofam. vid. xi. 21." Houb. Durell reading T W, and dividing
differently gives this conftrudion, " Every proud man is an abomina-
tion to Jehovah. — the heart, that is lifted up with power, (hall not be
deemed innocent." But as this verb is not connedled with the noun elfe-
where, if any alteration is neceflary, perhaps we might read 'jlJin'l, " al-
though he magnify himflf he Hiall not be held innocent." See verfe 2. Or,
as one valuable MS. fupplies yi, according to xi. 21. '* the wicked fhall
not be held innocent." Which Syr. probably reads, but gives it a diffe-
rent fenfe, " qui extendit manum fuam conix2i fociumfuum,"
6. '* By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for ." " Non autem facrificiis,
ut hypocrite putant." Pifc. For llD our Verf. reads i")D, fupplying the
antecedent, but I do not know upon what authority. One very valua-
ble MS. has DK"^'!, " and the fear of Jehovah is to depart, &c," See
verfe 17. " Receditiir a malo." A friend, with Vulg.
7. V2't* 29 MSB. as it is ufually written. See Pf. xviii. 38. and Buxt.
But if we confider it with others, as the partic ben, thea the other read-
ing is preferable j unlefs we fuppofe both to have been in ufe. Romaine's
Calaf. Cone, does not always cite this word agreeable to the text. A
friend and 33 MSS. tD!'b^^$ which is neceffary. See i Pet. iii. 13.
8. See xiii. 23. nilO 5 MSS.
9. One MS. perhaps reads ]♦!♦, and another good one with Vulg. has
inyit* " but Jehovah underjlandeth his goings," And this fenfe feems
more appofite.
10. DDp. This word being no where elfe taken in a good fenfe, un-
lefs in Ifai. iii. 2. perhaps it is written by miftake for tOtyp, the affinity
between thefe two words being much greater before the invention of the
final letters; for which fee Kennic. Gen. Diff. Se<St. 27. " I'ruth is
5 Q^ in
[ 422 3
in the lips of the king." i. e. of a good king. See Eccles. vii. 28. But
fee Gejerus, &c.
II. See xi. i. " Are the ordinance of Jehovah." Durell. See Exod.
XV. 25. — D*Jt^?a^ feems to be the true reading. All the verfions with
3 MSS. read iniTVai, ** and, Sec."
13. One MS. reads with all the Verf. ^b^, ''Righteous lips are the de-
light of the king — and he loveth him, that fpeaketh, &c." 6 MSS. having
^tim. Or, " and he loveth the ivord, &c."
14. There is a beautiful paronomafia in the firfl: line of this verfe, ef-
pecially if we read with a friend according to 6, & Ar. mOH 'l^'^O,
•' The wrath of a king is a ?nejfenger of death."
15. " Of the latter rain." Which fell in iht firji month i. e. Nifan, and
was of great fervice in filling, and ripening the corn. See Deut. xi. 14.
Joel ii. 23. Houb makes it to be the Autumn rain.
16. nJp. 6. reading 'Jp render it improperly from another root,
Noo-j-iai, " 'The nefts." Syr. reads nJlp ; but as HD is omitted by all the
N^ti. perhaps XX^i'^'d is the right reading, " The poJJ'eJJion of wifdom is bet-
ter than gold." Unlefs with Houb. we read mjp, as in the following
Hemiflich.
17. lOty 64 MSS. and 7 1i*13. See our Verf. Or perhaps we fliould
read with Syr. & Ch. n!21tyi, " and he, &c." Hodgfon renders n^DO,
«' The chief concern, ^c." The end of this verfe according to the Mafo-
rites is the middle of the book.
18. The firft Hemiflich of this verfe appearing too fhort, we fliould
probably fupply 'f}'' at the end of it, which 6. Vulg. & At. read, and
which might be omitted from its fimilitude to the firft letters of the fol-
lowing word before the ufe of the final letters. See alfo oar Verf.
19. Rather perhaps, *' Better is an humble fpirit with the poor — than
the divifion of the fpoil with the proud." But Houb. reads with many
MSS. of both Collat. D'UJ?. See our Verf.
20. Rather, " he that attendeth to the tvord, (i. e. of God) fhall find
good." See Poole, and xiii. 13.
21. Not-
4
[ 423 ]
21. Notwithftanding what the grammarians fay, I am inclined to
think that for DDn"? we fhould read DDfin. See x. 8. Rather, " and
the fweetnefs of the lips fliall add injlrii&ion." i. e. " Pondus ei adji-
ciet." Grot.-— ti^DV. 29 MSS.
22. We fhould probably read with Houb. vbj^il'?, as the former word
ended with V -, who alfo reads nmOl for "iDIQI, " fed enecabit ftultos fua
ftultitia." Which keeps up the antithefis better.
23. ti'DV 23 MSS.
24. " Sweetnefs to the foul, and a medicine to the body." Durell. DVIi
17 MSS. See xv. 26.
25. See xiv. 12.
26. The various interpretations put upon thefe words (for which fee
Poole) give a fufpicion that they are corrupted ; Durell thinks the fenfe
of them is obvious, " The foul of the afiiSled laboureth within him—'ivhen
his mouth (or utterance) prejjeth hard upon him, i. e. when he flrives to
give vent to his forrow, but cannot." Houb. conjeftures that 6. read pSK
for ?)3iiJ, " praniakt fuper eum os ejus." May it be deemed too bold an
alteration to read Dnb for iV, & j5J^{ for i\^\H, " The foul of the labo-
ring man workethy^r bread, — becaufe his mouth craveth for it ?" See our
Verf.
27. n^D, *• prepareth evil. See 2 Chron. xvi. 14." Durell, But in that
place our marg. Verf. is better, digged. Syr. renders it indeed, aftruitt
and might read nJD, with n paragogic. Perhaps n"\l is the right reading,
** The wicked vnz.nfeafis upon evil." See xix. 28.
28. mDlSnn 14 MSS. For the ] nnal in \T\l^ fee Kennic. Collat.
f^lbN. 6. Vulg. & Ar. read D'^l'7^<. Syr. TSl'^K. Ch. IDI^K. " Cunfli
fignificatus r'i ^^ hic conveniuntj fejungit cnim principes ^fubditis, ma-
ritos ab uxoribus, amicum ab amico." Gejer. See xvii. 9.
29. DDn £yr. renders this word fal/e Exod. xxiii. i. which, as Du-
rell obferves, feems to be the true fenfe of it here; otherwife it may be
perhaps written for ")nn, " The deceitful man enticeth his neighbour."
De Rofli notices one MS. of Kennic. and another of his own reading
at
[ 424 3
at firft DSn, which never being ufed alone in a bad fenfe cannot well be
admitted here.
** ISIol good" i. e. as Gejer. and others have obferved, by a litotes,
the ivorji. See xvii. 20, 26. xviii. 5. &c.
30. nvy. This word being found no where elfe, it is probably written
for *lVy. Though 7 MSS. read n^iy. and 10 have niK'n'?. Sec alfo
\erfe 28.
pip 7 MSS. *' biting his lips he completcth mifchief." Vulg.
31. One MS. of great authority reads O at the beginning of the Jir/l
Hemiflich, but its proper place feems to be before the fecond, " xohen
it is found in the way of righteoufnefs." Unlefs with 6. Syr, & Ar. we
read ")n21, which will bear the fame fenfe. See Caft. and Taylor.
32. Several MSS. read bwy\, and "TDl'jO, more grammatical.
33. riN has been always confidered here as the article of the nomina-
tive cafe, and one MS. omits it. See Gejer. &c. But as p'ni certainly
denotes the infide of the vefTel into which the lots were thrown,
it may be a noun in regim. " Theftgn, or the mark of the lot." As each
lot had the name of the perfon infcribed on it. See i Chron. xxiv. 7. &c.
Gr, if "JDI*^ may be fuppofed to be the fpecies of veffel into which the
lots were thrown, deriving it from bVco, tegere, perhaps for Vtiah HJ*
we fhould read "jlt:! riDK, '* The lot cometh into the bofom of the
cajket." Ar. probably reads this verb. See alfo Ch. & Syr. Which a
friend conjedlures might read, iblJl HDK by^'Q p'Fia, ** in finum doloji ca~
det fors ejus"
CHAP. XVII.
V, 1. Rather, " Better is a dry crufty and quietnefs therewith —
than a houfe full oi feajlings "with Jirife" 6, Vulg. & Ar. read in3,
or as a friend thinks yy\. Durell confiders the laft words as in regim,
contentious facrifices, or feajls,
2. See Gen. xv. 2, 3. blB^D* 16 MSS. and one pV7n».
3. Durell
[ 425 ]
3. Durell carries the force of the verb to the former Hemiftich, " The
fining pot trieth filver. &c."
4. Simile Jimli gaudet. ^n^?D 2 MSS. regularly. But it is obfervable
that for npBT 6. Syr. & Ar. read j^"? pnVl, or -it^'l, " but the righteous
hearkeneth not to a naughty tongue." Which Houb. &c. follow.
5. JinVioMSS. & 2 T^mV, the gramn:\atical conftrudtion alfo re-
quires naity, or with all the Verf. T\U\m. 6. have additional readings
at the end of this and the following verfe.
7. "in^. It is not eafy to guefs what Vulg. reads, unlefs it was "nin ;
and perhaps 6. Syr. & Ar. pat* ; but if a variation is neceflary "nLy> feems
to be the beft reading, *• The lip of uprighinefst &c." See xii. 26. and
Job vi. 25.
8. " Hic Solomon ponit quod ufu venire folet, non quod fit facien-
dum." Merc. Hodgfon renders the whole thus, " A bribe is like a beau-
tiful gem, in the eyes of him who loveth gifts ; it procureth a manfuccefs in
'whatfoever he attempteth. Vyi addiSied to. xxii. 24. i. 19. n33 refpiciat.
bOSy^ to caufe fuccefs." Durell takes 1XWT\ in a good fenfe. But fee
verfe 23, &c.
9. " procureth love." Marg. See alfo xi. 27. Hill^l 12 MSS. For the
laft word fee xvi. 28.
10. The marg. Verf. feems better. Houb. reads 'j'DDl HIDOO. 6. Syr.
& Ar. read pnD 2*7 for V^Ol* and the laft line probably, HNT n"? 'j'DD
n^JI, " Conterunt mins cor prudentis, imprudens autem flagellatus -non
fentiet." Perhaps for nnn we might read nnK, " One rebuke to a wife
man— is more than ftriking a fool an hundred times."
11. From comparing 6. Syr. & Ar. together with Ch. ^D, or ti"t*
feems to be wanting before V\> vl'hich would likewife help the metre,
•* Every evil man," or, " The evil man." See our Verf. Unlefs we
read ty»K for -jK, which none of the verfions notice, except Ch. See
Pf. i. I . for nTDN.
12. iy"i.i£). The imperat. for the fut. unlefs we read m^^. See 6, Syr.
tc Ar. which read difl'erently in the latter part of the Hemiftich.
5 R ^'^^'
C 426 3
in. 29 MSS. See i Sam. xvii. 34. The bear was common in that
country, and remarkably fierce. See Patrick.
13. trian 31 MS. *' ty'DH Hifh. intranfitive ufurpatur." Houb.
14. ICID. The 3 might be eafily dropped from the beginning of this
word through the fimilitude of the letters ; but Syr. reads DT for D'O,
and as 15 MSS. read "^03, the words might bear this fenfe, '* The be-
ginning of flrife is as the letting out cf blood." Which more ftrongly en-
forces the following admonition. Ch. reads both words, " Qui efFundit
Jangiiinem. ficut aquam." But fee 6* and Hodgfon, who renders the whole
thus, " He 'who beginneth Jlrife is like him "who letteth out waters j — There-
fore meddle not with that ivhich may bring on contention" See Mere. alfo.
16. Rather with Dureil according to Kennicott's divifion, <* Since he
hath no heart to acquire ivifdom"
17. I^JV. " Multo melius *7VV, utilis erit ; quo modo 6." Houb. " Yea,
a~ brother (i. e. the friend) ivill he be in adverfity.'* Hodgfon.
18. imj^ 4 MSS. with Syr. Ch. reads 11V% " •>:iQ favour. Prov. xix. 6.
This is meant by, iiitreat the face ^ i Kings xiii. 6." Hodgfon.
19. Though three MSS, read in both places nmj>f, the laft is only
proper, " He, who loveth flrife, loveth tranfgreffion." Or vice verfa ac-
cording to Syr. " W^> iniquitatem, quidni VfltT, ajluentiam, feu copiam
divitiarum." Houb.
innD, ** exalteth his door." " Ofliiim fuim. i. e. vel i. ffidificium fuum.
vel, 2. OS fuum. vid. Mich. vii. 5." Gejer. &c. But this word may
perhaps be written for in'nS, " he, that exalteth his folly, feeketh de-
ftrudion." See a fimilar expreflion xiii. 16. 6. & Ar. omit the whole.
Syr. Vulg. & Ch. H'lJlOV Uf^y one MS. at firft.
20. " Findeth no good." Litotes. MWb:! ISHil. " Periphrafs hi-
linguis." Vatab. See i Tim. iii. 8.
bfl* 46 MSS. more regular.
21. nVv Houb. with 15 MSS. *• He that begetteth a fool hath forrow,
nmnb is here ufed as the nominative cafe." Dureil. But fee xvi. 21.
OK.
C 427 3
♦nn. Perhaps rather VsiH 2ii' And fome one has obferved properly
that blJ has a ftronger meaning than b'DD> and fignifies " a vile jiagi-
tious felloiv." See i Sam. xxv. 25. Here is alfo a litotes.
22. nnJl« This noun appearing no where elfe, and Ch. & Syr. read-
ing mi, which anfwers better to the following Hemiftich, this is pro-
bably right, '* A merry heart doeth good to the body." Otherwife with
Merc. " A merry heart viaketh a medicine effeSluaW But fee Patrick.
a'D" 58 MSS.
23. p»nJ3 41 MSS. with Houb. which may be rendered with 6. & Ar.
in the bojom.^ i. e. to bribe the judge. Ox into the bofom. i. e. The judge
fecretes it there. See i Sam. viii. 3. •* Iniquus eft, q^ui accipit munus,
& qui largitur." Caft.
24. ♦Jfl. DK, coram. See thefe words in this fenfe Gen. xix. 13, 27.
** In the ends of the earth.'" i.e. " quc^rit fapientiam, & non invenit."
Vatab. Houb. reads the laft line, nblK IpVl b'DD 'i'VI, " et oculi
ftulti turgent Jiultitia." A friend conjedlures from the Vulg. that r\H in
the firft line may be written for riTND, " Illuminat faciem frudentisjapi-
entid'j fed oculi flulti in extremis terrce. i.e. vagi, et fine luce, figuntur in
extremo profpedlus circulo."
26. Rather with Jun. 6c Trem. " to ftrike princes is contrary to right"
Unlefs for bv we read '?^<, or nV, " to ftrike princes is not right."
As all the Verf. have the negative. — Houb. reads thus, VVD inj niDn'?,
" dum declinat princeps ab cequitate"
27. As the double participle is unnecclTary, I would read with 44 MSS.
■]{yn. See alfo our Verf. But 17 with all the Verf. have VT.
Notwithftanding 20 MSS. have npS or with Vulg. and our Verf.
")pn, the text here feems preferable, " and a man ©f underftanding is
of a cool fpirit" See Caft. &c. Or as Houb. from the ^th. " moderateth
hisfpiritr See Hodgfon alfo.
28. 6. Syr. & Ar. omit Dl, which is unnecefTary to the i^witt and
the metre,
6 MSS.
C 428 ]
As 6 MSS. read D£^•|^?, and 3 DDN1, the true reading probably is
Q^^Mil. See 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ch.
CHAP. XVIII.
V. I. Durell follows the fenfe of the Belg. Verfion, " T/ie conte/npla-
the man Jeeketh that which is defirable — and intermeddleth with allwifdom."
See Hodgfon alfo. Patrick and others take the words in a bad fenfe ; and
the lad: Hemiftich, as Mercer obferves, favors it. Houb. reads with 6.
Vulg. & Ar. ry^^rh for m^?n':', " Captat occafwnes, qui dijfidium parat,
nihil relinquit intentatum. Verbum de verbo in omnem rationem volvitur,
i. e. omnem lapidem movet. vid. Jud. xiv. 4."
2. ** But that his heart may difcover itfelf." " Duorum hominum
avTiSirav hic fcnfus eft, Philofophum non qu.trere quibus fe ja6tet, fed de-
lectari rerum cognitione per fe : at vanos homines nihil addifcere, nifi ut
pro lubitu fe oftentent aliis." Grot. And perhaps for mb.inni we fliould
read mblinnn, omitting 1*7 with 6. and one MS. or reading with ano-
ther llbn, " but in magnifying hiwfelf;" or, " but in magnifying him'
felfin his heart." *•" In vohendo cor fuum. i. e. temere movendo ac per-
turbate." Houb. \*isn» 3 MSS.
3. Rather, with Seeker, &c. ** When ivickednefs cometh, contempt
alfo cometh." As the laft Hemiftich feems to want fome word to
complete the fenfe and metre, the following reading is propofed nfl"im
]l'7p Vl DV1, " and with iniquity ignominy and reproach." Seeker ren-
ders the text, " and with -oilenefs reproach."
4. Merc. &c. confider the laft Hemiftich as explanatory of the for-
mer, but Durell as ad'ver/ative ; and in this cafe for iQ we fhould per-
haps read 'nS, " The words of a foolijii man are as deep waters, (i. e.
which no one can reap any benefit from) but the well-fpring of
wifdom is as a flowing brook." Of which every one receives the advan-
tage.
D'(5it5y
[ 429 ]
D'plDjr 25 MSS. vniJ 21 MSS. And 6. Ar. Syr. & Vulg. bnjl, and
the firll letter might be eafily dropt from the fimilitude to the zL
3 MSS. of Kenn, and 2 of De Roffi at firft, read with 6. & Ar.
CD»»n for noDn, fons VI fee, which, though a common expreffion, does not
feem fo pertinent here.
5. 6. Syr. Ar. 6c Ch. read mi2n'7'l. " »<7r /<? overthrow, &c." Which
preferves the antithefis. See xvi. 29.
6. iKn'. 6. Ar. & Ch. read 1X»1», " A fool's lips ^v//^ him into con-
tention." And the 1 may ferve, both for the formative of the verb, and
the affix. See Pf. ii. 12.
mO"l'7no'7 16 MSS. 6. & Ar. read probably, as a friend conjedures,
r)T2 "^blDO, *' et OS ejus azi(iax invocat mortem" Syr. perhaps mo'? IDN,
" faw ^i^ mortem perducit." But xix. 29. feems to juftify the text ;
unlefs munboV may be thought to anfwer better to nn*?, " and his
mouth calleth for battle." Which Seeker had once conjecftured might be
the true reading. See Vulg- & Ch.
7. One very ant. MS. reads VJy"i for ijyflO, " and his lips are the fnare
of the wicked."
8. D'Dn'^nOD. Our Verf. follows Merc, &c. who by a metathefis de-
rive it from Dbn, contundere, putting the participle for the fubftantive.
See Poole, and one MS. of note reads fo. Durell thinking this conftruc-
tion harfli, divides, and reads thus, D'QH ♦'^naD, ** The words of the
talebearer dejlroy as fJJiaftsJ from the quiver" Ch. perhaps might read
lV D»bO:nD, " profternent eum" Hodgfon follows Buxtorf 's fenfe of the
vioi^, ficiit hiandientiiim, " The words o/'a whi/pererfeem fuil of kindnefs."
6. Syr. and Ar. read very differently, but what cannot be conjedtured.
tD'nnV 10D, " The words of a whifperer are as ficords," is fubmitted
to confideration, as according better with the laft Hemiftich. See xii. 18.
^Dl. Ch. & Syr, read bMiti^, inferni ; which does not fuit here. 6. Vulg.
& Ar. are unintelligible.
9. For CI 6. Vulg. £yr. & Ar. feem to have read ^tt'K, " Whofo Is
flothful, &c."
5 S HDnrii::.
C 430 ]
nsnno. Several MSS. of Kennic. and De Rofli read with 6. & Ar.
KJJiriD, but then we mufl: alfo read with 6. & Ar. b^, or kV, which
t'lOes not afford a very pertinent fenfe. *' Eundem exitum habent ^/^^r
^ prociigus." Grot. See i. 19.
10. " The name of Jelwoah." \. e. Jehovah himfelf. See Gejer. &c.
11. MSS. 50 have in'3u'01, which connrms our verfion > for want of
which authority Durell preferred the reading of Ch. & Syr. " about his
habitation" '\V\V 7 MSS. See alfo Syr. Vulg. be Ch.
J 2. Rather, " but before honor, &c."
14. 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. read ]Xtys or n may be paragogic.
15. Rather with Durell, ** and the ear of the wife feeketh to know."
Unlefs for the fake of the antithefis we might venture to read \ih
b'DOn for D'a^n, *' but the ear of the fooUfli loill Jiotfeek knowledge."
1 6. " The gift tf/'^z ?;;<7;7." i. e. Of one in alow and abjedt flate. See
xvii. 8. Gejer. and Pf. xlix. 3.
