1The majesty and grace of Christ's kingdom. 10The duty of the church, and the benefits thereof.
0To the chief 1Musician upon 2Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, 3Maschil, 4A Song of loves.
1 See the first annotation at Psalm 4 in the title.
2 This Hebrew word is likewise used in Psalm 69 in the title and Psalm 80 in the title, and a similar one in Psalm 60 in the title, signifying lilies, thus called (as some conjecture) from having six leaves; though what is meant by it is uncertain. Some do hold it for a musical instrument of six strings whereon this psalm was to be played; others for a certain song or hymn, well-known in those days, beginning with this word, according to the tune whereof this psalm was to be played and sung.
3 See the first annotation at Psalm 32 in the title.
4 Or, a song of the beloved, namely, young daughters or their companions, that is to say, a wedding song made upon the occasion (as many conceive) of the marriage of Solomon (who was a type of Christ) with the daughter of the king of Egypt; but peculiarly aiming at the marriage (Eph. 5:25, 32) of the Bridegroom Christ with His church, collected out of Jews and Gentiles, as appears by Heb. 1:8, 9, in which regard this psalm has much affinity with the Song of Songs (or the Canticles) of Solomon. See there Cant. 3 and Cant. 8.
1MY heart is 5inditinga6a good matter: I speak of the 7things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the 8pen of a ready writer.
5 Hebr. properly, boileth, or, bubbleth up. The Hebrew word is nowhere else found in the Bible, but it is derived from another word that signifies kettle or frying pan, wherein, being something sod or fried, the heat of the fire makes it to bubble up; so (the prophet will say) was his heart kindled and heated by the fire of the Holy Spirit to propound this excellent doctrine unto the church of God with singular zeal and fervency. Compare Psalm 19 on verse 2.
a overflowing
6 Or, a good speech, something (very) good, or goodly, excellent.
7 Hebr. works (or poetries).
8 That is, as a pen of one who is well versed and practiced in writing (compare Ezra 7:6; Isa. 16:5), whereof the readiness, swiftness or quickness is a sign.
2Thou art fairer than the 9children of men: 10grace is poured into thy lips: 11therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
9 Namely, other people.
10 Or, thy lips are poured over with grace, so that Thy words are full of grace and favor. Compare Luke 4:22.
11 That is, for and to such end and purpose, or, for (or because) that God hath, etc., as the Hebrew word al-chen is taken. See Jer. 48 on verse 36.
3Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and 12thy majesty.
12 This some connect with the word sword, as if the prophet would say: Which sword (namely, the Word of truth, whereof in the sequel) is Thy majesty and glory. Other, in or with thy majesty, etc.
4And in thy majesty 13ride prosperously 14because of 15truth and 16meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee 17terrible things.
13 Hebr. prosper, ride. Compare the joining of two verbs with 1 Sam. 2:3; Psalm 51:2; 55:7; 106:13; Hosea 6:3, etc.
14 Other, by reason or in behalf of the truth.
15 Thus the doctrine of the Gospel is called, 2 Cor. 6:7; 2 Tim. 2:15; James 1:18.
16 Hebr. meekness, righteousness, that is, meekness of righteousness, or righteous meekness; that is, such meekness as is accompanied with righteousness; or, with meekness and righteousness.
17 That is, Thou shalt achieve terrible things through Thy power; Thou shalt show and manifest them before the entire world and execute terrible judgment upon the enemies of the truth. Compare the next verse and Psalm 2:9; 110:5, 6. Or, teach thee terrible things.
5Thine 18arrows are sharp 19in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
18 See Deut. 32 on verse 23; Job 6 on verse 4. Some do understand it not only of the judgments, but also of the words of the Lord’s Christ. Compare 2 Cor. 10:4, 5; Heb. 4:12.
19 Namely, the arrows of this King. Other, nations shall fall under thee, which in heart are the King’s enemies; or, in the heart, that is, in the midst of the King’s enemies.
6Thyb throne, O 20God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a 21right sceptre.
bHeb. 1:8.
