1.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
1. to be praised—always: it is
an epithet, as in Psalms 18:3.
mountain of his holiness—His
Church (compare Isaiah 2:2; Isaiah 2:3;
Isaiah 25:6; Isaiah 25:7;
Isaiah 25:10); the sanctuary was
erected first on Mount Zion, then (as the temple) on Moriah; hence
the figure.
2.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
2, 3. situation—literally,
"elevation."
joy of, &c.—source
of joy.
sides of the north—poetically
for eminent, lofty, distinguished, as the ancients believed the north
to be the highest part of the earth (compare ).
3.
God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
3. palaces—literally,
"citadels."
refuge— (Psalms 9:10;
Psalms 18:3). He was so known in
them because they enjoyed His presence.
4.
For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
4-6. For—The reason is given.
Though the kings (perhaps of Moab and Ammon, compare ) combined, a conviction of God's presence with His people,
evinced by the unusual courage with which the prophets (compare ) had inspired them, seized on their minds, and smitten
with sudden and intense alarm, they fled astonished.
5.
They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
6.
Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
7.
Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
7. ships of Tarshish—as
engaged in a distant and lucrative trade, the most valuable. The
phrase may illustrate God's control over all material agencies,
whether their literal destruction be meant or not.
8.
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
8. This present experience
assures of that perpetual care which God extends to His Church.
9.
We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
9. thought of—literally,
"compared," or considered, in respect of former dealings.
in the . . . temple—in
acts of solemn worship (compare ).
10.
According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
10. According . . . praise—that
is, As Thy perfections manifested (compare Psalms 8:1;
Psalms 20:1-7), demand praise,
it shall be given, everywhere.
thy right hand, &c.—Thy
righteous government is displayed by Thy power.
11.
Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
11. the daughters, &c.—the
small towns, or the people, with the chief city, or rulers of the
Church.
judgments—decisions and
acts of right government.
12.
Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
12-14. The call to survey Zion,
or the Church, as a fortified city, is designed to suggest "how
well our God secures His fold." This security is perpetual, and
its pledge is His guidance through this life.
13.
Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14.
For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.