17. N2' linn. Perhaps rather Kl'T ^'"11, or as 32 MSS. Km, " He
that is firft in a contention feemeth juft," (i. e, maketh his own caufe good)
«* but his neighbour (his antagonifl) cometh, and findeth him out."
i. e. detedteth the faKliood of his pretenfions. But fee Patrick, Durell
making '^'^'Ti the preter. Hiph. reads Kli linn, " He is acquitted, who
is firft in his own caufe: but his, 6cc." See Ifai. v. 23.
18. " Between the mighty^ i. e. Thofe, who obflinately maintain their
own caufe ; and it were perhaps to be wifhed that this decifion by Jots
was more in ufe to prevent litigious fuits. See Grot, de J. E., 6c P.
2. xxiii. 9.
19. CJIlDIi or as 23 MSS. D'inoi, wanting the affix, perhaps we
{hould read VJnDl, *' and /;/} contentions are like the bars of a palace."
i. e. They exclude all friendly intercourfe, y^x^i-K^ ^roM/^oi a3£x^iv. See Gejer.
&:c. in Poole. Houb. reading Dmiai, gives a contrary fenfe, *' Quafi
urbs munita, frater afratre adjutns ; ut vedes arcium, qui fe mutuo amant."
See 6, who feem alfo to have read V^^^ HNl for VL^'i)J, a fratre adjutus,
Durell renders thus, " A brother is more apt to rebel t\\\r\ a firong city."
W^ 3 MSS. 20. 6.
[ 431 ]
20. 6. & Ar. read mNllDDV See Ch. alfo. Durell reading with 6.
& Ar. and one MS. at firft, VnB^S and dividing the words differently,
renders them, '* A man Jhall be fatisfied with the fruit of his mouth j
— and his belly Jilted with the produce of his lips.'' See xii. 14. xiii. 2.
** Increafe. Produce. Fruit of his mouth, compare Heb. xiii. 5." Seeker.
21. In the laft Hemiftich 6. Vulg. & Ar. read I'^DKS and one MS. at
firft read n^imt^l, which the conlliruftion requires ; unlefs we read with
Ch. & Syr. niniKI, " and he who loveth it."
22. NVa ift fliould be written KlflO. See viii. 35. and for the infer-
tion of nniD after nti^SS (which 6. Syr. & Ar. with one MS. probably
fupply ; and is further confirmed by the additional verfc which 6. Syr.
Vulg. & Ar. have, ^i ejicit muUerem bonam, ejicit bona — qui autem tenet
adulteram, fiidtus et impius) fee Kennic. 2 DifT. p. 189. &c. " He that
findeth a _gW wife, &c." The fame omiffion feems to have happened.
xxii. I. Eccles. vii. i, 28. But fee Durell and Warburton, Vol. III.
Serm. 4.
p'£3'l one MS. more grammatically.
23. T\IV' This verb fignifies not only to anpivcr, but to fpeah. See
XV. I. and the Lexic. — 6. read very differently.
24. ti"X. Reading with Houb. according to Ch. & Syr. li'S the words
might be thus rendered, " // is the part of friends to fliew themfelves
friendly — but, &c." Though it is obfervable that one ant. MS. reads
ly'KT in the 2d line.
Wnnnb, iS MSS. but the true reading probably is nvinn*:. See
xxii. 24.
nniK 2 MSS. and the conflrudion feems to require pnn. This verfe
is wanting in 6. and Ar.
CHAP. XIX.
V. I. BY reading with feveral MSS. of Kennic. and De RolTi Syr.
& Ar. VDm for VDfiK', and with Syr. "I'^yy for V'D2, the antithefis is
reflored,
. C 43^ J -
reftored, as Kennic. has obferved Diflert. ift p. 509, " than he who Is
perverle in his ways, though he be rich." See Houb. alfo, who refers to
xxviii. 6. But Durell concluding that Syr. & Vulg. read by a tranfpofi-
tion psyVS, authorized by one MS. and rendering nStt-', augmentiim, from
Ar. gives the words this fenfe, " Better is the poor man, that waliceth
'in his integrity, than he that is loaded ivith riches, and is a fool." Hodgfon
connedting mfljy with JTI, as well as with typyjo, and giving b'DD the
fenfe of wicked, renders thus, " Better is the inexpert in eloquence, who
ivalketh in his integrity ; than he, who is Jkiljid with his lips, but waiiteth
honejiy." I3inn 13 MSS.
2. Rendering D.l, " Verily," I would tranflate the reft of the He-
miftich with Dr. Hunt, " A foul without knowledge is not good." Ch.
Syr. £c Vulg. omit it, with one MS. Houb. reads f],i3, or ^DJ, for {^^flj,
*' Non expedit corriicre vel per imprudentiam." A friend is inclined
to omit this and the firft word, " In ignorance there is nothing good."
Durell making l^'flj to fignify oncfelf according to Syr. renders thus,
*' Surely it is not good to be without knowing onefelf" See vi. 26.
'• And he that hajhth with his feet, finneth." To hajlen with the feet
may be oppofed to watching the feet, (See Eccles. v. i.) and may denote
an inattention to the moral conduct j but Hunt renders NDin, " and he
that hafteth with the feet, wandereth from the mark." See Jud. xx, 16.
and Hodgfon, on. viii. 36. who here renders \i, Jltimbletlu. Durell, " but
he that haftily goeth with fpies, finneth" or, " is hafty /«/;/> o-o/z/g-j."
NDn 6 MSS. with Syr. & Vulg.
3. ** And, or, when, in his heart he fretteth againft Jehovah." Syr.
& Vulg. Imputing his fins and misfortunes to God. See Gejer, &:c."
4. s^'DV 33 MSS.
5. *' And he that fpeakeih lies." i. e. In defence and juftification of
himfelf.
6. Rather perhaps, " the nobles will intreat the favor of the prince."
7. imK^i:.' 43 MSS. which the conftrudion requires.
O
[ 433 1
O feems redundant, and 2 MSS. omit ft, but then we fhould read
liTi^^a, " even his friends go far from him." See xxi. 27.
Houb. reads DnnnK ^'y\ " et currit poll eos, nee funt." Seeker
gives this, fenle, " He followeth after words, they are nothing, i. e. they
give him good vs^ords, and he leeks for a good effedt from them, but in
vain." Durell renders this Hemiftich, " he purfueth them, who fay, be
not thou noify," Perhaps thus, " he purfueth them faying, we are not they"
i.e. thy friends. See Cartw. Two MSS. and one at firft read "i"? for
kV. Syr. conneds thefe words with the next verfe. As a friend obferves,
one MS. omits DHON j and another omits t^TiD.
8. nilp 5 MSS. and 1 1 ^'OW, and for NVa"? we fhould probably read
Ki'JDS or ^J^{0^^. See 6. Vulg. Syr. Ar. & Houb.— -Durell, ♦• he giveth
heed to difcretion, fo as to fnd benefit from it."
9. This verfe is probably an interpolation. See verfe 5.
10. jnjyn, " Delicacies:' Durell. Hunt from Ar. ** Authority" Which
fenfe anfwers better to the following Hemiflich, if it will bear. But as
one ant. MS. reads "nnD -WW* there can be little doubt from comparing
xxvi. I, that one word is written for the other, *' Honor is not fecmly
for a fool." blt^D 1 3 MSS.
11. "nny. 9 MSS.
12. Syr. more literal, " roareth as a lion." ' -
, ,13* ** Proverbium eft apud Illyricos, cui efi domus fumofay teSIutn per-
ftiltanSf & mulier rixofa, eum nihil necejfe efi ire in bellum ; fatis habet belli
domifua" Gejer.
14. " The inheritance of fathers J" " Genitivus efficientis, ut Numb.
Jtxvii. 7. &c." Gejer. Rather, " but a prudent, &c"
16. noty ift. 8 MSS. nDIB'.— 6. Syr. Vulg. Ch., & Ar. ntUI, which,
the antithefis requires, if not the metre. mO' 21 MSS. One MS. omits
the whole.
17. lblD:iT 25 MSS. ** ajid his kindnefs fhall t^e recompenced unto
him»" See Pf. ciii. 2. ' ' '
5 T 18. «* And
C 434 ]
18. " And let not thy foul fpura Jhr his crying." " But incline not
thy foul to 'kill him." Merc. &c. *' And give not up thy foul to his re-
proach." Houb. with 6. & Syr. *' And incline not thy foul to his dejlruc-
tion." i. e. by a foolifh indulgence. Caft. &;c. See alfo our marg. Verf.
and xxiii. 13.
19. ^Tl. i^ MSS. read '7*7:1, with Houb. &c. " One great of wrath."
6. Syr. Ar. & Ch. read 13:1, " A viati of wrath, rather perhaps, A man
ef violence, beareth punilhment, (i. e. doth not regard it) although
thou deliver him, he will add \l again." i. e. commit frefh violence, read-
ing the laft verb with 6. Ar. Syr. Vulg. Houb. &c. in the 3d perfon;
though 53 MSS. read t^'DID. And a friend prefers this reading, t)»Din
*ny iVi'D. Durell thus, " for notivithjlandirtg thou mayell have interpofed,
thou muft do it again." .; aioVi -.;..i^o
20. " Confiliam. h. e. Verbum Dti." Cartw. And one MS. reads
mifO> " Hear the commandmerit .*'
21. " Many are the devices in a mans heart — biit it is the counjel of the
Lord that Jliall Jland." DnveW. isrij tPtUCfiL car* ■
22. " The defire of a man is his kindyiefs." i. e. " Quod homineni facit
defiderabilem, cmnibufqj acccptum, eft mifericordia ejus.t" ; Gejer. See
Hunt alfo, who refers to Gen. iii. 6. and 6. But they with' 'Ar. read
nNlin. " nDn, fine dubio TiDn, indigentia ejus, '. ut liquet ex ty*l,
quod iinfequitur" Houb. Durell, " The defire of a man is that itrpiay
Sa ivell with '.him." Others, " The defire of a man is his difgrace^" The
firft feems the moft eligible. Unlefs we give mKD the fenfe of decus, zc-
cording to.Hodgfon'iipom Calafius ;' or, read rj^^On, *' Tlie glo^ bf .man
is his beneficence." 035 .jPjbrnrr ^ \o.^ »* ,i3d:~£/I ..lairO ' .oii' .T .iivxx
n/*T^:/i5»tr; dofes:<hoirl'jfeera to correfpoftd'iierej-atid Dui-dl *gLV5s. this
feiifep •fieVeni'the'pfa'or niaii:/f 7;<z/i/j «o/ ^0 be deceived by a great man"
Houb. &:c. read according to 6. & Ar. itD t^'N TtrVD "ILT'- ^a?"*- mm;
**>imeli0r -tmfem opaupier I/^i!zr"\griam\ mendax fl'ri;dr.'?l<Bi?t.asr;.the'mT^ere
appears too long with this reading, perhaps for 2t3't:"Nai' we fhoiald
read inD V!i'")D, " brt a poor ^oo^ man is before, or better than, a wicked
ricL^ne.'\ii 23, Durell
C 435 ]
23. Durell divides thus, " The fear of the Lord tendeth to life and
plenty — it fhall abide, &c." A friend renders this laft Hemiftich, " and
he, who is full of it, fhall lodge where no evil fli all vifit," See alfo Ch.
& Syr. "riNT videtur legendum n^^ NT." Seeker. Grey fuppofes bl i'*?'
to be an interpolation, " but him that is full (regardlefs of God) evil
fhall "jjjit " Perhaps we fhould read ^"2, with 2 MSS. at firfl, " h\xt every
evil Ihall vifit him that is full, and murmureth" See ]»V in this fenfe
Exod. xvii, 3.
24. " In his hofom." Rather with Gejer. Hunt, &c. " in the diJJiy
or platter." Which exhibits the ftrongeft inftance of indolence. 6. Ch.
& Syr. read with the affix, innWl. As Mr. Bradley obferves, nvh"^
feems to be the right reading, 2 Kings ii. 20. Durell renders the text,
** nvhen he reclineth on his fide."
25. For nDD perhaps we fhould read n^H, '^ fmite a fcorner, and being
foolifh he may become wife — but reprove, &c." DHV 39 MSS. See xvii.
10. " n»Dim, idem atque HDim, et argue ; nifi mavis, noim, et argues"
Houb. And the fame mood feems proper in both cafes. But as many
MSS. fupply » in a great number of places, and the Maforites read with
Tzere where it is omitted, I have ftill my doubts whether noim is not
the true reading. See xxi. 11. Hodgfon, who thinks it requifite to the
fenfe to'ireadtwith 13 MSS. HDim, renders thus, '* A foolijli offender muf
by punijliment be made iiife — but a 7nan of fenfe will amend upon admo-
nition."
26. " He that robbeth a father will drive away a mother; the fon that
caufeth Jhame is alfo confounded." Durell. " Lege nnn% Qui afHigit
patrem, et matri tnokjlus ejl -, ex fignif. Ar," Houb. But reading alfo
^i'flriD for TfiriDI, perhaps by a metathefis thus, " He that wafteth the
father, is a fon that caufeth fhame — and he that chafeth away the mother,
bringeth reproach." A friend reads mn.
27. The conftrudtion of thefe words is by no means clear. Some
fupply the negative, " Ceafe «£7f, my fon, &c." But there is no autho-
riey for it. Others fupply quce eji, ox qucs ducit. See alfo our verfion.
Mercer,
C 436 3
Mercer, &c. tranfpofe the words, ** Define, lili mi, aberrate a verbis
fcientije, eo ut audire poffis difciplinam." Or they read with a paren-
thefis, " Define, fili mi, (ut aufcultes eruditioni) aberrare, &c." Syr.
reads nDtl'D bii^ for DVItr'?, " ei ne ohlhifcaris." Ch, reads *7*7A for 'jin,
VDJ:;! for yot:^'?, & T\WT\ vh^ for m-lty*?, '* Increafe, my fon, and hear
inJiriiSiion — and do not err, &c." Durell making "^tyD to fignify nemas as
in XXV. 25. and *iDia the imperat. Fyh. gives this fenfe of the words,
" Abftain, my fon, from news ; be thou tnjiru6led againft erring from
the words of knowledge." Perhaps for "pin we ihould read Sinn,
** Wilt thou ceafet my fon, to hear inftrudlion — that thou mayejl err, &c."
See i. 2. nai^V 3 MSS.
28. " Sivallows iniquity." Alluding perhaps to a man's taking a falfe
oath without any kind of remorfe.
29. 1J3J 12 MSS.
CDflJl'. ** Lege talionisyWzV/a (num. plur.) minatur his o^m judicium
ludificati funt." Cartw. But Seeker reads with 6. & Ar, D'tDlty, ** Rodi
arc prepared, &c." See x. 13.
CHAP. XX.
V. I. nam, Syr. & Houb. with 13 MSS. and 4 H-MK^J which the
conftrudtion requires.
'^yO* 6. generally render this word rae^o, and fometimes fKhtrtua^ (once
civov Pf. Ixix. 13.) in the former cafe following the Heb. word, and in
the latter the fenfe of it ; for as Mercer, &c. obferve, ** fignificat om-
nem potum inehriantem (vid. Lev. x. 9.) praeter vinum," Calmet, &c.
fuppofe it to have been the palm wine. But fee Grot. &c. Luk. i. 15.
2. If nO'i< be retained, it muft be taken adlively according to Gejer.
♦* terror, i. e. quern rex iratus incutit aliis." But a friend propofes
non for na'N. Seexix, 12.
6. Syr. Ch. & Ar. read with 3 MSS. innvnai, and with 8 VtXiW.
4. ^^'syyci
C 437 ]
4. f]'y\r\!3 3 MSS. which may be better rendered with Merc. &c. " will
not plow in the autumn" quod arandjB terrae 6c fementis tempus." r^TWf
7 MSS..
Rather perhaps, •* he feeketh in the harveft, and hath nothing." i. e.
His crop faileth. " qui non arat, non metet." Caft. Houb. reads
^Kt^l with 25 MSS.
5. ty»K at the end of the fird Hemiftich feems to be redundant, both
on account of the fenfe, as well as the metre, " Counfel in the heart is
like deep waters — but a man of underftanding will draw it out." Which
words allude probably to the digging of deep wells in the Eaft. D'plOy
16 MSS.—" njbT, haurire faciet, m Htph." Houb.
6. As Houb. obferves, none of the Verf. read the T in 1"rDn, which
fhould likewife be written TDH, and one MSS. omitting b;»k, the words
might be rendered, " Many a man may be called bountiful," Or, " The
bountiful man may be called a great man, but a faithful man, &c."
i. e. One who is really fo from a principle of goodnefs. But as a friend
remarks, 6. 5c Ar. read alfo Ip'i for Ntj?*, " A bountiful, or a merci-
ful man, is a great man, and honourable,'*'
7. One MS. reads with Ch. HK^NI, " and his children, '&c." "iDinn
7 MSS.
8. ** yf king Jit teth on the throne of judgment — he^ &c" Durell. And
4 MSS. read ity. But 6. & Ar. fupply pn^, or nty', which might be
eafily dropped from its likenefs to the following word, " An upright
king fitting, &c."
** Scattereth" " Metaphora a colonis, qui ventilando grana faleam ab
illis excernunt." Cartw. " Pulcherrimum hoc : Sedet rex in folio fuo, ut
fol in calo, et oculorum fuorum Jplendore dijjipat oninetn nequitiam." A friend.
9. 6. & Ar. read mNJOnD, and the metre feeming deficient, ^"2 may
have been dropped, " I am pure from all Jins" See the line above in.
Kennic. Collat.
10. " Aftone and a /lone" h. e. <* Ementem uti majore, vendentem.
minore." Pifc. See xi. i.
5 U II. Some
^ [ 438 ]
11. Some give this verfe a contrary fenfe, " Ignotus erit puer, &c."
See Poole and Patrick.
12. nyOIC 2 MSS. and 9 nK1"l. Vatab, &c. according to c. & Ar.
confider tliem as verbs. " Jova et videt et audit, quippe horuni fen-
fuum autor." Call:.
13. MSS. 6 with all the Verf. and Houb. Vlt:'!, " et fat tare, &c."
The fix follovi^ing verfes are wanting in 6. & Ar.
14. h'bnn' m l*?. Perhaps 'j'rnnn Nin, " and he goeth away, and
boafteth himfelf." This verfe might come in more properly after verfe 10.
15. Rather, *• The lips of knowledge are as gold, and a multitude of
rubies, and precious vefTels. " See Bayn. &c. in Poole.
16. Tig. Verf. is followed by Durell, " Take his garment, ivhen a
Jlranger is furety." Which feems better.
Rather, " and his pledge for Jlrangers ." The lefs known the perfons,
the greater the fecurity fliould be. Durell renders it thus, " and take a
pledge of him, lohere flrangers are witnejf'es." Green reading ZTW for lyn,
here, and xxvii. 13. as the Part. Ben. gives this fenfe of the words,
" Take his garment to pledge, ivho is furety for a Jlranger — but take
the 7nan himfdf, ivho is furety for a jirange ivowan." Seeker alfo notices
Green's reading. Hodgfon obferves, that it is not fupported by any MS.
or copy. But fee Lowth in Preface. , Ch. with 30 MSS. nn^J, as in
xxvii. 13. See Pifc. &,c.
17. *' With gravel." " Lapillos arena; panibus mifcere in fuppliciuni
folebant. vid. Senec. de Benef. 2. 7." Marian.
18. " Eftablijli piirpofes by counfcL" Durell. Rather, " Thou Jhalt ejla-
blijli purpofes by counfel — and -with Q.d\ict thou Jlialt make ivar." In xxiv.
6. as Houb. obferves, we have ntyVD. mblinnm 18 MSS.
19. I'^n 6 MSS. " A talebearer gocth about revealing fecrets." Sec
xi. 13. nmflVl 8 MSS. .
20. " His lamp.'* i. e. " Filii ejus, qui hicerncc nomine fignificantur."
Tirln. &c. Or it may be a metaphorical defcription of the eye, which
is explained by an additional reading of 6. adopted by Houb. "JBTI ]1St>'X3
[ 439 ]
VJ*V pti'^NIj " and the pupil of his eyes JJiall be in utter chirknefs." To
which our Saviour may perhaps allude, Matt. vi. 22, 23. Sec alfo the
parallel paflage xxx. 17. As the firft Hemiftich feems too fliort, with
this addition they might ftand originally thus, " He that curfeth his fa-
ther or his mother, his lamp fliall be put out, — and the pupil, &;c."
21, Several MSS. of both Collat. with Houb. read nVnilS) and one
has nVniO, which the fenfe juftifies.
22. As 17 MSS. read ytyvl, y^l^Vl is probably right.
23; The great neceffity for it feems to have occafioned the frequent
repetition of this precept. In the laft Hemiftich is a litotes.
24. no. One MS. of note reads with Ch. N^J, " but a man doth not
underftand his own way." Syr. & Vulg. read 'D, " but what man un-
derftandeth, &c. ?" " Hinc conficitur, deum in omnibus quse aggredimur
corjfulendum & invocandum efle, ut reifle nobis fuccedant." Cartw.
25. {y"Tp vV. " Optime Grffic. Int. cito quid ex propriis fanBificare."
