Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Exhorta'.ion to Praise God. PSALMS XCVI—CI. The People Exhorted to Worship Ood.
blessings are in store, represented by light (Psalm 27. 1) and gladness, sown—to spring fortli alnindantly for sucli, who .alone can and well may rejoice in the holy governmentof their sovereign Lord (cf. Psalm 30. 4; 32. ii) PSALM XCVIII.
Ood for His greatness, ami warns them, i a God's words, against neglectins; His service.
1. The terms used to express the highest kind of joy. Rock—A lirni basis, giving certainty of salvation (Psalm
62.7). !J. coii>e . . . presence lit., approach, or, meet Him 'Psalm 17. 13). 3. al>ovc . . . gods—esteemed such by men, tliougli really nothing (Jeremiah 5.7; 10. 10-15). 4,
Ver. 1-9. In view of the wonders of grace and rigliteoiisness displayed in God's salvation, tlie whole creation is invited to unite in praise.
6. The terms used descril)o the world in its whole extent, subject to God. G. come—or, enter, with solemn forms, as well as hearts. 7. Tliis relation illustrates our entire dependence (ef. Psalm 2^. •>; 74. 1). Tlie last clause is united by Paul (Hebrews:!. 7; U> the following (cf. Psalm 81. 8), 8-11, warning agjiust neglect; and this is sustained l>yoitinj; the meianclioly fate of t!}e:r rebellious ancestors, whose provoljing insolence is de,seribed by quoting the language of God's complaint (Numbers 14. 11) of their conduct at
1. gotten . . . vtctory—ii/., mafte.sniaiion, enabled Him to save His people, right hand, and . . . arm—denote power, holy arm—or, arm of lioliness, the power of His uniteil moral perfections (Psalm 22. 3; 32. U). ti. The salvallon i.s the result of his righ/eowsnes.1 (Psalm 7. 17; 31. 1, and ijotli are pul)licly displayed. 3. The union of mercy and truth (Psalm 57. 3; 85. 10) secure tlie blessings of the promise (Genesis 12.3; 18.18) to all the world (Isaiah .52.
Sleritxth and Miixsali, names given (E.xodus 17. 7) to commemorate their strife and contention with Him (Psalm
10). 4-6. make a loud noise—or, burst forth (Isaiah 14. 7;
78. 18, -II). err In tlieir heart—their wanderings in tlie desert were but types of tlieir innate Ignorance and per-
44.2:3). before . . . King—hail Him as your sovei'eign and while with every aid to demonstrate zeal and joj', intelligent creatures are invited to praise, as in Psalm 96.
versene.ss. t.liat *l>ey sljouJd not—lit., if they, &c., part of the furin of swearing (cf. Numbers 14. 30; Psalm 89. 35).
11-Vi, inanimate nature is al.so summoned to honour Him who triumplis and rules iu righteousness and equity.
PSALM XCVI.
PSALM XCIX.
Ver. 1-13. The substance of this Psalm, and portions of tne 97th, 9Sth, and 100th, are fopnd in 1 Chronicles 16., whicli was used by David's directions In the dedication of the tabernacle on Mount Zion. The dispensation of the Messiali was typified by that event, involving, as it did, a more permanent seat of worship, and the introduction of additional and more spiritual services. Hence the language of the.se Psalms may be regarded as having a higher import than that pertinent to the occasion on which it was tlms publicly used.
Ver. 1-9. God's government is especially exercised In and for His Churcli, wliich should praise Him for His gracious dealings.
1. sittetlt . . . cherubim—(cf. 1 Samuel 4. 4; Psalm 80. 1). tremble . . . be moved—inspired with fear by His judgments on tlie wicked. 2. great in Zion—wliere He dwells (Psalm 9. 11). 3. thy . . . name—perfections of justice, power, Ac. great and terrible—producing dread (Deuteronomy 10. 17), and to be praised by those over whom He is exalted (Psalm 97. 9). It is holy—or. He is holy (v.
1-3. AH nations are invited to unite in this most joyful praise, new song lit., fresh, for new mercies (Psalm 33.
5, 9; Isaiah 6. 3). 4, 5. To His wise and righteous government all nations should render honour, king's... judgment—His power is combined with justice, he la holy—(cf. Psalm 22. 3). 6-8. The experience of these sei'- vants of God is cited for encouragement, among . . . priests, among . . . upon tlie Lord [and] He spake . , . pillar—may be referred to all three (cf. E.xodus 18. 19 ; Leviticus8.15; Deuteronomy .5. 5; ISamuel9. 13). Thecloudy pillar was the medium of Divine intercourse (Exodus 33.
