This third psalm in the Hallel is born of passion for the glory of the name of Jehovah. That is its opening note, and all that follows must be explained thereby. The singer's distress is heard in the cry:
“Wherefore should the nations say, Where is now their God?”
Not first for the welfare of the people does he care, but for the vindication of his god. This is a deep note, and all too rare in our music. We are ever in danger of putting the welfare of man before the glory of God.
The song having uttered its keynote proceeds in a passage of fine scorn for idols and idol worshippers. These idols have form without power, appearance without life, and the effect of worshipping them is that the worshippers become insensate as they are.
Following this there is a fine appeal to the people of God to trust in Him, with a confident assurance that He will help. There then pass before the mind of the singer the heavens, God's own habitation; the earth, entrusted to men; and Sheol, the place of silence. All ends with a declaration that sounds the note of triumph even over death, for the praise of His people is to continue for evermore.
And again the thought reverts to the upper room, and the Singer Whose deepest passion was ever the will of God and the glory of His name; to the One Who was soon going into the silence where no note of praise would be heard; and yet to the One Who would turn the silence into song for evermore.