Houb. See Menoch. alfo in Poole. " The man is infnared, ivho devoureth
an holy thing — when inquiry cometh to be made after vows. t^piO being the
part. Pah. and "iplS the gerund." Durell. Hodgfon confiders '^^ii as a
verb, dijhdit, and renders thus, " Infnared is he who hath eaten of the of-
fering— but reJleBing on his vows, delaycth to perform them." For D'pID
might we read tymo, and ")pl' for "ipib, " A man, who is reduced to po-
verty, will devour that which is holy, and after vows will make iiiquiry T^
i. e. To know how far he is bound to perform them, tyilp 3 MSS.
26. " A?id bringeth the wheel over them." " Alia metaphora duda a
rota triturantium in calidis regionibus ; ut congruat cum praecedente He-
miftichio. vid. Ifai. xxviii. 27." Cartw. Hodglon giving n">TID the fenfe
of to winnow, renders thus, " A wife king %vinnoweth out the wicked,
and the fanning-wheel over them he turncth round" Gejerus, &c. fup-
pofe that this kind of punilhment was not in ufe among the Jews;
and my learned friend, Mr. Wiatle, Reflor of Brightwell. Berks, thinks
" that it is an allufion to the ordinary revolution and ufual viciffitude of
things, which a wife ruler can occafionally fo flir diredt, as to make wicked-
nefs
[ .440 ]
nefs recoil on its malicious contrivers. See Pf. vii. 16. The wi/dom of a
king difperfeth wicked counjels, and tnaketh them to return on the heads of
the defgners" I rather think that for ^fllS, we fhould read 1SK, with
one MS. at firfl, " and bringeth his anger upon them."
27. See Gen. ii. 7. and Rom. ii. 15. " Forfan nOl^'Jn." A friend.
It'flin 18 MSS. Ch. & Syr. B,'tjm, " and fearcheth."
•' Of the belly." i. e. of the hearty by a Synecdoche.
28. Rather perhaps to vary the expreffion, ** and his Throne is up-
holden by clemency"
29. DmD feems to be the true reading.
30. For ■p'<'V2T\ yVfl 6. & Ar. probably read iNIp tD^yVSl, or with
Ch. lV:i5, which affords a pertinent fenfe, *' Wounds and bruifes befall
the wicked man — and plagues in the inward parts of the belly." See alfo
Syr. Merc, and Deut. xxviii. 59, 60. But a friend reads with 4 MSS.
n"n2n, and with Houb. and 4 MSS. pISD, propofing alfo niDISl, ** Livor
'uulnerjs abfiergctur cum dolore, cum cruciatu inteftinorum." Hodgfon ren-
ders the whole thus, " The cleanfmg of a foul wound feemeth an evil —
fo feem Jlripes that fink deeply into the body." But his reference to If.
xlii. II. for 1 in the fenfe of as feems to be a miftake. And wherever
this fenfe is neceffary, I iliould rather fufpeft that it is written for 2.
riT^lin 16 MSS. and 24 plion which is preferable.
CHAP. XXI.
V. 1. The metre being very irregular in the firfl Hemiftich, I am in-
clined to think that the verfe originally confided of three lines, and
that, reading with all the Verf. »:i'733, (the firft letter being eafily drop-
ped from its affinity to the 2d) we fhould fupply |V!fn, or fome other
word at the end of the firft line, (See Ifai. xxxii. 2.) " As rivulets of
water in a dry place — the heart of the king is in the hand of Jehovah —
he turneth it, £cc." Alluding to the manner of watering lands in the Eaft.
But fee Durell. YiQn» 2 MSS.
2. See
C 441 ]
2. See V. 21. and xvl. 2.
3. r\^y. 2 MSS. nwy. See vcrfe ij-, &c.
4. Houb. reads iV 2m» fuperbia cordis. See 6. & Ar.
1J. Whether we render this word with all the Verf, &c. " the lamp,
or the light, of the wicked" ; or reading with five MSS. TJ, give it the
fenfe of our Verf. or the metaphorical one of Pifc. .&c. " the thought of
tec." it does not feem to accord with the preceding words. Durell puts
this conft;ru(5tion on the words, " He that hath an high look hath alfo a
proud heart; and the light of the wicked is finful." Hodgfon renders
thus, " A haughty eye, and a puffed up heart — denote an offending fin-
ner." A friend fuppofing with Houb. the firft Hemiftich to belong to
the former verfe, and that the laft member of this is loft, ingcnioufly of-
fers this addition, " The field of the wicked, fin, — produces death as its
harveji." referring to James i. 1 5. and to that of the poet, 'Ami oi^^x
SavaTov ixKa^mlKi-xM. But perhaps ^J is Written for mi, there being a great
fimilarity between the two letters, or rather mJi, as 6. Syr. Vulg. &
Ch. have the 1, '* An high look, and a proud heart— ^k^M^ "vow of the
wicked is fin." Alex. Verf. reads niNtOn, fins. See xv. 8. 21. 27. •
5. Durell putting a different conftruftion upon the laff Hemiftich,
renders it, " but the inconfiderate lays hold only of want." But I am in-
clined to think, that for \*K we fhould read with Vulg. & Houb. "ji'y,
** but oi tvtvy Jlothful man only to want." By which theantithefis is more
ftridtly preferved, and perhaps more fo, if we read with Ch. bxw for Vdi,
** but the foot of the flothful, &c." See xiii. 4. xxii. 13.
6. As 10 MSS. read bj?l3> and one upon a rafure with 6. Ar. & Vulg.
♦{yplDl, (for which I would prefer according to Jarchius '{i^plOl, fee De
Roffi) and as the Vatic. 6. reads >]"n for t^i, the words may be thus ren-
dered, " He that procureth treafures by a lying tongue — purfueth vanity
and the fnares of death." Houb. adds P^Tn, (See Alex. Verf.) " vanita-
tevn profequitury propellitur in laqueos mortis." Durell renders thus,
" The vain man is driven into the fniires of death." Hodgfon, ** (hall be
driven by his dijhone/ly inXo the fnares of death." See Prov. xiii. ii. —
m-|^l« 28 MSS. 5 X 7. Of
C 442 ]
7. Of all the fenfes put upon Dm:i', (for which fee the Verf. and Poole)
Gejerus's feems the befl:, " The robbery of the VficktA Jliall terrify them."
And 21 MSS. readD"):i» in Hiph. which feems better than D"i"nA», which
he propofes. But fee Buxt. p. 125. — Rather with Durell, " to do that
•which is right."
8. One MS. of Kennic. and another at firft of De Roffi, read with
Ch. Syr. & Vulg. nr, " AJlrnnge man perverteth the way." But as 6.
& Ar. read ^K, it may have been dropped after "jm, " A Jlrange man
perverteth the way of God." i. e. The idolater, or abandoned perfon.
See Durell alfo, and Hodgfon. A friend propofes " Hf, A proud man.
See verfe 24. Or ^\, A vile man."
The metre, as well as the conftrudliion, feems to require ibyfll, " but
the pure is upright in his work." Or as 6. Ar. Syr. & Ch. vVvflU plur.
9. " Than with a contentious woman." See our Bib. Marg. — 17 MSS.
Cjna. See verfe 19.,
")2n, " in domo communi. quam cum ilia communem habet." Merc. &c.
•* in domo focietatis. vid. Hof. vi. 9." Gejer. ** Domus junBurce. \. e.
jundjta sedificiis, feu fpatiofa." Houb. Perhaps for nnn we (hould read
am. See our Verf. A friend alfo concurs in this conjecflural reading.
6. Ar. & Vulg. feem to have read D'ln, " et in domo, Sec." Syr. omits
thefe words.
10. " His neighbour." Rather, " his friend." The moft facred tics
of friendship cannot bind him. This verfe affords a moft beautiful pa-
ronomafia.
11. Inftead of DDnV, I would propofe DDH, the b having been pro-
bably borrowed from the preceding word, and render thus, " Thefoolijh
man is made wife by the punijlunent of the fcorner — but the wife man receive th
knowledge by inftruBion." Or with one MS. omitting TliJ, " The fcorner
is made- wife by punifliment" See xvii. 10. xix. 25.
12. Durell following the reading of 6. Syr. & Ar. nnb, (rather mnV)
gives this fenfe of the words, " The righteous wifely confidereth the
heart of the wicked — perverting the wicked to evil." Others following
this
C 443 ]
this reading, fupplying «?« in the firft claufe, inftead of the laft as 6. and
reading with them t)VDD1, give this fenfe, *' The righteous God under-
ftandeth the hearts of the v/\ckt&— and he overthroxDeth the wicke.i for
their wickednefs." Grey thinks that yty-) fhould be omitted in the firft
line, and be read for j;-)'? in the laft, reading alfo ^X^iy\, " The righteous
profpereth in his houfe~^a/ wickednefs overthroweth the wicked." Hodg-
fon taking bya in the fenfe oi to proffer, thus, '« When a juft m^xv gheth
profperity to the houfe of the wicked— He feduceth bad men into fin." But
the text may perhaps be rendered thus, " The righteous getteth wi/dom
through the houfe of the wicked — in the perverfion of the wicked to evil."
i.e. In obferving the judicial confequences of fin upon the finner, who by
his bad example frequently entails fin, the worfl: of evils, on his pofterity.
See xi. 3. Merc. &c. A friend reads f^Voa.
13. DD1K 6 MSS.
14. nSD». This word occurs no where elfe. 6, Syr. & Ar. by a me-
tathefis read "]2n% '* turneth away anger." But the true reading is pro-
bably according to Ch. naDS " extinguijlieth anger." See 2 Sam. xxi. 17.
and Gejer. Or^flD', ^' appeafeth zngtv." See xvi. 14.
p'ni 36 MSS.
1 5. nnnai. ** At pavor eft iniquitatem operantibus. i. e. Judicium
facere tam grave eft impiis quam fi quis illos affligeret." Vatab. &c.
Which keeps up the antithefis better. See Hodgfon alfo. '"JVISV 7 MSS.
16. " In the congregation of the dead." i. e. " In ccetu Gehennce." R.
Salom. See Mede, Book I. Dift". 7. Gataker on Job xxvi. 5. and ii. 18.
XV. II. Vulg. probably reads mi' for niJ', commorabitur, and Syr. CDni%
gemet.
17. MSS. 3. read nniK in the firft place, and one in the 2d, which
the conftrudlion calls for.
18. Rather with Durell, ** T^he wicked is cut off inflead of the righteous.*'
See alfo Gejer. xi. 8. and Ifai. xxviii. 18.
19. See verfe 9. Hodgfon renders ^I5S'^? there, and here wife, which
feems better.
20, Durell
[ 444 3
ZO. Durell omitting the ^ in ]0(^i, renders thus, <* Oil in the dwelling
of the wife is a defireable treafure." But it may be ftill better perhaps to
read with 6. & Ar. mJS or niJ*, inftead of it, and reduce the three lines
of Kennic. metre into two, " A defireable treafure refteth, or abidethy in
the habitation of the wife— but the foolifli man fwalloweth it up." " Im-
pendendo imprudenter in lufus, equosy venerea^ &c." Gejer. — Hodgfoa
renders V2li'1> with Munfter, " and plenty"
21. Pjin 7 MSS. — ni?li' 2d is certainly improper here, and 6. & Ar.
with Houb. omit it, having only " Lfe and -honor-" but perhaps it is
written inftead of Itry, " findeth life, riches ^ and honor." See iii. i6.
xxii. 4.
22. Dmi:i 35 MSS. n-)V1 i8, but the true reading is TIVI, or as one
Ed. nmm.— ny 5 MSS. &6. & Ar. DHDIO, " the ftrengtb of their con^
fdence." See Jer. xlviii. 13.
23. nmiy 12 MSS. in the firft: place. nnVO 4 MSS. with 6. Syr. Ar.
& Ch. "from trouble."
24. Our Verf. & Houb. follow 6. Vulg. & Ar. which read Tn^l,
which feems necelTary to the fenfe and metre ,- but they read likewife
\b^. A friend conjedlures alfo that it might be ^bl n'n'. ** The proud^ whofe
name is haughty fcorner — may prepare for the rage of pride : i. e. which
is referred for it." Durell. Perhaps, ** The proud and haughty (fcorner
is his name) — worketh pride with wrath."
ntyy 34 MSS. But it might be regularly rWW, faciens, notwith-
ftanding Houbigant's remark, who would read niyVl : with either of
thefe readings might we prefume to read DOlty for laJ!', " The proud
and haughty fcorner bringeth deJlruBion, Sec. ?" See Ifai. lix. 6, 7.
25. " For his hands, &c." Membrorum profopopceia. Gejer,
26. The fubjedl of the firft Hemiftich may be the idle man in the pre-
ceding verfe, and the addition of y^yi propofed by Durell from 6. & Ar.
afFeds the metre. See xiii. 4.
** But the righteous." i. e. The induftrious, as the antithefis re-
quires. See Cartw. and Ephef. iv. 28. But Hodgfon making |n' to be
the
I
[ 445 ]
the fut. in Hoph. gives this fenfe" of the words, *' But the jujl man's
defires are fully gratified." '\\^W 7 MSS,
27. As a friend obferves, 6. & Ar. fupply mn', " is the abomination
of Jehovah." And one MS. read at firft D^yiD, in Regtm.
O ^. 6. Ar. Syr. & Vulg. " quoniam." See Gejer. &c. But one
MS. omits FjX, and the conftrudlion requires that we fhould read with
6. Ar. &; Syr. Ulf^'lS " bccaufe they bring it, &c."
28. The metre in the firft Hemiftich being defedbive, '\y^ may have
been dropped before the verb, ♦' A falfe witnefs fhall fiirely perifh."
See Deut. viii. 19. The word VDJ:; not agreeing fo well with the context
perhaps we fhould read pO^?, " but a man of veracity fpeaketh for ever."
i. e. " Omni tempore & loco fecure teflari poterit." Jun. " loquetiir. i. e,
fervahitur." Vat. " fpeaketh with fieadinefs, or authority" Durell.
'* Omnino revocandum ell: HDJ'? ante nVib, ^/ fufiitice aufcultabit, ad
caufam viSiricem deducetur." Houb. — Hodgfon thus, " but let him fpeak
who knoweth the fjiatter well." Rather perhaps, *' JJiall be fpoke?i o/" for
ever." See Pf. cxii. 6.— yoit:^ 35 MSS. See Durell.
29. ** Hardeneth his face." i. e. As we fay, brazens it out. See Jerem. v. 3.
" but he that is upright, diredeth, or, underftandeth, his way." Several
MSS. of both Collat. read with 6. & Ar. ]'!', and alfo om with Vulg.
in fing.
31. See Pf. XX. 7, 8. " CorreBeth" Hodgfon — nVltS^Dn. Hodgfon
with our raarg. Verf. " vi5lory."
CHAP. XXII.
V. I. All the Verf. with Houb. &c. fupply ntD after Dt!^. See alfo
xviii. 22. Ecclef. vii.. i. and it feems redundant according to Syr. at the
end of the laft Hemiftich, " A good name is rather to be chofen than
great riches. — and favor rather than filver and gold." AH the Verf. with
one MS. read fiDDOI.
5 Y 2. " Meet
C 446 ]
»
2. " Meet together." *' Utiles funt alter alteri ;" Grot. &c. All the
Verf. read TWV^y " ^nd Jehovah made them all." Or as 2 MSS. " is
the maker of them all."
3. The fame paflage occurs in xxvii, 12. with fome fmall variations,
which fhould be corrected by this, if it be retained. Many MSS. read
here, and there, 'inDJI. The idea feems to be borrowed from the traveller
flying from the impending florm. See Gejer. &c. But a friend would
render 1"liy, " tranfgrefs"
4. Reading with our Verf. & Houb. DNTI, I would render according
to our Margin, " The reward o? humility and the fear of Jehovah — are
riches, and honor, and life." See xxi. 21. Or inverting the fentences
with a friend, " Riches, &c" Durell reads ntt'y, " his riches are, &c.**
5. 6. Ar. Syr. & Vulg. with Houb. read tD'nfil, which is neceflary.
All the Verf. have IDIiyi, " l>ut he that keepeth, &c."
6. "i"i3n 22 MSS.
lD"n '£) by. Syr. reads l^y^, and Taylor renders with that, *' at the
mouth, or entrance of the way," " pro ratione "dice." Gejer. &:c. and the
1 feems more properly to belong to the next line j but it ftrikes me alfo
that for 'D we fhould read p, *' InAruft a child in the right way — and
even when, &c." One MS. reads ;pt'; and the grammatical conftrudion
requires "i:OD. 6. & Ar. have not this verfe.
7. Houb. reads W^Z, in Ting.
8. Rather with Pifc. &c. " fliall reap trouble." See Pi. xc. 10. Or
the wife man may allude to the Lex Talionis. See Pf. Ixix. 28. and
Galat. vi. 7. The laft Hemiflich affording no very good fenfe, unlefs
we render with our marg. Verf. perhaps for DlC'T we fhould read ^\2'W\,
" and he that is outrageous in his anger, fliall be consumed." See xxvii. 4.
Houb. reads witho. ^n^ly (rather inniy) " plagatn autem operum fuorum
confummabit." Or as others, " and the rod Jliall confume his works,"
But fee Gejer.
9. 6. 6c Ar. for ]^y read 'jy, fo that perhaps the true reading js ♦jy'?,
" He that is good to the afflidcd, fliall be blefTed." Though we have
Vy yi in xxiii. 6. xxviii. 22. 10. For
C 447 ]
10. For 1110 perhaps \nt2, part. Hip/i. " Call out the fcorner, and let
f/ie contentious go away — and flrife, &c."
11. The metre as well as fenfe being defedive, inftead of fupplying
tyrhii with Durell, according to Ch. & Syr. I would add mn', as be-
ing more ufual, and more agreeable to 6. & Ar. " Jehovah loveth the
pure in heart."
Durell renders the laft Hemiftich after Merc. " and he that hath grace
in his lips, the King maketh him his friend" But perhaps we (hould read
nil 'Dfli!^ ]m, " but a king is pleafed with the grace of the lips." Which
gives an antithefis. Mr. Bradley would read |nn, '* for the grace." But
a friend prefers the reading of 6. & Ar. ♦' accepti autem ei funt omnes
immaculati." But as they partly retain the words of the text, perhaps ano-
ther Hemiftich has been loft, which fliould anfwer this. " He who
with purity of heart hath eloquence of lips, is worthy of his Sovereign's fa-
lior" Hodgfon.
12. " Obferve knowledge." " nempe, cum obleftatlone." Gejer. &c.
But the context feems to require nyi ty♦^?, " The eyes of Jehovah pre-
ferve, or watch over, the man of knowledge." See Pifc. " Knowledge,
or the knowing." Hodgfon.
Rather, *' but he overt hroweth, &c." "[."ni 31 MSS. ** nil, non verba,
fed confiiia." Houb. See Durell and our Marg.
14. Two of De Roffi's MSS. read with all the Verf. in the fing.
" of the ftrange woman." — Dty. One MS. CDn ; but 6. Vulg. Ar. &
Syr. ni, and 6. Ar. Syr. & Ch. DW1, " and he that is abhorred of Jeho-
vah ftiall fall into it."
T^p^t^y 38 MSS. and 49 bQ\ See xxiii. 27.
15. n3p'nn». Perhaps rather njpns '' Jiia/l draw it out of him."
Dntyi 6. Syr. & Vulg. " but the rod. Sec."
16. nnnn*?. Syr. feems to have read l"? V\ r\2ir\, auget fuum
malum. See 6. alfo 5c Ar. But the text may be rendered with
Merc, to multiply to himfelf, or with Durell, to increafe his OMon, (See
Hab. ii. 6.) who renders the whole thus, •' He that opprefleth the poor
to
[ 448 ]
to increaje his own, is as he that giveth to the rich clearly to his own detri-
ment." But perhaps we might read mmn'?, or niinb, " He that op-
preficth the poor, it fliall be to his own dejolation, and he that giveth to
the rich, it fhali be only to want." i. e. Perhaps of the rich man ; fuch
finifter benefadions being attended with a curfe to the receiver, as well
as the giver. But Hodgfon making ^■>mb to fignify to himfelf, with Cuft.
gives this conftrudion to the words, " He who extorteth from the poor to
increafe his own wealth, by becoming richer Jhall bring himfelf to poverty"
Several MSS. read pjyiV, and ]mO, more regular. Or rather with the
Verf. and a friend, |mi1.
17. " Sunt qui hinc libri tertii proverbiorum initium fumunt j quia
novum fit fermonis genus 3 nee finguli femper verficuli fententiam perfi-
ciant ; fed faepe bini, terni, aut plures ; fed potius eft Epilogus fuperiorum ;
& jam ad generalem admonitionem redit." Merc. See Patrick. — " The
words of the wife" Which Solomon had inculcated and enforced in
the preceding chapters. See i. 6. By reading 'jn with Ch. which
feems neceflary to the fenfe, and inferting it at the end of the laft Hemi-
ftich, the metre, which is longer than ufual, will be more complete,
♦* and apply thine heart unto my knowledge, my fon"
18. 6. Syr. Ar. & Ch. either read lOVJ, as Durell ; orD'JDVJ, as Houb.