3; 40.3). show forth lit., declare joyful tidings. The salvation illustrates His glory in its wonders of love and mercy. 4, 5. For He is not a local God, but of universal agency, while idols are nothing. 6. Honour and majesty—are His attendants, declared in His mighty works, wiiile power and grace are specially seen in His spiritual relations to His people. 7-9. Give—or, ascribe (Psalm 29.
1) due lionour to Him, by acts of appointed and solemn worsliip in His house. ofl Tering—of thanks, beauty of holiness—(Psalm 29. 2.) fear . . . lilm—(Psalm 2. 11.) 10.
9; Numbers 12.5). Obedience was united with worship. God answered them as intercessors for the people, who, though forgiven, were yet chastened (Exodus 32. 10, 34).
I.et all know that the government of the world is ordered in Justice, and they shall enjoy Arm and lasting peace (cf. Psalm 72. 3, 7; Isaiah 9. 6, 7). 11-13. For which reason the universe is invoked to unite in joy, and even inanimate nature (Romans 8. 14-22) is poetically represented as capable of joining in the anthem of praise.
PSALM C.
Ver. 1-5. As closing this series (cf. on Psalm 94), this Psalm is a general call on all the earth to render exalted praise to God, the creator, preserver, and benefactor of men.
PSALM XCVII. Ver. 1-1.'?. The writer celebrates the Lord's dominion over nations and nature, describes its effect on foes and friends, and exhorts and encourages the latter.
1, 3. 'With thankful praise, unite service as the subjects of a king (Psalm 2. 11, 12). 3. To the obligations of a creature and sul)ject is added that of a beneficiary (Psalm 95.
7). 4. Join joyfully in His public worship. The terms are, of course, figurative (cf. Psalm 84. 2; 92. 13; Isaiah
1-2. Tliis dominion is a cause of Joy, because, however our minds are oppressed with terror before the throne of the King of kings (Exodus 19. 18; Deuteronomy 5. 22), we know it is based on righteous principles and judgments which are according to truth. 3-5. The attending illustrations of God's awful justice on enemies (Psalm S3. 14) are seen in the disclosures of His almighty power on the elements of nature (cf. Psalm 46. 2; 77. 17; Habakkuk .3. 6, &c.). 6. heavens—or, their inliabitants (Psalm 50. 6), as opposed to nations in the latter clause (cf. Isaiah 40. 5; 66.
66. 23). Enter—or, Come with solemnity (Psalm 95. 0). 5. The reason : God's eternal mercy and truth (Psalm 25. 8;
89. 7). PSALM CI.
Ver. 1-8. In this Psalm the profession of the principles of his domestic and political government testifies, as well as actions in accordance with it, David's appreciation of God's mercy to him, and His judgment on his enemies: and thus he sings or celebrates God's dealings.
18). 7. Idolaters are utterly put to shame, for if angels must worship Him, how much more those who worshipped them, all ye godo lit., all ye angels (Psalm 8. 5; a. He avows his sincere purpose, by God's aid, to act uprightly (Genesis 17. 1; Psalm 18. 30). 3. set . . . eyes—as an example to be approved and followed, no wicked thing —lit., word, plan or purpose of Belial (Psalm 41. 8). work of . . . aside—apostates, not cleave to ine—I will not be implicated In it (cf. Psalm 1. 1-3). 4. A froward [or, per-
1.38. 1 ; Hebrews 1.6; 2. 7) laul quotes, not as a prophecy, hot Hs language used ir regard to the Lord Jehovah, who Sn the Old Testament t/i<?o;>/i.<T7ita is the second person of the Godhead. 8, 9. The exaltation of Zlon's king Is joy to the righteous and sorrow to the wicked, daughters of Judah—(Cf. Psalm 48. 11.) above all gods—(Psalm 95. 3.) tO-13. Let gratitude for the blessings of providence and grace incite saints (Psalm 4. 3) to holy living. Spiritual verse] heart^-(Psalm 18. 20.) Such a temper I will not Indulge, nor even know evil or wickedness. 5, 6. The sla-jderers and haughty persons, so mischievous in society, I Will disown; but—Mine eyes . . . upou—or, I will select 375