cc HALLELUJAH.'' I. ISRAEL'S WORSHIP (1-4). A Song in the Mouth. The Nation as an Instrument of Praise. I. Exhortation to Praise ( 1-2 ). Israel rejoices in Jehovah. 2. Expression of Praise (3 ). 3. Explanation for Praise (4). Jehovah rejoices in Israel. II. ISRAEL'S WARFARE (5-9). A Sword in the Hand. The Nation as an Instrument of Punishment. 1. Exultation in Victory (5). 2. Exaltation of God (6a). 3. Execution of Judgment {6h-9). PRIMARY AssocIATION.-See notes introductory to the group. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-This is a "new song" of the new re demption upon the lips of restored Israel, c£ the" old song" Exod. xv. The nation rejoices in One who is their Maker (2a), their King (2b) and their Saviour (4). The salvation here referred to includes more than simply rescue from national distress and victory over national foes. It points to a spiritual awakening and full recognition of the renewed relationship with God on the terms of the new covenant a covenant of pure grace. , Synonyms expressive of rapturous joy are heaped together and limbs, instruments and voices are called upon to unite in rendering this jubilant anthem. Israel is seen also
as the executor of judgments upon those who refuse to submit to Messiah's rule and will not join in the universal praise of cxlviii. PERSONAL APPUCATION.-The Christian, too, is acquainted with songs of the Spirit and the sword of the Spirit, cf. Eph. v. 18-19 with vi. 17. Rejoice in the Lord always (2), cf. Phil. iv. 4. Abandon ment to joy must not degenerate into mere noisy excitement. One has said, "It takes much grace to shout 'Hallelujah' properly." Truth is always two-edged-the _sword of the Spirit cuts both ways, 6b with Heh. iv. 12. Those who call down judgment upon others must submit to be judged themselves. The silent tears by night of the troubled saint shall be exchanged for shouts of triumph, 5b with vi. 6. The bride needs not to tell what makes her glad (4). VERSE NOTES I. Denotes the newly restored Israel as the redeemed of Jehovah; "saints"= beloved, or favoured ones; so 5a and 9b. 2. (a) " ... in their Maker"-Israel owes its existence as a nation and its restora tion to Jehovah. "Ii " " " · b l" hand dr £ lxviii .. 3. smg praises, t. . . . psa m to . .. ; tun re um; c . : 25, and see Appendix XII (8). 4 •• The reason for the outburst of praise is touched on only here in the psalm; "He beauti.6.eth" or, adometh; "salvation," note margin and see prophetic notes. 5 ff. See Isa. Ix. 12; "glory," i.e. as adorned with divine salvation; or, "exult with (ascriptions of) 'Glory!'" (b) "sing for joy" or, shout aloud. 6 ff. Cf. Dan. vii. 22. ²- (a) That is, praise with voices raised high; "God" = El (Mighty One). (b) cf. Neh. iv. 9, 16 ff.; Rev. i. 16; xix. 15. 7. "peoples" lit. races (of men). 9. "them," i.e. the nations; "judgments," i.e. those recorded in the prophetic Scriptures, cf. Dan. vii. 22; "honour," i.e. the holy crusade. Book Five. VI. The Worship of God Rendered in Universal Harmony: cxlvi.-cl. 5. Praise Universal: cl. The Final Doxology.
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