I. THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NATION (1-2). ISRAEL'S BIRTHDAY. II. THE CONVULSIONS OF NATURE (3-4). Psalmist speaks as Narrator. r. The Waters (3). 2. The Land (4). ill. THE CHALLENGES TO NATURE (s-6). Psalmist speaks as Spectator. r. The Waters (5). 2. The Land ( 6). IV. THE CARE FOR THE NATION (7-8). ISRAEL'S BLESSING. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Almost certainly post ... exilic, but writer anonymous. Restored from Babylon, the former exiles recall with exultation the most signal example of Jehovah's condescending love referred to in cxiii., to which psalm this is companion. It is perfect in form, vividly dramatic, and emphatic by its very brevity . PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-As preceding psalm. Israel's deliver ance from Egypt resulting in their establishment as a nation is celebrated again and again in Scripture as typical of Jehovah's love and care for the nation. There will be a fulfilment of 7 at Messi.µi' s fuÑre coming. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Only with redeemed ones can God ever dwell, and when He dwells He reigns (2). Those whom God delivers He cares for (8). The Lord (Adon) of Nature is the God of Jacob (7). He who made the water flow at Rephidim can still provide re freshing streams for His people (8). The needs of the desert way
give opportunity for the display of God's gracious provision (8). Note (a) Double Name (1); (b) Double Deliverance (3, 5); (c) Double Gift (8). VERSE NOTES 1. "Israel"= princely title of the nation; "Jacob"= natural tendencies of the nation; The destiny and the disposition of this people contrasted; (b) more lit. a stammering people, i.e. barely articulate; expression conveys a similar contemp..t to that of the Greek "barbarian," which imitates the unmeaning babble of a foreign tongue. 2. The division· of the lines seems rhythmical rather than logical. The whole nation became Jehovah's sanctuary and dominion. No cqntrast between Judah and Israel is intended though the difference is appropriate. 3. ff. Summarises the wonders of the exodus from Egypt to the entry into Canaan. "The Sea saw and fled; The Jordan turned backwards." Indicates the whole spectacle of the triumphant exodus. The two miracles began and closed the exodus period. 4. Poetic description of the earthquake which accompanied the giving of the Law at Sinai, Exod. xix. 18. It was a theophany accompanied by great natural phenomena. 5 ff. The past oecomes present to the poet's mind. He challenges nature to explain its behaviour. 7. The poet answers his own question, taking in a wider range; "Lord."= Heb. Adon, see Appendix; "God" =Eloah, see Appendix; "tremble" =lit. writhe in pangs. 8. Lit. "Turning the rock ... ; " Heh. participle is independent of time; God. still so provides .
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