Ch. & Syr. omit O 2d, which feems redundant. " Becaufe they are plea-
fant, keep them, &c." The fut. for the imperat. See Bayn. &c. — 1J13»
27 MSS.
19. By inverting the order of the Hemiftichs with Gejerus, and read-
ing with one good MS. >JK for nriK, the difficulties of the conftrudlion
are removed, " I have made known to thee to-day, even I — that thy
truft {hould be in Jehovah." See Syr. Houb. reads with Alex, verlion
& Ar. ims for nnx f]N, " I have made known to thee this day his
way" Durell would read D"n for DVn, fupply DHK, " them," (viz.
the inftrudions of wifdom) and make nHK the imper. •' I have made
hfe known to thee ; therefore draw near." But Vat. 6. & Ar. inftead
of reading Cn, omit DVH. Hodgfon renders riDK ^^?, ** fo do thou."
20. Seve-
C 449 ]
20. Several MSS. of both Collat. have D'ty'Vii^, and D'trbti^, which all
the Verf. render three times, or hi a threefold manner ; which fome ex-
plain of the three books of the Proverbs; others, as denoting frequency ^
and other€, excellency. Houb. renders it nudius tertius. But as the laft
Hemiftich is defective in the metre, and 6. 6c Ar. read fome other word,
perhaps niDDm may have been omitted, ** Have I not written to thee
thefe three ways — in counfels, in knowledge, atid tvifdom." rnVJ^IQH
45 MSS.
21. Dtyp. The fenfe of this word from Ch. making a kind of tauto-
logy, it is probably written for 'jDtJ' according to 6. & Ar. which alfo
read nJ3N1, " underjlanding and the words of truth." Syr. reads by a
tranfpolition Dj'B', tranquillitatem. But this fenfe does not accord with
the context.
TnbcyV. One MS. reads ^^nbli^V. Syr. with many MSS. of both Col-
lations ^Th'<Dbt or as one "jnbliyV, *' to him that fent thee." Hodgfon ren-
ders it, " to thy children." See Cant. iv. 13. Durell thus, " that tJie
words might bring back the truth to them that fend thee." But as all the
verlions read n/tJK in regim. (See Mafclef. p. 54). perhaps, as fome one
propofes, we fliould read alfo *]»'7NK;'7, ** that thou mayeft anfwcr the
words of truth to them that ajk thee J' Sec i Pet. iii. 15.
22. " In the gate" Perhaps better with Hodgfon in judgment ; the
gate being the place where it was exercifed. See xxiv. 23^ &c. "jlfjin
one MS.
23. The conftrudlion feems to require CDtJ^flJ D'Vllpj ** and fpoil thofe
that fpoil their foul." See Syr. Vu!g. and our Verf. But fcveral MS.
have tsn'J'l'lp j and there are inftances, where the affix is joined to the
verb, or participle.
24. ynnn. We fhould probably read nV^DD. See Buxt. Both the
verbs fhould be rendered in the fame mood. See Durell. For mon we
(hould read non, or as Ploub. DJSn ; as in Ifai. xlii. 25, we fhould read
nan in regim. — "^K 5 MSS, as in the preceding Hemiflich.
25. Two valuable MSS. with all the Verf. vmmKo
5 Z 26. Several
C 450 ]
26. Several MSS. read '^rplDl, and D»im3^3, or as the Vulg. reads the
laft word with the copulative i, " Be not thou amongst them that Jlrike
hands — «(?r amongft them, &c." See xxiv. 28. and Pf. Ixxv. 6.
27. One very ant. MS. reads with 6. Syr. & Ar. D^{ O, and as the
2d Hemiftich feems too long, nab, which 6. Syr. Ch. & Ar. omit,
might be borrowed from the preceding word, *' For ^thou haft nothing
to pay— //y/ bed will be taken from under thee."
28. Before inclofures were fo general, the boundaries of landed pro-
perty were afcertained by Jlones ; as is ufual in common fields to this
day. See Eftius. :i'Dn 3 MSS. See Deut. xix. 14. This word with many
others is orrytted in Calaf. Cone.
29. iTin. Perhaps this word, which one MS. omits, and is not ne-
ceffary to the fenfe, may be written for T\\T\, ** ^hat man, who is dili-
gent in bulinefs, — fliall ftand before kings — he fliall not, &c." Houb.
reads with 6. & Ar. nm, or nnn, "■ Frojpciens Vir." — DOKTT, or as
7 MSS. DOlJrn. If this line, which difturbs the order of the metre,
fhould be retained, this word, never occurring in this fenfe elfewhere,
may be written for CD'Din, or D'C^nn, " htioxt the poor ." But fee our
Bible Marg. Durell renders the two laft words, in obfcurity.
CHAP. XXIII.
V. I. This caution naturally follows the foregoing obfervation. See
Gejer.
*• What is before thee." ** Poteft accipi vel de rebtis-f vel de perfonis."
Gejer.
2. \'<'2^. 17 MSS. ;OD, (whence perhaps the word Sica) and 17 with
Houb. lyiV^i which occur no where elfe. " Modum adhibe guls tuse,
eamq; velut cultro gutturi infixo refraena." Menoch. Houb. &c. Hodg-
fou rendering ]OD, fcantinefs, for which he refers to Deut. viii. 9. and
vVn, appetite, (See Hab. i. 3.) gives this fenfe, " And put a rejiraint
upon thine appetite — if thou be inclined to intemperance."
3. The
C 451 ]
3. The true reading is mj^nn, as one MS. fhews. See xxi. 26.
** Deceitful meat," " Lauti cibi & generofa vina blandiuntur appeti-
tui; fed mox mordent, ut coluber." Tirin. See veries 31, 32.
4. Syr. & Ch. with 4 MSS. read ran, or as Houb. jrun, " Come
not near the rich." But the text is juftified by the following Hemiftich,
where all the Verf. read "inmoi, " and ceafe from thine own underftand-
ing." See iii. 5. Durell with this reading gives the words a negative
fenfe, " neither ceafe from thine own ivifdom." In which he follows
Mercer, " fi te fatiges parandis opibus, defiftes a vera prudentia."
Houb. according to 6. & Ar. gives a different reading and fenfe, "jln
"inVl T^yb y»-in "jK, *' Ne appropinques ad divitem, dum tu es pauper "
The lafl line feeming defedive, perhaps <Jl may have been di-opped from
the end of it.
5. *l'ynn 23 MSS. But the true reading feems to be ^QlVDn, and
the exprefTion may be borrowed from a bird's darting down upon its prey j
and by reading with Durell 'sm for nJ^V in the 2d line, a proper ante-
cedent is fupplied to the relative, " for riches make themfelves wings."
Houb. reads tTym> '* et fatues." See 6. A friend conjed:ures p'Vm, as
in Ch. it is "^VD, " For when you have fixed your eps upon him, he will dif~
appear ; he will make himfelf wings, &c." Hodgfon renders it " Dojl
thou dim thine eyes on them ? how vainly ! 6cc." See Ifai. ix. 1.
Several MSS. of both Collat. by a tranfpofition read t]1V' i which feems
right. And from the word P)iy comes avis.
6. See verfe 3. and xxii. 9. One ant. MS. omits |»y.
7. The word lyty occafions great difficulty, no where elfe bearing
the fenfe given to it here, and the ant. Verf. afford no help. Durell ren-
ders it, •' Fort as he is vile in his foul, &;c." See Jerem. xxix. 17. and
Gejer. alfo. But as Ch. Syr. 6c Vulg. read there by a metatheiis D^Vtyi
for Cnya^, fo perhaps we fhould read ytiH here, " For as he is wicked
in his foul — fo he faith to thee eat and drink — but, Sec." One MS. of
Kennic. and another at firft of De Rofli, read "int!', but this word is I
believe never applied to the mind. A friend conjedures IB", " ut luiet."
8. Ch.
C 452 ]
8. Ch. & Syr. read -)nS1, " And thy morfel, &c." But if we read
"h with Ibme one at the beginning, and fuppofe the words fpoken by
the Jioji, they will afford a pertinent fenfe, '* / ivifli thou mayeft vo-
mit up thy morfel, which thou haft eaten— that thou mayeft lofe thy
fweet words." i. e. recant all thy encomiums upon my elegant enter-
tainment. See Poole. «' rmm, idem ac nnntyi; nam verba defediva nV
in litera n fspe deficiunt ante crementa fua, ex more vcrboruni n*? ni-
hil tibijam proderunt ilia fermonumfacetice, quas, cwn men/a ejus accumberesy
adhibiieraSi ut eum obleBares." Houb.
10. Several MSS. of both CoUat. with 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ch. read riW1\
" and into the field." KIID 8 MSS. & 2 i'DD- See xxii. 28.
1 1 . The fenfe, as well as metre, feems to require that with 6. & Ar.
we ihould fupply mn», and MS. 4th reads Kin pm NIH, probably for
Nin prn mnS " For Jehovah, their avenger, is ftrong." Unlefs we
read TND at the end, " For their avenger is very ftrong." Which Ar.
countenances. CdVkIJI 10 MSS.
13. " When thou beateft him with the rod, &c." The next verfe
explains this. Or as 5 MSS. k'ji ** For thoujlmlt beathim with the rod,
and he fhall not die."
14. VlKti'2. ** A morte tam corporis, quam sterna; & hac maxime."
Merc. But fee v. 5. Pf. xvi. 10.
15. 'JK 1D^. Junius &c. fuppofe the verb to be underftood. See
our Bib. Marg. ** Ch. legere videtur '^K Di 'l^?! nDtTN, et inauditum
eft, ut orationem abfolvat »i^{, redo in cafu pofitum, nullo verbo, quod
ab eo regatur, antecedente." Houb. But Ch. reads by a tranfpofition
*a*?l 'JK r\12W 'JK X^y.', and as a friend has obferved on Pf. xli. 13.
»JN is found in many places, and may be confidered as idiomatical. See
Gen. xxvii. 34. Durell and Hodgfon. Though I once fufpe£ted it
might be written for »in. 6. Ar. & Vulg. omit both words.
16. One ant. MS. reads ^r\t^W for TIV'^D, " and my lips Ihall rejoice."
Which anfwers better ; but then we fhould read 'mnflti' to agree with
the verb. See Cant. v. 13,
17. Durell
C 453 3
I J Durell from Taylor renders with Syr. " Let not thine heart of-
fe6l Sinners — but always the fear of the Lord." And though Mercer ob-
ferves that the verb with n is always taken in a bad fenfe, xxiv. i. fa-
vors this conftrudion. 6. & Vulg. read the verb fubftant. after mn» ;
*« Omnino fic nn mn»." Houb. " but be thou, 6cc" Ar. reads "^
before DKTl *' but walk thou, &c." " Skne vel deefle aliquid vel
abundare DK videtur." Seeker. Hodgfon renders D^f O, but,
1 8. Mercer &c. for Idk feem to read xy^T], " For lo there h a rc-
nvardt Sec." Or ']ii, " For ven'/y, &c." See Pf. Iviii. 12. Hodgfon
thus, " For although life muft have an end— yet afTuredly thine hope (hall
not be cut off." Perhaps nnnK might here be rendered more literally,
a future Jlate. See Peters on Job.
19. One good MS. reads with Syr. O^Tl, " and guide thine heart in
my way, or ways." See verfe 26.
20. MSB. 6. <NmDl, and 18 'hh'Wi. One, if not more, in both Collat.
read with the D, " ficut potatores, &c." — loV. The verfions omit this
word, or read another for it, what is uncertain ; our Marg. renders it,
" their fiefh." Which Durell not thinking proper tranflates it, " with
each other." Perhaps it may be written for ^1yQ, " amongfl: thofe who
devour flefli with their mouths."
21. NllD 32 MSS. with Houb. — " And dvowCmeCs /iia/I put on rags."
Caft. &c.
22. Durell, to improve the antithefis, for nipt propofes X\2'^'^'', " be-
caufe fhe gave thee fuck"
23. '* Buy the truths &c." ** Allegoria eft a mercatoribus qui nego-
tiantur, & merces pretiofas magno emunt ac pluris deinceps vendunt."
Cartw. noan 19 MSS. But Syr. Vulg. & Ch. read niDOm, " and
fell not wifdom, &c." Otherwife we fliould carry on the force of the
firft verb with Merc. &c. 6. & Ar. omit this verfe.
24. Many MSS. read with Houb. nOtt'S "fbvi, 'j'.V 'j'l. But for the
two lafl words fee Pf. xxxvii. 5. See our Verf.
6 A 25. "lOKl.
C 454 3
25. *1!3KV To avoid the tautology, Durell renders this word, " and
thy people fliall rejoice." " Emphatice repetitur." Merc. Perhaps it
may be written for ^DK, " Thy father fhall rejoice in thee, or with
thee" The lafl: Hemiflich feeming defedive, perhaps IKD may have been
dropped, '* and flie that bare thee fliall be very gUd." The joy of the
mother generally exceeding that of the father. bliHj or "j^^n. feems
proper.
26. Many MSS. of both Collations with all the Verf. and Houb.
read by a metathefis nil^D.
28. Vatab. &c. with the Bib. Marg. " ns a robber" But feveral
MSS. of both Collations have t^nni, " She alfo lieth in wait yir /i />r^_y."
mnyn one MS.
29. 'inf^. The meaning of this word is not very clear, Houb. reads
»>."IN, which is equally obfcure. 6. Syr. & Ar. might read p^tJ^, tumul-
tiis. Perhaps we (hould read TVl^H, or njNl. See Ch. and our verfion.
f)lV7Dn 50 MSS. *' Rcdnefs of eyes." i. e. Perhaps bloodjhot eyes, the
effed: of Inflammations, &c. D'JHD 16 MSS.
30. " Mixt wine." " Vinum conditum melle & fpeciebus." Marian.
See Ainfw. alfo with Lowth on Cant. viii. 4.
31. ** When it is red." ** Rubrum in Cananaea nobilius erat." Gejer.
See alfo Deut. xxxii. 14. But Harmer renders otherwife. See Pf.
Ixxv. 9. — Don 18 MSS. " redtej nam DO efl'et marfupium." Houb.
•* When it Jparkkth in the glqfs. Glafs being ufed before the days of So-
lomon." Hodgfon. — l^nn'T with Ch. " and moveth it/elf aright" i. e.
" defcendit per guttur via redla." Vatab. &c. ** and goeth down f leaf antly."
See Green, &c. Syr. renders, ^* fed meditare jujiitiam."
32. innnK. All the Verf. read by a tranfpofition of the % nnnK%
** for, or, but at the laft, &c."— 'JlViDVDI 17 MSS. See Ifai. xl. 8. By
which Bochart underftands the Bafilijk. — {ynfl* 31 MSS, for which fee
Boch.
33. " Strange women." " Vino incalefcit libido." Marian. See ii. 12.
•)Hy, " f.all behold with pleafure. See Pf. liv. 7." Durell. See alfo Pf.
xcii. 12. mDTflnn 13 MSS. 34. Several
r. 455 ]
34. Several MSS. in both places, n^lB^D. A beautiful defcription of
the want of fenfe of all danger.
35. All the Verf. read IDNfTl at the beginning of this verfe, «* And,
or, then thou wilt fay , they have, &c." Houb, reads 'nnn, non vidii
which Syr. feems to have read ; though he did not think fo. Some one
fuppofes the firft part of the verfe to be by way of queftion and anfwer, as
well as the laft, " Have they ftricken me ? (as you fay) I am not ill,
or the worfe for it. Have they beaten me ? I felt it not." " Rather,
•whe?% I Jhall awake I will repeat it ; and will feek it again." Durell.
^Jtypl^C >^'D1N. We have two verbs in this form, Hof. i. 6. j but as
6. Vulg, & Ch. read the 2d verb there with *? inftead of N, and Syr.
Vulg. & Ch. read it here with the "j prefixed, one of thefe readings
fhould probably be adopted ; unlefs the K be dropped. See Calaf.
Cone, under the word fpK Drunkennefs is the moft incorrigible of
all vices.
C H A P. XXIV.
V. I. Rather perhaps, *' AffeSi not evil men." See xxiii. 17. The
confl:ru6tion requires mxrin. See xxiii. 3.
2. "rity 12 MSS. We fliould probably read Dn'mnS::^. See MS. 240th,
Cant. iv. 3. &c.
4. " Chambers." i. e. The repofitories, where their gold and precious
jewels were preferved. See Hof. xiii. 15.
5. Durell follows 6. Syr. Ar. & Ch. '* I'he wife is more excellent than
the powerful." And obferves that "Q:i is conftrued with 1 in this fenfe,
I Chron. v. 2. See Hodgfon alfo. But as the metre in the firft He-
miftich feems defedive, and Ch. fupplies mo at the beginning, reading
alfo tVD, or as Houb. nya, perhaps n^i may have been dropped from
the famenefs of the letters, ** A wife man prevaileth over the powerful-—
and a man of imderjlanding is above the mighty in fringth." TVl 15 MSS.
6. If
C 456 ]
6. If we confult the metre, and compare 6. Syr. & Ar. with the
parallel paffage xx. 18. it may appear probable that we (hould omit O
and 'iV, " By vjife counfel thou jlialt make war'' --^y^l 4 MSS. See xi. 14.
mbmnni 20 MSS. and 5 with 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. nVinnna.
7. The Verf. render the firft Hemiftich varioufly ; but as they all
read with 4 MSS. DDDn, in the fing. we fliould alfo probably read nS3K1,
or rather n23"), " Wifdom is high to the fool." i. e. He cannot attain it.
8. Rather by inverting the Hemiftichs, ** They /Jiall call him a mifchie-
I'Oiis perfoKi who devtfeth e-vil."
9. nblK. Syr. & Vulg. read b'lf^, and one MS. D'Vw, one of which
feems preferable, " The thought of the foolifli is fin." — D"IJ<V. Does not
DM^k'? feem more agreeable to the context, " and the fcorner is an abo-
mination to God'?" See iii. 32. 6. & Ar. read differently.
10. *' Dojl thou faint, &c.? n being interrogative as well as forma-
tive." Durell. — The lafl: Hemillich being too fliort, for ny I would
propofe TyV, and add likewife "r'ni, which is very like to the next word,
" thy ftrength and might are fmall." See thefe words together, Zech.
iv. 6, ficc. One MS. read perhaps at firft HDmD, and the true reading
is probably "imD- See MS. 93d. TND would complete the metre, " very
fmall."
11. D'mp'? 27 MSB. " Omnes pra^ter Ch. pro Cf* legunt h\!(, ne,
qua3 germana fcriptura eft." Houb. Seeker obferves that Grey omitted
DK with Ch. *' Deliver, and withhold." 6. Syr. & Ar. fupply another
verb, probably *7N;i, redime. But the conjun(5lion and the verb feem to
have been tranfpofed for the fake of the metre. See our verfion.
12. Rather, " Altho thou fayeft, behold we know noi this man." See
6. " quis aut qualis fuerit, innocens an reus, aut in quo periculo."
Gejer. '* Nin caret antecedente, & cum habeant Cod. Alex. & Rom.
Domimis, & Ch. & Syr. Deus, olim fcriptum fuit NIH mri»." Houb.
But as the conftrudion is irregular, and u. Syr. cc Ar. read »nyT for
WW may not n? IJVT be written for mn' V^\ " Altho' thou fayeft,
behold Jehovah kmiveth not — doth not, 6cc. ?" See Pf, xciv. 7.
pin
[ 457 ]
|3in 17 MSS. and 6 n^tlJV which the grammatical conftrudion re-
quires ; and perhaps for the laft word we {hould read li'VT " and he that
made thy foul, doth not\\Q know it ?" Kin 2d being alfo perhaps written
for K^n. See Pf. xciv. 9.
13. « Honey." See Pf. xix. 10. and Patrick. biDt* 7 MSS. nQl3 4*
14. Vulg. as Houb. obferves, reads nVT in regim. He alfo reads with
Ar. nDN^fS, " inveneris earn" For the latter part fee xxiii. 18.
15. m^KD 2 MSS. TW7S one ; and all the Verf. with 7 MSS. read '7^i^
in the 2d place, which the metre, as well as connexion, calls for. Des
Voeux renders it, •* neither invade his bed"
16. Rather with Durell, " Though the juft fall feven times, yet laill
he rife up again." And with Houb. " but the wiokcAfliall be overwhelmed
with evil." — bS' 52 MSS. See xvii. 20.
17. ^I'K many MSS. of both CoUat. and all the Verf. as the context
requires. One MS. reads b'A*-
18. If we adhere to the prefent text, to complete the fenfe, it may
be neceffary to fupply yhv with Gejer. &c. " and he turn away his
wrath from him upoti thee." Hodgfon renders the text, " And his
wrath be transferred to thee" But as 2 MSS. (one ant.) omit nins and
the metre is too long in the firft Hemiftich, perhaps we ihould read ^'V^
for vVvD, " Left he fee it, and it be evil in his eyes — and he turn his
wrath upon thee." See 2 Sam. xvi. 8.
19. bt* 2d. Many MSS. of both Collat. with all the Verf. Vni.
20. 6. 6c Ar. " For there Hiall be no profperity to the evil man." All
the Verf. with 2 MSS. 131, " and the lamp, &c." i. e. His race. See
XX. 20. Pf. xxxvii. I, 2.
21. MSS. 20 with all the Verf. read DV1> " a>id afjociate not with
them that are given to change." See i Cor. xv. 33. " Nota, nullum
fidele obfequium regi exhiberi pofi'e quod a Dei reverentia feparatur."
