Psalm LXVIII
Ver. l-;«. This is a Psalm-song (cf. Psalm ,10., title), perhaps suggested by David's victories, which secured his
atouciiii'iit the transgressions with which we are chiirged, and which aredenoted by—Iniquities-or /lY., Wor(Uof in-
iqiiilif's. 4, <l well In thy courts; . , , [and] iuitlitfletl with the goodness . . . temple—denote communion with God (Psalm 15. 1; 2:!. 0 ; cf. Psalm 5.7). This Is a blessing for
t hrone and gave rest to the nation. In general terms, the judgment of God on the wicked, and the eciulty and goodness of His government to the pious are celebrated. The sentiment Is Illustrated by examples of God's di>allngs,
all (iod's people, as denoted by the change of number. 5. terrli>le things i. e., by the manifestation of jilstlce and wrath to enemies, accompanying that of mercy to his people (Psalm 63.9-11; 61.7-9). the contlrtence—object of
clt<-d from the .lewlsh history, and related In highly poet-
ical terms. Hence the writer Intimates an expectation of ecjual and even greater triumphs, and summons all nations to unite In praises of the (Jod of Israel. The Psalin
It. of all . . . earth—the whole world— i. e., deservedly such, whether men think so or not. 0-1.3. God's great power and goodness are the grounds of this conlldeiice. These are Illustrated In ills control of the mightiest agencies of nature and nations. dlTcrting men with awe and
Is evidently typical of the relation which God, In the pei^ son of His Son, sustains lo the Church (cf. v. IH). 1-3, CI. NunilMMs 10. .15; Psolm 1. 4; 22. II, on the figures here used, before hint-as In v. 2, from His presence, M
An Erhortadon to Praise God. PSALM LXIX, David Complaineih of his Affliction,
his enemies, proceeds to reward his friends. The special application of the passage by Paul was in proof of Christ's exaltation. What the Old Testament represents of His descending and ascending corresponds with his history. He who descended is the sairie wlio has ascrended. Aa then ascension was an element of His triumph, so is it now; and he, who, in His humiliation, must be recognized as our vicarious sacrifice and the High Priest of our profession, must also be adored as Head of His Church and author of all her spiritual benefits. 19-;31. God daily and fully supplies us. The is.sues or escapes from death are under His control, who is the God that saves us, and destroys His and our enemies, wound ti>e head—or, violently destroy (Numbers 24. S; Psalm 110. 6). goeth on
dreaded ; but In v. 3, in His presence, as under His pro-
tection (Psalm 61.7). tlie righteous—all truly pious, whether of Israel or not. 4. extol Iilm . . . heavens— ^i.,
"caxt up for him kIlo ridelh in the deserts, or wilderness"
(cf. t'. alluding to the poetical representation of His leading His people in the wilderness as a conqueror, be-
fore wlioin a way is to be prepared, or cu.nt up (cf. Isaiah
40. 3; (ii HI), by l»ls name JAH—or, Jehovah, of which
It is a contraction (Exodus 15. 3; Isaiah 12.2) {Hebrew). name—or. perfections (Psalm 9. 10; 20. 1), which—5, G—are
illustrated by the protection to the helpless, vindication
of the innocent, and punishment of rebels, ascribed to Him. setleth the solitary in families lit., settleth the
lonely («s wanderers) at home. Though a general truth, there is perhaps allusion to the wandering and settlement of the Israelites, rebellions dwell In a dry land —removed from all the comforts of home. 7, 8—(Cf. Exodus 19. Id-lS.) tlton wentest— in the pillar of fire—thou didst march- ?iV., in thy tread, thy majestic movement, even Sinai itself—/it, that Sinai, as Judges 5. 5. 9, 10. a plentiful rain—{i rain of gifts, as manna and quails. Thy congregation— troop, as 2 Samuel 23. 11, 13—the military aspect of the people being prominent, according to the figures of the context, therein i.e., in the land of promise, the poor—thy liumble people (u. 9; cf. Psalm
still in . . . trespasses—perseveringly impenitent. iJJJ. Former examples of God's deliverance are generalized: as He has done so He will do. from Bashan—the farthest region ; and—deptlis of the sea—the severest afflictions. Out of all, God will bring them. The figures of v. 23 denote the completeness of the conquest, not implying any savage cruelty (cf. 2 Kings 9. 36; Isaiah 63. 1-0 ; Jeremiah
15. 3). a*-'^?. The triumphal procession, after the deliverance, is depicted. They have seen—impersonally, "There have been seen." tlie goings of my God—as leading the procession, the ark, the symbol of His presence, being in front. The various bands of music {v. 2.5) follow, and all who are—from [or lit., uf] the fountain of Israel—i. e., lineal descendants of Jacob, are invited to unite in the doxology. Then by one of the nearest tribes, one of the most eminent, and two of the most remote, are represented the whole nation of Israel, passing forward (Numbers 7). 28, 29. Thanks for the past, and confident prayer for the future victories of Zion are mingled in a song of praise, thy temple—at [or lit., over] Jerusalem— His palace or residence (Psalm 5. 7) symbolized His protecting presence among His people, and hence is the object of homage on the part of others. 30. The strongest nations are represented by the strongest beasts (cf. Mar-
10. 17; 12. 5). 11. gave the word—i. e., of triumph, company—or, choir of females, celebrating victory (Exodus
1-5.20). 13. Kings of armies—t. e., with their armies, she that ... at home—mostly females so remained, and the ease of victory appears in that such, without danger, quietly enjoyed the spoils. 13. Some translate this, "When .ve shall lie between the borders, ye shall," &c., comparing the peaceful rest in the borders or limits of the promised land to the proverbial beauty of a gentle dove. Others understand by the word rendered "pots," the smoked sides of caves, in which the Israelites took refuge from enemies In the times of the Judges ; or, taking the whole figuratively, the rows of stones on which cooking vessels were hung; and thus that a contrast is drawn between their former low and afflicted state and their succeeding prosperity. In either case, a state of quiet and peace is described by a beautiful figure. 14. Their enemies dispersed, the contrast of their prosperity with their former distress is represented by that of the snow with the dark and sombre shades of Salmon. 15, 16. Mountains are often symbols of nations (Psalm 46.2; 6.5.6). That of Bashan, N.E. of Palestine, denotes a he.athen nation, which is descriljed as a hill of God, or a great hill. Such are represented as envious of the hill (Zion) on which God resides ; 17. and, to the assertion of God's purpose to make it His dwelling. Is added evidence of His protecting care. He is described as in the midst of His lieavenl.v armies—thousands of angels—irt., thousands of repetition.1, or, thousands of thousands i. e., of chariots. The word—angels—was perhaps Introduced in our version, from Deuteronomy 33. 2, and Galatians 3. 19. They are, of course, implied as conductors of the chariots, as
gin). 31. Princes—or, lit., Fat ones, the most eminent from the most wealthy, and the mott distant nation, represent the universal subjection, stretch out [or, make to run] her hands—denoting haste. 32-36. To Him who is presented as riding in triumph thi-ough His ancient heavens and proclaiming His presence—to Him wlio, in nature, and still more in tlie wonders of His spiritual government, out of His holy place (Psalm 43. 3), is terrible, who rules His Church, and, by His Church, rules tiie world in righteousness—let all nations and kingdoms give honour and power and dominion evermore.