By J.G. Bellet
Psalms 92-101 constitute so many parts or chapters of one little book. They celebrate the introduction of the kingdom, or "the world to come," and show Messiah Himself, His Israel, and the nations, anticipating it. Many of the Jewish writers themselves refer them to "the world to come."
Other Scriptures might prepare us for such Psalms. Isaiah tells us, that in the midst of the judgment, the true Israel will lift up their voice and sing for the majesty of the Lord; and these Psalms might suitably be the subject of that singing. (Isa. 24: 13-15) Hosea shows that, in the second wilderness, or place of discipline, in the latter day, they shall be spoken comfortably to; and these Psalms may be the utterance of their comforted hearts. The valley of Achor is to be a door of hope, and they shall sing there. (Hosea 2)
Indeed Messiah tells His people to sing in anticipation of His kingdom. (Isa. 42: 5-16) Jehoshaphat sang as he entered the field; and in these Psalms the Remnant rejoice and sing in hope. So the Watchmen in the latter day sing at the tidings that salvation is coming. (Isa. 52: 7, 8) Having put them thus together as forming one little book, and said this much generally upon them, I would open them shortly as follows.
But how small is the measure here given to them! and how happily and largely may they, to a greater measure, engage the meditations of the saints! May we all kindle our hearts at such blessed Scriptures more and more in company with Jesus. (Luke 24: 32)
Psalm 92
This is the language of Christ, the Son and heir of David, anticipating His kingdom or Sabbath. But in this coming Sabbath, God's thoughts will be celebrated as well as His works (v. 5). This will give the joy and praise of the final sabbath a higher character than the first had, when the works alone were celebrated. For counsels of grace, which are God's deep thoughts, have produced this. The first sabbath came in simply upon creation, the last sabbath will come in upon the destruction of the enemy, as Christ here also anticipates, so that it will not be exposed to danger and disturbance, as the first was, but the righteous will still flourish and be fruitful, as is here also declared.
Zacharias spoke of Jesus as this "horn of salvation," under whom Israel was to be delivered and flourish. Here the speaker takes that character to himself. (See Luke 1: 67-79)
But Messiah, son and heir of David, takes the kingdom from God. (Dan. 7; Luke 19) It is called the kingdom of the Father. God the Father is glorified though it be the day of the Lordship of Jesus. (Phil. 2)
Jesus was anointed for the ministry of grace (Isa. 61; Luke 4); He is to be anointed for the ministry of the kingdom. (Isa.11: 2-10) This is the "fresh oil." Faith in a poor but happy pardoned sinner brought its oil to greet this anointed one. (Luke 7; John 12) The nations will also after this manner gladden and honour Him. (Psalm 45: 8; Matt. 2: 11) And here Jesus owns the fragrancy of this costly anointing which was on Him.
This is, indeed, "a Psalm or song for the Sabbath day." For this exaltation of the anointed One will be the kingdom, of which the Sabbath is the type and pledge. And then, the teil tree and the oak, which have long been withered, shall flourish again--revive as in the time of old age. Israel shall then, after so long a time, flourish and bud and fill the face of the earth with fruit (verse 14; Isa. 6: 13, Isa. 17: 6). And all this will be to God's praise. "Every tongue shall confess Jesus Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Psalm 93
This is the language of the people, anticipating, in their turn, the same millennial kingdom. They address Messiah the King, celebrating His power and glory in some grand features of it:-
1. His discomfiture of His enemies.
2. The stability of His throne.
3. The holiness of His house or government.
This Psalm seems to announce the great subjects which are in the following Psalms more detailed. It is an Introduction, doing the well-known office of a Preface.
Psalm 94
This Psalm, accordingly, resumes the first of those subjects more largely. The people, waiting for their Messiah or King, call on Him to judge the enemy, to still the floods (92: 3) that are lifting up their voice. And all Scripture joins to tell, that the millennial kingdom of Christ will not be brought in, till this judgment is executed on the enemies of Israel.
But in the course of this Psalm, the afflicted Remnant greatly comfort themselves in God, assured that He will work for them. They know that in the midst of these floods and waves, the Lord is their Rock which nothing can move.
The judgment here described is the day of the Lord's vengeance--the year of recompence for the controversy of Zion--the day of breaking up confederacies--the day of the Lord that is to be upon everything lifted up--the day of "revenges upon the enemy." (Deut. 42: 41, 42) The floods that lift up their waves will then be rebuked by the Lord. (Isa. 17: 12, 13)
But judgment is to "return unto righteousness" (verse 15). The judgment is to lead to the exaltation of righteousness in the earth, when power will be on the side of righteousness, as in the kingdom.
The infidel character of the faction is strikingly challenged and rebuked by the righteous Israel (verses 7-10). St. Peter addresses the same unbelief, but more in the way of a teacher of God's truth. (2 Peter 3)
Psalm 95
Thus encouraging themselves, their hearts are tuned to a song of joy and praise, so lively and fresh are their anticipations. The Lord by His Spirit seems to break in on all this anticipated joy, not to check or alter it, but just to give holy admonition in the midst of it (vv. 7- 11). And this interruption, or this voice of the Spirit, acts in two ways; it tells them that there is a rest (see Heb. 4); it tells them also that they must take heed and avoid all that which in their fathers caused a loss of that rest. (See Heb. 3) For they are still in spirit in the wilderness or place of discipline,--still, as of old, between Egypt and Canaan, and therefore in need of such admonition. The apostle's commentaries on these chapters give this character to this voice. But we know surely that the admonition is rightly applied to us all.
