Silver tried in a furnace of earth ] A refer ence to the purification of silver by the cupel. This is a sort of instrument used in the purification of silver. It may be formed out of a strong iron ring or hoop, adjusted in width and depth to the quantum of silver to be purified, and rammed full of well pulverized calcined bone. The metal to be purified must be mingled with lead, and laid on the cupel, and exposed to a strong heat in an air furnace. The impurities of the metal will be partly absorbed, and partly thrown off in fume. The metal will continue in a state of agitation till all the impurities are thrown off; it will then become perfectly still, no more motion appearing, which is the token that the process is completed, or, according to the words of the text, is seven times, that is, perfectly purified.

Matthew Henry Commentary

--This psalm furnishes good thoughts for bad times; a man may comfor himself with such meditations and prayers. Let us see what makes the times bad, and when they may be said to be so. Ask the children of thi world, What makes the times bad? they will tell you, Scarcity of money decay of trade, and the desolations of war, make the times bad: but the Scripture lays the badness of the times on causes of another nature 2Ti 3:1, &c.: perilous times shall come, for sin shall abound; and of this David complains. When piety decays times really are bad. He wh made man's mouth will call him to an account for his proud, profane dissembling, or even useless words. When the poor and needy ar oppressed, then the times are very bad. God himself takes notice of the oppression of the poor, and the sighing of the needy. When wickednes abounds, and is countenanced by those in authority, then the times ar very bad. See with what good things we are here furnished for such ba times; and we cannot tell what times we may be reserved for. 1. We have a God to go to, from whom we may ask and expect the redress of all ou grievances. 2. God will certainly punish and restrain false and prou men. 3. God will work deliverance for his oppressed people. His help is given in the fittest time. Though men are false, God is faithful though they are not to be trusted, God is. The preciousness of God' word is compared to silver refined to the highest degree. How man proofs have been given of its power and truth! God will secure his chosen remnant, however bad the times are. As long as the world stands there will be a generation of proud and wicked men. But all God' people are put into the hands of Christ our Saviour; there they are i safety, for none can pluck them thence; being built on Him, the Rock they are safe, notwithstanding temptation or persecution come with eve so much force upon them __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew