The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 174

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTIIOHS. Vers. 1--4.-Celebi·ating tM Real Presence. (For opening or reopening a church.) There seems to be no very great difficulty in finding the occasion on which this magni- ficent psalm was originally composed. In all probability it was written by David, and sung on the occasion of bringing up the ark of God to Mount Zion (2 Sam. vi. 2, 18; vii. 25, 26). Some regard it as prophetic, and call it "the Song of Ad vent," others "the Song of the Ascension." Others again apply it individually, r.ud look upon it as appropriate for one who would open his heart to God, and let the King of glory enter therein. There are, however, so many Scriptures bearing more manifestly on these three latter applications, and there is such a fulness of instruction in dealing with the truths which are immediately suggested by the song as prepared for the historic occasion abo'l'e referred to, that we shall simply invite the reader to follow the course of thought suggested thereby. All the historic information needed may be gathered from the writers referred to below; especially from the brilliant and inspiring description of Dean Stanley.' The psalm discloses to us the grand revelation of God which the Hebrews possessed, and the joy which they felt at his making his dwelling-place among them. l<'rom the Hebrew standpoint we are bound to move forward to that of the Christian. Remembering this, let us note- I. THE NAME AND DOMAIN OF JEHOVAH ABE IMMEASURABLY VAST; while the great- ness of his attributes, as disclo5ed to bis people of the olden time, is correspondingly august. The various names given to him in this psalm show us how far removed were the Hebrews' thoughts of God from those to which other nations of the earth had attained. The various expressions for the Name of God which are found here remove us very far from anything like anthropomorphism. 1. Jehovah; pure being-he who is, was, and will ever be. 2. The God of salvation, 3. The God of Jacob (LXX.), who can note the individual while watching over all. 4. The King of glory in whom the highest glory centres, and from whom all created glory proceeds, of every kind. 5. The Lord of the whole earth. The wide difference in this respect between the thoughts of the heathen and those of Israel is seen in 1 Kiags xx. 23 ; Dan. ii. 11. The iclea of local and tutelary deities is common enough among pagan nations. But that of one God supreme and alone is taught by revelation (Deut. vi. 4). 6. The Lord of hosts; Lord of all the hosts of heaven, whether the hosts of stars that roll at his command, or the hosts of seraphim and cherubim who wait upon his word. All these names of God are now a joy to the believer. He sees more in each of them than the saints of old could possibly do; and seeing God e.s revealed in Christ, he can add yet other names, and say: 7. "God is Spirit;"" God is light;" "God is love," adding to the latter the touching words, "He loved me, and gave himself for me." Thus while the universe is no tax on his power, the humblest child may nestle in his love. "Hie greatness makes us brave as children a.re When those they love are near.'' Il. KEVERTHELESB, THERE ARE SOME BPOTB WHERE HIS PRESENCE IS SPECIALLY BEEN, "The hill of the Lord" (ver. 3); "His holy place" (vcr. 3). A careful student of the Scriptures may find matter of absorbing interest in two disclosed facts: (1) that the 1 For historic information, see Perowne'e introduction to this psalm; Dean Stu.nley'e 'Lectures on the Jewish Uhurch,' 2nd serir.a, Iect. xxiii.: Edersheim's 'Bible History,' iv. 177: Geikie's • Half-hours with the Bible,' vol. iii. eh. ix.; Kitto's' Da!IY Bible Readiugs' (Porter's edit.), vol. iii. pp. 341-351. The remarks of Dr. Moll (in Sobe.ff's Lange), Delitzsch, Hengstenberg, and the introductions to this psalm in' The Cambridge Bibi~• and in the R,T.S. new edition of the• Book of Psaltns,' are worth notioe. PB. ll.IV, 1-10.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 177