Matt. 6. 13. Luke 2. 14. Rom. 15. 16. Heb. 13. 16. Ezra 7. 27. Luke 21. 5, 6. Matt. 28. 18, &c. Isai. 44. 23: 49. 13. Isai. 42. 10, &c. 7 Ascribe unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, ascribe unto the Lord worship [glory] and power; 8 Ascribe unto the Lord the honor due unto his name; bring presents, and come into his courts. 9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness [in the glorious sanctuary]: let the whole earth stand in awe of him. 10 Tell it out among the heathen, that the Lord is King; and that it is He, who hath made the round world so fast, that it cannot be moved; and how that he shall judge the people righteously. 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad: let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is. 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord. able superiority of Jehovah to "all the gods of the heathen.” 1 Chron. xxix. 11, 12.—Worship. See on Psalm iii. 3. Ye kindreds, &c. The heathen nations may be here addressed. But as, ver. 10, the Israelites are again admonished to spread the glad tidings of their salvation through the world, it seems better to understand, the words of the different tribes, and, perhaps, even of the various families, into which the chosen people were formerly divided, when they were able accurately to trace their genealogy. Josh. vii. 14. 1 Sam. x. 20, &c. 8 Bring presents. See on Psalm XLV. 13. 9 In the beauty, &c. The tent, in which David placed the ark, was doubtless as elegant in its decorations, as excellent in its structure; but, being the residence of that visible token of the Deity, it must rather have merited the designation now given to it, in consequence of the extraordinary sanctity, majesty, and honor, which His presence naturally imparted to it. 10 The round world. See on Psalm LXXXix. 12.- -He shall judge, &c. He shall administer equal justice unto all men, and neither suffer the good to remain unrewarded, nor the wicked to escape unpunished. See on Psalm ii. 10 for the word "judge." 11 Let the heavens, &c. Though this verse and the next do poetically express, in some degree, the delight, which ought to have been universally felt by the Israelites, on God's condescending to take up his abode among them, they are much more applicable to those glorious times, when the Messiah's kingdom should be actually established on earth. 12 Then. When it is made apparent, that the Almighty has deigned to shew himself the just and merciful ruler of his people. 13 For he cometh, for he cometh to judge Isai. 11. 4, 5. the earth; and with righteousness to judge the Rev. 19. 11. world, and the people with his truth. PSALM XCVII. Ir is not certainly known, what peculiar circumstances gave occasion to the present Psalm, and to the three which follow it. This one, however, is thought to have been written by David, when he had subdued all his foreign enemies, and was, at length, peaceably established in his kingdom. Assuredly, there is contained in it a strain of great rejoicing, both for some signal and gracious assistance, which God had afforded his servants, and for some remarkable instance of vengeance taken by him upon the opposers of his laws. But, though applicable to such events, the Psalm is much more applicable to the spiritual reign of Jesus Christ, who, by his resurrection and ascension into heaven, overthrew the idolatry of the heathen world, and brought comfort, as well as joy, to his true followers. THE HE Lord is King, the earth may be glad | Zeph. 2. 11. thereof; yea, the multitude of the isles may Mark 11. 10. be glad thereof. 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his seat [throne]. 3 There shall go a fire before him, and burn up his enemies on every side. 4 His lightnings gave shine unto the world; the earth saw it, and was afraid [trembled]. 5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 6 The heavens have declared his righteousness, and all the people have seen his glory. 1 Kings 8. 12. Ps. 18. 11. Dan. 7. 10. Hab. 3. 5. Ex. 19. 18. Ps. 77. 17, 18. Judg. 5. 5. Isai. 60. 2, 3. Hab. 2. 14. 13 With his truth. According to his faithful promise of recompensing the righteous and of destroying the wicked. The earth, or the land of Israel (ver. 1), is, probably, here distinguished from the rest of the world and its inhabitants. 1 The Lord, &c. The mighty works, which have been so lately done among us, manifestly testify, that "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth." -The earth. The land of Israel.-The isles. See on Psalm LXV. 5. 2 Are the habitation, &c. See on Psalm LXxxix. 15. 4 And was afraid. And shook for fear at God's presence, which was evidenced by the lightnings. The Psalmist now describes what had just taken place; as, in the last verse, he seems to have intimated, what would ever take place, "when God arose to judgment." 6 The heavens, &c. There may be an allusion to the thunder and lightning sent down from heaven by God on the heads of the wicked. Lev. 26. 1, 2. 1 Pet. 3. 22. Matt. 21. 8, &c. Rev. 18. 19, 20. Ex. 18. 11. 7 Confounded be all they, that worship carved images, and that delight in vain gods [idols]: worship Him, all ye gods. 8 Sion heard of it, and rejoiced; and the daughters of Judah were glad, because of thy judgments, O Lord. 9 For Thou, Lord, art higher than all, that are in the earth; Thou art exalted far above all gods. 10 O ye that love the Lord, see that ye hate the thing which is evil: the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly. But the expression appears rather to mean, that the angels (see on Psalm L. 6), or the inhabitants of heaven, have announced and commemorated the divine justice in songs of triumph. 7 Confounded, &c. Let them be covered with confusion of face, and grow ashamed of their misplaced confidence, who trust in false and imaginary deities, perceiving, as is now evident, how utterly unable they are to help their deluded worshippers. See on Psalm xxii. 5.Worship Him, &c. Taking the words in their primary acceptation, and in immediate conjunction with what precedes, no doubt can exist, either as to the object of this worship, or as to the parties, whence it is commanded to proceed. But, since the present passage is, on good grounds, affirmed to be that quoted by St. Paul (Heb. i. 6), and not one which occurs only in the Septuagint (Deut. xxxii. 