| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. |
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| 1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. |
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| 2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; |
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| 3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. |
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| 4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. |
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| 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. |
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| 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. |
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| 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. |
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| 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. |
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| 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. |
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| 10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. |
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| 11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. |
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| 12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: |
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| 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. |
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| 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. |
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| 15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into Sheol: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. |
Let them go down – "I would that they were even cut off which trouble you." (Gal. 5:12) R356:1
Quick into hell – Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. R2599:3; E364
The gradual change of language has attached a totally different meaning than the word "hell" originally had--the grave. PD29/41
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| 16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. |
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| 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. |
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| 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. |
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| 19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. |
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| 20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. |
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| 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. |
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| 22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. |
Cast thy burden – "Every man shall bear his own burden." (Gal. 6:5) This Psalms refers to burdens which we cannot bear. R549:6*
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| 23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. |
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