Cartw. See i Pet. ii. 13 — 17. Durell renders the words, " and be not
fiirety for unjleady men." See 2 Kings xviii. 23. " D^JIi^ divers. Efth,
i. 7. diverfe. iii. 8. Nor 'with fiich as do otherwife hold thou commerce,"
6 B Hodgfon.
C 4S8 3
Hodgfon. Houb. reads "^bim for "jbXDI, and D'DIV with Ch. & Syr. for
D'JIti'j " £t eundo cum iis, qui aberrant, ne commifceari's."
22. "For their calamity." i. e. Which God and the king fhall inflid.
Vatab- &c. Which the former Hemiftich favors ; and it may allude to
Numb. xvi. 30. Or as Durell, \ht furety, and the un/leady per/on. Un-
lefs we read with a friend according to Syr. and 2 MSS. ♦si,' " and who
knovveth the end of their years r" See Ez. ix. 11. 2 Kings x. 21. Or
render the words with Houb. " et pervertentem eos ruinam. nit^ Ch.
perveriere." Grey reads D'JW, as in verfe 21. See De Dieu. — CWDfl
18 MSS.
23. All the Verf. except Vulg. feem to have fupplied 'Dl!:}*, but
nn may have been dropped in the firft Hemiflich of this verfe, " Thefe
alfo are the words of the wife." See i. 6. Ecclef. xii. 9, And it might
have been occafioned by its fimilitude to the word beginning the 2d,
which feems improperly divided in Kennic. Collat. See xxviii. 21. Du-
rell fuppofes this line to be an interpolation, as he does the firft verfe of
the next chapter.
24. "1Q1K 8 MSS. and 7 inilpS with Houb. which the conftrudbion
requires. See xi. 26. D'OIKb 3 MSS. See Hodgfon.
25. The conftru(!tion of the firft Hemiftich not being very clear,
and the reading of 6. & Ar. uncertain, I would read with Vulg. VDiaVl,
& add DV after DVjS ** But the people fhall be delighted with them that
rebuke him — and the bleffing of the good fhall be upon them." Which
gives an exa<ft antithefis to the former verfe ; and as in one valuable MS.
three letters are wanting at the end of the laft line, perhaps W^iH might
be the word, " of the good man." See Pf. cxii. 5. What may alfo
ftrengthen this conjedure is, that it is not improbable that W^ ^"2 from
their umilitude to the two preceding words have deen dropped from the
beginning of the next Hemiftich, the metre, as well as the fenfe, of
which is deficient. See our Verf. But it muft be obferved that one MS.
reads TWP? for aiD, " and the bleffing of Jehovah, &c."
26. " Every
I
C 459 ]
26. " Every man fhall kifs his lips. Sec" The h/s was a mark of
honor and refpedt. See Pf. ii. 12. Syr. and Ch. read Drt'nflty, but the
conftrudion feems to require mflty. " ply in fut. M//;. etfi in eo fut.
i 3 non foleant deficere." Houb. Durell thus, '• He may kifs the lips who
giveth a right anfwer,"
27. Hunt had divided this verfe after the manner of Kennic. Collat.
rendering the 3d line, " afterwards go, &c." But as the 2d line feems
too fhort, I would read Vd before *)b, and add them to the end of it,
making "|^^f^, which one very ant. MS. has, with Houb. (who alfo reads
n'il) the beginning of the 3d line, '* Prepare thy work without — and
make every thing fit for thyfelf in the field — and afterwards thou Jfialt
build thine houfe." Which makes Gejerus's remark unneceflary, ** Nota
1 ante D'J3 non efle copulativum, fed mere converfivum."
28. The firft word of the 2d Hemiftich (hould be joined to the firft,
and by reading with one very valuable MS. riTlfll, the grammatical diffi-
culty (for which fee Poole) is adjufted, " nor deceive with thy. lips."
The "1 as Durell obferves, being negative, as the negative particle pre-
ceded in the former Hemiftich. See xxii, 26. and Pf. Ixxv. 6.
29. The 2d line of this verfe being defedive, I would fupply 'JK at
the end of it. See Deut. xii. 30.
31. The conftrudtion feems to require hy for Thv> *' And lo, thorns
were over it all." Unlefs we read with Houb. iby ; but then "jy kerns
likewife neceffary. See 2 Kings xii. 5. All the Verf. read IDDI, and
16 MSS. D'Vnn.
32. The Afyndeton in this verfe beautifully expreffes his aftonifliment
and furprife.
33. A very flriking apoftrophe, containing the anfwer of the floth-
ful man to the expoftulations of the wife man, which one MS. fupplies,
** How long wilt thou lye, O fothful man — when wilt thou arife from thy
fleepr — nJt:^ one MS. nOUH 6 MSS. and 28 pun. See vi. 10. A beau-
tiful anaphora. >
34. One
C 460 ]
34. One ant. MS. reads l^nnaa, and 5 l^nDS, as vi. il. The wife
man replies, *' In. the mean time fliall thy poverty come as one that tra-
vai/et/i—znd thy want, &c." See Fife. i. e. haftily and irrefiftibly.
But Lord Verulam gives the firfl Hemiftich an oppofite fenfe. See Patrick.
TnOnDI 15 MSS. and all the Verf. have the fing. See Jud. xix. 20.
CHAP. XXV.
V. T. The Proverbs contained in the preceding chapters had been
probably colleded by Solomon himfelf, or fome perfon near his days,
out of the three thoufand which he had written, as of the greateft utility
to the religious and moral ftate of mankind. Thefe, which follow in
this and the following chapters, were added, as the title informs us, by
perfons properly qualified for the work, (Gejerus, &c. fuppofe them to
have been Ifaiah, Hofea, and Micah) and employed by Hezekiah (who
might, have the original in his poflelTion) to feledl the moft valuable of
thofe that remained. See Poole, and Patrick. " The general meaning
of pny is to remove from one place to another. This feems to fliew that
the men of Hezekiah ivent about colleding." Hodgfon. See Durell alfo,
who thinks this verfe an interpolation. See xxiv. 23.
2. " It is the glory of God." It is obfervable that the word D'H"?**
has never been ufed before j which Maldonate, who is followed by
Durell, underftands oi judges and princes, and one MS. reading DO'^aat
firil favors this fenfe, " It is the glory of kings to conceal a matter — and
it is the glory of kings to fearch out a matter." i. e. By concealing care-
fully their own intentions and counfels, and by finding out the defigns
of other men. See Grot, on xxvi. 4. and Pf. Ixxxii. i. If the words re-
lpe<5l the Deity, by concealing a matter may be unJerftood pardoning fins.
See Ff. Ixxxv. 2. And then we fhould render the laft Hemiftich with
Seeker, " but the honor of kings to fearch out a thing." " De rayfleriis
divinis intelligo, quae non paflim rcvelat Deus, fed quibiu, & quantum
vult."
[ 46i 3
vult." Merc. &c. — A great number of MSS. read in both places nm^,
and one IDD, which is more regular. But Houb. reading ^niDn, ren-
ders the whole thus, " ^i rem celaty Deum honorat, — qui honorat regejjtj
rem invejligabit."
3. Durell from Noldius makes the two infinitives to have the force of
the preter, or prefent tenfe, an ufage frequent amongfl the Greek and
Latin authors, " The heavens are high, and the earth deep." 6. Syr. Ch.
6c Ar. render fo ; but whether they might not read n emphatical for *?
may be doubtful. Though perhaps the words by a tranfpofition may be
rendered thus, *' There is no fearching the heaven for height, or the
GAXih. for depth, or the heart of kings." '
4. Inftead of »Vd, perhaps we fhould read b''7D, which 6. & Ar. fa-
vor, and making "i.^-! the 3d perf. plur. Pyh. (See 2 Sam. xx. 13) the
words may be rendered thus, ** The drofs is taken away from the filver — ■
and it cometh forth pure unto the refiner." ^yib 4 MSS.
5. Syr. rendering inn here in the plur. pafT. (See verfe 4.) and reading
alfo with 6. & Ar. ^iW^, the words may be rendered, ** Let the
wicked be removed from before the king, &c." The wicked anfwers to the
drofs in verfe 4.
6. *' Boajl noi thyfelf in the prefence, &c." Cartw. — 'Jfj'?. *' Omnes
in Polyg. legunt ♦Jfj'ja, a coram, et poftulat D verbum." Houb. But
fee Taylor, and Durell, with verfe 7. Rather, " in the place of the nobles,"
i. e. Where they ought to ftand. D'bn.l 3 1 MSS. -novn 2.
7. bflirniD 2 MSS. in Hoph. ** For it is better to fay to thee, go up
higher — than that thou JJiouldeJi be thruft down from the prefence of the
prince — whom thine eyes have feen." i. e. by an unbecoming intrufion.
See verfe 5. and Luke xiv. 8, &c. But Grotius, &c. connedt the laft
line with the following words -, and Durell adding "nm with 6. & Ar.
makes it to begin the 9th verfe, " Speak what thine eyes have feen', and
difcover not, &c." See Houb. alfo.
8. y^b. 43 MSS. with all the Verf. and Houb. m"?, ** Go not forth
haftily to contention" But 4 MSS. have yrb with cur Verf. ♦* to Jlrive"
6 C Which
r 462 ]
Which removes the difficulty with refpedl to the following fem. affix ;
which Houb. rejefls, as redundant, and prefers N'VID.
\Sii &c. Some fuppofe an ellipfis here. See our Verf, Durell renders
with Munfler, " le/l thou do any thing in the end thereof — whereby thy
neighbour may put thee to fhame." But it may be confidered as the
imper. mood, as Jun. and Trem. have obferved, or be written for n3fl>
" confider what thou fhalt do in the end thereof— when thy neighbour
hath put thee to fhame."
9. m. The grammatical conftrudlion feems to require nil, or inn.
But fee Calas. Cone. — Vulg. reads inK'?, " to another." But fee our
marg. Verf. As Seeker obferves, hmfelf fliould be omitted in the firft
Hemiftich, which Durell conneds with what precedes, fupplying But^
10. A friend remarking that "TTDn' appears only in this fenfe here,
and Lev. xx. 17. (where with him we (liould read DDn, or perhaps
Km) propofes to read, with one MS. at firft, inpn% *' Left he that
heareth (i. e. the judge) bring thee to poverty " yow 9 MSS.
11. '* hike apples of gold." i. e. Oranges; and the words might be bet-
ter rendered according to Mercer, &c. *' A word fitly fpoken is like oranges
iu a flowered filver bajket." See Efl*ay for a new tranflat. Lowth, &c.
■QT 2d. 33 MSS. *Tin, and 6 v:51N- " Sermoni eleganter tribuun-
tur rotce, fuper quas circumvolvitur." Merc.
12. Seeker thus, *' jin ear-ring of gold t and an ornament of fine gold, is
a wife reprover, &c." Rather by inverting the fentences, *' A ivife re-
prover upon an obedient (or as Durell, unto an attentive) ear is^—as an ear-
ring, &c." See verfc 14.— DVDIt:' 4 MSS.
13. " As z.pot, or, pitcher, of fnovv, &c." Hunt: who obferves alfo
that it is the cuAoni to this day in the Eafl to preferve fnow in fuch
veflels under ground; and for this fenfe of the word fee Exod. xvi. '^■^^.
Durell obferves, that 6. & Syr. read nJa'D, '* As the falling, &c."
Hodgfon renders it, " As a can of fnow." One MS. and another pro-'
bably, reads VPlbltyV. One MS. omits the laft line of this verfe.
14. «' Slui
[ 463 ]
I4» " ^l jaBat fe alteri benefacere et poffe, et velle, nee tamen facit,^'
Pifc. See Marian alfo. " DDDl. Nos cum Vulg. nVon, in verbis^ Simi-
litudo magna eft vcntorum, five pluviae, cum jadtantia verborum." Houb.
Durell, ** The man who boajleth of a briber &c," Hodgfon, *' who boajieth
faljly of his liberality.'*
15. Rather, *' is a prince appeafed." " D"):i hic fignificat iram grave/nt
fortem inftar offis." Vatab. &c. But, as it appears no where elfe in this
fenfe, may it not be written for ti"), " and a foft tongue breaketh (i. e.
fubdueth) anger f" See xv. i, and Pf. Ixxvi. ir.
16. ** Honey." Under this may be imphed all other delicacies, and
pleafures. See Merc. &Ct Perhaps rather, '^ le/l thou be fatiated.'*
iriK'pm 5 MSS.
17. "ipn. " A^^ nimis crebro invlfe eum. Nam res pretiofa3 raro ufurpan-
tur. vid I Sam. Hi. i." Gejer. &c. " Legendum cum Vulg. bpH, levem
fac pedem tuum." Houb. — One ant. M5. reads ^i^JJi^'l, which the con-
ftrudion feems to require, " and hate thee." So fhould be omitted, as
Seeker obferves.
18. •' A mawV This word occurring no where elfe, it cannot be de-
termined what kind of inflrument it was ; but the radix fliews it to have
been a de/lruSiive one. nJlV 6 MSS.
19. ntonc. Confidering this word as the part. Pah. in Hoph. the whole
may be rendered thus, " He, who is coifded in, behaving treacheroujly in
the day of trouble is — like a faulty tooth, and a tottering foot."
20. " Si ullus S. Scripturae locus, hie certe eft obfcuriflimus & difii-
cillimus." Gejer. As one MS. therefore at firft read niVD for mVO, the
fenfe of which is borrowed from Ch. (though that has another word here)
and one valuable MS. for nip has mp, if we fupply ")Di after "inJ,
which the fenfe, as well as metre, feems to require, (though one MS.
omits this line) and read *Wi for *ny% (See Vulg.) the verfe may be
rendered thus, " He that fmgeth fongs to an heavy heart is — as he that
maketh naked of a garment in a day offroji — as vinegar poured u^oa nitre."
" Ut acetum nitre redditur afperimum, fie moeftus animus carmine exacer-
batur,"
C 4^4 ]
batur." Call. See Ecclus. xxii. 6.— Houb. conneaing the firft line of
this verfe with the foregoing, and reading mVDI, or mVI, renders thus,
" Dens putridus et tibia vacillans, viri improbi in calaniitate prxfidium,
ille r el pallium auferet in die frigoris." Dn't^n 30 MSS. 6. Syr. Vulg.
Ch. 6c Ar. have an additional verfe.
21. Water in hot countries was a very defirable thing; but one old MS.
reads D*01 1"> '* '^'^-^^ '^^d water." One MS. reads IKilii'.
22. nnn. 12 MSS. read nmn. Ch. fupplies iy« before nn^. But 6.
Syr. & Ar. for nnn nnX read nnnn tJ^K, *• carbones ignis congerei, &c."
Or fome other verb. See alfo Rom. xii. 30. And by this expreflion
«' of heaping coals of fire upon his head" may be underftood the judg-
ments of God upon the implacable and revengeful, alluding to Pf. xviii.
12, 13. and the antithefis feems to require this fenfe; for which fee
Gejer. from Chryfoft. &c. Durell obferving that nnn never fignifies to
hfap, but to take away, propofes this fenfe, " For thou ivilt take aivay
the fparks, or coals of fire." i. e. The different degrees of wrath. Hodg-
fon gives this conftrudion to the words, *' So JJialt thou place on his head
a cenferfull of fire ; and the Lord will accept the peace-offering tf thee."
But 6. & Ar. read niD at the end of the 2d Hemiftich, which the me-
tre feems to call for, " but Jehovah fhall repay good unto thee."
23. The verfion of our Bib. Marg. followed by Hunt, &c. feems pre-
ferable. See Mercer alfo ; and Peters from comparing this paflage with
Job xxxvii. 22. infers that the book of Job was not written by a Jewt
as the north-wind injudcea brought rainy but dry weather in Arabia.
*' Fentus aquilo. i. e. Caurus." Houb. One very valuable MS. for inD
reads "ipB^, ** a lying tongue." Mr. Bradley obferves that inD in Ch.
fignifies, to contradict.
24. MSS, 4. have nitt^*? as in xxi. 9. which fee for the laft word.
tD'ina 16 MSS. See vi. 14.
25. The true reading feems to be nVIOty, (See MS. 145.) ** Good
news from a far country is— like cold water, &c." See verfe 21. *' To a
fainting foul." Seeker.
26. " A
C 465 ].
26. *• A righteous man bowing before the wicked is — 5cc." i. e. The
natural order of things is dillurbed and confounded. See xiv. rg. Gejer.
Hunt, &c. fuppofe tOD, or DID, to fignify, vacillans, feu deficiens, a via
veritatis. Hunt would fupply p at the beginning of the 2d Hemif-
tich, but all the Verf. have the 3 of fimilitude before {'VD, and this
letter is probably often dropped through its likenefs to that which follows.
Dfln: 5 MSS.
27. b^'2^ 20 MSS. and 3 nnn ; but the conftrudlion rather requires
nnn. This Ihould be taken figuratively. See verfe 16, and Durell,
There is great obfcurity in the latter part of this verfe, for the various fenfes
of which fee Poole. 6. Ar. Syr. & Ch. for linD DnnD read TQDH nn,
•verba glorioja ; which Houb. follows. " Scrutator majejlatis opprimetur a
gloria. Vulg. q. 1. "TllDX: ^nD "^pm, vel ^2^a, nee inconcinne. Or per-
haps, and he that fearcheth into glory Jhall be overwhelmed. Or, tiortofearck
out glorious things or words." Seeker. Durell, uniting D with the laft
word, and making it the Gerund, gives this fenfe, " nor to fearch after
glory by glorying." Hodgfon reading the firll: noun without the fuffix D,
gives the words this fenfe, " It is not well to eat honey to excefs — but in
the deeds of virtue to be excejjive, or unbounded^ is glorious." But as 58
MSS. have CD"nnD, perhaps we fliould read "niDn 1123, " nor is it an
honor to feek honor." See xxiv. 28. Gloria fiigientem fequitur.
28. nt^K feems redundant, (See MS. 95-.) " A man not ruling his fpi-
rit is — like, &c." See Durell. By the Jpirit may be underftood all the
fenjual afFedtions. See xvi. 32.
CHAP. XXVI.
V. 2. Durell with Munfter, &c. *' As the bird wandereth, &c."
** The meaning feems to be, fays he, that evils, natural or moral, owe
not their being to chance, like the accidental flight of birds in this or
that diredion." But the original vv-ord probably denoting fome particular
bird, as Mercer, &c. fuppofe, I would render the words with him, *' As
6 D the
C 466 3 ,
the Sparrow is rmdefor wandering, as the Sivalloiv, or Turtk Dove, for
jlying — fo the curfe cometh not in vain." i. e. Shall as furely be executed,
as thofe birds anfwer the end of their creation. Caft. in another fenfe,
" ^am facile volant aves, tarn facile vitantur quce quis inique imprecatur'*
Houb. for KJan, or as 19 MSS. Nlin, reads Klinn*? in Uithp. " ita
malediSlio vana nufpiam confijlet" 6. feem to have read t5>»NV after the
verb, «« i,raEJ«Ta< sJ^Ev.', Ar. omits the negative, '' fic malediSlio vanafuper-
veniet alicui."
3. Boch. with all the Verf. and many MSS. of both CoUat. ariDV
** and a fpur."
4. " According to his folly." h. e. " Probris atque convitlis." Gejer.
5. " Anfwer a fool, &c." " Tales fententije havriofpami, adhibit^ tem-
porum & rerum difcretione, facile conciliantur." Grot. &c. But Ken-
nic. to avoid this abfblute contradidion, reads u'ith Syr. & Ch. "JHD^nS,
or inOSnn, for in'JIK^, ** Anfwer a fool according to, or in, thine own
wifdom" See Difl'. 2d. p. 359. Had his great work of the collation of
the MSS. been then completed, he would probably have preferred the
reading of one MS. with a much lefs alteration of the text, inVwi,
" Anfwer a fool in his folly — left he be wife in his own eyes."
6. I'or nnsy Don 6. & Ar. read very differently, probably ntyy n*1i3PT
TO'TIIO, but as neither of thefe readings affords a very pertinent fenfe, per-
haps we fhould read nDK'D "lOm, ** He that fendeth a meffage by the
hand of a fool is — as he that cutteth off the feet, and he that givethjirong
wine to drink." Both which difable a perfon from delivering a proper
meffage. Houb. alfo reads "IDH, '* vinum bibit." Durell's fenfe of the
words is the fame with that of Mercer, &c. *' He that fends a meffage by
a fool, will as furely fuff'er damage by not haviiig it duly performed, as if he
cut off the meffengers feet." Or he would render it with Syr. Some one
for Don would read \'Dn, " He that fendeth a meffage by a fool (is like
one who) cutteth off the feet (i. e. of his meffenger, and fo prevents his
going) and drinketh vinegar; (inftead of wine) which will fet his teeth
on edge. See x. 26." Hodgfon making nVpD, the part. Fuh. obtrun-
catus.
[ 467 ]
catust and rendering T\Tm DaiT, a drinker of violence; (See Job xv. 16.)
gives this verfion, ** Like one eager after plunder, but ivlwfe feet have
been cut of— is he ivho commit teth a difpatch to the hand of a fool"
nbity 5 MSS.
7. Hunt deriving the verb with De Dieu from b"?"!, and making z in
rJDflD the prepof. renders thus, «' The legs are weak through lamenefs —
fo is a parable in the mouth of fools." " Tollite crura claudi. q. d. Si
elevetis tibias claudi, quid ei profueritis." Vatab. &c. " Auferte crura
claudi." Marian. So alfo Hodgfon, " take away the legs, &c. That is,
they are ufelefs, the lame man might as well be without them." But
reading with 16 MSS. D'p1!i'> and l^T with Mercer, or with Durell
ibbl, the words might bear this fenfe, ** The legs of the lame are weak —
fo, &c."
