Verse 11. “The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those that published it.” In these next verses we do not sing of marching, but of battle and victory. “The Lord gave the word.” The enemy was near, and the silver trumpet from the tabernacle door was God's mouth to warn the camp: then was there hurry to and fro, and a general telling of the news; “great was the company of those that published it.” The women ran from tent to tent and roused their lords to battle. Ready as they always were to grant the victory, they were equally swift to publish the fact that the battle-note had been sounded. The ten thousand maids of Israel, like good handmaids of the Lord, aroused the sleepers, called in the wanderers, and bade the valiant men hasten to the fray. O for the like zeal in the Church today, that when the gospel is published, both men and women may eagerly spread the glad tidings of great joy.
C.H. Spurgeon
Verse 13. “Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver …” The probable meaning is, Though ye have laboured and lain down between the brick kilns in Egypt – a poor, enslaved, and oppressed people, yet, ye shall gradually rise to dignity, prosperity and splendour. As a dove which has been defiled with dirt, disordered and dejected, by washing herself in a running stream, and trimming her plumage gradually recovers the serenity of her disposition, the purity of her colour, and the richness and varied elegance of her appearance.
W. Greenfield
Verse 14. “When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.” It is evident that David still insists upon the figure of the whiteness of silver. The country had, as it were, been blackened or sullied by the hostile confusion into which it was thrown, and he says it had now recovered its fair appearance and resembled Salmon. This makes the comparison more striking; for it intimates that as the snows whitened this black mountain, so the country had resumed its former beauty, and put on an aspect of joy, when God dispelled the darkness which had lain upon it during the oppression of enemies.
John Calvin
Verse 16. “Why leap ye, ye high hills? This is the hill which God desireth to dwell in …” This low, little, barren hill of Zion; and yet, God's election maketh the difference, as it did of Aaron's rod from the rest, and does still of the church from the rest of the world, for the Lamb is on Mount Zion.
John Trapp
Verse 18. “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men …” Some think it refers to God's going forth on behalf of His people Israel, leading them forth to victory, taking their enemies captive, and enriching them with the spoils. Suppose it to be so, we are warranted to consider it mainly as referring to Christ – or so the apostle has applied it in Ephesians 4 verse 8. The captivity which He led captive was our spiritual enemies who had led us captive – Satan and death. And having obtained the victory, He proceeds to divide the spoils that He received - “gifts for men” - as David made presents. And hence comes our ordinances, ministers etc., for ministers are received for and are given to you by Christ. As man, and as sinful men, ministers are as nothing, and wish not to make anything of themselves; but, as the gifts of Christ, it becomes you to make such of them. If you love Christ, you will make much of your minister, on account of his being His gift – a gift designed to supply His absence in a sort. He is gone (ascended), but He gives you His servants. By-and-by you hope to be with Him but as yet you are as sheep in the wilderness. He gives you a shepherd. If you fear God, you will be afraid of treating your pastor amiss seeing he is the gift of Christ. God took it ill of Israel for despising Moses: “He is my servant,” He said.
From Andrew Fuller's sermon to the church at Moulton, on the ordination of William Carey.
Verse 19. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Lay all the “benefits” together that concern estate, body and mind, and how can the axle of the soul but crack under the load of these favours? But, from what God has done for us as men, we look to what He has done for us as Christians. That He has embraced us with an everlasting love, that He has moulded us anew, enlivened us by His Spirit, fed us by His Word and Sacraments, clothed us with His merits, bought us with His blood, being accounted vile to make us glorious, a curse to invest us with blessedness; in a word, that He hath given Himself to us and His son for us. Oh, the height, and depth, and breadth of the rich mercies of our God
Joseph Hall
(To be concluded)
This Page Title – Gleanings in the Psalms (Psalm 68 Continued) The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 110 – placed on line September 2014 Wicket Gate contact address – Mr Cliff Westcombe cw@wicketgate.co.uk If you wish to be notified when each new edition goes on line please send an e-mail to the above address Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk |