Psalms 78

45. The dog-fly or the mosquito.

46. caterpillar--the Hebrew name, from its voracity, and that of--
locust--from its multitude.

47, 48. The additional effects of the storm here mentioned (compare Exodus 9:23-34 ) are consistent with Moses' account.

48. gave . . . cattle--literally, "shut up" (compare Psalms 31:8 ).

49. evil angels--or, "angels of evil"--many were perhaps employed, and other evils inflicted.

50, 51. made a way--removed obstacles, gave it full scope.

51. chief of their strength--literally, "first-fruits," or, "first-born" ( Genesis 49:3 , Deuteronomy 21:17 ).
Ham--one of whose sons gave name (Mizraim, Hebrew) to Egypt.

52-54. made his . . . forth--or, brought them by periodical journeys (compare Exodus 15:1 ).

54. border of his sanctuary--or, "holy border"--
this mountain--(Zion) was, as the seat of civil and religious government, the representative, used for the whole land, as afterwards for the Church ( Isaiah 25:6 Isaiah 25:7 ).
purchased--or, "procured by His right hand" or power ( Psalms 60:5 ).

55. by line--or, the portion thus measured.
divided them--that is, the heathen, put for their possessions, so tents--that is, of the heathen (compare Deuteronomy 6:11 ).

56, 57. a deceitful bow--which turns back, and so fails to project the arrow ( 2 Samuel 1:22 , Hosea 7:16 ). They relapsed.

58. Idolatry resulted from sparing the heathen (compare Psalms 78:9-11 ).

59, 60. heard--perceived ( Genesis 11:7 ).
abhorred--but not utterly.

60. tent . . . placed--literally, "caused to dwell," set up ( Joshua 18:1 ).

61. his strength--the ark, as symbolical of it ( Psalms 96:6 ).

62. gave--or, "shut up."
his people--( Psalms 78:48 , 1 Samuel 4:10-17 ).

63. fire--either figure of the slaughter ( 1 Samuel 4:10 ), or a literal burning by the heathen.
given to marriage--literally, "praised"--that is, as brides.

64. (Compare 1 Samuel 4:17 ); and there were, doubtless, others.
made no lamentation--either because stupefied by grief, or hindered by the enemy.

65. (Compare Psalms 22:16 , Isaiah 42:13 ).

66. And he smote . . . part--or, "struck His enemies' back." The Philistines never regained their position after their defeats by David.

67, 68. tabernacle of Joseph--or, "home," or, "tribe," to which--
tribe of Ephraim--is parallel (compare Revelation 7:8 ). Its pre-eminence was, like Saul's, only permitted. Judah had been the choice ( Genesis 49:10 ).

69. Exalted as--
high palaces--or, "mountains," and abiding as--the earth.

70-72. God's sovereignty was illustrated in this choice. The contrast is striking--humility and exaltation--and the correspondence is beautiful.

71. following . . . ewes, &c.--literally, "ewes giving suck" (compare Isaiah 40:11 ). On the pastoral terms, compare Psalms 79:13 .