8. We Ihould probably read by tranfpofing the 1, IIIVD, though no
MS. authorizes it, " u/ls he that bindeth a flone in the fling (i. e,
to throw it away) — fo &c." See Bayn. &c. in Poole j where Grotius
and others endeavour to explain the Vulg. fenfe of HD^'nOi, " in acer-
vum Mercurii." An author, referred to by Seeker, renders, " As he that
futteth a precious Jlone in the dirt."
9. *' Nee fpinam ebrius, nee fententiam ftultus tra<5lare poteft." Cafl.
But the laft Hemiflich of this vcrfe feems to be borrowed from verfe 7th,
and the verfions differ much in rendering the firfl. 2 MSS. omit the two
laft words. " They each expofe themfelves to ridicule." Durell.
10. There is no authority for our reading, and tranflation, which Va-
tablus, &c. follow, and the Verf. afford very little fatisfadion. —
Houb. reads b'DD for ^D, and D> T\1V for onnV, " Magna concipiunt
Jlultus et ebrius — ftultus et ebrius tnare trajiciiint," See Syr. 6c Ch. Some
one following 6. reads ntm for '^2m ift, miti'Jl for "iDtyi 2d, and DmiV
for DniJ/j " Every fort of fool is very tempejluous. (i. e. occafions much
trouble) but their wrath Jhall be broken" Hodgfon making "I3ty fignify,
to hire, Vbn, to wound, and n prafeBus, gives this conftrudion,
'* Over every one a dejpot exercifeth cruelty — but he fuborneth the profli-
gate,
[ 468 ]
gate and the ivicked" Durell renders thus " Every one fuffereth tnuch,
— Ww either hireth a fool, or hirefh tran/grejfors." Pifc. &c. " A power-
ful man (if wicked) afflidls all — and hireth a fool, and hireth tranfgref-
fors." As the properell: perfons for his iniquitous purpofes. See Poole and
Patrick. But as the firfl: Hemiftich is too fliort, the fgllowing readings
and divifion, are fubmitted to conlideration, bVinO for S'jinO, "»31ty for
the I ft "lDti>l, and with 7 MSS. '^'y\m for the 2d, " Every drunkard be-
. comes very fooliJJi, or mad — the fool and the drunkard are tranfgrefTors."
Dnn^y. 5 MSS.
11. Many MSS. of both Collat. read W^, as elfewhere, and 10 7\W,
" The fool repeateth his folly." See 2 Pet. ii. 22. Seeker obferves, that
6. have a verfe at the end, which is found in Eccluf. iv. 21.
12. " 'Thou mayejl hope more of a fool than of him. mpD being the 2.
P. fat. Kair Durell.
13. See xxii. 13. There are fx different words fignifying ^ //0/7. See
Buxt. Rather perhaps, " hetween the ftreets." So that he could not pafs
from 0f2e to the other.
14. " So doth thefothful man upon his bed." *' Nempe circumagitur,
nee inde movetur." Pifc. &c.
15. See xix. 24. Is not HN^Vjl better, " and, &c. ?" See Vulg.
16. Rather perhaps, " than feven men, ivho give the wifeji counfel."
i. e. Pie is deaf to all admonition. See xi. 22. Seven was zfacred num-
ber among the Jews, implying perfection, and multitude. See ix. i,
17. nnyriD, or as lo MSS. with Ch. n2ynai> but ill accords in this
place ; unlefs it will bear the fenfe given to it by Hodgfon of being bufy
and ojicioiis, for which he refers to Num. xxii. 18. We fliould perhaps
either read with the firft printed copy of the Hagiog. ^'2Vr\^, or with
Vulg. n"ivns, omitting "OV with 6. & Ar. which is neither neceffary
to the fenfe or the metre, or reading it conformably to the following par-
ticiple, " He that troubleth himfelf, or, medd/eth, &c." Syr. for thefe
two words probably reads OTiy, ** ^i fagax eji in lite non propria,
fimilis, 5cc."
18. The
C 469 ]
18. The verfions differ widely in tlieir readings of this vcrle.
n^nbriDD. This word occurs no where elfe, but is made the part, in
Hithp. by the Lexicographers from nnb > may it not be written for
b'jinnOD ? Seejer. XXV. 16. and Hodgfon. nnVH 29 MSS. and 15 D»(5»r,
which for the metre's fake fhould be perhaps placed at the beginninsj of
the 2d Hemiftich; unlefs we might read DID ''JDI. See Syr. and Pf.
vii. 13. Houb. for mOl reads mo'?, " ad mortem, i. e. mortiferas fa-
gittas." But, as Durell obferves, it may be an Hendiadis.
19. One MS. reads riDID, with 6. & Syr. which is requifite, unlefs
we fupply itrtf.
20. pinty* 22 Mss.
21. One MS. reads D»nS, which may give this {q,\-\(q, '* As blojls to
the coals, and wood to the fire, &c." See xvii. 14. D'JHS 20 MSS.
22. See xviii. 8.
23. D*pbl. 10 MSS. tD'p*?n, which makes it not improbable, that wc
(hould read D'pbn, the T being a difcontinuation of the n, " Flattering
lips and a wicked heart are — like filver of drofs laid upon a potflierd."
See xxvi. 28, and Pf. xii. 3. Since this note was written, I find it cor-
roborated by fome critical author, who likewife obferves, that 6. feeni
to have read fo. Some make fdver of drofs an hypallage for drofs of Jil'
•ver ; but it rather fignifies filver purif.id of its drofs, which anfwers bet-
ter io flattering lips in contradiftinftion to the potjherd and wicked heart*
See Hunt, and verfe 28.
24. yn^'^l 32 MSS. with Syr. Vulg. Ch. Ar. Houb. &c. From the
various interpretations of ")Dr, (for which fee Poole) and from comparing
verfe 28. I am induced to read "ipti", " He that hateth, Ijeth with his
lips, but, &;c." See 6. who read fome additional word, probably piK,
** deplorans inimicus."
25. Rather, " Altho his voice is gracious, Sec." Vox fcven, 6cc. Sec
verfe 16. " For he is full of abominations in his heart." Durell.
Perhaps as one MS. reads xt), 1 may have been mifplaced, " for his
heart is filled nsoith abominations^' See iiodgfon alfo.
26. riD^n.
[ 4/0 ]
26. riDOn. All the Verf. fcem to read with Houb. nD3Dj rather than
nD'^n as Durell luppofes, (See xvii. 9.) " He that covereth hatred
with deceit — his wickednefs fliall be difcovercd in the congregation."
i. e. Shall be publickly known feme time or other. See Matt. x. 26.
Durell deriving ^INtl'^a from pxt:', renders it, ivith tranquillity. Hodgfon
from nxt:*, vajiari, tranflates it, //; private. But the derivation from
N^'J, decipere, feems mofl fuitable to the context.— Our verfion reads
bD bnp::, " before the lahole congregation." But I know not upon what
authority.
27. Rather, *' it Jliall return upon him." This feems to allude to
tlie Lex TaJionis. nilD 7 MSS. and 42 bVlil, which are proper. See
6. 6cc.
28. VD"T. *' Contritos fuos, vel, quos attriturus eft. i. e. Plr lingua
fallace." Pifc. 6cc. Durell conjectures that, as all the verfions render it.
Truth, they read nVIDl, pure things. But as Ch. has NDJyip, this might
induce one to think, that £3Lyp was the original word ; though this dif-
fers widely from the text. " Ki^i' legas, idem ac NJ:^», feret contritiones
fuas, h. e. eas, quas alteri fecerit. Porro rvm^f quod verbum alibi non
extat, revocandum ad VPIID, formam folitam." Houb. If thefe readings
be admitted, the fenfe agrees better with the context. But fee Patrick.
CHAP. XXVII.
V. I. Houb. would read Dv"?, *' in diem. i. e, fufurum. 2 eft prae-
fentis temporis." But we have the fame expreffion. Gen. xxx. 33.
" May bring forth." *• Dies comparator mulieri gravida, qus nefcit
num paritura fit marem, an fceminam ; num vivum, aut mortuum."
Gejer.
2. Rather "lbb^^^ See Job xii. ly. n^J. See Pf. i. i. Append.— kVi
2 MSS. which correfponds better with the former Hemiftich.
3. If 'jlOi fignifies weighty, it feems to bear this fenfe by the figure
anti^hrafis,
4; mnoK.
[ 471 ]
4 . nV"1t3}^. o. Syr. & Vulg. having the Jing. we fhould probably read
nniDK, orn'liDK, " Wrath is cruel:'
" But who can /land before envy?" R. Levi relates a ftory of two per-
fons, the one covetous, and the other envious ; to whom a certain King
promifed to grant whatever they fhould afk, and double to him that
aflced laji ; the covetous man would not afk frji, becaufe he hoped for
the double portion j nor would the envious, that he might not benefit the
other i but at length he requefted that one of his eyes might be taken
out, in order to deprive his companion of both. See Poole. 110V»
5 MSB.
5. The fenfe, if not the metre, feems to require fome word after
n^ADj perhaps pV> (See Job xx. 27. and Hunt) " Reproof, which re-
vealeth iniquity, is better — than love which conceakth it." But then we
(hould alfo read IHinDO.
6. minvil, *' are deceitful:' Hunt fetches this fenfe with Houb. from
Ar. Durell renders the word with Merc, frequent, or with Schultens,
virulent. Perhaps, there being a great fimilitude in the letters, it may be
written for miVHil, ** but the kiffes of an enemy are abominable^' See
Ifai, xiv. 19.
7. One MS. read at firft rinn, " defpifeth an honey comb." The con-
ftru(ftion feems to require tVti'h^ with Houb. otherwife he propofes npHD*
or pDDDj " dulce reddet, vel habebit."
8. Some take thefe words in a o-W fenfe, fome in a bad one. See 6.
6 Poole. The latter feems right. '* '\ty\'^12, from his hoifey or pojl"
Durell.
9. There is a difficulty in the conftrudion of the laft Hemiflich, for
which fee the verfions, but if we read with Vulg. VT for inv^ and car-
rying on the "1 read nifyi for Ts'i'^'Q, all will correfpond, " fo a friend and
counfel are the fweetnefs of the foul." i. e. By an Hcndiadis the counfel
of a friend. " Et bonis amici confiliis anima dulcoratur." Vulg. A
friend propofes \i!Q^. Houb. thus, " Ita viri confilium amico ejus dul-
cererit." See Durell alfo. But 6, tranfpoling the words probably read
thus.
C 472 ]
thus, 1^53 ninyo Vn'l— nb nOti;' mapl pnOI lett^, " Unguentis et vinis,
et odoramentis deleSiatur cor ; difrumpitur aiitem a calamitatibus anima."
10. " Amicum tibi et patri tuo fpeBatum fratri prcefer." Merc, yri
19 MSS. with Houb. Our Verf. inferts "for" contrary to the text,
Verf. & MSS, See Seeker, mrvn 4 MSS.
11. " Him that reproacheth me." As being guilty of a negledl in
thy education and morals, 'fl'lin 5 MSS. — 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. read
I'llTll in the 2d perfon.
12. See xxii. 3. nriDJl 17 MSS. one D"nfl, and 14 I5r>:vj% with
Houb.
13. See XX. 1 6. " Nee mirum hic pleraque repeti, quia viri Ezechiae,
qui h£BC congeflerunt, non adverterunt ad eas parab. quae jam a Salomone
fimul inter alias collocatse fuerant, et in unum volumen coaftas." Merc.
But fee XXV, i. Houb. &c. read DHDi 'with 4 MSS. as in xx. 16.
Seeker renders thus, " and nvhofe pledge is for a flrange woman."
14. Vulg. reads DOtt^':}, or tziDJi'3, one of which feems right.
** Alludit ad importunos Salutatores, qui ante lucem ad fores potentium
verfabantur, et clara voce ingeminabant, Ave falve, &c." Tirin. Sec
Durell alfo. Rather, " it fliall be accounted a curfe by him." i. e. The
friend, who interprets it in an oppofite light, as intended only for finifter
purpofes. Durell thus, ** it fliall be reputed to him a light thing."
" Shall have meamiefs imputed to him." Hodgfon. The fenfe fuggefts
the divifion of Kennic. Collat. One ant. MS. omits D>3tyn "lp:in.
15. inJlD. This word, occurring no where elfe, is perhaps written
for "lyiD, *' in zjlormy day." See xix. 13. &: xxi. 9. " Vult feries nnB'3>
vel imna'J." Houb. Mr. Bradley obferves that Hunt adheres to the text.
It is obfervable that this word is formed both from the Niph. and Hithp.
conjugations. See Buxt. D'iHJD 16 MSS.
16. Thefe words connedted with the former may afford a better fenfe
with Durell's reading of nn for mi, " Whofoever hideth her, hideth a
fmell — which the ointment about his right hand proclaimeth." But the
conjedlure of an ingenious friend of his, who reads n* *D>*, feems to
have
C 473 ]
have cleared up this difficult paflage, which confidering the metre, and
comparing Pf. Ixv. ii. with Pf. cxxxv. 7. might originally fland thus,
nin pfiir mn* isi'
; Kip Kin r^3* P^'T
" 'Jehovah hideth the north wind — and calleth forth the plenteous Touth
wind." i. e. As he obferves, ** He ruleth over fecond caufes, and direc-
teth them to their due effedts." For p3\f fee 6. Ar. & Syr. and for
pty in this fenfe, Ifai. xxx. 23. For the text fee Vatab. &c. Houb.
for lOty") reads pDJ, " fignatum vianus ejus. Qui cam domi continebit,
quaf] qui ventum cohibeat. Nam quidquid propria manu obfignaverit,
palam fiat." A friend propofes nJD':f for n'JDV, qui cohihet earn ; and if
the words refer to the contentious woman, that is preferable. Hodgfon
thus, " 'They who can conceal her, can conceal a /cent — But perfume in
a mans hand will difcover itfelf"
ij. " yis iron fliarpeneth iron" ** Ferrum hie ponitur pro enfe^ five
re alia ex ferro fadta." Vatab.
Perhaps, " fo a man rejoiceth the countenance of his friend." Such
a play upon words being very frequent, and for this {zv\{.q fee Exod. xviii. 9.
Hodgfon renders thus, " As iron is brightened againjl iron— Jo one
friend bright eneth the countenance of another."
18. " He who keepeth the fig tree." i. e. diligently attends the cul-
ture thereof, ni'i: 3 MSS. and 5 nam.
19. " As in water, &c." " Aquje naturte fpecula." Tirin. Our Verf.
follows Vulg. which probably reads ID'OID-
** So the heart of mail to man." " In fingulorum vultu, gefiu, ver-
bis, &c. legunt affedtus hominum." Tirinus. See Poole. " Ut aqua
vultum vultui, fie mens hominem homini, (intellige reddit,)" Cafl-.
See Hodgfon alfo. " Haud fane facile eft didtu quo pertineat hoc, et qui-
bus coerceri debeat finibus, cum referri pofilt multis modis ad hominum
indoles, ingenia, affedtus, amicitias, virtutes, vitia." Lowth. Vulg.
feems to have read DnV*? for DIkV, " fo the heart of man is known to
6 F the
[ 474 ]
the prudent:' But 6. Syr. & Ar. for D'.?:, read Dr^T, and Ch. fupplies
it, with the negative in both Hemiftichs. Ch. & Syr. alfo probably
read CD! N*? for Dixb, " As face \% not like to face, — fo the heart of
man is not alike," h. e. " Hominum animi quam maxime invicem va-
riant et dilTident." Merc. " D'a"FD, TJt Jimiles funt vultus vultibus."
Houb. which a friend follows, or with the negative reads, D'Ql vh'2>
All the Verf. read mn*? in the plur.
20. pilNI 22 MSS. See alfo xv. ii. Ch. and Revel, ix. ii. By the
eye may be underftood all the fenfiial afFeftions. 6. & Ar. infert ano-
ther verfe after this, which has no authority of MSS.
21. " So is a 7'ruvi to his praife." For the various explanations of this
Hemiftich fee Poole. But Pagninus's tranfpofition of the prepofition
which Houb. &c. follow, anfwers better to the former, ** So is the
mouth of him that praifeth him to a man." i. e. It tries whether his heart
can bear teftimony to thefe commendations -, if not, his adtions are proved
bafe and adulterate. Though, as 6. Syr. & Ar. fupply a verb, perhaps
Xnyi may have been dropped after t^'NI, " fo is a man proved by the
mouth of him that praifeth him." One ant. MS. reads with 6. Syr. Ch.
& Ar. rbbna, " of them that praife him." Rather vbbina. See verfe 2.
22. Durell obferves that here are four words, which may be confi-
dered as a^rai ?.sv. and fetching the fenfe of tyjiDD from Ch. 6c Syr. giv-
ing alfo the fame fenfe to m£3nn from f\T\, to bruife, and making I'jyi
or vbvi, the compound of 1, 'hv, and the affix, he gives this fenfe of
the words, " Ihou tnayejl bruife a fool in a fat by means ofjlampings upon
him, 6cc.." Caft. renders trnDCn, " graneam" or, ** aream," and this
Hunt approves of, as agreeable to the Hebrew word. But, as Durell
remarks, the fenfe put upon 'b^a being very uncertain, I apprehend
there is a tranfpofition of the words ; and reading msin for misnn, I would
offer this conftrucflion of them, " Though thou beatefl a fool in a mor-
tar, (which might be a proverbial expreffion for fevere corredion) in
the midji of reproachers, his foolillinefs, &c." Since this note was writ-
ten I find that Hodgfon fuppofes the fame metathefis, and rendering
C 475 ]
^DDOn, at the mortar y & msnn, grijl, or ground corn, as 2 Sam. xvii.
19. gives this fenfe, " Though thou Jhouldjl chafiife a fool in the grinding
houfe, amidjl the workers at the griJl, — yet will he not, &c." referring to
Judg. xvi. 21. and Terence's Andria. Houb. reads with 6. Syr. & Ar.
TDn, " auferes."
23. Rather, " the faces o^ thy (heep." " Alludit ad morem paflorum,
qui tarn exadte pecudes norunt, ut fingulas potuerint nominatim appellare.
vid, Joh. X. 3." Cartw. This advice is applicable a fortiori to civil, and
ecclefaflical governors. See i Cor ix. 9. and the next verfe. One copy
reads vi^ith 6. Vulg. Ch. & Ar. ri'l^l, " and fet thine heart upon the
herds." Houb. reads vv^ith 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. "imvb, upon thy herds.
i. e. the greater cattle. Hodgfon renders it, •* on the flocks*' i. e. The
goats, or Jheep,
24. DK1. One MS. reads DX1 kVi, which countenances the negative,
probably therefore we fliould read xblj " neither the crown to generation
and generation." See 6. & Ar. which read ")")."iD N^l Vn'1, " Quoniatn
non in feculum robur et fortitudo, neque tradentur, &cc," Ch. for ")TJ
reads DlbST, " neque pax erit." Houb. for "in tDNI reads I^INI, " et
thefaurus." Durell making ItJ a verb, renders thus, " neither furely
are they appropriated." im 42 MSS.
25. For nV,"l perhaps we might read nV-l, in Py//. " The hay is cut
down, and the tender grafs is feen ; — and the herbs of the mountains are
gathered." The mountains in Judaea^ being very fruitful, might abound
with wild Thyme, and other falubrious herbs. See Cant. iv. 6. and
^ ChropJ xxvi. 10.
26. Rather, " The Jlieep are for thy cloathing." " The price of the
field." They were ufed to barter in the Raft with cattle inftead of mo-
ney. See Boch. on Gen. xxxiii. 19.
27. " Goat's milk." Goats abounded in Judsa on account of its moun-
tainous fituation. " For the food of thy houfliold" Perhaps the wife and
children in contradiflindtion to the maidens mentioned hereafter, which Syr.
omits. *' D"m, and maintenance.'' Seeker,
CHAP.
[ 476 ]
CHAP. XXVIII.
V. T . 1DJ, Sec. The moft eafy way of reftoring the grammatical con-
flruftion is to read with one MS. 6. Viilg. Ar. Houb. &c. d:, or Dli,
with another, 6. Syr. Vulg. & Ar. ^I'n, and with 3, and two now, 6.
Vulo. & Ar. pn^i"], " The wicked fecf/i, when no one purfueth — i)uf
the righteous is bold as a lion." But 2 MSS. if not more, read inLDl',
and Syr. & Ch. •C2''W\.
2. The metre of the lad Hemiftich appearing too long, the common
conflrudtion of the words bordering upon tautology, and two MSS. omit-
ting VT, which is not necefTary to the fenfe, reading TIN* (See De.ut. vf.
2. where we fliould read 1D-|K», or with Sam. pDIKS for p^K') it
m\o\\x. be rendered thus, " but by a man of underjlanding Jliall the Jlate
he prolonged." The reading of the whole according to 6. & Ar. is pro-
bably this,
" For the tranfgreflion of a land contentions are Jlirred up — but a man
of underflanding extinguifneth them." Houb. reading Ity for t^i in the
next verfe, which one MS. omits, and bringing it back to the end of
this, reading VTl for J-'T, and pL^yn for ptyyi renders thus, *' Propter
peccata terras fucceffio principum frequens ; propter homines intelligentes,
etaqui cultores, longasvus princeps. 3 Vir potens tenuem opprimens, &c."
