I. THE CITY'S PRE-EMINENCE (1-5). Ooject of Praise. r. Indicated Purpose (1-2). (a) Anticipation (1). (b) Realisation (2). 2. Imposing Prospect (3). 3. Illustrious Privileges ( 4-5 ). (i) The Temple-Religious Centre. (ii) The Throne-Civic Centre. II. THE CITY'S PEACE (6-9). Object of Prayer. r. Invited Prayer (6). 2. Invoked Prosperity (7). 3. Indicated Purpose (8-9). (i) Benediction Pronounced (8). ii) Benefit Pursued (9 ). SUPERSCRIPT.-A Song of the Degees (or, Ascents); David's. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-David first published his composition probably soon after the removal of the ark to Zion and God's immediately subsequent promise of a seed, a house and a throne for ever to David. In the Psalms he often recurs to this God-given promise (2 Sam. vii.). He evidently designed to draw the affections of all Israel round Jerusalem and its sanctuary as the sacred bond of national unity. The psalm is chosen by Hezekiah as being eminently suited to his own purpose., He loved the house of Jehovah even as did his ancestor David; see 2 Chron. xxix-xxxi. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Here we see the millennial metropolis with its restored temple as the dwelling-place of Jehovah, and the city as the uniting centre of the new Israel, the tribes going up on their pilgrimages with songs expressive of their unalloyed joy. With verse 5 cf. Ezek. xlvi. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-The peace of Jerusalem will spell the
universal welfare of men and the universal worship of God. Our Lord loved Jerusalem (Luke xix. 41) and Bis followers should do the same. Christians are characterised by love of the saints and love of the sanctuary (8-9 ). VERSE NOTES I. Or, "We will go ... :. c£ Isa. ii. 3, where Isaiah appropriates the words in a new rdation. 2. As R. V.-a rapturous realization of the anticipation in I. 3. B·r. "Jerusalem! built up as a city compacted together"; c£ 1 Chron. xi. 7-8; 2 Sam. v. 9-11. The city had existed for centuries, but David made it a well-built Îetropolis,joining the lower city with the fortress by the "walls" and adorning the whole with "palaces" such as described in 7; c£ Ii. 18. 4. Line (b) is in farenthesis, = "according to the testimony (or, ordinance) appointed for Israel.' See Exod. xxiii. 17; xxxiv. 23; Deut. xvi. 16. 5.The king was evidently assisted in his judicial functions by members of the royal family. Note prophetic significance. 6. Doubtless an allusion to the name. Jerusalem= city (or, possession) of peace. In Heb. "peace" and prosperity" have a similar sound. May the "nomen" b th " eakC£ ... 6 ecome e omen, so to sp . cxxv. 5; cxxv111. . 8. I.e. those dwelling in Jerusalem. 9. In the Psalms, David often calls the tabernacle of the ark, "the house, or the temple ofJehovah." Cycle 2. Human Stress and Divine Sufficiency: cxxiii.-cxxv. Jehovah the National Rescuer. The Helper of Israel. Deliverance from Foes.
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