Bible Commentaries

Turned back - Put to flight.

But - Though cities and people may perish, yet the Lord abides for ever. Which is sufficient for the terror of his enemies, and the comfort of his church.

Thy name - Thy infinite power and wisdom, and faithfulness and goodness. The name of God is frequently put for God. Put their trust - The experience of thy faithfulness to thy people in all ages, is a just ground for their confidence.

Zion - Whose special and gracious presence is there. People - To the heathen nations.

Blood - The bloodshed of his innocent and holy ones: which though he may not seem to regard for a season, yet he will certainly call the authors of it to a severe account. Them - The humble, as it follows, or the oppressed, Psalm 9:9 , that trust in him, and seek to him, Psalm 9:10 , whom he seemed to have forgotten.

Gates - In the great assemblies. These gates he elegantly opposes to the former. Of - Of the people who live or meet together in Zion. For cities are as it were mothers to their people, and the people are commonly called their daughters. So the names of the daughters of Egypt, Jeremiah 46:11 , and of Edom, Lamentations 4:21-22 , and of Tyre, Psalm 45:12 , are put for the people of those places.

Higgaion - This is either a musical term, or a note of attention, intimating that the matter deserves deep meditation, or consideration, as the word signifies.

Forget - That do not regard God, nor his precepts, nor his threatenings and judgments.