I. THE DELIVERER (1-3). HIS PRESENCE MANIFESTED. Selah. 11. THE DELIVERANCE (4-6). THE AGGRESSORS SLAIN. ill. THE DELIVERANCE (7-9). THE AFFLICTED SAVED. Selah. IV. THE DELIVERER (10-12). HIS PERSON MAGNIFIED. I. In the Wrath of the Peoples (n). 2. In the Worship of the Preserved ( 12 ). 3. In the Warning to-the Potentates (12). SUPERSCRIPT.-A Psalm of (or, for) Asaph. A Song. SUBSCRIPT.-For the Chief Musician. To (or, for) Jeduthun. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Identity of writer uncertain; see notes to earlier psalms of this· series. For subscript cf. xxxviii. and lxi. Accepting the hint afforded by the suqscript, we must look for an important victory in David's career that has io do with Jerusalem itsel£ The capture of Jebus (2 Sam. v. 6-10), which became Zion, the city of David and the place where he set up a tabernacle for the Ark (2 Sam. vi.), may be the event celebrated in later years by this psalm. Note the emphatic "there" (3), which fixes the locality.
ANALYTICAL STUDIES IN THE 'PSALMS Salem is an ancient 11an1e for Jerusalem (Gen. xiv. 18). Jebus was taken by a surprise attack, which may be reflected in the words of verses 5-6. LXX and other ancient versions read (6), "The horse men are stunned." The apparent reference to the destruction of Sennacherib's army in the reign of Hezekiah cannot be ignored (Isa. xxxvi.-xxxvii.), bu.t it must not be forgotten that "history repeats itself," and Hezekiah does use a number of David's psalms as suitably expressing the circumstances of his time. In connection with the divine judgment, Ps. lxxv. is the Preparation, or Thanksgiving in anticipation of deliverance promised; lxxvi. is the Celebration, or Thanksgiving in satisfaction of deliverance accomplished. PROPHETIC .ANTICIPATION.-The inauguration of Messiah's reign of peace, following the destruction of the ¾orld powers that will come up against Jerusalem, is here foreseen; see Rev. xix., etc. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-God is self-revealed by His acts (i). The Prince of Peace will make war against war (3). God shivers the swords and snaps the spears of His enemies (3). Note the awe of the earth at the manifestation of the anger of Elohim (7-9 ). A pertinent question is 7b for those who oppose God and His people. Man's wrath shall tum to God's praise (10). God makes the wrath of His foes serve to their own final discomfiture (ro). If you have prayed in the hour of peril, be sure to praise in the day of.preserva tion (rr). VERSE NOTES 1. "known," lit. "one who has made Himself known" ; "Israel" = covenant name for the people of God's choice. Historically Judah represented the whole nation; prophetically points to reunion of the two kingdoms under Messiah. 2. If marginal readings accepted, re£ to the "Lion of Judah," under which title Messiah will appear for the deliverance of His people, c£ Isa. xxxi. 4; "Salem," old name and poetic abbreviation for Jei:usalem; prophetically significant as the city of the "Prince of Peace," the antitypical Melchizedek. 3. "lightnings" or, flashings; arrows so called possibly from their swiftness in flight; grophetically significant in view of modem artillery; "there" (emph.); "battle.' includes all instruments of war and equipment; moreover the whole war was and will be settled at one stroke, c£ Isa. ii. 4; Ezk. xxxix. 9; 2 Kings xix. 32. 4. or, "Thou art shining forth gloriously above the mountains of prey." Jerusalem, the city of innumerable sieges, had been a prey for many enemies. The Assyrian lion met more than his match in the Lion of Judah. 5. "They slumber their (last) sleep," 2 Kings xix. 35; Jer. li. 39, 57. (c) i.e. their strength was paralysed; c£ Isa. x. 10, 13, 14, 32. 6. "rebuke," ctr. the enemy's rebuke, 2 Kings xix. 3, 4, 16. The "slumber"
was supernaturally caused; thus the victory was manifestly due to the direct intervention of God, c£ Isa. xliii. 17. 7. "to be feared," s.H.w. as "terrible " (12). 8. c£ Isa. XXX. 30; I Sam. ii. IO. u. "bring presents"; Heb. phrase al ways used of bringing solemn tribute to God; historically, 2 Chron. xxxii. 22-23 ( ?). 12. "spirit," i.e. their pride and fury.
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