I. THE GLAD WORSHIP OF THE PEOPLE (1-7b). THE SUMMONS. r. The Exhortation (1-2). 2. The Foundation (3-5 ). Jehovah's Relation to the Earth. Sovereign Control. "For." 3. The Exhortation {6). 4. The Foundation (7ab). Jehovah's Relation to Israel. Shepherd Care. "For." II. THE GREAT WISH FOR THE PEOPLE (7c). THE SOLICITUDE. An Invitation of Grace.
III. THE GRAVE WARNING TO THE PEOPLE (8-n). THE SERMON. r. The Exhortation (8). Time= To-day (implied from 7). 2. The Foundation (9). Place "Where." Sin Perpetrated. 3. The Explanation (ro). Time= Forty years. 4. The Frustration (u). Place "Where." Sin Punished. PRIMARY AssoCIATION.-The psalm is first of a group marked by common characteristics and apparently for liturgical use. The key note was struck in xciii. According to strong tradition supported by LXX titles to xcvi.-xcvii., these .psalms were used at the dedication of the second temple. They are probably inspired adaptations of earlier psalms, especially this one, which is attributed to David in Heb. iv. 7. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-At the very beginning of Israel's restoration under Messiah the King, the new generation is earnestly warned not to repeat the sins of the fathers, while celebrating thù glorious advent. PERSONAL APPUCATION.-True worship requires prepared hearts. Jubilation is a conspicuous element in worship (1-2). "To-day" is ever the critical time as it presents a púsing opportunity (7). To doubt God's goodness and demand proofs of His power is tempting Him (9). They who know not God's ways choose their own (10). Israel's desert wanderings were at once a symbol and a consequence of heart wanderings (10). They who would reach God's rest must walk in God's way (11). The same power that created and sustains the physical universe, guides and guards the people of God ( 7). The trouble is not that God does not speak, but that men will not listen (7c). Despite abundant evidence of God's working, men still harden . their hearts ( 8-9). VERSE NOTES r-2. A striking picture of the joyous tumult of the temple worship. Shrill cries of joy, loud shouts of praise and songs with musical accompaniment to western ears spell exuberance rather than reverence; "thanksgiving"·= lit. confession (i.e. of what God is and what He has done), cf. Heb. xiii. 15. 3. It is wrong to suppose that the psalmist attributes .µiy real existence to the gods of the nations; "God" = El. h ) "= e emp . , so n.e ... we verse 7. 6. "Maker," i.e. God was the Creator of Israel as a nation. 7. Figure and fact here poetically blended. (c) The psalmist is still speaking (note "His"= the voice of Jehovah's Messenger, i.e. Messiah), "Oh, that to-day
ye would hearken to His voice," c£ Deut. v. 29. This leads naturally to the warning that follows. 7c-11 are quoted Heb. iii. 7-II from the LXX with slight variations. The division there of the subject does not affect the apostle's purpose. 8. "Meribah (=strife) .. . Massah" ( = temptation). The former occasion, namdy at Rephid.im, was at the beginning of the "wandering; " the latter at the close, at Kadesh, also called Meribah, Num. xx. 1-13. 9. "When" Heb.= where, so "wherefore," (n); (b) hr. "Though they had k "· f"d His" k" seen y wor , 1.e. acts o JU gment, strange wor . IO. Heb. lit. " ... did I loathe ... "; (b) "And I said, 'They are a people whose heart goeth astray, And they (emph.) know not My ways.'" n. "My rest," i.e. the land of promise. The quotations in Heb. iii.-iv. have a wider application.
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