Verse 1

Title. A Song. Hebrew. shir. See App-65: viz. one of the Songs promised by Hezekiah in Isaiah 38:20.

degrees = the degrees, or steps. Hebrew. hamma"aloth (with Art.): i.e. the "degrees" mentioned six times in 2 Kings 20:8-11, and five times in Isaiah 38:8 (Hebrew) No other "degrees" known to Scripture which are connected with the shadow of the sun. For the origin, authorship, examination, and Structure, see App-67, and note on p. 827.

distress. The first Psalm of each of the five groups speaks of DISTRESS the second of TRUST the third of BLESSING AND PEACE IN ZION. The distress, here, refers to Sennacherib"s siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:3. Isaiah 37:3).

cried. See 2 Kings 19:3, 2 Kings 19:4, 2 Kings 19:14-19. 2 Chronicles 32:20. Isaiah 37:15-20; Isaiah 38:2, Isaiah 38:3. See App-67.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

heard = answered.

Verse 2

Deliver = Pluck me. Hebrew. nazal. Same word as in Psalms 119:170. The reference is to 2 Kings 18:30, 2 Kings 18:32.

my soul = me. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

lips. Hebrew = lip: i.e. Rab-shakeh"s. The reference is to 2 Kings 18:19-35; 2 Kings 19:8-13. 2 Chronicles 32:10-19. Isaiah 36:4-20; Isaiah 37:8-13. See App-67.

tongue. Figure of speech Epistrophe (App-6), with "tongue", Psalms 120:3.

Verse 3

done = heaped upon: i.e. added to. Compare 1 Samuel 3:17; 1 Samuel 20:13, &c.

Verse 4

mighty = Mighty [One].

Verse 5

Mesech . . . Kedar. Used typically of cruel and merciless peoples; as we use the terms Vandals, Goths, Philistines.

Verse 6

him. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "them".

Verse 7

I = I [even I]; or, I [am all] peace (emphatic).

speak = speak [of peace]. See note on Psalms 109:4.

they are for war. The reference is to 2 Kings 18:19. 2 Chronicles 32:2. Isaiah 36:5.