Introduction
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song.
The leading thought of the preceding psalm that the nations are to be brought to God through the knowledge of his works runs through this. There is a “mission tone” in both, with this difference: Psalms 56:0 contemplates the submission of the heathen through the providence of God over the nations, while this looks to the same result from his providence in nature, in securing the earth’s increase. In either case God’s blessing upon Israel, according to the Jewish expectation, would be the chief cause of this world-wide reformation. This hopeful outlook upon the world’s conversion was stimulated, at different epochs, by the success of David’s Syrian wars, by the promise of Nathan to him, by the brilliant opening of Solomon’s peaceful reign, by the piety and renown of Hezekiah and the events of his times, but on no occasion so much as on the return of the exiles from Babylon. See the latter half of Isaiah’s prophecy. As Israel obtained favour of the Egyptians at the Exodus, (Exodus 12:33-36,) so did they receive honour and favour in the sight of the nations on their return from Babylon. See Psalms 126:1-2. Not only had learned Jews from time to time been elevated to public office in Babylon, but Nebuchadnezzar, Darius the Mede, Cyrus, Darius Hystaspes, and Artaxerxes Longimanus, during the Captivity and the earlier period of the Restoration, issued edicts in favour of the Hebrews and their religion, and of the restoration of their national polity. See Daniel 3:28-29; Daniel 4:0; Daniel 6:25-27; Ezra 1:1-4; Ezra 6:6-12; Ezra 7:11-26; Nehemiah 2:7-8. We must place this psalm at the time of their immediate expectation of return; or, if the preterite of the verb in the first line of Psalms 67:6 (see the note) be retained, it would fitly apply to the ingathering of the first harvest after their return.
TITLE:
On Neginoth On the stringed instruments, a simple designation of the mode of performance to be observed by the precentor.
A Psalm or Song Sometimes the words are reversed, for no apparent reason, as Psalms 66:0, title, A song or psalm. See on title of Psalms 30:0
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