Gleanings in the Psalms

This may be called The Sanctus, or The Holy, Holy, Holy Psalm, for the word “holy” is the conclusion and refrain of its three main divisions: verses 1-3; 4-5; 6-9.

It is a hymn fitted for the cherubim who surround the throne, who are mentioned in verse 1; it is a psalm most fitted for saints who dwell in Zion, the holy city; and it is especially worthy to be reverently sung by all who, like David the king, Moses the Law-giver, Aaron the priest, or Samuel the seer, are honoured to lead the church of God, and plead for her with the Lord.

Verse 2. “The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.” Of old the Temple’s sacred hill was the centre of the worship of the great King, and the place where his grandeur was most clearly beheld. His Church is now his favoured palace, where his greatness is displayed, acknowledged, and adored. He there unveils his attributes and commands the lowliest homage. The ignorant forget him, the wicked despise him, the atheistical oppose him; but among his own chosen he is great beyond comparison. He is great in the esteem of the saints, great in his acts of mercy, and fully great in himself – great in mercy, power, wisdom, justice, and glory.

Verse 5. “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for it is holy.”

(1) Why should you exalt the Lord your God?
      [i] For what he is to you;
      [ii] For what he has done for you;
      [iii] For what he has told you in his Word.
(2) How should you exalt the Lord your God?
      [i] In your affection;
      [ii] In your meditation;
      [iii] In your supplication;
      [iv] In your conversation;
      [v] In your profession;
      [vi] In your consecration;
      [vii] In your expectation.

Verse 6. “Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name ...” Though not ordained to the typical priesthood, Moses was a true priest, even as Melchizedek was before him. God has ever had a priesthood beside and above that of the Law. The three holy men here mentioned all stood in God’s courts and saw his holiness, each one after his own order. Moses saw the Lord in flaming fire revealing his perfect Law; Aaron full often watched the sacred fire devour the sin-offering; and Samuel witnessed the judgment of the Lord on Eli’s house, because of the error of his way. These each stood in the gap when the wrath of God broke forth, because his holiness had been insulted. And acting as intercessors, they screened the nation from the great and terrible God, who otherwise would in a dreadful manner have executed judgment in Jacob. Let these men, or such as these, lead us in our worship, and let us approach the Lord at the mercy-seat as they did, for he is as accessible to us as to them. They made it their life’s business to call upon him in prayer, and by so doing brought down innumerable blessings upon themselves and others. Does not the Lord call us also to come up into the mount with Moses, and to enter the most holy place with Aaron? Do we not hear him call us by our name as he did Samuel? And do we not answer, “Speak, Lord, for they servant heareth”?

Verse 8. “Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God ... though thou tookest vengeance on their inventions.” It is not a light punishment, but a “vengeance” he “takes on their inventions.” It is to manifest that God hates sin as sin, and not because the worst persons commit it. Perhaps had a profane man touched the Ark, the hand of God had not so suddenly reached him. But when Uzzah, a man zealous for god, would step out of his place to support the tottering Ark, God strikes him down for his disobedient action beside the Ark. Nor did our Saviour so sharply reprove the Pharisees as he did Peter when Peter gave that carnal advice about the Lord not going “up to Jerusalem” to be crucified. Christ calls him “Satan”, a title much sharper than the title of the “devil’s children” which he gave to the Pharisees.

While the regenerate can never become unregenerate, they can, alas! Become degenerate, and herein lies one of the greatest perils of the Christian life.

Verse 9.