This psalm, like some others, is entitled “a psalm or song;” that is, it so far combined the properties of both a “psalm” and a “song” that it might be called by either name. See the notes at the title to Psalms 65:1. The phrase “for the sons of Korah” may mean, as in the margin, “of the sons of Kor... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS FOUNDATION - This is an abrupt commencement of the psalm. The adjective “his” has been supposed by some to refer to the psalm itself, and this expression has been considered to be a part of the title to the psalm, meaning that the foundation of the psalm is the holy mountain where the praises of... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD LOVETH THE GATES OF ZION - Compare Psalms 78:68. The gates of a city were the places of concourse; where business was transacted; where courts were held. The particular allusion here seems to be to the thronging multitudes pressing into the city for public worship - the numbers that gathere... [ Continue Reading ]
GLORIOUS THINGS ARE SPOKETH OF THEE, O CITY OF GOD - Jerusalem, called the “city of God” as being the place of his unique home on earth. The word rendered “are spoken” may mean either “have been spoken,” or “are to be spoken;” that is, either, such things have been said, or they may be said. They ha... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL MAKE MENTION OF RAHAB AND BABYLON ... - The word Rahab here refers to Egypt. See Isaiah 51:9. It is also applied to Egypt in Psalms 89:10. The reason why the name was given to Egypt is not certainly known. The Hebrew word properly means fierceness, insolence, pride; and it may have been given... [ Continue Reading ]
AND OF ZION IT SHALL BE SAID - In respect to Zion; or, in honor of Zion. People shall regard it as a privilege to have been born in Zion. They shall speak of such a birth as a marked and honored distinction. “This and that man,” etc. Designating them, or pointing them out, as having been born there.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SHALL COUNT - That is, God himself will honor those who are so born. In the previous verse, the effect of such a birth was described as securing honor from human beings. Here a higher honor is adverted to - that which will be derived from God himself. WHEN HE WRITETH UP THE PEOPLE ... - The... [ Continue Reading ]
AS WELL THE SINGERS AS THE PLAYERS ON INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE THERE - literally, “The singers as the players on instruments.” The image is that of a musical procession, where the singers go before, followed by those who play on various instruments of music. The idea seems to be that when the number of... [ Continue Reading ]