Return, O Lord, unto, &c.— There being nothing for unto in the Hebrew, some approve the version of the Septuagint; return, O Lord, [i.e. to their rest] the many thousands of Israel. The Chaldee paraphrase has it, return, Lord, dwell with thy glory among the ten thousand thousands of Israel. See Isaiah 30:15. Ainsworth thinks this interpretation the most just; that, as, when the cloud and host removed; Moses prayed God to rise up, and go with them against their enemies; so, when the ark and people rested, he prays God to return, and remain among them; for in his presence their chief joy and safety consisted, Exodus 33:14-16 and he observes, that in Scripture there is often a want of such particles, which are necessary to be supplied. Houbigant, however, renders it, Convert, O Lord, the thousand thousands of Israel: For, return, says he, can never be properly applied to the ark, resting, and never departing from Israel.
REFLECTIONS.—The ark of God went before them, not it seems in front, but the pillar of the cloud over it directed their march; and thus it might be said to lead the way, and search out the most convenient resting-place. When we are under Divine guidance, every situation will be ordered with infinite wisdom, and we must believe so. When the ark moved, Moses prayed, Rise up, Lord, &c. We should begin every day's journey of life with prayer; and need enough have we to pray, beset as we are with spiritual enemies and an opposing world. Our comfort is, whilst Omnipotence is on our side, be they who hate him, and us for our attachment to him, ever so great or numerous, they shall be scattered as easily as morning-mists before the rising sun. At the resting of the ark, Moses renewed his petition for the Divine Presence, and therewith all blessings, in the midst of the thousands of Israel. Evening-calls for returning mercies must never be neglected: mercies on our own souls, that we may rest under the shadow of the Almighty; mercies on the church of God, that its welfare and happiness may abide and abound, till the time of final resting, when, with all God's saints together, we shall dwell in him, and he in us, to a glorious eternity.