PSALM 87 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was doubtless composed after the building of the temple; and, as learned men think, and it seems probable, when the people were newly returned out of Babylon, and laboured under many discouragements about the return of most of their brethren, and the difficulties whi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GATES, i.e. the city gates, being oft put for cities, as DEUTERONOMY 15:7, DEUTERONOMY 16:5 PSALMS 9:14. OF ZION; largely so called, as was now said, to wit, of Jerusalem, which was built upon and near Mount Zion. He saith Zion rather than Jerusalem, to intimate that he loved Jerusalem for Zion'... [ Continue Reading ]
O Jerusalem, though thou and thy temple are yet in some sort in your ruins, and desolate and contemptible not only to thine enemies, but also in the eyes of thine own people, yet comfort thyself with these great and glorious things foretold concerning thee in the holy prophets, as ISAIAH 62:1,7 ISAI... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL MAKE MENTION, i.e. I will reckon or account them in the number of my children and subjects. RAHAB, i.e. Egypt, so called, PSALMS 89:10 ISAIAH 51:9, but whether from its pride, or natural strength, or figure, or shape, is not material. AND BABYLON: under these two and Philistia, the old and co... [ Continue Reading ]
OF ZION, i.e. of Jerusalem, or the church of God. _It shall be said_; it shall be mentioned by God, as was said, PSALMS 87:4, and it shall be observed and acknowledged by men, as a great and wonderful work of God. THIS AND THAT MAN, i.e. men of this and that nation, i.e. of every nation, indifferent... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE; or, _his people_. So it is only a defect of the pronoun _his_, which is very frequent, and easily understood out of the foregoing word, THE LORD. The sense is, when God, the Maker and Governor of this city, shall take a survey of all his citizens and subjects. It is an allusion to prince... [ Continue Reading ]
There shall be great rejoicing and praising God, both with vocal and instrumental music, for this glorious and stupendous work of the conversion of the Gentiles. He describes evangelical worship by legal phrases and customs, as the prophets frequently do. IN THEE, i.e. in Zion, or the church. These... [ Continue Reading ]