4. The Lord on high &c.] The king of heaven is stronger than all earthly potentates, and will subdue them under his feet. Poole. This Psalm teaches us, that God rules with glory and magnificence over all the world; that his throne is established in righteousness; that his power infinitely 6. A brutish man — a fool] He who is ignorant of the final issue of things, and attendeth not to his eternal interest, is in Scripture language the "brutish man," and the "fool," who knoweth not the works, neither understandeth the designs of Heaven. Bp. Horne. 8. — art most high] The expression is equivalent to God's sitting in heaven, and there overruling all the designs of men to his own glory, and the good of his servants. Mudge. 10. But my horn &c.] But, as the unicorn is superior in power and strength to other creatures, so shall my authority be exalted above others; and I shall enjoy a continual course of happiness; like one who is newly anointed for the enjoyment of a feast. Travell. — unicorn.] See the note on Psalm xxii. 21. 13. Those that be planted &c.] Those who, like fruitful trees, are firmly rooted in their obedience to God's laws, shall be sheltered under his protection, and shall grow and increase in his service. Travell. Thanksgiving is the duty, and ought to be the delight, of a Christian. It is his duty, as being the least return he can make to his great Benefactor: it ought to be his delight, for it is that of angels, and will be that of every grateful heart, whether in heaven or on earth. The "mercy" of God in promising salvation, and his "faithfulness" in accomplishing it, are inexhaustible subjects for morning and evening praises; every instrument should be strung, and every voice tuned to celebrate them, until day and night come to an end. But more especially should this be done on the sabbath day; which, when so employed, affords a lively resemblance of that eternal sabbath, to be hereafter kept by the redeemed in the kingdom of God. Bp. Horne. Psalm XCIII. ver. 1. — clothed with majesty;] See the second note from Bp. Sanderson on Job xxix. 14. Ver. 3. - above all gods.] Above all the powers of heaven and earth. Bp. Patrick. 4. - the strength of the hills] That is, the loftiest and largest hills. Dr. Hammond. 6. - let us kneel before the Lord] It is most becoming, on all occasions, to express religious feelings of the mind by suitable actions of the body; and, especially, to "kneel before the Lord our Maker" when we humbly pour forth to his sacred name the tribute of our prayers and adorations. 7. For he is our God; &c.] "For he is our God, we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand, if ye will hear his voice to-day;" that is, if ye will be his obedient people, He will continue to be your God. Or else, the word translated "if" may be rendered in the optative form; "O that you would hear his voice to-day," saying unto you, "Harden not &c." However this be, what follows to the end of the Psalm is undoubtedly spoken in the person of God Himself. Bp. Horne. 8, 9. Harden not &c.] These verses allude to what passed at the place called Massah, and Meribah, from the people there striving with their God, notwithstanding all the mighty works which He had wrought for them before their eyes. Exod. xvii. 7. Bp. Horne. 9. When your fathers tempted me.] See the notes on Numb. xiv. 22. 10. -- they have not known my ways.] They have not acknowledged my power and presence among them. Bp. Wilson. 11. - into my rest.] That is, into the land of Canaan, which was a type of heaven. Dr. Wells. The wisdom and piety of the Church hath appointed this Psalm to be used every day in the beginning of our publick morning devotions, that there may be an union of all in heart and voice in the acknowledgment of God's mercy. It is from not acknowledging at all, or not acknowledging together, the superiority of God over all the world, and his power and justice of disposing of all things in it, that we fail in our humility towards Him, and in the exercise of Christian duties towards all men; and it is from not enough remembering the ingrati-tude and rebellion of our forefathers, and the grievous punishments they underwent for the same, the forcing God to reverse his own purpose, and compelling Him not to let them see the blessing He intended to them, that we are still so much inclined to murmur at his providence, and undervalue his power. Lord Clarendon. Psalm XCVI. We learn from 1 Chron. xvi, that, on the removal of the ark to the place prepared for it on mount Zion, David delivered this Psalm to be sung in commemoration of God's special presence among them. It is a solemn invocation to the people to give glory to God, to acknowledge and adore Him, both as the Creator of all things, and the supreme and righteous Judge of the world. By common consent of Jews as well as Christians, this Psalm is applied to the times of the Messiah. Bp. Horne, Travell. According to the Greek version, this Psalm was used at the dedication of the second temple, after the return of the Babylonish captivity. And it was somewhat altered to accommodate it to that purpose. Rosenmüller. Ver. 1. - a new song:] See note at Ps. xxxiii. 3. Ver. 2. Clouds and darkness &c.] His throne is surrounded by impenetrable obscurity, but every thing that issues from it is dedicated by unerring truth and justice. Travell. 3—5. A fire goeth before him, &c.] The judgments of God, and their effects upon the world, are here set forth, under the usual similitude of lightning and fire from heaven, causing the earth to tremble, and mountains to melt and dissolve away. Bp. Horne. 6. Honour and majesty are before him: &c.] This expresses, in poetical language, the general glory, majesty, and perfection of God. 7.—worship him, all ye gods.] Let all that are called gods, whether on earth or in heaven, acknowledge and adore his sovereign authority. Bp. Patrick. 8.—the daughters of Judah] See note at Ps. xlviii. 11. 9.—the beauty of holiness.] See the note on Psalm xxix. 2. 10—13. Say among the heathen &c.] Nothing can excel in sublimity the noble exultation of universal nature in these verses, where the whole animate and inanimate creation unite in the praises of their Maker. Poetry here seems to assume the highest tone of triumph and exultation, and to revel, if I may so express myself, in all the extravagance of joy. Bp. Lowth. The exhortations in this Psalm are peculiarly applicable to the times of the Gospel, and describe the joy which good men should express, when they reflect that the several nations of the world are enlightened with the knowledge of the true God, and his Son Jesus Christ. These great privileges engage us to praise the Lord without ceasing; to worship Him with fear, humility, and joy; and to shew by our obedience, that the Lord does truly reign over us. Ostervald. Psalm XCVII. In this Psalm the gracious assistance which God affords his servants, and the vengeance He takes upon the opposers of his laws, are strongly described under the images of fire and tempest. But the Psalm is chiefly applicable to the spiritual reign of idolaters. 10 An exhortation to godliness and gladness. THE LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the † multitude of isles be glad thereof. 11. Light] That is, life, salvation, immortality. This Psalm is not so much a description of God's dominion over the Jews as a prophecy of the dominion of Jesus Christ over all nations. The Holy Spirit here describes the effects which the coming of that kingdom would produce, and the joy which the faithful