XCVI.
This “new song,” breathing indeed aspirations and hopes which were
not wholly new to Israel, but ideal, and still waiting for their
complete fulfilment, most probably dates, according to the conjecture
of the LXX., from the rebuilding of the Temple after the Captivity. No
one can miss the poi... [ Continue Reading ]
A NEW SONG. — See Note, Psalms 33:3. It appears to have been a kind
of national and religious “lyric cry” after the Restoration.
(Comp. Isaiah 42:10.)... [ Continue Reading ]
IDOLS. — Literally, _nothings_; Heb., _elîlîm,_ with a play on the
word _el,_ God. This plainly shows that by _Gods,_ in Psalms 96:4, the
heathen deities, and not angels, are meant. (See Note, Psalms 95:3.)
The LXX. sometimes renders the Hebrew word “idols,” sometimes
“vanities,” but here “demons.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HONOUR... The whole universe displays Jehovah’s majesty, but chiefly
his sanctuary in Israel, where it is typified by the costly splendour
of the building and its rites. So the version of Apollinaris,
“Pureness and stately glory fit his shrine.” The chronicler having
adopted this psalm as suitable f... [ Continue Reading ]
(7-9) These verses are a relic of Psalms 29:1, where see Notes, but
instead of being addressed to the angels it is, in accordance with the
world of new ideas and feelings in which Israel lived after the
Captivity, addressed to all the people of the world. A truly Messianic
character is thus impresse... [ Continue Reading ]
OFFERING. — The _minchah,_ or sacrifice of fine flour.... [ Continue Reading ]
O WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. — Better, _Bow before
Jehovah in holy attire._ But the LXX. and Vulgate have as in margin.
FEAR BEFORE HIM. — Or literally, _let all the earth be moved before
his face.
_... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY AMONG THE HEATHEN. — The watchword of the Restoration,
“Jehovah has become King” (see Psalms 93:1, note, and comp. Isaiah
52:7), is an Evangel not only for Jerusalem but for the world at
large. But to it is added (see the difference of arrangement in 1
Chronicles 16:29) the further statement of... [ Continue Reading ]
(11-13) Magnificent progress of the Divine Judge through His realm.
There is only one thought, that of the inauguration of a righteous
sway for all nations: at its advent, as in Isaiah’s glorious visions
(see Isaiah 35:1; Isaiah 42:10; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 55:12), all
nature seems to join the chorus... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL ALL THE TREES... — Comp. —
_“_His praise, ye winds that from four quarters blow,
Breathe soft or loud, and wave your tops ye pines,
With every plant in sign of worship wave.” — MILTON.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE COMETH, FOR HE COMETH. — Notice the striking repetition, the
natural expression of gladness.... [ Continue Reading ]