A new song] PSALM XCVI. PSALMS. OSING unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. 4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Honour and majesty are before him strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 O worship the LORD in the [of thanksgiving. beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. 10 Say among the heathen that! the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.(A) PSALM XCVII. THE LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him righteousness and judg ment are the habitation of his throne PSALM XCVI. EXPOSITION. (A) Praise to God the Creator and the Judge. This psalm, and part of several others, we have already met with in the book of Chronicles, as given by David into the hands of Asaph and his brethren to praise the Lord, when they brought up the ark to Mount Sion from the house of Obed-Edom; there is, therefore, no doubt as to either the author or the occasion of its composition. The general subject is the praise of JEHOVAH, in comparison with whom all the gods of the nations are as nothing, and merit no regard. After describing the majesty and glory of God in terms similar to those already used, the psalmist announces his coming to the final judgment of the world. This is introduced here with the greater propriety, if we consider the carrying up the ark to Mount Zion, as symbolical the resurrection and ascension of Chri (as we have done on Psalms xlvii. a Ixviii;) because, on the latter occasion was expressly declared from heaven-"T same Jesus which is taken up from y into heaven, shall so come (again) in manner as ye have seen him go into ven.' ."(Acts i. 11.) This is called his sec advent, of which we have repeated as rances, both in the apostolical epist (1 Thess. iv. 16.) and in the book of Re lations, chap. i. 7, &c. This is called" a new song," in re ence to the new cause of thanksgi which it affords, arising from the g event to which it ultimately refers: s choirs of the blessed are represente singing a new song in honour of the pletion of Christ's redemption. (Rev. &c.) 3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. 4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. 5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth. 6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. 7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods. 8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. 9 For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth thou art exalted far abore all gods. 10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. !! Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. (B) PSALM XCVII. [supreme Governor. PSALM XCVIII. A Psalm. OSING unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. 2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. 3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. 7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together EXPOSITION. (B) The majesty of God's kingdom, a round of joy to all people.-God, under the Old Testament dispensation, is described as dwelling in the thick darkness, and surrounded with the tempest, like his residence on Mount Sinai. (Deut. v. 22.) Under the new dispensation, the clouds open, and a ray of light directs us to the mercyseat, where he now sits with a rainbow round about the throne, in which the divine attributes appear harmonized like the colours which form that mysterious emblem. (Compare Psalm lxxxv. 10. with Rev.iv. 3; 1. 1.) This is a matter of joy to the whole earth, and especially to us who inhabit the isles of these northern seas. Formerly we were gross idolaters, and worshipped images of wood and stone; but when the light of the gospel shone upon us, we threw away our idols (as always will be the case) and worshipped him who alone is worthy. "The heavens declared his righteousness," and we hailed the solemn sound, and are at length endeavouring to send the same gospel forth to all the world; and the islands of the south also, as they receive it, endeavour to propagate it still farther: and thus shall it still spread until "all the earth shall rejoice in this salvation, and the multitude of isles be glad thereof." "He reigns! the Lord the Saviour reigns; NOTES. apostle took this citation in Heb. i. 6. and not from Deat. xxxii, 43. as commonly supposed. Ver. 11. Light is sown.-Light sown, is here supposed, figuratively, to produce a crop of joy. Ver. 12. At the remembrance-Marg. "To the memorial." Watts, PSALM XCVIII. Ver. 2. Openly shewed-Marg. "Revealed." Ver. 9. Before the Lord, &c. See Ps. xcvi. 13. ་ ་ PSALM XCVIII. [over all. 5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. 7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. 8 Thou answered st them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. 9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy. (D) EXPOSITION. (C) A Psalm of praise for Jews and Gentiles.-The deliverances which God wrought for the salvation of his people were of that public nature, that they were evidently known to the surrounding na20s, 53 find in the history of Rahab the hash. ii. 10, 11.) and in other instances that all the ends (or extremities) of the earth, so far as the earth was then known, had either seen or heard "the salvation" of their God. But these were the shadows only of better things, and the type of that salvation, in which the heathen nations themselves were to be embraced. The whole world is therefore now called upon to rejoice in the God of Israel, who is here foreseen as coming to execute those judgments that should overthrow the reign of idolatry, throw down the barriers of the Jewish system of peculiarity, and publish salvation alike to the whole world. And blessed are our eyes that see, and our ears which hear the rapid fulfilment of this promise. "Bless, bless his name; from day to day; Let his salvation prompt the lay, dom of God. In the ninety-sixth Psalın the world is called upon to rejoice-in this to tremble: for the same events which are matters of joy to those who fear God, afford awful presages to those who fear him not. The opening of this psalm may remind us of the vision which Isaiah saw before the death of king