Chapter 81: Heralding The Hope

I. THE FESTIVAL OF REJOICING (1-5). Psalmist's Call to Celebration. I. The Request (1-3). Three Classes. People-Levites-Priests. 2. The Reason (4-5). Three Clauses. Statute-Law-Testimony. Il. THE FACT OF REDEMPTION (6-10). Jehovah's Compassion and Covenant. r. Decreed Deliverance (6). 2. Answered Appeals (7). Selah. 3. Covenant Conditions (8-roa). 4. Promised Provision (rob). III. THE FAILURE OF RESPONSIBILITY (n-16). Israel's Conduct and Consequences. I. The Refusal (n). To Hearken. 2. The Result (12). Bane. 3. The Request (13). To Hearken. 4. The Result (14-16). Blessing. (a) Subjugation of Foes (14-15). (b) Satisfaction of Soul (16). SUPERSCRIPT.-Asaph' s.

PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Beyond the title we have no clue to writer and occasion. The psalm seems to have been composed for the Festival of Trumpets, that is, the civil New Year. Like all Asaphic compositions it is therefore connected with sanctuary worship. PROPHETIC ANncIPATION.-The third verse affords the clue. The moon is Israel's own symbol. The new moon with its returning light points to the return of Jehovah's favour toward Israel and to the reflection of that light upon the world. Lunar light is derived and dependent, and that which is first received is reflected back upon an otherwise dark sphere. In the preceding psalm, Israel cries for God's face to shine upon her as of old. Here we see the beginning of the answer. The blowing of trumpets on; the first of the seventh month ( commencement of the civil year) is the first of the set times which speak of Israel's blessing. The earlier festivals in the sacred year, namely Passover, First-fruits and Pentecost, typifying respec tively the cross, the resurrection of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, are some time past. Prophetically the extended interval between Pentecost and Trumpets sees the out-calling of the Church. The seventh month brings in the completion of the divine purposes with Israel in the forefront of the scene. The Feast of Trumpets typifies the recall and regathering of Israel; the Day of Atonement, their repentance and restoration; the Feast of Tabernacles is a memorial of redemption and experience of rest; see Lev. xxiii. and xxv. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Let us rejoice in" God our Strength" (1 ). Those whom God delivers He tests (7). "God loveth a cheerful giver," and He practises what He preaches (10). His blessing is limited only by our capacity to receive (10). It is important to listen to God's voice ( 11). Many blessings may be missed through heedlessness ( 13 ff). God punishes men by leaving thelll- to their own course of self-will, which leads to ruin ( 12). Great are the results of loyalty to our Reaeemer; He bestows victory (14) and abundance (16). Divine actions are affected by our attitude. VERSE NOTES r. The whole congregation addressed. 2. The Levites as musical leaders addressed; br. "Raise a psalm and sound the . b I" tlm re.

3. The priests as the ordained trumpeters addressed; "trumpet" = Heb. shophar, i.e. the horn (see Appendix XII) prescribed for the year of jubilee, in practice it was used at new year also. For the Christian's light, see 2 Cor. iv. 6. 5. "Joseph," Heb. here has the extended form "Jchoseph"; (c) "I" = Israel. The fact that in Egypt the Israelites toiled for masters whose language they could not understand, greatly increased the misery. 6. "His hands shall go free from the· basket"; re£ to the method of carrying the bricks or clay; often represented in Egyptian paintings. 7. (b) i.e. a heavy black thundercloud. 8. "testify," i.e. to protest as a solemn warning. 9. Absolute fidelity to Jehovah was the fundamental principle of the Sinaitic covenant, embodied in the first "word" of the decalogue. 10. "I" (emph.); (b) shows His claim upon Israel's allegiance. n. The tr6uble was not mere failure but revolt, though inattention often leads to disobedience, as one may see in a children's schookoom. 13. C£ Isa. xlviii. 18. 15. "time" = time of prosperity. 16. The transition from indirect to direct address is comm.on in Heb. though it sounds harsh to our ears.