I. EXHORTATION TO THANKSGIVING (r-3). First Summons. II. EXPLANATION FOR THANKSGIVING (4-23). Fruitful Subjects. God's Goodness and Greatness. r. Manifested in Creation (4-9 ). 2. Manifested in History (10-24). (i) Remote Events (10-22). (a) Deliverance from Egypt (10-15). (b) Direction through the Wilderness (r6). (c) Donation of Canaan (17-22). (ii) Recent Events (23-24). New Deliverance. 3. Manifested in Providence (25). III. EXHORTATION TO _THANKSGIVING (26). Final Summons. PRIMARY AssoCIATION.-Almost certainly intended for liturgical use in the second temple. This psalm is based on cxxxv. and is antiphonal, the first part of the verse being the recital by the precentor and the second part-the refrain-the response by the people; or, the arrangement may have been for a leading chanter and a Levi ti cal choir, cf. Ezra iii. r r ; see 2 Chron. vii. 3, 6. The psalm concludes the "Great Hallel." If Ezra was not the actual composer, it is probable he was responsible under divine guidance for including the psalm in this Book. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-See notes to preceding psalm. No
doubt the older history of Israel will be recounted with new light shed upon the many events by latter-day experiences. At any rate the nation is at last brought to acknowledge that all the divine activities and dealings with them, even in judgment, have had as a prime motive the lovingkindness of God. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-In His judgments as well as in His deliverances God acts in lovingkindness. Let us ponder the fact that the Creation was an act of divine love. God is good, therefore everything He does must be good. VERSE NOTES Compare notes to preceding psalm. 2. "gods" Heb. sometimes= rulers, see Appendix II 6. 5 ff. Creation here seen from a new viewpoint, the divine motive-God's eternal lovingkindness. Verse 5 views the second day of Creation; verse 6 the third day; verse 7 the fourth day, exp;m.ded in verses 8 and 9. 6 " b d" H . "furn " G a ove = upon ; sprea s. . root m ament, en. 1. 13. "divided in sunder," s.H.w. Gen. xv. 17. God clave the Red Sea in two as with a sword, His people passing between the "parts." 23. Probably alludes primarily to the exile; prophetically, to the deliverance of the last days. 26. "God of Heaven," = a late title occurring only here in the Psalter, but found in the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah,Jonah, and Danid. See also 2 Chron. x:xxvi. 23. Book Five. V. The Ways of God Retraced in the National History: cxxxv.-cxlv. 2. Workings of Providence: cxxxvii.-cxxxix.
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