This psalm is expressly ascribed to David, though it is not known why it should be classed among the “Songs of Degrees.” On the supposition that these were used by the pilgrims in “going up” to Jerusalem to worship, and that they were sung by the way, this psalm would be particularly appropriate, an... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS GLAD - It was a subject; of joy to me. The return of the happy season when we were to go up to worship filled me with joy. The language is expressive of the, happiness which is felt by those who love God and his sanctuary, when the stated season of worship returns. The heart is drawn to the ho... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR FEET SHALL STAND WITHIN THY GATES, O JERUSALEM - We shall enter the sacred city. It appears now in full view before us - its walls, its palaces, its sacred places. We shall not stand and gaze upon it at a distance; we shall not merely be charmed with its beauty as we approach it; we shall accomp... [ Continue Reading ]
JERUSALEM IS BUILDED AS A CITY THAT IS COMPACT TOGETHER - literally, “joined to itself together;” that is, when one part is, as it were, bound closely to another part; not scattered or separate. The walls are all joined together; and the houses are all united to one another so as to make a compact p... [ Continue Reading ]
WHITHER THE TRIBES - The twelve tribes of the children of Israel. GO UP - To the great feasts and festivals of the nation. See Exodus 23:17. This language of going up is such as would be used anywhere respecting the capital of a nation - as it is now of London; but it was literally true of Jerusale... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THERE ARE SET - Margin, Do sit. The Hebrew is, “For there sit thrones for judgment.” They are established there; or, That is the appointed place for administering justice. THRONES OF JUDGMENT - Seats for dispensing justice. The word throne is now commonly appropriated to the seat or chair of a... [ Continue Reading ]
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM - The prosperity, the welfare of Jerusalem - for peace is everywhere the image of prosperity and happiness. Compare Psalms 51:18. This is the language which those who were going up to the city - to the house of the Lord - addressed to each other, expressing the joyful... [ Continue Reading ]
PEACE BE WITHIN THY WALLS - The word here rendered walls, means properly an host, an army; then a fortification, an entrenchment, especially the ditch or trench with the low wall or breastwork which surrounds it. Gesenius, Lexicon. It refers here to the fortifications or defenses around Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR MY BRETHREN AND COMPANIONS’ SAKES - Because they dwell there; or, because they go up there to worship; or, because they love thee, and find their happiness in thee; or, because they are unconverted, and all my hope of their salvation is to be derived from thee - from the church, from the influen... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OUR GOD I WILL SEEK THY GOOD - Because of the sanctuary within thee; because that is the place where God is worshipped. The principal attraction in thee is the fact that in thee is the place where the worship of God is celebrated. It is this which gives its main impo... [ Continue Reading ]