I. HALLELUJAH (r). II. JEHOVAH'S PRAISE, THE COMMAND (r)
AN AL YTICAL STUDIE S IN THE PSALMS Ill. JEHOVAH'S PRAISE, THE COMPLIANCE (2-3 ). IV. JEHOVAH'S PRAISE, THE CA USES (4-9 ). 1. His Glorious Exaltation over the Creation (4-5). 2. His Great Condescension toward the Earth (6). 3. His Gracious Exaltation of the Needy ( 7-9 ). V. HALLELUJAH (9 ). PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Anonymous and Wldated, but seems to belong to the period of the second temple. The occurrence of the term "Hallelujah" indicates liturgical use. It is not found in Davidic and Asaphic psalms, but we must not overlook the possibility that it may have been appended ro psalms by earlier writers. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-These psalms undoubtedly look forward to the celebrations of God's millennial people. They are all more or less retrospective and point to significant deliverances and characteristic displays of the divine attributes. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-The revelation of God's character must precede the rendition of man's praise. Jehovah's praise will be unceasing (2) and univer:sal (3); that of Christians is a kind of first-fruits. God is not only cognisant of earthly affairs, He cares for earth's peoples (6). When God stoops it is in order to lift up (7). For the greatest stoop which raised us up out of the dust, see Phil. ii. Jehovah's infinite exaltation is wedded to infinite condescension (4 ff.) VERSE NOTES 1-3. Note the triple repetition of "name." 3. (b) Or, "Praised be Jehovah's name." 5. (b) Lit. "Who exalteth Himself to sit, Who humbleth Himsdf to see, in the heavens and in the earth." Peculiar structure prob. = to sit (in heaven) ... to see (in e.arth); or, "Who sits enthroned on high, Who looks far below on the heavens and on the earth." 7 ff. Examples of this condescension. There seems to be a reference to Hannah and her song .in these verses; c£ 1 Sam. ii. 8. 7. To sit in the dust (Isa._xlvii. 1) or on the dunghill (Lam. iv. 5) is an oriental metaphor for extreme degradation and poverty. The dung and rubbish of an Eastern town or village are collected outside in a heap called ''mezbele." Outcast beggars such as are afflicted with loathsome diseases, lay themselves down among the warm ashes by night and by day beg alms of the passers-by; "the poor " = an impoverished one; "the needy "= a needy one. 8. Br. "To seat him with nobles, with the nobles of ... " c£ 1 Sam. ii. 8.
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