_A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023._ The author of this Psalm is not known, nor the particular time when it was composed. Most commentators infer from its contents, that it was made on the occasion of some providential deliverance which God had given to the city of Jerusalem, when it was violently attacked, or... [ Continue Reading ]
_Great is the Lord_, &c. Great is the majesty and the power of Jehovah; who is therefore to be celebrated with the highest praises; _in the city of our God_ Especially in his own city Jerusalem, and by the inhabitants of it; _in the mountain of his holiness_ In that mountain which he hath long ago s... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beautiful for situation is mount Zion_ A beautiful place it is, which he hath chosen for his habitation; and that which especially renders it beautiful is, that it is the mountain of God's holiness, the place where, in infinite wisdom, he hath fixed his sanctuary. _The joy of the whole earth_ For t... [ Continue Reading ]
_God is known_ To his people, by sensible and long experience; _in her palaces_ In the habitations of the city, and not only in the cottages, or meaner dwellings, but in the palaces: the princes and great men have recourse to God, and seek help from him. Possibly he may point at the king's palace an... [ Continue Reading ]
_For lo, the kings were assembled_ The neighbouring princes confederate against Jerusalem: see the contents. _They passed by_ In their march toward Jerusalem. They advanced, and marched on, not doubting but they should presently make themselves masters of the city. Or, _they passed away together_ De... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish_, &c. Thou didst no less violently and suddenly destroy these raging enemies of Jerusalem, than sometimes thou destroyest the ships at sea with a fierce and vehement wind, such as the eastern winds were in those parts.... [ Continue Reading ]
_As we have heard, so have we seen_ The predictions of the prophets have been verified by the events. Or, we have had late and fresh experience of such wonderful works of God, as before we only heard of by the report of our fathers. _God will establish it for ever_ God will defend her in all succeed... [ Continue Reading ]
_According to thy name, so is thy praise_ Thou art acknowledged, and evidently proved, to be such a one as thou hast affirmed thyself to be in thy word, _God Almighty_, or _All-sufficient, the Lord of hosts, the King of thy church and people, a strong tower to all that trust in thee;_ and whatever e... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let mount Zion rejoice_ That is, Jerusalem; _let the daughters of Judah_ The other lesser cities, towns, and villages; _be glad, because of thy judgments_ Upon thy and their enemies. Let the mother city give an example of joy and thankfulness to all the smaller places, and to the whole kingdom, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Walk about Zion_, &c. He speaks probably to the people of the city and kingdom, who had been eye-witnesses of the glorious work God had wrought for their deliverance. Bishop Patrick thus paraphrases the words: “Make a solemn procession, and go round about the city, blessing and praising God, with t... [ Continue Reading ]
_This God_, &c. Who hath done this great work for us; _is our God_ Who alone can protect us, and will be our defender, if we depend upon him, _for ever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death_ While we have a being. He will not content himself with having delivered and preserved us once; but... [ Continue Reading ]