This psalm - so beautiful - so grand - so often sung in all lands and languages - completes this “group” of psalms respecting the reign of God, or the reasons for praise as derived from the fact that he reigns. In the previous psalms in this group Ps. 95–99 the call to praise had been in some respec... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD - See the notes at Psalms 95:1. ALL YE LANDS - Margin, as in Hebrew, “all the earth.” The margin expresses the sense. The idea in the psalm is, that praise did not pertain to one nation only; that it was not appropriate for one people merely; that it should not be... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS - That is, In your worship, and in all your acts of obedience. Let there be joy in this service. Let it not be with the fear of slaves; not as a matter of compulsion and force; not with reluctance, moroseness, or gloom. Let it be a cheerful, happy service; let it be free... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW YE THAT THE LORD, HE IS GOD - That is, Let all the nations know that Yahweh is the true God. The idols are vanity. They have no claim to worship; but God is the Creator of all, and is entitled to universal adoration. IT IS HE THAT HATH MADE US - The Hebrew is, “He made us,” and this expresses... [ Continue Reading ]
ENTER INTO HIS GATES ... - The gates which lead to his temple, or to the place of public worship. INTO HIS COURTS ... - The “courts” were literally the open spaces which surrounded the tabernacle or temple. It was in these that worship was celebrated, and not in the tabernacle or temple. See Psalms... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD IS GOOD - For good is Yahweh. That is, He is not a being of mere “power;” he is not merely the Creator; but he is benevolent, and is, therefore, worthy of universal praise. In the former verses, his claim to adoration is founded on the fact that he is the “Creator,” and has, as such, a... [ Continue Reading ]