I. THE CONQUEROR'S APPROACH (r-6). r. The Sublime Confession (r-2). Chant. Jehovah's Universal Sovereignty. 2. The Solemn Consideration (3 ). Question. 3. The Searching Conditions (4-6). Response. Selah. TT THE CONQUEROR'S ARRIVAL (7-10). :1. The Summoning Cry (7). Chant. 2. The Sentind's Challenge (8a). Questi<?n. 3. The Soul-stirring Chorus (Sbc). Response. REPEAT. 4. The Summoning Cry (9). Chant. 5. The Sentinel's Challenge (roa), Question. 6., The Soul-stirring Chorus (robe). Response. Selah. SUPERSCRIPT.-David' s. PRIMARY AssocrATION.-Written by David, most probably for the inauguration of the newly captured fortress of Zion as the final resting-place of the ark, _Jehovah's earthly throne, 2 Sam. vi. Dramatic in form the _psalm pictures the procession bearing the ark in its approach and ar:rival; c£lxviii., the processionsetting out; lxxxvii., the joyful entry; cv., the subsequent celebrations. This psalm is antiphonic and later was appointed for the first day of the week in the temple services. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Primarily, not _the ascension of our Lord, but His future coming in glory to His millennial metropolis is foretold. He will then appear as the mighty Victor after the over throw of His and His people's enemies. God has chosen Zion to be the place of His rest for ever, Ps .. cxxxii. 13-14; c£ Micah iv. 7. The city will be canopied with a cloud of glory, sign ofJehovah's presence, Isa. iv. 5, like the camp in the wilderness. It must be remembered · that the history of Israel and that of the earth are inseparably bound up together. In that nation's blessing is involved the welfare of the nations at large. PERSONAL APPUCATION.-The character of God determines the
character of His worshippers (3-5). His worshippers 1nust be holy in hand and in heart, in deed and in thought. The psalm begins with Jehovah as Sovereign-Owner of the world and ends with Him as Sovereign-Owner of the heavens. Note, (a) His World; (b) His Worshippers; (c) His Welcome. Have the gates of our hearts been opened with joy for the entrance of the Conqueror of sin and of Satan? VERSE NOTES I. Br. as Heb. order, "Unto Jehovah belongeth the earth ... " Though He deign to dwell in Zion, His presence and power are not limited thereto; cf. I Chron. - xxix. II-16; words cited I Cor. x. 26. h ) "fl els" e emp . ; oo , or streams. - 3-6. C£ Ps. xv. These verses gain emphasis in view of the disaster which for a while deferred the ceremony, 2 Sam. vi. 9. cl,"' r hi d"' d his def' s ascen ,.e. 1.or wors p; stan , ,.e. stan groun , . 1 • .s; I am. vi. 20. 4. (b) i.e. faithful to Jehovah; (c) i.e. true to his neighbour. 6. "generation" indic. a class of people, as in xii. 7; xiv. 5. 6. (b) A.V. correct; "O Jacob," i.e. those who seek after Jehovah will seek.also the favour of Jehovah's people, among whom He dwells; the descendents of Jacob they are called, because they will owe everything to· grace, not to any goodness in themselves. Line (a) then, contemplates Israel and (b) Gentiles, Isa. lvi. 6-7. 7. "Lift up,-, as though these ancient ates of Zion were too low and mean for the entrance of" the high and lofty One; '" everlasting," i.e. in the sense (primarily at least) that they were of unknown antiquity. 8. The Ark was the symbol and pledge of Jehovah's presence among His people, Num. x. 35-36; ctr. I Sam. iv. 21. (be) cf. past, Exod. xv. 2-3; future, Rev. xix. II ff.; "King, " c£ Exod. xv. 18; He is here proclaimed Victor. 10. The climax. Right o( entry is based upon (a) Undisputed Victory; (b) Universal Sovereignty. "Jehovah of Hosts," first occurrence of this title in the Psalter. He commands the stars of the skies, the myriads of angels anc1 the armies of Israel. Book One. III. Record of the Divine Redeemer, xvi.-xli. 2. The Remnant. Subjects of Salvation, xxv.-xxxix. Their Exercises and Experiences. In this series of" remnant" psalms we see the reaction to the revelation of the Redeemer; the testimony of faith to the salvation announced. Compared with the previous series, note the fuller yet still imperfect apprehension of divine grace.
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