The inanimate parts of creation are called upon to bear their parts in the new song, and to fill up the universal chorus of praise and thanksgiving, in honour of him that sitteth upon the throne. Or, perhaps, the converted Heathen nations are intended under the figures of the "sea," the "rivers," and the "hills," and their exultations expressed by the noise of many waters, their beauty and fruitfulness by those of the hills, when, crowned with plenty, they, as it were, laugh and sing, at the approach of harvest. The subject of this general joy is, as before, in Psalm xcvi. 13. the advent of Messiah to reform the world, to execute judgement upon the wicked, and to establish a kingdom of righteousness upon the earth. We expect his second advent to restore all things, to judge the world, to condemn his enemies, and to begin his "glorious" reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full. PSALM XCIX. ARGUMENT. Under images borrowed from the old dispensation, the Prophet celebrates, 1. the reign of Messiah, and the submission of his enemies; 2-4. his exaltation, holiness, power, and justice; which, 5. men are exhorted to acknowledge and adore. 6-9. The examples of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, are introduced, to encourage us in worshipping and serving our God and Saviour. 1. The LORD reigneth, let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved, or, bow. Jehovah reigneth in the Christian church, as he did of old in the Jewish temple; when he appeared between the cherubims in the holy of holies, in the form and likeness of a MAN, encompassed with “glory,” Ezek. i. 26. Numb. vii. 89. ; he subdued the enemies of Israel, when they raged most furiously against his people; he will also bring into subjection the adversaries of the Gospel, and finally render us victorious over the powers of darkness. The passions and affections may mutiny and rebel; but if Christ reign in the heart by faith, they must soon tremble and submit. 2. The LORD is great in Zion, and he is high above all people. 3. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. The power and pre-eminence of the Redeemer, whom no creature is able to resist, are reasons why all should save themselves, by yielding in time to his sceptre; by taking the benefit of his protection, instead of incurring his displeasure; by "praising "his great, terrible, and holy name," instead of suffering the almighty vengeance, which he, who owns that Name, can inflict. 4. The King's strength also loveth judgement; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgement and righteousness in Jacob. 5. Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. For although the "strength" of our King be infinite, yet it is never exerted, but in " righ"teousness" and just "judgement," which are his delight they compose the firm basis of his throne, and direct his whole administration. Impenitent rebels must feel the weight of his arm, and none can accuse the justice of their punishment: but in all other cases, he is "mighty only to save:" Isa. lxiii. 1. This holiness of his proceedings, this due temperament of justice with. mercy, the redeemed are exhorted to acknowledge and to proclaim, falling down before the throne, and uttering the angelical trisagion, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which (6 was, and is, and is to come." 6. Moses and Aaron among his priests, or, chief rulers, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. 7. He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar : they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. To encourage the faithful in the worship of God, the examples of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, are adduced, men of like infirmities with ourselves, whose prayers were heard, both for themselves and others, and answers were returned to them from the mystic "cloud," that symbol of the divine presence, which, for a while, was itinerant with the camp in the wilderness, and then became fixed in the tabernacle at Shiloh till its last removal to mount Sion. These men were heard through the intercession of the great Mediator, whom they represented. Through that same intercession, our prayers also are heard, if we keep his testimonies, and the ordinances that he "hath given us." 8. Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. The construction of the verse seems to be this: "O Lord our God, thou didst hear, or answer them," that is, the afore-mentioned typical mediators, Moses, Aaron, and Samuel; "thou be"camest a forbearing God for them," or, at their intercession; and that, "even when punishing," or, when thou hadst begun to punish," the wicked "deeds of them," that is, not of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, but of the people, who had transgressed, and for whom they interceded. This was the case, when Moses interceded for the idolaters; Exod. xxxii. 32. Aaron for the schismatics; Numb. xvi. 47. and Samuel for the whole nation; 1 Sam. vii. 9. "Pray one for another," saith an apostle to Christians," that ye may be healed: the effectual fervent "" prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James v. 16. 9. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill: for the LORD our God is holy. The Psalmist repeats his exhortation, enforced by the preceding examples of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, and again invites all people to worship a "holy" God in a holy" place, and to adore the consummate rectitude of all his proceedings, singing, with the spirits above, "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." Rev, xv. 3. PSALM C. ARGUMENT. The Psalmist invites all the world to join with the Israelites in the service of him who was kind and gracious to them beyond expression. Accordingly, we Christians now properly use this Psalm in acknowledgement of God's wonderful love to us in Christ; by whom we offer up continually spiritual sacrifices, for redeeming us by the sacrifice which he made of himself; for making the world anew, and creating us again unto good works; according to his faithful promises, which we may depend upon for ever. PATRICK. 1. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands: 2. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before his presence with singing. The Prophet addresseth himself to "all lands," or to "all the earth;" to Gentiles, as well as Jews. He exhorteth them to "make a joyful noise,” a noise like that of the trumpets at the time of jubilee, a sound of universal triumph and exultation, in honour of "Jehovah," now become their Lord and Saviour. The service of this our Master is perfect freedom; it is a service of love, a freedom from Pharaoh and the task-masters, from Satan and our own imperious lusts; it is a redemption from the most cruel bond |