But I will declare for ever— But as for me, I will exult for ever. See Bishop Hare and Mudge. As for his part, the author declares he would always exult, and celebrate the glory of the God of Jacob; whose minister he should be, to humble the wicked, and to exalt the righteous. This shews the author of the psalm either to have been the prince, or some one in his person.
REFLECTIONS. The psalm opens,
1. With repeated and fervent thanksgivings for God's great mercies received; and may be considered as the language of the church adoring God for the gift of his Son, who, in his incarnation, was brought near unto us, and whose miracles, and wondrous works of redemption, declared his power and grace. Note; (1.) Praise is ever our bounden duty on every review of God's mercies towards us. (2.) Every faithful believer experiences wondrous instances of God's nearness to help him out of dangers, from which he could not escape, and to bring him to the enjoyment of mercies above his expectations.
2. The Psalmist promises, that his administration should be just and upright. And, when the great congregation of God's people shall be gathered unto Christ in the day of his appearing and glory, then shall righteous judgment proceed against the ungodly. Note; (1.) Magistrates are accountable to God from whom they receive their authority, and their decisions must be without partiality. (2.) They who have the honour of office, must remember the conscientious discharge of the burden thereto annexed.
3. He undertakes to support and restore, through the divine blessing, the weak and distracted state of Israel. Note; (1.) Disunion and faction hasten a kingdom to destruction. (2.) One true patriot has often saved a nation. But this more emphatically appertains to Christ, who, when the world, with all its inhabitants, by sin was dissolved, and ready to be swallowed up in misery, bore up the pillars of it, and by his redemption renewed the face of the earth.
4. He rebukes the folly as well as wickedness of those who opposed his government. Though they exerted all their power against him, with a stiff neck refused to bend, and proudly spoke against his administration, it was all in vain; and therefore he admonishes them to submit, lest they should feel the weight of his arm. Many are the enemies from earth and hell that oppose the kingdom of Jesus; but it shall rise superior to all opposition; the anti-Christian horns shall be broken; and the sinners, who have spoken hard speeches against him, be silenced in eternal destruction. Note; It is folly to oppose where resistance is vain, and madness where ruin must be the consequence; yet thus foolishly and madly do sinners plunge their souls into eternal perdition, and will not have this Jesus to reign over them.