Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John Calvinour help, are innumerable; and surely this should comfort us under the deadliest afflictions of thislife. In adding that the Lord is among them, the Psalmist is still to be considered as designing togive us an exalted view of what is included in God’s presence; for the words suggest that he canno more divest himself of his existence than not have this power whereby angels are subordinatedto his will. Another idea suggested is, that one God is better than a universe of angels. The greatdistance to which we are apt to conceive God as removed from us is one circumstance which triesour faith, and in order to obviate this, the Psalmist reminds us of Sinai, where there was a displayof his majesty. The inference was conclusive that he still abode in the sanctuary. For why did Godappear upon that occasion in such a glorious manner? Evidently to show that his covenant formeda sacred bond of union between him and the posterity of Abraham. Hence the words of Moses —“Say not in thine heart, Who shall go up into heaven? or who shall descend into the deep? orwho shall go over the sea? For the word is nigh unto thee,” etc. (Deuteronomy 30:12.)Sinai accordingly is mentioned by David, to teach us that if we would fortify our minds with afirm faith in the Divine presence, we must derive it from the Law and the Prophets.Psalm 68:18-2418. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: 35 thou hast received giftsamong men; 36 even the rebellious, that the Lord Jehovah 37 might dwell amongst his people. 19Blessed be the Lord daily: this Lord will load us with deliverances. Selah. 20. He that is our Godis the God of salvations; and to the Lord Jehovah 38 belong the issues from death. 21. Surely Godshall wound the head of his enemies, the crown of the hair of him who walketh on in his wickedness.22. The Lord said, I will bring back from Bashan; I will bring again from the depths of the sea:23. That thy foot may be stained with blood, the tongue of thy dogs even in that of thine enemies.24. They have seen thy goings, O God! even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive There can be little doubt thatthese words are intended to magnify the proofs of Divine favor granted upon the elevation of Davidto the throne, by contrasting the state of matters with that under Saul. The ascending on high impliesthe being previously low, and intimates, that under the melancholy confusions which had prevailedin the kingdom, there was no longer the same conspicuous display of the Divine glory as formerly.The government of Saul, which, from the first, had originated in a way that was condemnable, wasdoomed to fall under the displeasure of God, while his favor, on the other hand, was to be restored35 “That is, a number of prisoners captive. See Judges 5:12; Esther 2:6; Isaiah 20:4.” — Archbishop Secker. See the like phrasein 2 Chronicles 28:5, 11; Numbers 21:1; Deuteronomy 21:10. “The allusion may be to public triumphs, when captives were ledin chains, even kings and great men, that had captivated others.” — Dr Gill.36 Hebrews baadam, in man, “in human nature,” says Dr Adam Clarke, “and God, manifest in human flesh, dwells amongmortals.” “The gifts which Jesus Christ distributes to man he has received in man, in and by virtue of his incarnation, and it isin consequence of his being made man that it may be said, ‘the Lord God dwells among them;’ for Jesus was called Immanuel,‘God with us,’ in consequence of his incarnation.”37 The Hebrew here is not , Jehovah, but , Jah38 “It is worthy of remark, that whilst occurs twenty-six times, seven times, and five times in this psalm, onlyoccurs twice.” — Rogers’ Book of Psalms in Hebrew, etc. volume 2, p. 221.15