A Psalm for Festival Services
This hymn, written altogether in the style of David, bears a liturgical character and was, in fact, used in the Jewish Church upon the occasion of the great festivals, as part of their great hallel (praise), chanted during the time when the Temple-offerings were brought, as well as by the individual families in the intervals of the Passover-meal, although it may originally have been composed for use at the Feast of Tabernacles. Sections of the psalm were in such general use that the pilgrims going forth to meet Jesus at the time of His last entry into Jerusalem chanted them almost spontaneously, Matt. 21, 9; Mark 11, 9; Luke 19, 38.
V. 1. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, namely, in imparting His kindness in rich blessings upon the faithful; because His mercy endureth forever. Compare Ps. 106, 1; 107, 1; 136, 1.
V. 2. Let Israel, the entire nation, as the chosen people of God, now say that His mercy endureth forever. V. 3. Let the house of Aaron, not only the priests, but the entire Church, as a congregation of priests, now say that His mercy endureth forever. V. 4. Let them now that fear the Lord, all believers of all times, say that His mercy endureth forever.
The urgent invitation having gone forth to the whole Church to join in praising the Lord, the psalmist now states the reason for his admonition. V. 5. I called upon the Lord in distress, when he was in straits, in such difficulties that he could turn neither to the right nor to the left; the Lord answered me and set me in a large place, where he had freedom of movement on every side, where he was no longer cramped and hindered on account of being beset by dangers and enemies.
V. 6. The Lord is on my side, Rom. 8, 31; I will not fear; what can man, mere men, puny creatures, do unto me?
V. 7. The Lord taketh my part with them that help me, as his assistance, Jehovah’s help outweighing that of all other helpers; therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me, the enemies being bound to submit before His almighty power. The psalmist now urges the proper trust in Jehovah, as the One who is exalted in power above all men.
V. 8. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man, man at his best being but a weak and helpless creature. V. 9. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes, for their power, after all, is small, and their favor deceitful.