PSALM 47 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm may seem to have been composed upon the occasion of that great solemnity of carrying the ark from the house of Obed-edom into the city of Zion; of which see 2Sa 6$ 1Ch 13$ 1CH 16 $. But as Zion was a type of the church, and the ark a type of Christ; so this hath a fu... [ Continue Reading ]
MOST HIGH IS TERRIBLE; or, is _most high_ (in himself, above all gods) and (which conjunction is off understood) _terrible_, to all his enemies. A GREAT KING OVER ALL THE EARTH; the universal Monarch of the whole world, and not of Israel only.... [ Continue Reading ]
Or, _he shall lead_ like _sheep_; or, _bring into the fold_; as divers render the word, by comparing ISAIAH 5:17 MICAH 2:12. He seems to speak of such a subjugation of them, as was for the good of the people subdued, because this is matter of rejoicing to them, PSALMS 47:1; which is true both of the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL CHOOSE, i.e. he will appoint and bestow upon us. This verb of the future tense may seem to agree well with the Gentiles, because this blessing was not now present, but future, and so the sense designed by the Holy Ghost may be this: Though at present we are wicked and wretched creatures, an... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD IS GONE UP: this is meant literally of the ark, wherein God was present, which went or was carried up to the hill of Zion, where the tabernacle was erected for it, and afterwards to the hill of Moriah into the temple; which solemnity was accompanied with the shouts and acclamations of the people... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are repeated four times in this verse, to show how vehemently desirous the psalmist was that God might have his due praise and glory; and of how great necessity and importance it was to men to perform this great, though much neglected, duty. UNTO OUR KING; for so he is in a special manne... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING OF ALL THE EARTH; not only ours, as I now said, but also of all the nations of the world; and therefore he may well require, and doth highly deserve, all our praises. WITH UNDERSTANDING; not rashly, or formally and carelessly, but seriously, considering the greatness of this King whom you p... [ Continue Reading ]
OVER THE HEATHEN, i.e. over all heathen nations, as being _the King of all the earth_, PSALMS 47:7; which was not true in David's time, but; was fulfilled by Christ. GOD SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, to wit, as Judge and King, exercising dominion, or _reigning_, as he now said; this being only another ex... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRINCES OF THE PEOPLE; either, 1. The heads of the tribes of Israel, who were gathered together to the tabernacle or temple upon solemn feasts. Or rather, 2. THE PRINCES (or _the voluntary_ or _willing ones_, as this word is rendered, PSALMS 110:3) of the Gentiles, who are here known by the name... [ Continue Reading ]