The analysis of this magnificent poem is as follows:
- The writer’s purpose and hope ……………… : verses 1-3 (see Note 1).
- God’s perfections, and Israel’s perversity : verses 4-6.
- God’s goodness to Israel …………………………. : verses 6-14.
- Israel’s backsliding ………………………………….. : verses 15-18.
- Divine judgment upon Israel ………………….. : verses 19-29.
- The victory of heathen nations over Israel is of God’s permitting: verses 30-35.
- But he will finally avenge his people and show them his mercy: verses 36-43.
- What is said of God in his essential attributes? And what, in contrast, is said of the nature of Israel?
- What did God do for Israel (at least seven things are mentioned in verses 7-14), and how did Israel respond to his loving kindness?
- What is God’s purpose in his judgments, and what will be the final outcome?
Notes:
- Verse 2. ‘Let my teaching fall like rain’; an expression of the writer’s hope that his words may act on the hearts of men as the rain and dew on the soil.
- Verse 4. ‘The Rock’ (see also verses 15, 18, 30, 37): a figure expressing the thought of refuge and place of defence.
- Verse 8. ‘According to the number.’ i.e., he reserved for Israel an inheritance adequate to their numbers.
- Verse 15. ‘Jeshurun’: a poetical name for Israel, signifying ‘the upright one’. Cf. Deut. 33:5, 26; Is. 44:2.
- Verse 29. ‘Discern what their end will be’. i.e., discern where their perversity must lead them to.
- Verse 34. God is not unmindful of the sins of Israel’s enemies.
