The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 356

Testament (Isa. ix. 6; Gen. xlix. 10; Luke xxiv. 44; Matt. v. 17; John v. 46). How far the psalmist understood the meaning of his own words, we are not called on to say• but the meaning of the Holy Ghost in inspiring them is perfectly clcar.t 2. Th~ ascent of the King is also foretold. (Ver. 5.) The descent, implicitly; the ascent, explicitly. And in this doctrine many of the Old Testament writers blend their words (Pss. lxviii. 18; ex. 11). The King was to be exalted on high. He is (cf. Acts i. 9; ii. 33; Eph. iv. 10; i. 20; Heh. iv. 14; vi. 20; ix. 24; x. 12). 3. The exalted King is Sovereign over nll the nations. (Ver. 8.) "The heathen" (Authorized Version) is equivalent to" the nations" (Revised Version). All the nations are under lmmanuel's sceptre. Through his death Satan is dethroned, and the Christ enthroned, and every child of man is now under his mediatorial sway. So we are taught in John xii. 31, 32; Acts x. 34, 35. He is now enthroned at the right hand of God; and those hands that were pierced with nails now sway the sceptre of universal power. Yea, and he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet (Ps. ex.). The mediatorial throne is "the throne of his holiness" ( ver. 8). In the life of Christ holiness was manifested ; in his death, whereby he condemned sin, holiness was vindicated. From his seat above, holiness sways the sceptre; by the power of his Spirit, holiness is created in human spirits. And under the sway of this throne all nations are embraced. "Earth's poor distinctions vanish here." "In Christ there is neither Greek, nor Jew, barbarian, Scythian, bond, noc free; but Christ is all, and in all." And in him all the peoples of the earth may find their home in Abraham's God (ver. 9). The shields, i.e. the princes, of the earth belong unto God. 4. The King governs the world for the sake of the Ohurch. (Ver. 3.) So the third verse indicates. The thought is expressed with gospel clearness in Eph. i. 22 and Rom. viii. 28, that out of a sinful world God may call a living Church, to be presented to himself, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. This is the Divine subjugation of his foes, which the mediatorial sovereignty of Christ ensures. II. HF.BE IB A CALL FOR SONG ON THIS GREAT TilEME, FROM ALL PEOPLES. Man's sin makes us weep. God's mercy makes us sing; and no aspect thereof makes us gladder than that of the triumph of redeeming grace and dying love. And well may tho psalmist, thus forecastiag redemption's story through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, call for universal song. Well may we sing; for: 1. The great conflict is past. "'l'he voice of triumph" may therefore be ours (cf. Col. ii. 15). 2. The sceptre of the world is in the hands of One, and of One only. 'There is no division of power (ver. 7). 3. The sceptre of the world is in the hands of the Su}'reme (ver. 2).1 And where else could we desire all power to be lodged (cf. Matt. x:xviii. 18; John xvii. 2; Rev. i. 18; Ps. ii. 12)? 4. Tl1ere is a rich inheritance in store for. the loyal ones. The Jew expected an earthly inheritance by virtue of his descent from Abraham; but o.ll believers will have an infinitely greater inheritance by virtue of their union with Christ. God chooses it for us; and with his choice we may be well content. He will deal right royally with his own, and will act worthily of a God. For this inheritance we can wait (Hom. viii. 17, 18). 5. In the advance of the Divine plane all barriers between race and race are destined to fall: All kindreds of the earth are to rally to the standard rf Abraham's God/ Nowhere is this breaking down of boundaries more strikingly set forth than in Epb. ii. 12-22, which is en exposition of the basis and structural plo.n of the Christian commoawealth. 'l'his the aged Jacob foretold when be said, "'l'o him shall the gathering of the people be." To this psalmists and seors point. For this the Saviour prayed: "'l'hat they all may be one." Ho diecl to "gather together in one the children of Goel which are scattered abroad" (John xi. 52; x. 16; Isa. xiii. 4). At such a thought, "Clap your haads, all yo peoples! ''-C. Vers. 1-9.-The ,1,7.iversal King. The Lord is here sot forth as" King over all tho earth." His government corumands- 1 "David's prophecies of the Messiah which are personal, o.roso by suggestion of the Spirit from his own personal experience, e.nd includo it. His prophecies of J\Iessio.b which nre royal anrl kingly, arose out of his kingly experience, nnd the two persons aro inter• woven with one another in such a mo.uner as not to be separablo" (Edwo.rd Irving). ' The word" terriblo" gives o. wrong impression. Tho word docs not mean that God inspires terror, but that lie iij to bo rev11renccd for his greo.tnes~. J'll,U,MS, ~ II 370 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [PB, XLVII, 1-0,