43), it, consequently, acquires an additional importance, and may be regarded in the light of a direct prophecy respecting our Saviour. Nor will it even then appear unconnected with the context; for, certainly, the preaching of the gospel, which the Psalm manifestly announces, did banish from the world the "gods many and lords many" to whom a perverted and impious adoration had previously been paid. Isai. ii. 20. The word "gods" is likewise, in this case, to be understood differently, and applied, on inspired authority, to the angels (Psalm Lxxxix. 7), instead of, as before, to the senseless idols of the heathen. -The 8 Sion heard, &c. Jerusalem learnt, with feelings of joy and gladness, what great things God had lately done for his people.daughters, &c. The inhabitants of the cities of Judah. See on Psalm ix. 14. If this Psalm was written, either by David, or in his days, it will become clear why Judah alone, of all the Israelitish tribes, is introduced, as well as why it is put to represent the whole kingdom. See on Psalm LX. 7. 9 For Thou, &c. The Israelites had ample cause for rejoicing, since Jehovah, by his recent acts of power, had proved himself to be far superior, not only to all earthly and heathen potentates, but also to the idols, which both they and their subjects ignorantly regarded with reverence. 10 See that ye hate, &c. Should the phrase be restricted in its application, (which it possibly ought not,) it will signify,-take especial care to avoid all tendency to idolatrous superstition. 11 There is sprung up a light for the righteous, and joyful gladness for such as are truehearted. 12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous, and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness. Evening Prayer. PSALM XCVIII. Job 22. 28. Ps. 33. 1. Zeph. 3. 14, &c. SINCE this Psalm contains several passages similar to some of those, which occur in the ninety-sixth, it was, most probably, the production of the same author, namely, of David. It constitutes a song of triumph and thanksgiving, and seems to commemorate a fresh and remarkable deliverance, which Jehovah had lately granted to the Israelites, as an earnest of future blessings, especially of the coming of the Messiah to give salvation to all mankind. SING unto the Lord a new song, for he | Col. 2. 15. 2 With his own right hand, and with his 4 He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the house of Israel; and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God. Dan. 4. 35. Rev. 19. 21. Luke 2. 30, 31. Luke 1. 54, 55. 11 A light. Light is commonly intended in scripture, by a very natural figure, to be emblematical of a state of joy, comfort, and happiness (Esth. viii. 16. Job xxx. 26. Isai. Lix. 9), whilst darkness is employed to represent the exact reverse of all these. Psalm xviii. 28. 12 For a remembrance, &c. That you may thus furnish an indisputable sign of your gratitude, and of the readiness with which you keep in mind his loving-mercy and his faithfulness. 2 His holy arm, &c. The power, which the Almighty exerts, is ever unaccompanied by unjust or tyrannical violence. Moreover, he may be said to get himself the victory, when he openly appears as the deliverer of his people, because their enemies are equally his own enemies. 3 His righteousness, &c. He has now clearly manifested to the gentile world his justice and impartiality, by rescuing his own servants, and by subduing all who wickedly rose up against them. 4 All the ends, &c. Though these words may be conceived, in conformity with the genius of the Eastern languages, to indicate, that the remotest nations were actually eye-witnesses to the salvation then wrought by God for his chosen people, they yet are strictly and lite M Jer. 33. 10, 11, 2 Chron. 29. 25. Num. 10. 10. Isai. 49. 13: 61. 10, 11. Isai. 55. 12. Acts 17. 31. 5 Shew yourselves joyful [Make a joyful noise] unto the Lord, all ye lands: sing, rejoice, and give thanks. 6 Praise the Lord upon the harp: sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving. 7 With trumpets also, and shawms [sound of cornet], O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord, the King. 8 Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is; the round world, and they that dwell therein. 9 Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for he is come to judge the earth. 10 With righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. PSALM XCIX. In its literal acceptation, this Psalm, which has usually been attributed to David, appears to declare his quiet establishment on the throne, to which God has chosen him; but, like the former, was evidently designed to announce the kingdom of the Messiah. It is an exhortation to fear and praise the great King of the world, who rules over and controls all things: moreover, the example of three of his eminent servants is introduced, as an encouragement to the devout use of fervent prayer, when in affliction. The fifth and ninth verses were, most probably, sung in chorus. Luke 19. 12, &c. THE Lord is King, be the people never so impatient he sitteth between the cherubims, be the earth never so unquiet.. rally true only of the times of the gospel, to which, doubtless, it was purposed that they should refer. 2 Kings xix. 19. 5 Shew yourselves joyful, &c. The various people of the world are here incited, in anticipation of the Messiah's advent, to celebrate God's recent protection of the Israelites, and the merciful disposition which it displayed. See on Psalm xxvii. 7. 7 Shawms. There are two Hebrew words for trumpets, but the difference between the instruments designated by them neither is, nor can be, accurately defined. See on Psalm cL. 3. Before the Lord. They were to come, as proselytes, and worship in the sanctuary, where Jehovah had caused the ark, the symbol of his visible presence with his people, to be deposited. Ver. 9. 8 The round world. See on Psalm Lxxxix. 12. 9 For he is come, &c. For he has now undoubtedly proved himself to be the ruler of our land by this act of his power and goodness. See on Psalm ii. 10: xcvi. 13. 1: Be the people-be the earth, &c. Jehovah, whom the whole earth |