I. THE GREATNESS OF GOD (1). Praised "in the City." II. THE GLORIES OF ZION (2). Her Beautiful Situation. ill. THE GREATNESS OF GOD (3-8). "For." Demonstrated by His Performance. Zion established "for ever." Selah. IV. THE GRACIOUSNESS OF GOD (9-n ). Praised in the Temple. V. THE GLORIES OF ZION (12-13a). Her Basic Strength. VI. THE GRACIOUSNESS OF GOD (13b-14). "For." Declared by His People. Israel guided "for ever." SUPERSCRIPT.-A Song. A Psalm for the sons of Korab. SUBSCRIPT.-For the Chief Musician. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Writer unknown, but historically seems connected with preceding psalm, which was sung probably after the rout of the enemy, xlviii. being sung at the thanksgiving service later in the Temple, 2 Chron. xx. 19. Title, "A Song," i.e. for cele bration; "A Psalm," i.e. for musical accompaniment. In the temple services this psalm was later appointed for recitation by the Levites on the second day of the week. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Celebrates the final victory over the enemies of Israel, the event prophesied Ezek. xxxviii., not that of Zech. xiv. which precedes. The circumstances are very different. In Zechariah, Jerusalem is seen in the very extremity of distress, already partly in the hands of the enemy and on the verge of de struction, vyhen the Lord intervenes by His personal appeapng from heaven to deliver the people and the city. The attack by Gog is somewhat later and against a city already enjoying peaceful con ditions under the beneficent rule of the Prince of Peace, whose presence is sufficient guarantee of security. It is the presence of the King that makes the city glorious, Zech. ii. ro-n; Isa. xii. 6; Zeph. iii. 15-17. He graciously imparts to her His own attributes and characteristics, Ezek. xlviii. 35; Jer. xxxiii. 16. Note Zion (a) the dedicated city (r); (b) the delivered city (4 ff.); (c) the delightsome city (12, 13). PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Citizens of the "Jerusalem on high" may well rejoice in her unseen yet eternal realities. They should
feel a true patriotisn1 and pride in her glories as the dwelling-place of God; Heb. xii. 22-23; Rev. xxi. ro ff. God is (a) "most surely" present in adversity, xlvi. ; (b) "most surely" exalted as King, xlvii. 9; and (c) "most surely" worthy of praise, xlviii. I. Frus tration of our cherished plans may be a matter for praise (7). A greater danger arises from an alliance with evil-doers than from an attack by the enemy, (7) wiili2 Chron. xx. 35-37. ltisin the sanctuary that we really come to know the greatness of God's goodness (9). Think and thank (9). What God has been to His people for a moment, He can and will be for a millennium (14). He who delivers also directs (14). This God is our God, a Guide for ever (14). Note in 14 (a) Confession of faith; (b) Claim of relationship; (c) Cele bration of goodness; (d) Confidence in (Divine) faithfulness. VERSE NOTES I. "greatly,t' Hebrew emphatic adverb describing intensity; occµrs three times in this group of psalms, see notes above. 2. "Zion" here stands for the whole city of Jerusalem; "joy of ... ," same Hebrew phrase Lam. ii. I 5 ; Isa. Ix. I 5; ( c) cf. xlvii. 2, note. Some suggest reading, "Zion, on the northern sides is the city ... " 3. Br. "God is in her palaces known as a high fortress"; see s.H.w. xlvi. 7, n; Zion (2) is a symbol of God Himsel£ 4. Describes the coming of the .enemy; next verse describes their going; c£ lxxxiii. 3-8; 2, Chron. xx. 16-20; mutual distrust led to internecine slaughter; cf. also Exod. xiv. 25; (b) "passed over," i:e. uniting their forces, they crossed the frontier against J udab. 7. Br. "With an east wind Thou didst ... ," c£ 1 Kings xxii. 48-49; 2 Chron. xx. 35-37. Psalmist here alludes to a more insidious danger, to which Jehoshaphat and Judah were exposed; doubtless there will be a future fulfilment .also. 8 f£ C( 2 Chron. xx. 7, 14:._17 with Exod. xiv. 13; "heard and seen," c£ xliv. r, which has "heard" only, hence the two deliverances are here combined; recent experience confirming tradition. 9. Cf. 2 Chron. xx. 27-28; exampk of true worship. Not only the glory, but the grace engages the thoughts; "have thought," i.e. rested in the thought. II. "daughters of Judah," see 2 Chron. xx. 4, 18, 27-28, for the prayer; here is the praise;" daughters," = common term in Scripture for cities or towns. z· d . . . 10n, yea, go roun ... count ... "C "d I 3. ons1 er ... con temp ate ... 14. Or, "For such is God our God ... "; more lit." ... guide over death," i.e. raising out of its reach. LXX has "guide for evermore."
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