I. ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE (1-4). I. Expression of Purpose (1). 2. Exhortation to Praise (2a). 3. Expression of Purpose (2b-3 ). 4. Explanation of Praise (4). II. APPEAL IN PRAYER (5-6). Looking for the Liberator. 1. Plea (5). 2. Purpose ( 6a). 3. Petition (6b). III. ANSWER OF PROMISE (7--9 ). Jehovah speaks. 1. Declaration concerning the Land (7-8a). Palestine. Three representative territories mentioned. 2. Declaration concerning Israel (8). The People. "Mine"= Central Thought. Three representative tribes mentioned. 3. Declaration concerning Enemies (9 ). The Peoples. Three representative nations mentioned. IV. APPEAL IN PRAYER (10-12). Looking for the Leader. 1. Pleading (10-n). 2. Petition (12a). 3. Principle (12b ). V. ASSURANCE OF PROSPERITY (13). I. The Faith (13a). 2. The Foundation (13b). "He." SUPERSCRIPT.-A Song, a Psalm of David. PRIMARY Ass CIATION .-First of the fifteen Davidic psalms in Book V. It consists of parts of two psahns, namely lvii. and Ix. Revived in this new form probably on the return from Babylon to suit the new circumstances. The psalm shows the end of Goa's ways with men, hence "the ends of two previous psalms are cut off from
the exercise and trials connected therewith and joined together into a complete whole." Slight word changes are found to accord with the new purpose. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Points to the same period as preceding psalm. At the manifestation of Messiah's "Presence" (Parousia) the Beast and the False Prophet with their armies are destroyed at Armageddon. Between this event and the full setting up of the millennial kingdom, however, other enemies of God ·and of Israel, including the "Assyrian," remain to be dealt with as indicated in many prophetic Scriptures. Hence Israel's thanksgiving for recent rescue is coupled here and elsewhere with appeals for complete deliverance from all national foes. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Old strains often suit new joys. Fixed hearts are never flurried by passing events (1). True worship must be "in spirit and in truth" ( r b), cf. John iv. It is good to awaken the dawn with praise and prayer (2b). Thanksgiving should be public as well as private (3). Note again as so often in the psalms the coupling of grace (lovingkindness) and truth (troth, or faithfulness) (4). All God's people long for Him to exalt Himself by the manifest ation of His supremacy on earth (5). Divine victory has as its object the deliverance of God's people from their oppressors, not as so often in human history, for the selfish exploitation of the defeated ( 6). God exults in the people of His possession (7-8). Many a citadel of the Evil Qne remains yet to be conquered in this and in other lands (10). God has not cast off Israel for ever (u c£ Rom. xi. 2, 26) as some erroneously believe. (12b), Israel had to learn this lesson in the school of bitter experience. The victory is ever His, though we may be the instruments of it ( r 3). VERSE NOTES In general, compare corresponding notes at Pss. lvii. and Ix. 2. ].ere a pathetic summons to these instruments long silent in Babylon, cf. cxxxvn. 3. Jehovah having wrought salvation for them in the sight of the nations (xcviii.), His praise therefore should be published among them. 5. Or, "Exalt Thyself ... " i.e. by the manifCl!tation of supreme authority. 6. Br. "answer me" as A.V. 7 ff. Jehovah regards Ephraim as the chief defence of His kingdom and Judah as the seat of His government, while neighbouring nations are treated as His vassals,
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