L DEVOUT APPEAL (1-10). The King's Prayer. Plea based upon David's sincere devotion (1). 1. Solemn Affirmation ( 1-5 ). David's Resolution. "Sware." Human Covenant. 2. Sacred Habitation ( 6-7 ). Ark at Kirjath-jearim. 3. Spontaneous Invocation (8-10). Israel's Co-operation. (i) Supplication for the Ark (8). (ii) Supplication for the Priests (9 ). (iii) Supplication for the Pious Ones (9). "Shout for joy." (iv) Supplication for the Anointed (10). IL DMNE ANSWER (n-18). The Lord's Promise. Plea based upon Jehovah's sure declaration (n). 1. Solemn Affirmation (n-12). Jehovah's Stipulation. "Hath sworn." Divine Covenant. 2. Sacred Habitation (13). Sanctuary at Zion. 3. Sovereign Declaration (14-18). Israel's Portion. (i) Statement concerning the Ark (14). (ii) Statement concerning the Poor (15). (iii) Statement concerning the Priests (16). (iv) Statement concerning the Pious Ones (16). "Shout aloud for joy." (v) Statement concerning the Anointed (17-18). SUPERSCRIPT.-A Song of the Degrees (or, Ascents). PRIMARY ASSOCIATION .-Differs in rhythm from the other Songs of the' Degrees .and seems Davidic in style, notwithstanding which we still incline to the view that Hezekiah is the anonymous writer. There seem to be clear references to Solomon's prayer (2 Chron. vi. 40-42) in I, 8, 9, rob. Promises to the House of David rested upon the choice of Zion as Jehovah's earthly abode. Deliverance from Sennacherib's host proved that God had. not abandoned Jerusalem and the king leads the rescued nation into joyful retrospect of the divine promises. In this last triad note (a) Blessing sought for Jehovah's House, c:xxxii.; (b) Blessing seen in Jehovah's House, c:xxxiii.; (c) Blessing sent from Jehovah's House, cxxxiv.
PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-The Davidic promises are to be fully realised only in Messiah, the antitypical and true Son of David. We hear His vow of service in holy zeal for the house of Jehovah established as His dwelling-place among men. Thus is accomplished at His own tremendous cost (mentioned elsewhere) the loving purpose of the Eternal God. David's "afflictions" ( r) point to those of the great Sufferer Himself. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-God takes the will for the deed (2); c£ r Kings viii. 18-19. Saints' petitions should be based upon sound pleas. God's answer ever exceeds our asking; His promise always surpasses our prayers. C£ (a) First request (8) with response (14); (b) Second r:equest (9) with response (16); (c) Third request (10) with response (17-18). Note the added promise for the "poor" (15) and the added word "aloud" (9b with 16b). Without the divine presence any arrangement is incomplete and futile (8). Christians can surely rejoice in the glorious promises of God yet to be fulfilled to His ancient people Israel, for the Lord Jesus is intimately concerned therein. VERSE NOTES I. "Remember," i.e. so as to fulfil the promises made to David, I Kings, viii. "l:' U.n:J! ,, • th bl h k his Ii . 15-21; sa. v. 3; ror or, to; arructlons, 1.e. e trou e e too , so citous exertions in preparation for the building of Jehovah's sanctuary; c£ 1 Chron. xxii. 14. 2. No record of this oath in the history; see 2 Sam. vi.-vii. 5. Lit. as margin, here= a dwelling-place. Heb. plur. of amplification expresses dignity, majesty. 6. The psalmist now introduces the people of David's time as speakers. The translation of the ark to Zion was a national movement; "it"= the ark, antici patory allusion, see 8. "Ephratah" probably = Caleb-ephratah ( 1 Chron. ii. 24 ), the district in which Kirjath-jearim was situated. This latter name = "City of woods." The line implies that the ark was in obscurity and retirement, a sign of Israel's estrangement from God. 7. When the ark was "found," David's first thought is worship. He intelli gently placed it in Zion and invited Jehovah to take possession. Jehovah's rest broken by the nation's apostasy and recovered by grace, was #nally reached in the place of divine choice-a blessed portent of a coming day. May be rendered "Let hi us go . . . e· us wors p ... 8. Compare and contrast Num. x. 33, 35. There, "enemies" present; here "enemies' gone; see also 2 Chron. vi. 41-42. (b) c£ lxxviii. 61 notes. 9. Linen garments of th¸ priests were symbol of purity of character¹ c£ Rev. xix. 8; "saints" = beloved, or godly, or pious ones. Here may refer specially to the Levites, c£ s.H.w. Deut. xxxiii. 8.
"D "d' ak " cf. Kin -6 avi s s e, . 2 gs. xix. 34; xx. s . II. C£ 2 Sam. vii. 8-17. The promise, like that to Abraham, has two different applications, viz. (a) the nation, (b) the Messiah. Hezekiah, then childless, grounds his hoïe of an heir upon this promise. 12. 'children"= sons; so I2C. This condition is implied in 2 Sam. vii. 14 and stated I Kings viii. 25, but note Ps. lxxxix. 30 ff. Distinguish from II and 13 ff:, all of which is unconditional. 13. The choice of Zion is regarded as antecedent to the choice of David, the reason for the establishment of the Davidic monarchy. Temple and throne are indissolubly connected. The verse is the interjected utterance of Israel. In the divine answer note the paralld form of response determined by the form of the earlier requests, but the answers surpass the appeals. 14. Jehovah again speaks; c£ I Chron. xxviii. 2. 17. Re£ to Messiah,Jer. xxiii. s; xxxiii. rs; Zech. iii. 8; vi. 12; "horn," symbol for king, ,c£ Luke i. 69. "There"= Jerusalem. (b) as margin; a burning lamp is a natural metaphor for the preservation of the dynasty, c£ 2 Sam. xxi. 17; I Kings xi. 36; xv. 4. r8. Ctr. 16. (b) c£ Ezck. xxxiv. 23-24. Expression suggests combination of priestly with royal dignity. Verse speaks of the final triumph-plans of the foe frustrated.
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