Verse 1

To the chief Musician. See App-64.

upon Sheminith = the Sheminith. See App-65.

Title. A Psalm. See App-65.

Help = Save.

godly man = "gracious [man]".

ceaseth = is no more. Compare Isaiah 57:1. Micah 7:2.

faithful. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, put for faithful men.

children of men = sons of men. (Hebrew "adam. App-14.)

Verse 2

They speak. Man"s words contrasted with Jehovah"s words. Compare Psalms 12:6, and see Structure above.

double = deceitful. Hebrew "a heart and a heart". Compare 1 Chronicles 12:33.

Verse 3

The tongue, &c. Quoted in James 3:5.

Verse 4

With our tongue will we prevail = Thanks to our tongue, we will prevail.

Verse 5

poor = wretched. Hebrew " ain. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

saith the LORD = let Jehovah say.

from him that puffeth at him = let him [the oppressed] despise it [the oppression],

him = it: i.e. the oppression.

Verse 6

words = the spoken words, sayings, or utterances. Compare Psalms 119:38.

silver tried: i.e. pure silver.

furnace = crucible. Put a full stop after this word.

of = to, or pertaining to (referring to the "words"). The letter lamed is the sign of the Dative case, not the Genitive.

earth. Hebrew. "erez (the earth), not "adamah (the ground): i.e. "words for, or pertaining to the earth", but purified seven times: i.e. with spiritual perfection (see App-10). Some are used with a higher meaning; some in a different sense. Psalms 12:6 is an alternation.

Purified. The verb is singular, agreeing with silver. The words of Jehovah are pure words. As silver tried in a furnace: [Words] pertaining to the earth: Purified seven times.

Verse 7

them: i.e. the godly. Plural reference to "the faithful" of Psalms 12:1.

them = him: refers to the man of grace (Psalms 12:1).

Verse 8

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha". App-44.

men: i.e. the sons of Adam, as in Psalms 12:1.

To the chief Musician. See App-64.

Title. A Psalm. See App-65.