Bible Commentaries

The first of the five "Hallelujah" Psalms concluding the whole book; each beginning and ending with this word. The first has GENESIS for its subject; the second, Exodus; the third, LEVITICUS the fourth, NUMBERS, and the fifth, DEUTERONOMY. See the Structure, p. 827, and notes below.

Praise ye THE LORD = Hallelu-JAH. App-4.

Praise. Figure of speech Apostrophe. App-6.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

O my soul = O I myself (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

trust = confidence. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

no help = no salvation, or saving help. Compare Psalms 33:16; Psalms 60:11.

His breath, &c. This verse occurs in the Apocrypha (1 Mace. Psalms 2:63); but why is it assumed that this verse is taken from the Book of Maccabees, instead of this verse in Maccabees being taken from this Psalm?

breath = spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9. Not the same word as in Psalms 150:6.

returneth. See Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19, and compare Ecclesiastes 12:7. Ecclesiastes 104:29.

earth = ground, or dust. Hebrew. "adamah. Not "erez = the Earth.

thoughts = purposes, or plans.

Happy. The last of the twenty-seven Beatitudes in the Book of Psalms. See App-63.

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.

of Jacob: i.e. the God who met Jacob (Genesis 28:13) when he had nothing (Genesis 32:10 and deserved nothing (but wrath, Genesis 27) and promised him everything. This title answers to the N.T. title "the Godof all grace" (1 Peter 5:10). Happy indeed are all they who have this God for their God.

Whose. Supply the Ellipsis by repeating [Happy he] whose, &c.

hope = expectation.

made heaven, and earth. Another reference to Genesis 1. Compare Psalms 146:4. See notes on Genesis 14:19 and Deuteronomy 4:26.

food. Hebrew bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, for food in general.

the. No Art. in Hebrew

strangers = aliens.

relieveth. Plenty of saving "help" here. Compare the contrast with "man", (Psalms 146:3), "no help".

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha".

for ever. Contrast Psalms 146:4. Compare Revelation 11:15.

Zion. See App-68.