Uzziah. (Isa. vi. 1-4.) The cherubim and seraphim were probably the same. Here they form the chariot of Jehovah's throne; there they are fluttering around it, as they were in a chorus to proclaim his glory. In both cases, the attribute announced is perfect, spotless noliness, (ver. 3-5;) in both, the whole earth is filled with his glory. The scene in Isaiah is laid in the temple, the pillars of which are shaken with the voices of the celestial hierarchy: here, not only the people tremble, but the earth itself i moved, and staggers like a drunken man as the original seems to intimate. (Se Note on ver. 1.) By the king's strength," ver. 4. ma be intended the establishment of David kingdom, by whom probably the psal was written, though it doubtless has a higher and ulterior reference to the reig of the king Messiah. The psalmist con cludes with exhorting all to come a "worship at his footstool," or before h (T, Another Psalm celebrating the king- cherubic throne in Zion. Till realms remote his acts have known, PSALM XCIX. NOTES. PSALM XCIX. Ver. 1. Let the people trembleAinsworth. The people are stirred;" i. e. alarmed. See Rev. xi. 17, 18.-Be moved-Heb. "Stagger." Ver. 2. He sitteth (between) the cherubims-See Ps. lxxx. 1. Ver. 3. Thy great and terrible name.-See Note on Ps. xxxix. 7. Ver. 5. He (Marg. “it”) is holy. Ver. 6. Ases and Aaron among his priests They were brothers, of the same tribe and famil but the word Cohen, though usually rendered pri is used also for any great office of state. Ainswor See 2 Sam. xviii. 18. Ver. 8. Inventions-That is, idolatries, as of golden calf, &c. Exhortations] PSALM C. PSALMS. A Psalm of praise. MAKE TAKE a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanks giving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (E) PSALM CI. A Psalm of David. WILLsing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a PSALM C. [to praise God. perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. 7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. 8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD. (F) EXPOSITION. (E) A Psalm of general thanksgiving. -No psalm has been more admired, or more devotionally employed, by either Jews or Christians, than the one now before us. JEHOVAH here, (as in the eightieth Psalm,) is represented as the great Shepherd of Israel, and of mankind, the various tribes of which are but as different flocks, though Israel is his chosen. All are invited to come into his presence with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. They are reminded that he is their Creator as well as pastor -"For we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." Gentiles as well as Jews are therefore v. elcome to "enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise," the ground of which is here stated to be goodness and mercy, truth and faithfulness, for ever. "Before Jehovah's awful throne, Ye nations bow with sacred joy: PSALM CI. (F) David's pious resolutions.-This psalm is ascribed to David in the Hebrew title. It was probably written in the commencement of his reign, and Bishop Patrick supposes while yet at Hebron, though expecting to be called to the throne at Jerusalem. (2 Sam. ii. 1—4; v. 3-5.) It contains his resolution to walk circumspectly before God, and to banish from his presence as well evil counsellors as wicked men, whom he determines not to know; that is, not to countenance or encourage in his court or palace. In singing both of mercy and of judgment, he sets us an example, in whose lot, as well as in his, mercy and judgment are commonly interwoven. It is probable, however, that he uses the words in a judicial sense, as meaning that justice and mercy should be mingled in all his legal decisions. His punishments should be tempered with mercy, and his mercy corrected by dis cretion. PSALM CI. Ver. 3. No nicked thing Heb. "Thing of Belial."I hate them, &c.-Bp. Lowth, "Hira that dealeth unfaithfully, I hate.” Ver. 4. Not know;i.e.not countenance, or encourage. Ver, 6. In a perfect way-Marg. "In the perfect way." Ver. 5. An high look, &c -Heb. "Lofty in eyes, and swollen in heart." but Ver. 7.Shall not tarry-Heb. "Not be established." Ver. 8. Early-Heb. " In the morning" meaning, probably, in the commencement of his ro Dr. Chandler thinks, David meant to devote mornings to the administration of justice, as mon in castern countries. A prayer] PSALM CII. PSALMS. A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. HEAR my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call, answer me speedily. 3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. 8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, 10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. 11 My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. 12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. 13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. PSALM CIE. Lof the afflicted.. 15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. 16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. 17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. 18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. 19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; 21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. 23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. 24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. (G) EXPOSITION. (G) A Prayer for the afflicted when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the Lord." It seems," says Bishop Horne," to have been written during the captivity by one of the prophets." Dr. NOTES. PSALM CII. Ver. 3. Like smoke.-Some read, "Into smoke." Ver. 6. Like an owl of the desert-Rather, "A bittern, in waste (or ruinous) places." Bp. Horne. Ver.8. They that are mad, &c.-See Acts xxiii. 12, &c. Ver. 9. For-Bp. Horne, "Therefore." Eating ashes and drinking tears, must be explained figuratively, as "the ashes of humiliation," and "the water of affliction." Horne. Ver. 14. Take pleasure, &c.-Like antiquarians, they found a pensive pleasure in the very contemplation of her ruins. Ver. 20. Those that are appointed to deathHeb. The children of death. Ver. 23. He weakened-Heb." Aflicted." |
