John Wesley (NT Notes)

“Break - Not hurt, but heal and greatly refresh me. Calamities - In the calamities of those righteous persons who reproved him. When they came into such calamities as those wherein he was involved he would pity them and pray for them.”

“Our bones - Our case is almost as hopeless as of those who are dead, and whose bones are scattered in several places.”

“For - This is not a reason of what he last said, but an argument to enforce his petition delivered, ver. 1. Soul - My life; nothing less will satisfy him.”

“Smoke - As Sinai did at thy glorious appearance, Exod. xix, 18. This is a figurative and poetical description of God's coming to take vengeance upon his enemies.”

“Vanity - Vain brags and threatenings which shall come to nothing. Falsehood - Deceiving themselves, by being unable to do what they designed; and others, by not giving them that help which they promised.”

“That - This mercy I beg not only for my own sake, but for the sake of thy people, that they may enjoy those blessings which thou hast promised them; and particularly, that our sons, who are the strength and hopes of a nation, may be like plants, flourishing an…”

“For ever - Both because he liveth forever to fulfil his promises, and because he is eternally faithful.”

“Ravens - Which he mentions because they were most contemptible, especially to the Jews, to whom they were unclean: and because they are not only neglected by men, but also forsaken by their dams as soon as ever they can fly, and so are wholly left to the care …”

“Fire - Lightnings and other fireworks of the air. Vapor - Or, fumes: hot exhalations. Fulfilling his word - Executing his commands, either for the comfort or punishment of the inhabitants of the earth.”

“Beautify - Hebrew. adorn, make them amiable and honourable in the eyes of the world, who now hate and despise them. The meek - All true Israelites are such. In glory - For the honour which God putteth upon them.”