2. the rod of thy strength--the rod of correction ([Is 9:4]; ; [Jr 48:12]), by which Thy strength will be known. This is His Word of truth ([Is 2:3]; ), converting some and confounding others (compare [2Th 2:8]).
out of Zion--or, the Church, in which God dwells by His Spirit, as once by a visible symbol in the tabernacle on Zion (compare [Psa 2:6]).
rule thou, &c.--over enemies now conquered.
in the midst--once set upon, as by ferocious beasts ([Psa 22:16]), now humbly, though reluctantly, confessed as Lord ([Php 2:10], ).
3. Thy people ... willing--literally, "Thy people (are) free will offerings"; for such is the proper rendering of the word "willing," which is a plural noun, and not an adjective (compare [Ex 25:2]; [Psa 54:6]), also a similar form ([Jud 5:2-9]).
in the day of thy power--Thy people freely offer themselves ([Ro 12:1]) in Thy service, enlisting under Thy banner.
in the beauties of holiness--either as in [Psa 29:2], the loveliness of a spiritual worship, of which the temple service, in all its material splendors, was but a type; or more probably, the appearance of the worshippers, who, in this spiritual kingdom, are a nation of kings and priests ([1Pe 2:9]; [Re 1:5]), attending this Priest and King, clothed in those eminent graces which the beautiful vestments of the Aaronic priests ([Le 16:4]) typified. The last very obscure clause--
from the womb ... youth--may, according to this view, be thus explained: The word "youth" denotes a period of life distinguished for strength and activity (compare [Ec 11:9])--the "dew" is a constant emblem of whatever is refreshing and strengthening ([Pr 19:12]; [Ho 14:5]). The Messiah, then, as leading His people, is represented as continually in the vigor of youth, refreshed and strengthened by the early dew of God's grace and Spirit. Thus the phrase corresponds as a member of a parallelism with "the day of thy power" in the first clause. "In the beauties of holiness" belongs to this latter clause, corresponding to "Thy people" in the first, and the colon after "morning" is omitted. Others prefer: Thy youth, or youthful vigor, or body, shall be constantly refreshed by successive accessions of people as dew from the early morning; and this accords with the New Testament idea that the Church is Christ's body (compare [Mi 5:7]).
4. The perpetuity of the priesthood, here asserted on God's oath, corresponds with that of the kingly office just explained.
after the order--([He 7:15]) after the similitude of Melchisedek, is fully expounded by Paul, to denote not only perpetuity, appointment of God, and a royal priesthood, but also the absence of priestly descent and succession, and superiority to the Aaronic order.
5. at thy right hand--as [Psa 109:31], upholding and aiding, which is not inconsistent with [Psa 110:1], where the figure denotes participation of power, for here He is presented in another aspect, as a warrior going against enemies, and sustained by God.
strike through--smite or crush.
kings--not common men, but their rulers, and so all under them ([Psa 2:2], ).
6. The person is again changed. The Messiah's conquests are described, though His work and God's are the same. As after a battle, whose field is strewn with corpses, the conqueror ascends the seat of empire, so shall He "judge," or "rule," among many nations, and subdue
the head--or (as used collectively for "many") "the heads," over many lands.
wound--literally, "smite," or "crush" (compare [Psa 110:5]).
7. As a conqueror, "faint, yet pursuing" [Jud 8:4], He shall be refreshed by the brook in the way, and pursue to completion His divine and glorious triumphs.
Psalm 111
Psa 111:1-10. The Psalmist celebrates God's gracious dealings with His people, of which a summary statement is given
1. Praise ye the Lord--or, Hallelujah ([Psa 104:35]). This seems to serve as a title to those of the later Psalms, which, like this, set forth God's gracious government and its blessed fruits. This praise claims the
whole heart--([Psa 86:12]), and is rendered publicly.
upright--a title of the true Israel ([Psa 32:11]).
2. His works, that is, of providence and grace are
sought--or, carefully studied, by all desiring to know them.
3-4. honourable and glorious--literally, "honor and majesty," which illustrate His glorious perfections.
righteousness--([Psa 7:17]; ), which He has made memorable by wonders of love and mercy, in supplying the wants of His people according to covenant engagements.
6-8. His power was shown especially in giving them the promised land, and His faithfulness and justice thus displayed are, like His precepts, reliable and of permanent obligation.
9. The deliverance He provided accorded to His established covenant. Thus He manifested Himself in the sum of His perfections ([Psa 20:1], ; ) worthy of reverence.
10. And hence love and fear of such a God is the chief element of true wisdom (compare [Pr 1:7]; ).
Psalm 112
Psa 112:1-10. This Psalm may be regarded as an exposition of Psa 111:10, presenting the happiness of those who fear and obey God, and contrasting the fate of the ungodly
1. True fear produces obedience and this happiness.
2-3. Temporal blessings follow the service of God, exceptions occurring only as they are seen by God to be inconsistent with those spiritual blessings which are better.
4. light--figurative for relief ([Psa 27:1]; ).
the upright--are like God ([Lu 6:36]; [Psa 111:4]).
5-9. Generosity, sound judgment in business, and confidence in God, form a character which preserves from fear of evil and ensures success against enemies. While a man thus truly pious is liberal, he increases in substance.
10. Disappointed in their malevolent wishes by the prosperity of the pious, the wicked are punished by the working of their evil passions, and come to naught.
Psalm 113
Psa 113:1-9. God's majesty contrasted with His condescension and gracious dealings towards the humble furnish matter and a call for praise. The Jews, it is said, used this and Psalms 114-118 on their great festivals, and called them the Greater Hallel, or Hymn
1-3. Earnestness and zeal are denoted by the emphatic repetitions.
servants of the Lord--or, all the people of God.
name of the Lord--perfections ([Psa 5:11]; ).
4-6. God's exaltation enhances His condescension;
7-8. which condescension is illustrated as often in raising the worthy poor and needy to honor (compare [1Sa 2:8]; [Psa 44:25]).
9. On this special case, compare [1Sa 2:21]. Barrenness was regarded as a disgrace, and is a type of a deserted Church ([Is 54:1]).