Durell, " but by a man of underftanding and knowledge the ftate JJiall
obtain relief." Hodgfon making D«m to fignify tyrants, yiv according to
feveral MSS. the part. Ben. agreeing with nty underflood, and rendering
p certe, tranflates thus, " By rebellion in a land tyrants fliall become its
rulers — but where a people are wife an able prince Jliall reign long." Mr.
Bradley alfo doubts whether p can mean the Jlate.
3. ptt'VI- 5 MSS. ptriVl but the true reading feems to be according
to Vulg. ptt^iy, " A poor man opprejfing the poor." Unlefs with Gejer.
^ PJunt,
C 477 ]
Hunt, &c. we underhand *li:i to fignify 'uiribus pollens, ** A man in au'
thority, who is poor, and opprefTeth, &c." See Houb. above. Mr. Brad-
ley propofes Vti'l for ty"l, '* A mighty man who is wicked, 6cc."
f]mD 7 MSS. " like a /weeping rain." i. e. In the time of harveji^
which deftroys all the corn. See xxvi. i.
4. 'liiy 3 MSS. and 7 nJ21iy% more regular. The conftrudion re-
quires after Vulg. 13, with him. But fee 6. Ar. & Syr.
5. It would improve the antithefis if we might read p for Vd, " but
they who feek Jehovah underftand what is right" Otherwife it mufl re-
fer, as Gejer. obferves, to judgment. See Hodgfon alfo.
6. lOini 10. MSS. DO"\l, " quam tortuofus hinarum viarum." Ge-
jer. &c. But one MS. reads with Ch. V3"n, *' than he that is perverfe
in his ways."
7. min. " Nos frugem bonam, ex fententia, et poteflatate nominis."
"Houb. 8 MSS. have r\VT\\ " but he who feedeth, ox ajociates with, glut-
tons, fhameth his father." " But he who feedeth parafites." Hodgfon.
8. There is a beautiful paronomaiia between pin and pn. As this was
a breach of the Levitical law, God himfelf, as the defender of the poor,
maintained their rights by a fpecial providence. See Ezek. xxii. 12, 13.
9. VV^t"Q 19 MSS. '* Par pari: qui noluit audire non dignus eft ut
audiatur." Bayn.
10. innjyn 4 MSS. See alfo xxvi. 27. bfl' 34 MSS.
11. "npn fignifies to Jearch out, and to defpife, and it may be taken in
either or both fenfes here. See Hunt.
12. a^SnS " abfcofiditfe homo." Fife. Hunt, &c. as in verfe 28. And it
is obfervable that one MS. reads nnD' j but as this differs widely from the
text, perhaps nsn» might be the original word, ** but when the wicked
rife, men are ajhamed," The noun being taken in a colleSiive fenfe. A
friend conjectures i^ttTI', nudatur. yi^Vl 2 MSS,
13. Vulg. reads Dim, " and forfaketh M^w." Which the conftruc-
tlon calls for. See Houb. alfo.
14. See Pf. i. I. bS*. 44 MSS.
6 G 15. " A
[ 478 ]
ir. «* A ranging bear." Or as Houb. from ^th. " a howlmghe^r."
i. e. In fearch of prey. DHU 12 MSS. and 14 im.
16. All the Verf. read n"i, " The Prince, that wanteth underftanding,
aboundeth in oppreffions." An antithefis lying in the two verbs, or ad-
5eaives ; and for this fenfe of m fee verfe 20. One MS. reads DJinD,
fing. ^yw 3 MSS. which reflores the grammatical conftruftion, but
all the Verf. read Kilt:'!, " but he that hateth, &c." Hunt, to preferve
the antithefis between the two Hemiftichs, would render the firfl, " The
Prince, that wanteth underftanding, fuffers many injuries" and thereby
fliortens his life; or the laft according to 6. & Ar. " but he, that hateth
covetoufnefs, is long fuffering." But fee Patrick from Vatab. 8cc. Vulg.
reads va*' See our verfion.
IT. The fenfe propofed by Cornelius de Lap. &c. feems the mofl: eli-
gible, *' Homo fanguinis effufi reus, ideoque anxius et folicitus, ufque
ad foveam, feu fepulchrum fugiet, ne apprehendant in eum." See Hodg-
fon alfo. 25 MSS. read ';:>^m, opprejfits, and 66 DIK full; and {:?DJ
may here fignify a p erf on. See Jun. and Trem. and vi. 26. I once
thought that the text might poffibly ftand thus at firft, n IDOD* (or ^eb^
See MSS.) "JNI Dli' "I'V ly— 'pj Dll •]31K> ns^K, " A man that Jlied-
deth innocent blood— xw-sc^ fly to the city, (i. e. of refuge) but they JJiall
not prote<51: him." 6. & Ar. read differently, and fupply a verfe for which
there is no MS. authority, and It feems to want connedlion.
18. One MS. reading V'LTV, as the line is defedive, perhaps ityfj: has
been omitted, " He that walketh uprightly fliall fave his life," Or we
might read D'Dro. See Pf. Ixxxiv. 12. nn^a. Houb. &c. read with
Syr. nn'Lri, " lliall fall into the pit." Which feems right. biD' 39 MSS.
See verfe 6.
19. Rather with 6. to keep up the antithefis, *' He, that tilleth his
' land, fiall be filed with bread — but he that folio weth after lain things, or
perfons, jJiall be filled north poverty" The laft words afford a beautiful
oxymoron. See xii. 11. "rmv 8 MSS.
20. Rather,
C 479 ]
20. Rather, '* A man of veracity, &c." i. e. In his calling and deal-
lings, niiaj? 5 MSS.
21. From the defedt of the metre, and comparing xxiv. 23. DfisyjJl
may have been dropped before Kb, ** To have refpedt of perfons in judg-
ment is not good." And the force of the negative being carried on, the
next Hemiftich may be rendered, " nor for a piece of bread Jliouii a man
tranfgrefs," i. e. The moft extreme poverty fhould not induce him to accule
or condemn his neighbour falfely. Durell renders the laft Hemiftich in-
terrogatively, " and for a piece of bread Jliouid a man tranfgrefs f" Hunt
follows 6. & Syr. which probably read "TDO D1K> or ty>K, " T/ie man
who refpeBs perfons is not good — for for a piece of bread he will betray a
man" But will the laft verb bear this fenfe ? Hodgfon renders the firft:
Hemiftich thus, " He doth not well who diJlijigiiiJJieth faces."
22. " Hath an evil eye." i. e. Envies others. See 6. Vulg. 6c Ar.
1JK11'. 35 MSS. *' Sa?pe humanitus, nonnunquam divinitus." Cartw.
Mr. Bradley obferves that Hunt reads TDn, " and knoweth not that
the merciful (hall attain to it."
23. For the better regulation of the metre, KVO' might be joined to
the laft Hemiftich. Syr. reads IJIt^bl. ** with his tongue."
24. The 2d line of this verfe being defeflive, perhaps we fliould
fupply 'V with Syr. at the end of it, " and faith, it is no tranfgreffion
in me."> — *iin &c. Rather, *' he is to be ranked with the murderer" See
Deut. xxi. 18, &c.
25. " Shall be ma tie fat." The antithefis does not hold here, and as
Vulg. feems to have read KQI'^ perhaps we might read IKflT, '* but he
that trufteth in Jehovah, will heal it" i.e. Strife. Seexii«i8. nCDim 16
MSS.
26. VDD, " is a fool." '* Adeoque infel'x" Gejer. Houb. reads
b^D, cadet; which improves the antithefis. Though, as a friend ob-
ferves, there is no authority for it.
27. "iDn!2 4 MSS. part. Ben. Pih. " wanteth nothing" — Rather for
the fake of the antithefis, '• aboundeth in curfes." See verfe i6.
28, ll-^*
E 48o 3
28. 111% or as one MS. at firft miT, " the righteous increafe" This
affords a very good fenfe ; but one very valuable MS. reads li*T, '* the
righteous JJiall JJiout." See xl. 10. xxix. 6.
CHAP. XXIX.
V. I. Ar. confidering D In 7\lVp1^ as a prepofition, gives an oppofitc
fenfe of the firft Hemiftich, ** Homo corrigibilis excellentlor ejl homine
dura cervicis." And mriDin B^'K may perhaps fignify, A man ivho re-
ceiveth reproof. But the ufual acceptation of the words Is moftfultable
to vi'hat follow^s. " Metaphora a biibus vel equis, qui dura funt cervlce,"
Vat.
2. SWDI 7 MSS. And all the verfions with 3 MSS. D»V{i>-|.
3. Ch. Syr. 6c Ar. iJin, " fpendeth his fubftance." imN 2 MSS. and
5 nyil. See xiil. 20.
4. One MS. having mi3in, Durell's reading, n'D"in, is very probable,
" but the fraudulent man overthroweth It." Though Ch. & Syr. proba-
bly read bnv. See 6. alfo. For the fenfe of the word in the text fee
Poole.
5. ^13 22 MSS. and one tranfpofes the words. — " For his feet " I. e.
" Se capit adulator.". Vat. & Hunt.
6. Rather with Syr. Ch. & Durell, " Hhe ivicked man is enfnared by
tranfgrejjion." See xll. 13.
^IT. ** Tolerablllus eflet p"\S quani habult Syr. cantabit, Sed verier
fcrlptio \y\\ exiliitt quam exfequitur Chald." Houb. And one MS. reads
fo. naiy'i 2 MSS.
7. 6. Syr. Ar. & Ch. with 9 MSS. Vt^llj which the antlthefis feems
to require, " but the wicked will not regard knowledge." Seeker omits the l,
8. Rather with 6. Syr. Ar. Lowth and our Marg. Verf. " fet a city
en fire." Alluding perhaps to Gen. xvili. 28. Or with Pifc. &c. " in-
fiame a city." I. e. By tumults and difcords. One very valuable MS.
for X^ reads X\^^, «* Slanderous men, &c." See James ili. 6. And Ch.
reads
C 481 ]
reads tJ»2tD 'hb^*, " Jpeak lies." Which accords better with this reading.
•' Turn away ivratlu" " tam Dei, quam hominum." Merc.
9. There is great obfcurity in this verfe, but reading DK for ty♦^{ ifl,
which Vulg. gives fome countenance to, with that and one MS. ]»K for
y>\^^, and confidering nm with Durell as the Niph. of nnn, (for which
fee Mai. it. 5.) the words may bear this fenfe, " If the wife m n con-
tend with the foohfh man — whether he be angry, or laugh, he (i. e. the
fool) will }20t be afraid" i. e. Neither feverity nor lenity will have any
efFe(5t upon him. 6. probably read nm ]»K1 pnti" Ull ^'IN {i"N1— D'VI
m(ortD£3iy>) J3iDa?J DSn k;'K, " Vir fapiens judicabit gentesj vir autem
nequam fuccenfens deridetur, et non terret." " pnjyJl UIJ, irritatus et
derifus." Houb. " A wife man contendeth with a fool, and whether he rage
or laugh i he is not difmayed. i. e. will continue to reprove him." Durell.
** When a man of fenfe hath to difpute with a fool ^ — he will conftantly
have caufe, either to be angry, or to laugh" Hodgfon,
TO. Houb. reads n»D"\ for D'OT, " viri fraudis" And as a friend
obferves, 2 MSS. have T upon a rafure.
Rather, •' but the upright are in care for his foul." See Pf. cxlii. 5.
** but the upright feek his efeem." Hodgfon.
• II. See a fimilar fentiment, xiv. 33.
1 2. btyiD 30 MSB. " Qualis eft rex, tales ejus miniftri effe folent." Merc.
^'F'i3*',The fentiment here is fo fimilar to that xxii. 2. that our marg,
Verf. feems moft proper, " The poor and the ifiirer meet together" But
fee Poole, and Durell, who reads with Syr. *' The poor and opprefedva^ny
But the following Hemiftich feems to require an antithefis, and as
tD'DDD appears no where elfe, it may perhaps be vyritten for lUDH, ** and
the rich man." See Gen. xiii. 2. — 6. 6c Ar. tranfpofe the words, and read
differently, Aavtirs km x^sew^eixets.
" Lighteneth both their eyes." i. e, " Luce Solis, quern oriri facit
fuper omnes. Matt. v. 45." Gejer.
14. The laft Hemiftich appearing too fhort, it might be better to read
with one MS. tIh^'ih for IvV, and to tranflate it, '* Jliall eJlabliJJi his
throne for ever." 6 H 1 5» O;
C 482 ]
• .i^i 6, Ar. Syr. & Ch. reaxl un*; and the 1 might have beea omitted
before the invention of the final letters.
Rather, ** but an abandoned ch.i\d Ihameth his mother." By whofe in-
dulgence he was fpoiled.
'^16. Rather, •' When the wicked are magnified." See Dan. ii, f3*
Here is a beautiful paronomafia. " But the righteous J/iall fee their fall"
i. e. •' Cum voluptate, non quidem 1* iiTixatf>v«xiueii, fed ex juftitiae fapien-
tiaeque divins admiratione." Gejer. See Pf. xcii. 12. But a, friend xj^n-,
ders with 6. &. Ar. xxrdipoSci yhovrai, from KT, timuif. ' ;■ -
17. " And he fliall give theerefi."'.\. e. From the anxiety and foHicitude
of a parent, which nothing can equal.
18. " Where there is novifion." " Prophetarum inter alia munus erat, Le-
gis praecepta inculcare populo." Grot. See 1 Cor. xiv. i. ** Where there is
no infirii5iion" Durell. — 6. feem to have read, DV y"l'7 TJlO ]»», " l^on
erit enarrator genti iniqua." Ch. 6c Syr. perhaps ■p"l£3» D'b'IV 11*13,
" In multitudine iniquorum difrumpitur populus." Durell, *' the people
are Jlripped." See alfo our marg. Verf. Rather, " the people go ajlray,"
See I Pet. ii. 25. naitri 7 MSS. and 8 innt^K- See iii. 13. which laft
reading Houb. approves, or imiB'K, " beatwn dicent ilium" But one
very^antient MS. reading initi'N*, we may render the words with a friend,
" but he that keepeth the \?iVi fliall make it happy," i. e. The people.
19. c. &: Ar. fupply the adjedive, which is requifite, and perhaps
Vs may have been dropped before liy, from the fimilitude of the letters,
" A ivicked fervant, &c." 6. & Ar. probably repeat 'D, " far though
he underftandeth, yet he will not anfwer."
20. Seeker omits that is both here, and in verfe 27.
21. Patrick follows Mercer in the fcnfe of this verfe. Hunt, follow-
ing 6. Syr. & Ar. confiders p:3a as the part. Puh. reads lay, and de-
rives p30 from px,- luxit, " He, who is nourifiied delicately from child-
hood, Jliall be a fervant — and his latter end (hall be grievous" Durell ren-
ders the laft Hemiftich, '* fhall have him iveak at laft." For fo, he fays,
the word pi3 fignifies in Ar. Houb. for p:D reads vb», contumacem,
• ■_ - ifpm
C 483 ]
froifi \^b, mttffitare. If our Verf. be followed, which Seeker favors, it
ffcpuld be written |»iO. Vulg. feems to have read n"»D for pjD, perhaps
then for pJflO, which occurs no where elfe, we might alfo read pnSD,
** He, who giveth hlsjervmit liberty in youth — fhall have him rebellious
at th.e laft."
23. 6. reading mn' aftenu3, perhaps the laft word was written for
the former, ** but Jehovah fliall uphold the humble in fpirit." See Pf.
xxxvii. 17. and Luke xiv. 11. ^lan* 7 MSS.
24. \nyO II MSS. more regular.
Rather perhaps, " he heareth the adjuration, and will not declare."
Alluding to the form of adminiftering an oath amongfl: the Jews ; (See Matt.
xxvi. 63.) confequently he perjures himfelf to fave his companion. See
Grot. &c. Or ag, Hodgfon, who refers to Lev. v..^.^** he heareth the
aath but will not confefs."
25. By reading with Vulg. DTKH T"nn, or as Houb. DTJ^ID l"in,
*' ^/ favet ab homine," and with him ti^piail, the grammatical conftruc-
tion is reftored, and the antithefis improved, " He that fear eth a man
fliall fall into a fnare — but he that trufteth in Jehovah Jhall be exalted,*
See Durell, and our Bib. Marg. 6. read Dmin with the verb plur.
26. Rather perhaps, *' T^he great oiies feek the ruler's favor — but
every man's judgment is from Jehovah." Who will not fufFer the poor
to be opprefled. Unlefs for ly'K we might read C-'l, or fupply it after,
as in I Sam. xviii. 23. " hui i\\t ]u.dgmtnt of the poor man is from Je-
hovah." See xxii. 22, 23. and Lowth's Prel. DilTert. on Ifai. p. 19*
27. Some MSS. of both Collations read with Ch. Syr. & Vulg.
CVB'I •} which gives an exadt antitheiis of words* See x. i *
CHAP* XXX.
V. I* For the various explanations of this title fee Poole j and as no
very good reafon has been afllgned for Solomon's concealing his name,
as
C 484 ]
as 6 MSS. omit bN'n'Nb 2d, and we have exprefs mention of fuch a per-
son Neh. xi. 7. and 64 MSS. read "jDIKI, the opinion of Grotius and'
others, that thefe were the friends, or fcholars, of Agur feems as pro-
bable as any j and NtyOH might be written for ^\^ii, which 2 MSS.
have, (Sec alfo xxxi. 1.) " The words of Agur the fon of Jakeh, 'w/iicA
the man fpake unto tthieJ, and Ucal." Houbigant thus, ** Verba Agur
filii Jache, Prophetiam dixit vir Ithiel j Ithiel Achali; Ego, &c."Sce
Lowth's Praeledt. 18. Durell renders Kli'3, The charge , or kjfon. See
Poole alfo, Ifai. xiii. i. But Calovius and others fuppofe that thefe words
have a reference to Chrijl. ^-iiii*
2. ** Surely I zvix WiOxt foolijli than any one." Hodgfon renders 0>
'Though, but fee Gejer. &c. A modeft profeflion of ignorance, which the
wifeft and beft of men ufually make. See Menoch. and Pf. Ixxiii; ±2.
As Seeker obferves, 6. & Ar. for ♦mob n'^I read 'j-roV "7X1, '* But God
taught me. Sec." And if this reading be approved of, there is no ne-
ceflity for fupplying the negative in the following Hemiftich, with Ge-
jer. &c.— D'jynp 17 MSS. Seeix.'rdi-' ''-"'^ ^'"^'^ • • '
I ■ ...
4. n^DtTD 5 MSS. but the true reading feems to be nVctrn^, " who
hath bound the waters as in a garment V i. e. The waters above the fir-
mament; (See Job xxvi. 8.) alluding to the cuflom in the Eaft of
binding their garments about the body. Hodgfon makes it a poetical
expreffion for JJiores, with which the fea is furrounded as with a gar-
ment. Gejerus makes It to refped: both the waters above, and under the
firmament.' s-*"'- •""- "-^"■^••
■'-"•** And what Is his fon s name?" Calovius, &c. underhand this of the
eternal Son of God. Others interpret it, " and what is the name of his
family?" See Poole and Durell. 6. read V31, ** and what is the name of
his fons ?" i. e. The angels; and this reading may perhaps be counte-
nanced by Job xxxviii. 7. But Seeker obferves, •* that Grabe hath re-
llored Ttxvu, and that there is a remarkable affinity between the firft and
laft part of this verfe, and John iii. 13. but to make it complete, it
Ihould have been the Son of God, which no copy hath." Vatic. 6. & Ar.
omit
L 48s 3
omit yin '^j which do not improve the fenfe or the metre; and if they
are retained, fhould wc not read J/T ♦», " and who hioweth what, &c r"
5. Several MSS. of both Collat. read in D'Dinn b^V, " he is a fhieKl
unto all that trujl in him." See Pf. xviii. 30. Or we fliould read witli
34 MSS. CD'DinV. One MS. omits m"?}*, and 2 read mn». But fee Pf.
cxxxix. 19.
6. Several very valuable MSS. read ipT), in Kal, otherwife P)»Din
would be more regular.
7. Here is a fiidden apoftrophe addreffed to wo one, it is very probable
therefore that as hn begins the 2d Hemiftich, it has been dropped through
the famenefs of the letters at the end of the firft, " Two things have
I required of thee, 0 God"
V3Dn. The affix feems wanting here, and as 6. & Ar. fupply ^n, gra-
tiam, we (hould probably read pyjSJn, the fem. plur, being ufed neu-
trally, " deny me them not, &c." See our Verf.
8. The metre does not require *il"r in the firft Hemiftich, neither is
it neceflary to the fenfe.
Ji'N"l. 19 MSB. omit K, and 7 read l^H, as elfewhere, and 7 have
-iB'iyi.
'pn, " Sufficient for }ne." Ch. & Syr. And, as Mede obferves, there
is a twofold competency, one of nature, and another of condition, to both
of which refpe(fl is had here, and Matt. vi. 11.
