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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 78:40-72

The matter and scope of this paragraph are the same with the former, showing what great mercies God had bestowed upon Israel, how provoking they had been, what judgments he had brought upon them for their sins, and yet how, in judgment, he remembered mercy at last. Let not those that receive mercy from God be thereby emboldened to sin, for the mercies they receive will aggravate their sin and hasten the punishment of it; yet let not those that are under divine rebukes for sin be discouraged... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:68

But chose the tribe of Judah ,.... Both to be the seat of kingly power and government, and of religious worship; the latter is chiefly designed. Jerusalem was, at least part of it, in the tribe of Judah: here David, who was of that tribe, dwelt, and Solomon his son, and all the kings of Judah afterwards; here the temple was built, into which the ark of the covenant was put, and whither the tribes went up to worship the mount Zion, which he loved ; where was the city of David; into which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:69

And he built his sanctuary like high palaces ,.... The temple at Jerusalem, called a sanctuary, or holy place, because separated and dedicated to holy use and service; where the holy God had his residence, and was worshipped, and was a figure of the holy place not made with hands: this is said to be built by the Lord, because the materials provided for it, and which David and his people so willingly offered, were his own; "of his own" they gave him; as well as the pattern after which it was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:70

He chose David also his servant ,.... To be king of Israel, the youngest of his father's family, when he rejected all the rest; see 1 Samuel 16:6 , an eminent type of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is called by his name, Psalm 89:3 and the signification of his name "Beloved" agrees with him, who is beloved of God, as his Son, and as man and Mediator; and beloved of men, of all the saints: and so likewise his character as a servant suits with him; who not only frequently has the name of a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:71

From following the ewes great with young ,.... Or, "from after" them F1 מאחר "de post", Montanus, Vatablus, Gejerus; "a post", Michaelis. ; it was usual with the shepherd to put them before him, and to follow them, and gently drive them, which is expressive of his care and tenderness of them; see Genesis 33:13 , the same is observed of David's antitype, the great and good Shepherd of the sheep, Isaiah 40:11 . David was a type of Christ as a shepherd; as he kept his father's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:72

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart ,.... Or, "reigned over them", as the Targum; that is, over the people of Israel, and which he did in such manner as showed uprightness of heart, and that he was, as his character is, a man after God's own heart: it appeared, by his administration of government, that he sought not his own honour and interest, and the aggrandizing of his family, but the good of his people, and the glory of God; and this character, in the fullest extent,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:69

He built his sanctuary like high palaces - רמים כמו kemo ramim , which several of the Versions understand of the monoceros or rhinoceros. The temple of God at Jerusalem was the only one in the land, and stood as prominent on Mount Zion as the horn of the unicorn or rhinoceros does upon his snout. And there he established his ark, to go no more out as long as the temple should last. Before this time it was frequently in a migratory state, not only in the wilderness, but afterwards in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:70

He chose David - See the account 1 Samuel 16:11 ; (note), etc. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:71

From following the ewes - Instances of this kind are not unfrequent in the ancient Greek and Roman history. Croesus said that Gypes, who was the first of his race, was a slave, and rose to sovereignty, succeeding his predecessor, of whose sheep he had been the pastor. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:72

So he fed them - Here David is mentioned as having terminated his reign. He had fed the people, according to the integrity of his heart, for that was ever disposed to do the will of God in the administration of the kingdom: and his hand being skillful in war, he always led them out to victory against their enemies. read more

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