This psalm is simply entitled “A Song of Degrees.” The author of it is not known, nor can the occasion on which it was written be certainly ascertained. It would seem to have been composed in a time of public distress and disaster; when the affairs of the nation were in jeopardy, and especially when... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, REMEMBER DAVID - Call to remembrance his zeal, his labor, his trials in order that there might be a permanent place for thy worship. Call this to remembrance in order that his purpose in thy cause may not be frustrated; in order that the promises made to him may be accomplished. AND ALL HIS AF... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW HE SWARE UNTO THE LORD - The solemn oath which he took that he would make this the first object; that he would give himself no rest until this was done; that he would sacrifice his personal ease and comfort in order that he might thus honor God. This oath or purpose is not recorded in the histor... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY I WILL NOT COME INTO THE TABERNACLE OF MY HOUSE - The tent of my dwelling; the place where I abide. Nor go up into my bed The couch of my bed, or where I sleep. I will make it my first business to find a dwelling-place for the Lord; a place where the ark may repose.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL NOT GIVE SLEEP TO MINE EYES ... - There is no difference here between the words sleep and slumber. The meaning is, that the house of the Lord should be his first care.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTIL I FIND OUT A PLACE FOR THE LORD - A place for the ark of God; a place where it may constantly and safely remain. The symbol of the divine presence rested on the mercy-seat, the cover of the ark, and hence, this was represented as the seat or the house of God. AN HABITATION FOR THE MIGHTY GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
LO, WE HEARD OF IT AT EPHRATAH - Most probably this is the language of the contemporaries of David; or this is what they might be supposed to say; or this is what tradition reports that they did say. David’s purpose, as referred to in the previous verses, is not recorded in the history, and the memo... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WILL GO INTO HIS TABERNACLES - His tents, or the fixed resting place prepared for the ark. This is evidently language supposed to have been used on bringing up the ark into its place in Jerusalem: language such as they may be supposed to have sung or recited on that occasion. WE WILL WORSHIP AT... [ Continue Reading ]
ARISE, O LORD, INTO THY REST - Into that which is appointed for its permanent place of repose, that it may no longer be removed from spot to spot. This is spoken of the ark, considered as the place where God, by an appropriate symbol, abode. That symbol - the Shechinah - rested on the cover of the a... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THY PRIESTS BE CLOTHED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS - This is also substantially the same language that was used by Solomon at the dedication of the temple. See again 2 Chronicles 6:41. The idea is, that in the service of such a God, the priests, the ministers of religion, should be holy. The honor of rel... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THY SERVANT DAVID’S SAKE - Because of the promise made to him; because of the zeal which he has shown in securing a place for the ark. Let it not be in vain that he has shown such a regard to the honor of God; let not the promises made to him fail. Such a prayer is proper now. There is nothing w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD HATH SWORN IN TRUTH UNTO DAVID - He has made a gracious promise, confirmed by an oath, which we may plead in our present necessities. That promise was made “in truth,” that is, sincerely - so that it will certainly be carried out - so that we may appeal to God, on the ground of his faithful... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THY CHILDREN WILL KEEP MY COVENANT ... - This was the condition implied in the promise - that they were to keep the law of God, and to serve and obey him. If they did not, they could not, of course, plead the promise. This principle is universal. We cannot plead any promise of God in our behalf,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD HATH CHOSEN ZION - He has selected it as the place where he will abide; the seat of his religion. This is a new plea or argument, and shows that the psalm had reference to Zion or Jerusalem, as then in danger, or as having been in danger. See the notes at Psalms 48:1. HE HATH DESIRED I... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS MY REST FOR EVER - My home; my permanent abode. I will no more remove from place to place - as when the ark was carried in the wilderness, and as it has been since; but Zion shall now be the fixed seat of religion. See the notes at Psalms 68:16. HERE WILL I DWELL ... - Permanently; constant... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL ABUNDANTLY BLESS HER PROVISION - Margin, surely. Hebrew, “Blessing I will bless,” a strong affirmation, meaning that he would certainly do it; that he would do it in every way; that every needed blessing would be imparted. The word rendered provision is a cognate form of the word in Psalms 78... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL ALSO CLOTHE HER PRIESTS WITH SALVATION - See the notes at Psalms 132:9, where - instead of the word which in 2 Chronicles 6:41, as here, is “salvation,” we find the word “righteousness.” The promise here corresponds to the prayer in Psalms 132:9. It is a reason why God should interpose. What... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WILL I MAKE THY HORN OF DAVID TO BUD - The horn was an emblem of power; and then, of success or prosperity. See the notes at Luke 1:69. The word rendered “to bud” means to grow, or to shoot forth as a plant, or as grass grows; and then it may be applied to anything which shoots forth or grows.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS ENEMIES WILL I CLOTHE WITH SHAME - They shall be so confounded that shame shall seem to cover them as a garment. See the notes at Psalms 109:29. That is, David would be triumphant. BUT UPON HIMSELF SHALL HIS CROWN FLOURISH - His crown shall be as a fresh, blooming garland. The Hebrew word used h... [ Continue Reading ]