I. EXHORTATION TO PRAISE (1-2). I. The Rejoicing (r). Universal Summons. 2. The Reason (2). Universal Sovereignty. II. EXERCISE OF POWER (3-4). In the Restoration of Israel. ill. EXALJ'ATION OF GOD (.s). IV. EXHORTATION TO PRAISE (6-8). I. The Rejoicing (6). Universal Summons. 2. The Reason (7a). Universal Sovereignty. 3. The Rejoicing (7b). Universal Sunimons. 4. The Reason (8). Universal Sovereignty. V. EXPRESSION OF ALLEGIANCE (9abc). By the Representatives of Gentiles. VI. EXALTATION OF GOD (9d). SUPERSCRIPT.-A psalm for the Sons of Koral1. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-See introductory notes, xlvi. Many, however, think this psalm and the next historically celebrate the overthrow of the heathen confederacy against Judah in the days of Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. xx. Several references appear to bear out this conclusion. The grace of God averted. two disasters, the hostile invasion from without and the ungodly alliance within, 2 Chron. xx. 27; 37. It is quite possible that Hezekiah made use of this earlier composition as suiting the circumstances of the crisis in his days. The thought in xlvi. 10 is expanded. This is new year's day psalm in the Jewish synagogue. It is then sung seven times before the "blowing f o trumpets.
AN AL YT I CAL STUDIES IN THE PSALMS PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-See notes, xlvi. Here note Messiah's Victory Celebrated (r-4) and Messiah's Reign Inaugurated (5-9). The remnant has becon1e the new nation, a kingdom of priests, Exod. xix. 6. Representatives of the Gentile nations gather to the coronation of the universal King to render due homage and to join in the joyous festivities to follow (9). Through Israel favour will be shown to the Gentiles, but this is more a matter of priority than of superiority, Gen. xii. 2-3. PERSONAL APPUCATION.-A song of sovereigaty; the Lord is sovereign (a) in power (3), (b) in wisdon1 (4), (c) in holiness (8). "Crown Him Lord of all" in our lives. Praise awakens praise. "Don't stop praising." To praise God aright needs spiritual intelligence (7). What God has performed is proof and promise of what He can and will yet do (3-4). He subdues by love as well as by power (3). What an inheritance God has chosen for the Christian (4) with I' Peter i. 3-5. The once Crucified Victim will be seen as the Crowned Victor. VERSE NOTES 2. "Most High" = God's millennial title; hr. " ... is to be revered;" ( b) theme of the psalm = the Great King; title was arrogantly assumed by the Assyrian king, Isa. xxxvi. 4. f. D ·· E d " b " ( f ) " 3-4. c . eut. xxxn. 8; xo . xix. 5; nations, r. races o men . 4. c£ 2 Chron. xx. II; "glory" or, pride; c£ sim. phrases, Nah. ii. 2; Jer. xiii. 9-10. Israel's inheritance was" excellent" or, exalted-better than any other in the earth. 5. God is said to "come down" when He manifests His presence by active interposition in the affairs of the world, and to "go up" when His work is finished. Prophetically iliis refers to His intervention. in the person of Messiah; (b) the sound of recall from the victorious battlefield. 6 " . " hr h th Ii " -,___ . smg praISes, t oug out e verse, more t. psaun ye. 7. (b) more exactly, "Psalm ye understandingly" or, "Psalm ye an instruction," Heb. maschil; Israel are to instruct the nations in this manner; see Introduction Ve. 8. br. "God hath proclaimed Himself King over . . . God hath taken His seat upon ... ," the Heb. verbs express an act not merely a fact. 9. br. "The nobles ... ," lit. willing-hearted ones; Heb. connects with ex. 3. These persons gather in their representative capacity; see Gen. xlix. 10; Isa. Ix. 3-7 (b) omit words in italics; here is the climax of Messianic hopes, Rom. ix. 25; Gen. xii. 2 ff. ; xvii. 4. Grace will gather the great ones of the Gentiles. (c) "shields" = the princ;es as protectors of their people. Messiah will be their great Overlord.
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