3.—the dew of Hermon.] Maundrell says, 'We were sufficiently instructed by experience what the holy Psalmist means by "the dew of Hermon," our tents being as wet with it as if it had rained all night.' —the mountains of Zion:] These seem to be those mountains which stood round about Jerusalem. Rosenmüller. —for there &c.] That is, God hath promised all kind of prosperity upon the dwelling of those who live together in unity. Green, Rosenmüller. The colouring of the picture presented to us in this Psalm is much heightened by its being viewed in another light, as a representation of spiritual unity in the Church. The spirit of heavenly love was that oil of gladness which Jehovah poured without measure on Him who is the High Priest and Head of his Church. Insinuating and healing, comforting and exhilarating, it is diffused from Him over his body mystical, even down to the least and lowest members; "of his fulness have we all received." Nor did the dew of heaven, in time of drought, ever prove more refreshing and beneficial to the mountains of Judah, than are the influences of Grace, when descending in soft silence from above upon the Church; in the union and communion of which, God hath "commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." Bp. Horne. 10.—turn not away &c.] Do not reject the prayer of him, whom Thou hast consecrated to be king of thy people. Travell. 11. The Lord hath sworn &c.] That this is a prophecy of the Messiah, we have the authority of St. Peter to say, Acts ii. 30. This promise to David occurs, 2 Sam. vii. 12, and hath a twofold sense, relating to Solomon in type and shadow, to Christ in truth and substance. Bp. Horne. 12.—for evermore.] The temporal kingdom of David continued in the line of David till the birth of Christ, when the spiritual kingdom commenced in the person of this Son of David, of which there shall be no end. Dimock. 16. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: I will spread my protection and defence over her priests, which are consecrated to me. Bp. Holl. 17.—the horn of David &c.] The "horn" and "lamp" signify the regal dignity of David. No sooner shall one of his successors fail, but another shall be raised up to succeed him. Green. The Jews confess that this verse mystically refers to Christ. Bp. Horne. The vow which David had made to establish a fixed place of Divine service, was a striking mark of his piety. From hence great men, magistrates, and all men in general, ought to learn, that they should desire, with the greatest fervency, the glory of God, and his true worship, and promote them to the utmost of their power. The choice which God had made of Zion for the place of his worship, and the promises with which He had engaged to dwell there for ever, to bless and prosper it, are to be applied to the Christian Church, in which He dwells in a more particular manner, and wherein He is to be worshipped and adored unto the end of the world. We ought all of us continually to pray for the preservation of the Church, for a blessing on its ministers, and on all its members. Ostervald. Psalm CXXXIII. This short but pleasing Psalm was composed either to recommend unity among the tribes of Israel, or to celebrate it when it had taken Ver. 7. -- he maketh lightnings for the rain;] He maketh the lightnings to attend the rain. Green. Dr. Russell, in his description of the weather at Aleppo, September, tells us, that seldom a night passes without much lightning in the north-west quarter, but not 14. — will judge his people.] Will plead for, or avenge his people. Dr. Hammond. — will repent himself concerning his servants.] Will be gracious unto his servants. Old Translation. 18. They that make them &c ) They, who form them for objects of worship, or who blindly depend upon them for favour and support, are as stupid and senseless, as the very idols themselves. Travell. All the servants of God, they more especially who minister in the temple, are repeatedly in this, as in the foregoing Psalm, excited to praise their blessed Master. Two of the reasons assigned, why they should do this, are; first, the goodness of that Master, and secondly, the pleasantness of the employment. The latter of these reasons hath a natural and necessary dependence on the former. A sense of the Divine mercy will tune our hearts and voices to praise. We, who are upon earth, often find ourselves indisposed for the duty of thanksgiving, because the concerns of the body, the cares and pleasures of life, extinguish, for a time, this sense in us, until grace, prayer, and meditation, render it again lively b Exod. 12. 29. † Heb. from man unto beast. c Numb. 21. 24, 25, 26, 34, 35. d Josh. 12. 7. Ver. 1. — we sat down.] Sitting on the ground was a posture that denoted mourning and deep distress. See Lam. ii. 10; Job ii. 13. Bp. Lowth. 4. How shall we sing &c.] Many singers were carried captives, Ezra ii. 41. These would of course carry their instruments with them and be insulted, as here. Their songs were sacred, and unfit to be sung before idolaters. But the words, "How shall we sing, &c." are not an answer given to their enemies, but the free utterance of the feelings of the Jews amongst themselves. Abp. Secker. 5. — her cunning.] Or, skill to play upon the harp. Dr. Wells. 6. — if I prefer not &c.] Literally, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above the chief, or top, of my joy; that is, if I do not make it the principal subject of my joy. Bp. Lowth. 7. Remember, O Lord, — day of Jerusalem;] Or, Remember, O Lord, to "the children of Edom" the day of Jerusalem; that is, punish them for their cruel insults. Dimock. — the day of Jerusalem;] The day on which it was destroyed. Rosenmüller. to be † destroyed; happy shall he be, † that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. 2. — toward thy holy temple.] Wherever the ark was, there was the temple of Jehovah. See 1 Sam. iii. 3. And the Psalmist probably directed himself to that point. See Dan. vi. 10. Dimock. — for thou hast magnified &c.] God, he says, had done honour to his word beyond all that had ever been said or imagined of Him. Mudge. Or the rendering may be, "for thou hast magnified thy name and thy word above all things." Dimock and Old Translation. 5. — they shall sing in the ways of the Lord;] They shall rejoice in the doctrine of God delivered by Christ. 8. — happy shall he be.] The meaning of these words is, He shall go on and prosper, for the Lord of hosts shall go with him, and fight his battles against the enemy and oppressor of his people. Bp. Horne.