I. A GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT (1-3). The Plea. Mercies to the Land. "Thy land." I. Restoration of Prosperity (1). 2. Remission of Sins (2). 3. Removal of Wrath (3). II. A GREAT APPEAL (4-7). The Prayer based upon the Plea (I). I. Ardent Petition (4) "Tum us." Repentance-the manward side. 2. Anxious Pleading (5-6). 3. Ardent Petition (7). "Show us." Rescue-the Godward side.
III. A GODLY ATTITUDE (8). The Preparation based upon the Prospect (IV). x. Expectant Waiting (Bab). 2. Essential Warning (Sc). IV. A GLAD ANTICIPATION (9-13). The Prospect. Mercies to the Land. "Our land." 1. Reassurance of Deliverance (9 ). 2. Reconciliation of Attributes (rn-11). 3. Restoration of Prosperity (12-13). Material and Moral. SUPERSCRIPT.-A Psahn of (or, for) the Sons of Korab. PRIMARY AssocIATION.-Writer and occasion of this psalm are not certain. There seems to be some reference to Hezekiah's time and words, 2 Chron. xxix. 9-10; x:xx. 8-9, 27, and there are connections with Ps. lx:xx. God's people are still in the land, yet verses 4-7 show they were suffering under God's wrathful visitation, -yvhich by faith they anticipate as wholly removed. For superscript see notes to xliv. P ROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Here we see the attributes of God displayed in the salvation of His people. Though Messiah is not mentioned, the work of the cross is shown as the very foundation of permanent national blessing (ro). "Truth is manifested in the fulfilment of glorious promise as well as in the execution of necessary 1udgment." Israel's history has been one of repeated departures from God, repeated chastisements and repeated returnings. Recog nising this, the psalmist pleads for a final reconciliation and abiding acceptance with Israel going astray no more. Such blessed time was revealed to Daniel (ix. 24). The curse being removed the land becomes exceedingly fruitful, and ways of righteousness are Israel's response to the righteous rule of Messiah; cf. the culminating thought in the song of Moses, Deut. xx:xii. 43. PERSONAL APPLICATION.-Note the sixfold "Thou hast" of God's blessed work (1-3). God is a God of Salvation (4). It is always important to listen to what God has to say (8). The many voices of the world only produce a chorus of chaotic counsel. The favour of forgiveness (2) should not be followed by further folly on the part of the forgiven (8). The cross of Christ saw the eternal reconciliation of the divine attributes (ro). Happy the time when earth and heaven shall be in true harmony ( r r). Christians now are set in the way of His steps, let us wholeheartedly follow in it (r3).
REALIZATION OP THE DIVINE HOLINESS VERSE NOTES r. (b) or, "Thou hast turned the fortune of," see liii. 6. The line does not point to the return from the Babylonian captivity; see for example the use of the phrase Job xiii. ro. 2. "forgiven," Heb. indicates the removal of a burden; ( b) "covered"= concealed, not Heb. "kaphar" to cover (by atonement). cc tak " li 'thdr en away, t. w1 awn. 4. A foretaste received, fulness now requested. "dr aw out = pro ong. 6. "Wilt not Thou tum and quicken us." 7. "Shew," lit. cause us to see. 8 ff. The psalmist lis!ens for J ehov_Ì• s answer to the peo_ele' s PÍ;Y.er and conveÎs fresh assurance of blessmg; c£ Hab. 11. r. (a) God= El. (b) hr. . . . even to His saints,"= favoured ones; (c) or, "That they tum not again to folly," i.e. of self confidence and rebellion. 9. This "glory" is the manifest presence of Jehovah. It was true at Christ's first advent.(John i. 14); it will be true at Christ's second coming. IO. "Lovingkindness and truth" (troth, or faithfulness). Note the fourfold harmony. rr. C£ Isa. xlv. 8; "earth" or, land, s.H.w. r, 9, 12. 12. In the Millennium material prosperity will accompany moral progress. 13. I.e. go before like a herald, the people following the divine leadership. Book Three. II. Realization of the Divine Holiness; lxxxiv.-lxxxix. 2. Attained through Israel's Restorer, lxxxvi.-lxxxvii.
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