A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] at sacred-texts.com
allude to disasters.
cast . . . off--in scorn (Psa 43:2; Psa 44:9).
scattered--broken our strength (compare Sa2 5:20).
Oh, turn thyself--or, "restore to us" (prosperity). The figures of physical, denote great civil, commotions (Psa 46:2-3).
drink . . . wine of astonishment--literally, "of staggering"--that is, made us weak (compare Psa 75:8; Isa 51:17, Isa 51:22).
Yet to God's banner they will rally, and pray that, led and sustained by His power (right hand, Psa 17:7; Psa 20:6), they may be safe.
hear me--or, "hear us."
God hath spoken in--or, "by."
his holiness-- (Psa 89:35; Amo 4:2), on the pledge of His attributes (Psa 22:3; Psa 30:4). Taking courage from God's promise to give them possession (Exo 23:31; Deu 11:24) (and perhaps renewed to him by special revelation), with triumphant joy he describes the conquest as already made.
Shechem, and . . . Succoth--as widely separated points, and--
Gilead . . . and Manasseh--as large districts, east and west of Jordan, represent the whole land.
divide . . . and mete out--means to have entire control over.
Ephraim--denotes the military (Deu 33:17); and--
Judah--(the lawgiver, Gen 49:10), the civil power. Foreign nations are then presented as subdued.
Moab--is a my washpot--the most ordinary vessel.
over--or, "at"
Edom--(as a slave) he casts his shoe.
Philistia, triumph, &c.--or, rather, "shout."
for me--acknowledges subjection (compare Psa 108:9, "over Philistia will I triumph").
He feels assured that, though once angry, God is now ready to favor His people.
who will lead me-- or, who has led me, as if the work were now begun.
Wilt not thou?--or, "Is it not Thou?"
Hence he closes with a prayer for success, and an assurance of a hearing.