Introduction
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim-Eduth, A Psalm of Asaph. A beautiful and impassioned prayer-psalm. The mention of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin proves it to have been written while the kingdoms of Israel and Judah still existed, though the calamities it describes show both kingdoms to be in a wasted and distressed condition. The mention of these particular tribes further indicates that with them rested the chief obstacles to the pious ends sought in the prayer. Between them and Judah a “deep rift” is traceable from the days of Saul and David, and alienation, dismemberment, and impending ruin are confessed and deprecated in the psalm, while the repeated occurrence of the earnest refrain, Turn us again, O God, clearly shows that a reformation is sought. That this reformation, or turning back, was a restoration sought for the whole Hebrew family, and not confined to either of the kingdoms, though spurned by most of the kingdom of Israel, is evidenced by the figure of the “vine,” as well as the mention of the particular tribes which had headed and fomented the national divisions. All the circumstances point to the reformation under Hezekiah, which extended to all the tribes, as recorded 2 Chronicles 29:30. The prophets Isaiah, Micah, and Hosea, being then alive, (the last now grown old,) earnestly cooperated in the work. See Isaiah 5:11; Micah 3-7; Hosea 7-14. TITLE:
To the chief Musician Although this assignment does not prove, yet it accords with, the supposition that it was written while the temple was still standing, and the Davidic order of temple worship still observed.
Shoshannim
Eduth On this word see notes on titles of Psalms xlv and 60. The Septuagint adds to this title Ψαλμος υπερ του Ασσυριον , A psalm concerning the Assyrian. A few years later the Assyrian power under Shalmaneser finished what Tiglath-pileser had begun, and blotted out for ever the kingdom of Israel. 2 Kings 17:3-6
Be the first to react on this!