9. TUynDl. Ch. & Syr. liJOKI, et negem. See Seeker, and our verfion.
6. & Ar. read 'iNT, or as Seeker 'JtnS " and fay, who Jliallfee ntef" But
the text feems preferable. See Job xxi. 15.
DJy ♦ntl'Dm. If we retain this verb, it feems neceflary to fupply Nlt^b
with Merc. &c. See Exod. xx. 7. Unlefs we render with Durell from
Taylor, " and violate the name of my God." But as Seeker obferves, Ch.
reads '^bnNI. See Lev. xviii. 21. &c. " The danger of perjury upon com-
mitting of theft was greater among the Jews than amongfl: us, by reafon
of a cuftom, or law amongll: them, to tender an oath to thofe who were
6 I ace ufed
[ 486 ]
■acculed or falpedled of theft, to clear and purge themfelves." Mcde.
See xxix. 24.
10. ^'{y^jn one very ant. MS. See Pf. ci. 5.
VJnN 4 MSS. but the true reading feems to be MMH, " Do not Jlander
a fervant to his majler," The fut. being ufcd for the Imperat. See Pf. ci. 5.
& Gejer.
11. 6. & Ar. fupplying Vl, make the fenfe complete, *• A wicked
veneration curfeth their father, &c."
12. Our Saviour defcribes the hypocrite's in terms very fimilar. Matt,
xxiii. 27.
\V\T\ 2 MSS. but the true reading feems to be pm^ part. Fah.
13. 1JD*1 na. " Rather furely, lohofe eyes are lofty » na being a re-
lative undeclined." Durelj. But perhaps we fliould read iai Q"), '* vvh^fe
eyes are highly exalted." i. e. With pride.
14. vmybno i6 MSS. more regular. This verfe might perhaps be
more properly divided into four lines, (See Kennicott's Collat. in verfes
&c. in
&.C. NOT
&;c. "JIDK*? or '73n'7
&c. IKI
15. " The horfeleach hath two daughters, crying, give, give," " Duo
hsc verba, affer, affer, ejus filias allegorice appellat, quod haec velut ex
fe gignat." Merc. Hunt, &c. And might not this proverbial faying have
arifen from the horfeleach being 2x1. hieroglyphic al emblem among the Egyp-
tians with thefe words ifl'uing out of its mouth to denote the infatiable
craving of the covetous man, whom Agur pointedly aims at in this and
the following verfe ? But Bochart, followed by Houb. underftanding
deftiny to be intended here, makes the two daughters to be the^r^-u^and
deJiriiBion ; which, as Hunt obfervcs, feems to want foundation. ** The
horfeleach is !uft, its two daughters avarice, and ambition," Calmet.
" Senfus
C 48/ ]
** Senfus eft, cupiditatis, quae velut fanguifuga quaedam eft, duse funt filise,
imo tres, feu potius quatuor, quag nunquam fatiantur." Menoch. And
Hodgfon rendering ♦riJJ^, iterant, and lupplying D, gives this fenfe of
the words, " As the progeny of the horjeleach cry ever, give, give—fo
are there three things, ivhich never are fatisjied—yea, Gff." 6. & Ar. read
trViy for 'nsr. in ift 66 MSS. uniformly i and 13 with all the verfions
nilKI, " even four."
16. All thefe comparifons are very applicable to the avaricious man.
Dm. Hodgfon makes this word to fignify the Gier, or Vulture Eagle,
(See Lev. xi. i8.) " The grave, and the ravenous Gier Eagle." But if
with others we underftand it of the ivoml>, inftead of nVV, or as 6 MSS.
yi^V, we ftiould probably read "ilW part Pah. See Calaf. " Immenfum
eft in Jierilibus fceminis concipiendi defiderium, ut ex Rachele difcimus."
Cartw. " Sed malim ad mulieres incontinentes referre, quarum libido non
expletur." Merc. But fee Patrick and others on this, and the foregoing
verfe.
•' The earth which is not filled with water." i. e. In thofe hot
countries.
17. " nnj?''? radice caret in facris ufitata, eft tamen Ar. 'pi, admonuit."
Merc. '* M.2iirQmfenefcentem, fic omnes veteres praeter Vulg. quibus ob-
fequimur. vid. Caftel. in np*?." Houb. Hunt fuppofes them to have
read DJpT. See xxiii. 22. But as 33 MSS. read DT\[h, and one at firft
nnp'j, this is probably the right reading, " and defpileth the inJlruBion
of the mother." Vulg. reads r)*T*7, " /'^r/ww matris fuse." mm 40 MSS.
and 7 'my. This is a kind of hex talionis,
18. D'DVT. As 6. Syr. Vulg. 6c Ar. have not the affix, which is un-
neceflary, Tsvy feems to be the right reading,
19. " T^he way of a man with a maid." Or, as the words may be ren-
dered,' *• The way of a man in a maid" Which may be underftood of the
formation of the /^/«j in the womb. See Pf. cxxxix. 14—16. •* Tan-
git facer fcriptor hominis conceptum multis modis mirabilem*" Houb.
And
C 488 ]
Aiid Lyranus, &c. underftand it of the conception of Chrijl in the Vir-
gin. " Via viri, &c. funt artes quibus juvenes alliciunt virgines & fal-
lunt." Marian. &c. *• Significat hic incerta efle virginis, aut corruptee,
indicia." Grot. But fee Calovius, &c. on riDbV, Ifai. vii. 14. 6. & Syr.
read D'Dl'7Vl> or VDl'?^!, in jwventutey or in juventute fua. See Cartw. alfo.
20. " She wipeth her mouth." " Vide quam cafte Scriptura exprimit
res impuriflimas." Gejer.
21. Houb. with 37 MSS. \dh\L\ or as one MS. rwh\i!. See verfe 29.
22. " For afervant li-hen he reigneth." The greateft jlaves, when in
power, become the greateft tyrants.
2 J. " For an odious ivor/ian when Jhe is married." Rather, " lahen Jlie
gains the authority." " Cum plures haberent uxores, neceffe fuit ut una
carior efTet, altera autem dicebatur exofa ; qux fi amorem mariti concilia-
ret, turn ilia reliquis intolerabilis exflitit, ob priores ejus contumelias."
Cartw. & Hunt.
Rather with Hunt according to 6. Syr. & Ar. " lohen flie cajleth out
her miftrefs." i. e. Ufurps her place ; and for this fenfe of ty-|» fee Buxt.
24. Would it not be better to read DHn VlIK for DH nvmK ? See
Exod. ii, ir, &c. Rather with Vulg. " but they are wiler than the wife."
25. See vi, 6.
26. " Ihe conies, &c." " Ihe mountain mice." Boch. &cc. But fee
Pf. civ. 18.
27. \*jfn. " Collegia, I. e. a^minatim ad fruges excidendas, quafi ducem
haberet." Merc. See Syr. alfo, and Ch. Hunt from Ar. renders thus,
" The locuft hath no king, but goeth forth to battle by the advice of the
luhole army" Durell, " yet they go forth all of them to plunder." " Una-
quceque fibi dividens, nempe prsdam & fpolia bellica." Boch. But as
6 MSS. read \^T\, perhaps for ib^ we fliould read alfo 'b ^D, " but he
goeth forth, cutting down every thing for himfelf." See Joel ii. 3, and
Numb. xxxi. i^.
28. n'CDT. Bochart, &c. following 6. (Sc Syr. make this to be a kind
of Lizard, not a Spider ; and another word being ufed for the Spider
elfewherc
■ C 489 ]
elfewhere may favor this opinion ; though the Lion is defcribed by fix
different words. See xxvl. 13.
Syr. & Ar. read T\'''l''1y " with her hands." " Manus vocat pedes,
quibus is pro manibus utitur." Grot. A friend, referring to i Kings vii.
35. propofes this fenfe of the text, " in the corners^' Which anfwers
very well to the Spider.
29. MSS. II read 'n'D'D in the 2d place, conformably to the firft ;
but 6. Syr. Vulg. 6c Ar. read 2'tD'?3 ; and this Hemiftich might perhaps
be better rendered, *' and the fourth is graceful in walking."
30. " 'The Lion." i. e. The <jA/ Lion which has a very majeftic appear-
ance, and is never daunted. See Pifc. &c.
31. CD'ina "I'nr. By thefe words have been underftood the Hound, the
Cock, the Leopard, the Bee, and the Horfe ; to the laft of which they
correfpond befl. But as they feem to be only defcriptive of an animal,
which had been probably mentioned before, perhaps "ilti^ from its fimili-
tude to the following v\ford may have been dropped, ♦* The Ox girt in
the Loyns ;" alluding to its great ftrength. See xiv. 4. This beafl. for
its lingular utility was in high eftimation among the Ifraelites. See Deut.
xxxiii. 17. Houb. fupplies nfi*2n, " G alius gallinaceus accindtus lum-
bos." But it is doubtful whether this word fignifies A Cock, and the
conftrudion requires a mafc. Noun.
ty»n "IK. One MS. and another at firft with Houb. {y»m, which is evi-
dently right. Houb. adds \VCi ♦Jfi'? "ibn. " Hircus cum quadam pompa
incedit turn cum barbae & fexus fiducia prsit gregem, vid. i^lian. vii. 26."
Boch.
DIpbN. Several MSS. of both Collat. read tlllp ^N feparately, which
is probably right ; and for the different fenfes fee Poole. Perhaps they
might bear this conftrudion, " and a king at the Jl ending, ox rifmg, of
his people." i. e. When he appears in ftate, and they prefent themfelves to
do him homage. 6. Ar. & Syr. probably read lOVO laiK, " and a
king talking with his people" Houb. reads IDj; Dy "iVn, ** et rex gra-
diens cum populofuo."
6 K 32. The
C 490 ]
32. The parallel pailages, and the Verf. fupply tD^t^, or rather O^,
(Seejobxxi. 5. xl. 4. Mic. vii. 16.) or mn, (See Houb. and Ifai. xi. 8.)
and as 6. Syr. Ar. 6c Ch. omit O at the beginning of the next verfe,
the D fhould be probably annexed to DSh, Syr. Ch. & Vulg. reading
the affix, '* lay the hand upon thy mouth." Durell according to the text,
" kt the hand be upon the mouth."
33. If thefe words be conneded with the forn:ier, and O be retained,
it fliould be rendered, " For, &c." See Patrick. But perhaps \'»D O
is written for \"03, " As the churning, iac—fo the forcing, &;c." " 1 hie
fupplet vicem tS \2, Jic" Gejer. See xvii. 14, 8cc. Tliis verfe contains a
rolyptoton, an antanaclafi?, and an anaphora. See Gejer.
CHAP. XXXI.
V. I. "JKID*?. Grotius underftands hereby Hezechias. Patrick a prince of
fome i^/Z/^T country. " Acquiefcimus in hodierna fcriptura, ut fignificetur
rex aliquis, qui regnaret in Mejfa, regione ad Judaes Orientalem plagam
fita. vid. Gen. x. 29. Convenit enim in orationis feriem, ut fit KE'D
nomen proprium." Houb. But Mercer, &c. fuppofe it to be Solomon t
and as Syr. reads bNIS, and 6. *7ND, and this word is read differently in
verfe 4th by 6. & Ar. perhaps the true reading is iVo^KDV, " The
words of the King from God, which his mother taught him." *? being
ufed for the fign of the genitive cafe, as in many of the titles of the
Pfalmsj and Solomon might be juftly ftiled, a King from God, as he was
deftined for the kingdom of Ifrael from the womb. See 2 Sam. xii. 24,
25. " Aiunt Hebraei Salomonem fuiffe oStinominem." Grot. See alfo
Merc, and Epifcop. Some one obferving that it makes every thing
confiftent, propofes reading Vk IStf, " the words of his mother to the
king." One MS. of great antiquity omits Kt^tt with Ar. See xxx. i.
2. The firft line of this verfe being defeftive, perhaps "^V inK have
been dropped, " What Jhall I fay unto thee, my fon ?" See Merc. &c,
6. probably read maOT), & Ar. m^*?. It is obfervable that na, re-
peated
C 49i ]
peated here three times, is found no where elfe through the whole book,
which favors the opinion of thofe, who think this and the preceding
chapter a later compofition. Vulg. probably reads nn, & in j but the
beloved of my vows is a very unufual expreffion, and there is no MS.
authority for reading p, or ii, as the word was written before the in-
vention of the final letters j though there is a remarkable inftance of T
being written for J in the word nysmD^J. See Jer. xxi. 2, &c. and
Pf. ii. 12.
" And what the Jon of my vows ?" The fon of her unlawful commerce
being dead, BathJJiehah might well conceive hopes that this born in wed-
lock might arrive to the kingdom, and in confequence of this expedta-
tion, fhe might make many pious vows unto God, fhould he be pre-
ferved to hcrj and this advice might be given to Solomon on his entrance
on the regal office. See i Kings i, 11 — 40.
3. The pernicious confequences of luft had been exemplified in the
perfon of his father. See 2 Sam. xii. 10. and fhe might difcover his
tendency to this finful paffion. mno'? TDmv " Nos partim ex Ch. partim
ex Vulg. min"? TtyD"n, " et dhitias tuas fiUabus regum." Houb. Mr.
Bradley conjedures DVPIDV, " for the meats of kings." See Syr. But
as one MS. has in upon a rafure, if any alteration is neceffary, perhaps
mob might be better, ** nor thy ways to the death of kings." See ii.
18. DOVo 5 MSS. See verfe 4.
4. For bNlD*? perhaps we fhould read bNlj"?, *' It is not for kings to
a£i fooUflily." 6. & Ar. probably read *7iyfl "70, '* Do every thing with
advice." What they read in the beginning of this and the next line is
uncertain, Notwithflanding feveral MSS. of both collations read 'N for
IK, the grammatical conftrudtion requires that we fhould read with Du-
rell niK, or niK, and for mii', either with him mntJ^, or with 2 MSS. nnc,
•• it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to covet ftrong drink."
i. e. To excefs. But fee Poole.
5. Syr. & Ch. read the verbs in the 2d perf. fing. 6. Ar, & Vulg.
in the 3d perf. plur. But reading with 4 MSS. & Syr. pplDD, every
thing
C 492 ]
thing is fet right, ** Left the lawgiver drink and forget,— and pervert the
judgment of all the fons of afflidion."
6. Not to intoxicate, but to cheer the drooping fpirits. See Bayn. in
Poole and Pf. civ. 15. But Mr. Wintle thinks, " that nsty here has a
reference to the intoxicating draught that was ufually adminiftered by
the Jews to a man juft ready to fuffer death, to the bitter of foul at
the point of fuffering by the hands of the executioner, in order to make
his departure more eafy. See Matt, xxvii. 34, &c. Thus the 2d claufe
will be explanatory of the former." See alfo Q^ in Merc, on laiK*?, in
Poole.
7. -lor' 3 Mss.
8. None of the Verf. befides the Vulg. read D'^nV j 6. & Ar. read
D♦^'7^? with fome other word. Perhaps the true reading is DmVk"?,
" Open thy mouth before the Judges — for the judgment of all the fons
of deftruftion." i. e. Thofe who deferve it. See Buxt. — fjlbn. " Potius
nD''7n, filii vicijptudinis. i. e. ii qui humanarum rerum viciflitudines ex-
periuntur." Houb.
9. One MS. of note reads iDIStS', which may be confidered as the infin.
" Open thy mouth to judge righteoufly."
10. As nothing is fo effedual to prevent ^ young maris, and efpecially
a young king's, falling into the moft dangerous vice to youth, which the
3d verfe is a caution againft, as a ivife and virtuous wife ; the remainder
of the chapter, confifting of 22 verfes, difpofed in alphabetical order for
the fake of preferving in memory a point of the greatefl; importance in
life, is employed in giving the charadier and defcription of fuch a perfon.
See Grot. &c.
•* b'n proprie eft viri, & militare robur fonat ; hic ad faminam trans-
fertur virili animo & virtute infignem." Merc. And the Greek proverb
feems to be borrowed hence, r^aixo; e(^S^?; imrvx^'iv « paJioy. See Grot, and
xii. 4. — p"in"l1 35 MSS. See Calaf. Cone. & iii. 15.
11. " And he will have no need offpoil, or rather prey." i. e. Perhaps,
he will not want any commerce with other women, alluding to David's
adultery
I
[ 493 ]
adultery with Bathfhebah, which is beautifully illuftrated in Nathan's
parable. See the word in this fenfe, Juclg. v. 30.
12. This may fignify her return of conjugal fidelity.
13. An eminent example .of domeftic care and induflry. n'SDl feems
to be the right reading. See 6. & Ar. — Syr. reads ni'Syvm, which favors
the text.
14. All the Verf. read in the fing. n'iJ<, " She is as the merchant's
Jhip — which bringeth her food from far." i. e. Like that, flie is ftored
with every neceflary and conveniency.
15. For f)'iD in the fenfe oi food fee Malac. iii, 10.
" And a portion to her maidens." i.e. " Penfum, five opus, illo die
peragendum." Merc. See 6. Syr. Ar. & Ch. pim 3 MSB, and 13
n^miyj*?, which are preferable.
16. riDDt. " Subdubitamus an olim legeretur ni3T, emit." Houb. All
the Verf. with 27 MSS. nVO:, " Jhe planteth a vineyard." But the text
may be in Fyh. " with the fruit of her hands a vineyard is planted." i. e.
** Ex lanificio, Unificio, &c." Gejer.
17. n^nWlt 26 MSS. more regular. See Exod. xii. 11. &:c.
18. 6. Syr. Ch. & Ar, with 3 MSS. read nV% " and her candle,
&c." One MS. of note reads niDn, with Ar. '* and Pie extinguijiieth
not her candle by night." — n'?''?^ 31 MSS. which Houb. obferves is
more ufual in this book.
19. One MS. of great antiquity reads mti"01 for ma^Ol, and the
fenfe may be the fame. ** "\1lfO dicitur, quafi fufi direSiorium" Gejer.
20. The firft Hemiflich might perhaps be better rendered, '* She
flretcheth out her hand to the affliSied." Induftry is the handmaid to cha-
rity. See Ephef. iv. 28.
21. Better with Vulg. our Bib. Marg. Gejer. &c. " with double Gar-
ments." tyinS 40 MSS.
22. See vii. 16. The good houfewife not only fees that her fervants
work, but fets the example herfelf.
6 L 23. «♦ Her
[ 494 ' ]
23. " Her hujhand is known in the gates." i. e. Is diftinguifhed from
other perfons of flate, when he fitteth in the gates, the place of judg-
ment, and of public refort, (See Pf. cxxvii. 5. Job xxix. 7.) by the
elegance and richnefs of his garments worked by her. See Fife, and xiv.
19. Pf. cxxvii, 5. '• If refpeSied in the ajjembly." Hodgfon.
24. Girdles were of fingular ufe in the Eajl to tye up their loofe gar-
ments.
♦jyjDb', " to the merchant." *' Phcenices pofteri Canaan utpote maris
accola;, jam olim ex mercatura celebres erant. vid. Ifai. xxiii. 8." Merc.
niDom 19 Mss. .
25. More literally, " and jhe Jliall laugh at the time to come." " Ut
hyemem, aut tempus famis, aut calamitatis alterius j moris enim eft
Scriptura; appellate riders quod contemnas, nee reformides." Merc. I
once thought that pilJiTn might be written for "int^m, ** ^nd jlie looketh
carefully forward to a future day." Which is the ftrongeft proof of
prudence and difcretion.
26. Rather with Syr. " and on her tongue is the law of kindnefs." i. e.
engraved, alluding perhaps to the decalogue, Exod. xxxi. 18.
27. Rather, " and eateth not the bread of the idle" i. e. of the idle
loomen. mD'bn 3B MSS. with Houb. more regular,
28. As Durell obferves, the laft Hemiltich is too fliort, we muft
therefore fupply with him according to Ar, mvi> *' a7id her hulband
fraifeth her, and applaudeth her," Or with Merc, Ploub, &c. T^ Dp,
" Affurget ei vir ejus, &c." Or for n'^bn'l read n'jVn' TTH', " her huf-
band at the fame time praifeth her." See Jun. 6c Trem. Or perhaps add
-1?2Nn after nbb.T, *' her hulband /r^;7y2-M /^^r, and faith." See Durell on
verle 29.
30. One MS. at firft read HKT, timens. See Buxt. Religion and vir-
tue are the only true foundation of praife, and efteeni. This and the
following verfe are a general exhortation to women to cultivate the jjraccs
of the mi/id, rather than to Paidy fx/tv/w/ improvements, which are of
ihort duration.
31, The
C 495 3
^i. The Imperat. icem'=i here to be ufed for the fut. which is not un-
common, " // Jhall be given to her of the fruit of her hands." 5. e.
Virtue fhall be certainly rewarded. See iii. 4.
" And her works Jhall praife her in the gates." Rather perhaps, *' and
they Jhall praife her in the gates yor her works." The prepof. D having been
dropped through its ending the one word, and beginning the other, 6.
& Ar. read rhvi, and bbrw " and her hiifiand Jhall be praifed in the
gates." But we had nearly the fame expreffion in verfe 23 ; which
would hardly be repeated here.
I cannot conclude this attempt in more pertinent words than the
prayer of Caffiodorus, " quod ex iuo diximus, fufcipe Deus ; quod ex
nobis ignoranter protulimus, parce ; et perdue nos ad illam contemplatio-
nem, ubi non poflimus errare /"
FINIS.
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