PSALM 97 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm seems to have both the same author and the same scope with the former. And although the psalmist might take occasion to pen it from those signal manifestations of God's power and righteousness on his behalf, and against his enemies, yet he had a further aim in it, ev... [ Continue Reading ]
CLOUDS AND DARKNESS ARE ROUND ABOUT HIM; a dark cloud doth encompass him; wherein he seems to allude to that dark cloud in which God did anciently so often manifest his presence for the comfort of his saints, and for the terror and punishment of evil-doers. The design of these words is to describe e... [ Continue Reading ]
This fire, and lightning, and earthquake, and the sad effects of them, mentioned here, and PSALMS 97:4,5, signify those dreadful judgments of God which should be inflicted upon the Jews and others for their refusal and contempt of the Messias; which was foretold in the Old Testament, and accomplishe... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS LIGHTNINGS ENLIGHTENED THE WORLD: this phrase signifies not so much illumination as terror and judgments, as appears both from the following words, and from the constant use of the phrase in that sense, as PSALMS 18:14, PSALMS 144:6, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HILLS; the strongest and loftiest parts of the earth; whereby he may understand the great potentates of the world who set themselves against the Messias. THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH; whose dominion shall not then be confined in Canaan, as now in a manner it is, but shall be enlarged over the who... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEAVENS; either, 1. The thunders, and lightnings, and tempests sent from heaven to plead his righteous cause against his enemies. Or, 2. The angels, yea, God himself from heaven, who gave manifest testimony to the righteousness of the Messias. ALL THE PEOPLE SEE HIS GLORY; both Jews and Gentil... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFOUNDED BE ALL THEY; let them be ashamed of their former folly herein, and be thereby brought to detest and forsake them; and those who will obstinately persist in their impiety and idolatry, let them be brought to confusion. Or, _they shall be confounded_; for this may be a prediction, and not a... [ Continue Reading ]
ZION; thy people dwelling in Zion, or Jerusalem, and Judah, to whom Christ came, and among whom the gospel was first preached. Or, thy church and people, who both in the prophetical writings are oft called _Zion_. Heard the fame of thy judgments, as the following words declare; the ruin of idolatry... [ Continue Reading ]
As thou always wert so in truth, so thou hast now proved and declared thyself to be such in the eyes of the whole world, by subduing them under thy feet.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE THAT LOVE THE LORD; O all you who love and worship the true God and his anointed, and rejoice in the establishment of his kingdom. HATE EVIL; show your love to him by your abhorrency of all idolatry, which is sometimes called _evil or sin_ by way of eminency, and of all other wickedness. And alth... [ Continue Reading ]
LIGHT, i.e. joy and felicity, as this word is used, ESTHER 8:16 PSALMS 112:4, and oft elsewhere. IS SOWN; is prepared or laid up for them, and shall in due time be reaped by them, possibly in this life, but undoubtedly in the next. And therefore bear your afflictions for Christ with patience and che... [ Continue Reading ]
In consideration of his holy and righteous nature and government, or of his faithfulness in making good that great promise of sending the Messias into the world; for holiness is sometimes taken for faithfulness, which is one part or branch of it.... [ Continue Reading ]