20 The Holy Spirit clearly testifies in Hebr. 1:8, 9 that this is to be understood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
21 Or, an equitable scepter.
7Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: 22therefore God, 23thy God, hath anointed thee with the 24oil of gladness above thy 25fellows.
22 Or, because, as in verse 2.
23 Namely, the Father. Compare Psalm 22:1; John 20:17.
24 Understand the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Who is the Author and Causer of all spiritual joy and gladness, etc. See Acts 10:38.
25 That is, all believers, who are members of the Lord’s Christ, and by grace they are made by Him unto priests and kings, 1 Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:6. See also John 3:34.
8All thy garments 26smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the 27ivory 28palaces, 29whereby they have made thee glad.
26 That is, they smell so richly of these spices as if they were nothing else. Compare Prov. 7:17.
27 See 1 Kings 10:18.
28 Or, temples. Understand here, when Thou art coming forth thence, as a bridegroom, or Thy clothes and the spices, which came forth or were taken out of ivory palaces, and wherewith they have cheered Thee, that is, honored and adorned Thee. Solomon’s royal glory and courts are mentioned in the Scripture; as for Christ, He is come into the flesh out of the heavenly palace, and has brought from there His doctrine, and received His anointing from there. See Mat. 3:16; John 3:13, 31.
29 Or, above those that make thee glad, namely, Thy partakers (as above), called the children of the wedding and the Bridegroom’s friends, Mat 9:15; John 3:29.
9Kings' daughters were among thy 30honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the 31queen in gold of 32Ophir.
30 Hebr. costly ones, in the feminine (case), so that it must be understood of females. Compare verse 15. Other, in thy costliness.
31 Or, spouse, who is here the bride.
32 See 1 Kings 9 on verse 28.
10Hearken, 33O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; 34forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
33 Here the speech is addressed to the bride.
34 That is, forsake that idolatrous religion which is fashionable and practiced among your own people, and in your father’s house. Compare also Mat. 10:37; Luke 14:26.
11So shall the king greatly desire thy 35beauty: for he is thy Lord; and 36worship thou him.
35 Largely described in The Song of Solomon.
36 Or, worship him, as the Son of God.
12And the 37daughter of 38Tyre shall be there withc a gift; even the rich among the people shall 39intreat thy favour.
37 That is, the inhabitants of Tyre, the city of Tyre. Of this city see Joshua 19 on verse 29; 1 Kings 5 on verse 1, and compare Psalm 72:10, 11; Isa. 49:23.
38 Other, concerning the daughters of Tyre, the rich, etc.
cPsalm 72:10.
39 See Job 11 on verse 19.
13The king's daughter is all glorious 40within: her clothing is of 41wrought gold.
40 Or, from within. Solomon’s bride in her retiring chambers, but Christ’s bride carries her spiritual excellency within, in the inner man (Eph. 3:16), consisting in spiritual gifts. Compare Rev. 19:8.
41 Or, ouches, that is, full of ouches or small shield-shaped figures, set or filled with precious stones, as this word is taken in Exod. 28:11, 13, 14, 25; 39:6, 13, 16. The Hebrew word is likewise taken for cilyt-work or embroidered work, embroidery, whereby the variety of spiritual gifts may be understood. Compare Ezek. 16:13.
14She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
1542With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
42 Hebr. gladnesses.
16Instead of 43thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make 44princes in all the earth.
43 This is said to the King (Christ together with His bride), of Whom it is prophesied that (like His forefathers after the flesh) He shall not be lacking spiritual sons who shall preach the Gospel throughout the entire world, feed and govern His church with the Word of God, and afterwards sit upon thrones and reign with Christ in glory. See Mat. 19:28; 24:47; 28:19; Rev. 5:10. Or, we may understand by the fathers, the believers of the Old Testament, and by the children all the faithful of the New Testament, whom Christ has made kings and priests, Rev. 1:6, etc.
44 This cannot be understood of Solomon, seeing that his son Rehoboam, and onward, the kingdom was divided and the ten tribes rent from Judah. See 1 Kings 12:16, 17, 24.
17I will make thy name to be remembered 45in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
45 Hebr. in all generation and generation.